09-25-2001 PTRC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PARKS,TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE • SEPTEMBER 26,2000 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS, PRESENTATION FOR PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PARK PLAN At 7:45 p.m., Bob Coster, Augie Wong, Katherine Ryan, and Barry Gore from BRW provided their credentials and presented an overview of their firm's approach for a Comprehensive Park Plan. Committee members posed questions regarding aspects of the presentation, and Mr. Coster responded accordingly. Council Liaison Grant expressed concerns regarding several recent design options presented by BRW(i.e., a proposed warminghouse at Ingerson Park, and suggested extension of a section of trail), and the unrealistic cost estimates of those two projects. Mr. Grant stated that any proposed improvements related to a Comprehensive Park Plan needed to be realistic and feasible. REVIEW OF WINTER ICE RINK PROGRAM Director Moore introduced the next agenda item, entitled "Review of the Winter Ice Rink Program," with staff providing a written and verbal recap of the 1999/2000 season. • Committee member Crassweller responded that he would prefer that the committee review the Valentine Park ice rink issue as a separate item at this time. At that point, Mr. Moore reviewed the numerous e-mails, petition, and correspondence received by staff as related to the Valentine Park ice rink, and provided for committee members in the packet. Mr. Moore introduced the Valentine Hills neighborhood representative, Fran Holmes. Ms. Holmes provided an overview of neighborhood concerns regarding re-establishment of the ice rink at Valentine Park. Ms. Holmes expressed concern regarding the decision to close the ice rink, and questioned the City's rationale regarding costs,the aesthetics of continuing the "neighborhood"rink; and warminghouse staffing issues. Mr. Moore responded to Ms. Holmes, from a staff perspective, reviewed programming issues for Valentine Park ice rink and provided additional information regarding the process; usage; maintenance; staffing and budget concerns; Comprehensive Park Plan development; and then deferred to Ms. Olson to continue addressing staff concerns. Ms. Olson discussed various programming issues, providing a historical perspective for the staff and Council's decision to no longer have an ice rink at Valentine Park. Ms. Olson deferred to Dave Winkel, the City's Parks Maintenance Foreman, to provide his expertise regarding various maintenance issues. • Mr. Winkel addressed the various maintenance issues, using a visual display of the park and warminghouse. Those issues included the location of the ice rink on the softball infield and