09-25-2001 PTRC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PARKS,TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE • SEPTEMBER 26, 2000 related ag lime performance issues; formal availability of gravel parking lot vs. current asphalt for the skating rink; soil structure of the park(peat) and seasonal heaving; difficulty in berming the skating area due to the substantial sloping of the park; continued flooding of the warminghouse relative to the lake level at Valentine Lake; makeup of a berm for the ice rink; relocation of the skating rink and lack of parking alternatives. Other items addressed were the sewer manhole location in the middle of the parking lot; potential culvert plugging problems; access road for tanker truck; past lack of usage with no warminghouse; and location of lights. Committee members continued discussion, including potential relocation of the warminghouse; location of the ballfield; safety issues; parking area blacktopping; ice rink no longer being feasible; potential removal of blacktop, since it's alligator-cracking at this time; and potential need for additional lighting. Committee member Crassweller posed questions to staff, including if there were any way to downsize the rink to have a sheet of ice that residents could use; if there were enough snow, could a small rink be sufficiently bermed; light timer possibility; potential cost of other material for berming; and black dirt vs. ag-lime base. Ms. Holmes responded to committee members that the neighborhood was not concerned with the • rink being smaller. Council Liaison Grant expressed concerns regarding potential closing of the pleasure rink at Cummings Park, and the need to keep an adequate number of pleasure rinks in the community. Mr. Moore addressed several additional issues from a budget standpoint, stating the cost of $7,000 to maintain each ice rink location at$3,500 per rink(i.e., equipment, warming house staff, maintenance, etc.). Mr. Moore also addressed the recently-completed comprehensive drainage survey and future use of Valentine Park as a proposed stormwater treatment pond; and status quo of park projects, future capital improvement purchases until the overall park comprehensive plan has been completed. Staff recommends that Valentine Park ice rink remain closed until the final report for the Comprehensive Park plan is complete, and at that time, focus on the findings of the report and work from there. MOTION: Crassweller moved and Messerly seconded a motion directing staff to provide a committee recommendation to the City Council that staff be authorized to construct a small, limited-use ice rink at Valentine Park this upcoming season; that the ag lime be pealed back to allow for berming a rink, using Mr. Winkel's discretion for construction of the rink; and that a timer or photo cell system be installed for Valentine Park lighting so that the warminghouse could remain closed, with no ice rink attendant. The motion carried unanimously. •