12-20-05 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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. PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING DECEMBER 20, 2005 Page 3 of4 . MOTION: Committee Member Werner motioned, seconded by Committee Member Williams to approve the November 22, 2005 Minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COUNCIL UPDATE Council Liaison Larson provided the Committee with the following update: . In regard to the status to the embezzlement case of the former finance assistant employee, the Council instructed staffto draft a letter to the Ramsey County attorney stressing that they consider the charges seriously and hope they are dealt with in that manner. . The GSA and City met to negotiate a price for the TCAAP property. The City has made an offer and is waiting for a response for the GSA. . Suggested to the PTRC that they may want to consider referendums as a possibility ofraising funds for park. Councilmember Larson sited an article in the Pioneer Press recently that examined the use of referendums for parks. 4. PARKS AND TRAILS UPDATES Ms. Olson provided the Committee with the following update: . Ramsey County attorneys and Canadian Pacific attorneys have agreed on a design for the railroad underpass to Tony Schmidt Regional Park and are scheduled to begin work in Spring . 2006. S. RECREATION UPDATE Ms. Olson provided the Committee with an update on the Park activities: . Ice rinks opened today. . Skating Clinic is scheduled for next week. . Planning has begun for the Spring/Summer programs. . Last month, we provided an update that the Freeway Park warming house could to be torn down because of mice infestation. We encountered difficulties when tearing down the structure. Staff discovered that the electrical wiring is throughout the entire building. Staff got an estimate from an electrician to move the wiring outside to the pole. The estimate came in at $4,000. Staff made a decision to leave the building standing, clean it up to Heath Department standards and cover up entry hole for rodents. Committee member Werner asked is that would be a safe situation. Ms. Olson informed the Health Department and followed their instructions for the clean up. The Health Department has no health concerns provided the clean up is completed. Committee Chair Henry asked why a mobile unit couldn't still be brought in and parked by the existing building. Ms. Olson stated that was a consideration but it would take away a large . section of the pleasure rink and that staff would still have to go in and out of the old building for access to lights. Staff will take a look at the building for next year.