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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – November 19, 2024 Page 3 <br /> <br />Council Liaison Rousseau confirmed. The Park Master Plan would include the parks that we <br />currently have. <br /> <br />Committee Member Nelson said a criticism he has is how glacially slow things move. Not having <br />a plan would delay everything this committee is thinking about doing. It doesn’t make sense to <br />keep putting it off. He thinks it’s essential. <br /> <br />Committee Member Jacobson said there is a new Staff person that will be starting. She wondered <br />if they have any relationship with the Master Plan. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Rousseau said the plan was that Staff member would be hired in March, to save <br />a little on the levy. Then the Master Plan work would begin after that new Staff is in place for a <br />month. That person would be the one working side by side with the consultant. <br /> <br />Committee Member Olson asked how long a Park Master Plan is typically good for. Her concern <br />is if we spend a lot of money on a Master Plan and TCAAP is not included. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Rousseau said it is recommended to complete or review every 10 years. When <br />she worked with the park board and they have a plan for each park. <br /> <br />Committee Member Rogers said a volunteer group like this works most effectively when we get <br />requests to assist, rather than being the ones to create plans. We don’t have the expertise for that. <br />A Park Master Plan would be very helpful. <br /> <br />Committee Member Jacobson asked if the Council has already decided to remove the Master <br />Plan or is it still an option. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Rousseau said it’s still under discussion. She suspects the decision will be made <br />on December 9, when the levy is finalized. <br /> <br />Chair Anderson thought the PTRC could make a motion to recommend that Council proceed <br />with the Park Master Plan. They can agree or disagree with our recommendation. It is important <br />that they understand we can be most effective if the plan moves forward. <br /> <br />Committee Member Olson worries that if we delay it a year and we need the $75,000 somewhere <br />else, it will get delayed again. <br /> <br />Committee Member Jacobson asked if Arden Hills has ever done a Park Master Plan. <br /> <br />Recreation Supervisor Johnson confirmed. He thought the last time was 2001 or 2004. <br /> <br />Committee Member Olson asked if they expire. <br /> <br />Recreation Supervisor Johnson said a master plan could be essential to speeding up the process <br />of regulations and what the mission and goal is for each. There won’t be as many asks because the <br />vision will be set in stone. It makes budgeting for projects in the future so you don’t have to request. <br /> <br />Committee Member Nelson assumes a consultant would collect input from the community and <br />PTRC to use in creating the Park Master Plan.