12-18-2001 PTRC Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Arden Hills Park and Recreation Committee Meeting December 18,2001 6 Council Liaison Larson referenced the recommendations for improvements to shelters located in parks such as Hazel Park and clarified that he is not sure of the timing for the improvements. He stated that they would not be able to accomplish the improvements in time for skating season this year but would be done in time for next year. He stated that it appears the Council is in favor but noted the costs. He stated that presently there is $470,000.00 in the Parks General Fund. He stated that the two projects discussed would require approximately$75-80,000.00 of this fund. He suggested that the Committee put together a recommendation for the Council that includes a prioritization and the associated costs. He stated that he spoke with Larry Holmberg regarding their prioritization process and that he had asked Mr. Holmberg for suggestions. He reviewed the process St. Paul takes to prioritize projects and he suggested using a portion of the money available through the Capital Improvement Fund to help out Ramsey County. He stated that this would provide the appearance of cooperation on their part. Council Liaison Larson said that they discussed the larger problem of funding the recreation programs and that they also discussed the change of distribution funding from charitable gambling. He explained that this would be an agenda item on the January 14th Council Agenda and reviewed the funding change recommendation with the Committee. He stated that the Council wants to keep the current recreation programs, as they are good programs. Mr. Moore stated that from a CIP standpoint the only thing scheduled for replacement is a one- ton vehicle and a combination lawnmower\snow removal and that no vehicles would be replaced. He acknowledged that there is money available in the Park Fund and cautioned the Committee to be very careful on how they decide to spend this money. He suggested discussing this in the January or February session. He stated that they should decide if they want to spend 10%of this fund on the replacement of warming houses. Council Liaison Larson stated that if the City feels that the underpass is a key to our trails in Arden Hills and if the City would provide funding, they should be told about it early on. Committee Member Crassweller stated that Tom Wold suggested the same thing and that there does not appear to be any interest in matching funds from City of Arden Hills. Council Liaison Larson suggested prioritizing their recommendations. He stated that the Council is favorable on spending money for the houses but they need to know how much. MOTION: Committee Member Straumann moved, Committee Member Crassweller seconded to approve that the Committee determine the funding needs to complete the playground equipment in the Royal Hills Park and to provide to the Council for inclusion in the CIP funding. Motion carried by consensus unanimously. Mr. Moore suggested that they provide some proposals at the February meeting. Council Liaison Larson clarified that they cannot get it into the CIP but that they are flexible with the funding. He explained the five-year planning process to the Committee and noted that they did not do anything this year as they were waiting for this to be completed. •