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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – February 17, 2026 Page 5 <br /> <br />A project should not exist unless there is a committee member that will hold it down. We want to <br />have actionable language outlining the steps we will take. <br /> <br />Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky suggested the language for the trails group is “The <br />trails group partners with the City and local municipal partners on Arden Hills trail planning. The <br />trails group focuses on long term trail visioning and future trail improvements, providing input <br />well before projects enter planning or design. This work is intended to inform projects expected to <br />begin planning three or more years in advance. It does not apply to active or approved projects.” <br />She thinks the trail group should be meeting about projects years in advance so their voice can be <br />heard. By that process, people may understand the intricate timing of these projects and learn why <br />you can’t just make a change to the approved plan, even if it looks like no big deal on the surface. <br /> <br />Chair Julius asked how PTRC can be proactive so intentional discussion happens in advance and <br />not as a reaction. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Rousseau said Council has had some communication around this. There are <br />differing thoughts. She would love to bond for all of the trails but she knows that would harm a lot <br />of people in our community. They are trying to find a balance. Prioritizing Lake Johannah and Old <br />Highway 10 is the focus right now. There may be something in the queue like with the Snelling <br />project where there’s an opportunity to get a financial advantage by partnering with MnDOT or <br />the County. She said maybe the trails group can touch base with Council at a work session. <br /> <br />Chair Julius said she thinks a touch-base with Council would make this more tangible. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Rousseau said it would be good for PTRC to hear what the other four <br />Councilmembers’ perspectives are. They may feel different about bonding. <br /> <br />Committee Member Johnson appreciates the language for the work plan. That allows the group <br />to have an idea of how they can be productive. We don’t want to propose things that just aren’t <br />possible. We want to focus on, and have input on, what is possible. She said it will be good to have <br />someone looking for opportunities to work with the county or another city on a common project. <br />There are so many entities involved that things get missed. It will be good to provide input on trails <br />and connections before the planning stage. That allows us to point out opportunities that the <br />designers, who have one certain goal in mind, might have missed because that’s not the main focus <br />of their project. <br /> <br />Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky thinks it’s a good idea to present at a work session. It <br />makes it more solid. In addition to that, she still suggests the group meet a few times a year to <br />make sure the PTRC voices are heard. <br /> <br />Committee Member Johnson said it’s about education and connecting dots so everyone is on the <br />same page. <br /> <br />Council Liaison Rousseau said PTRC members can come to a work session with Parks and <br />Recreation Manager Skalicky and share the different plans they have. Then the trails group could <br />talk for a few minutes about what they are working on. <br /> <br />Committee Member Johnson asked if language outlining that process should be included as a <br />part of the PTRC Work Plan.