02-17-26 - PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – February 17, 2026 Page 8 Committee Member Deitz said we currently have 7 members and 1 youth member serving on the committee. Two committee members terms will be ending this year. He said this is pretty consistent to what he has seen during his time here. He thinks 7 is a good amount. That falls better in line with the other cities. Additionally, with a really big group, everyone’s voice isn’t always heard, just because we don’t have time. Committee Member Johnson thinks 7 is a good number. Chair Julius thinks 7 regular members and 2 youth members or 8 members and 1 youth. Committee Member Deitz likes having slots for 2 youth. Chair Julius said she is hearing consensus that 7 members and 2 youth members will keep us at an odd number. She asked if anyone had any other thoughts. Committee Member Hilding said if we find someone who is really passionate and wants to join is that an option? Is this a formal change? Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said she is proposing that we formally change the number. That would involve bringing it to Council and change the ordinance. Council Liaison Rousseau said her understanding is that we have one youth committee position and we can bring in one other member that would meet the criteria, as a youth member but they aren’t in the youth committee position. They would be a regular member with the recognition that member may not fulfill an entire term, if going to college. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky confirmed. The youth committee member has a wider parameter than a regular member. A youth committee member doesn’t have to reside in Arden Hills. They have to attend school in the Arden Hills School District. Chair Julius said we should make it clear. We should identify what the youth member is and everybody else is a committee member. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said if there were no members of the PTRC and six Mounds View high school students who also live in Arden Hills wanted to join, they can. There is no limit. Youth committee members are only appointed for one year and can live in a different city as long as they attend Mounds View or Irondale high schools. Committee Member Hilding said in January we said we can go up to 12 but we can just operate lower. If we are going to do a comprehensive rewrite we should simplify it. He thinks there should be a cap of two high school students, regardless of where they live. Discussion ensued that technically there could be all youth members. Someone would not be told no just because they are 16 years old. Further discussion ensued that it can state that at no time can there be more than two members that meet the criteria of a youth committee member.