03-17-09 PTRC - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

PARKS,TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES February 24, Zoos Page 6 of 8 Ms. Bloom indicated tonight staff was looking to see if the Committee was still in support of this project even if it was not fully funded by the grant. If so, staff would need to dig in and find additional funds to complete the project. Chair Peck stated anything that could be done to narrow the financial gap would greatly benefit the City. He indicated there was value in the project but at the same time, funding should not be taken away from other projects. Chair Peck suggested a cost analysis be completed on this project before being pursued further. Council Liaison Holmes stated she was in favor of the plan but that it was more for the neighborhood to walk than for the children. Ms. Bloom questioned if this trail was a valuable link to the Arden Hills trail system. The Committee was in agreement that this trail section was a key to the trail system along with providing an added safety benefit to the school and its students. Ms. Bloom stated the City did not have to spend the funds,just because the grant was approved. However, if the Committee was in favor of making a recommendation to proceed with the project, staff would continue to seek additional funding sources to bring forward to the City Council. Ms. O'Malley asked if this item were to be forwarded to Council in March if staff would have additional funding sources explored by that time. Ms. Bloom felt that staff would have a better idea if what sacrifices would have to be made to complete this project. MOTION: Committee Member Jones motioned that the PTRC was in support of the Safe Routes to School Project and advised staff to seek additional funding sources for the project as proposed and present this information to City Council in March. Committee Member Baumann seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 6. COMMUNITY CLEAN UP EVENT DISCUSSION Chair Peck suggested a community clean up event be held this spring in Tony Schmidt Park and possibly Perry Park. He stated this would give the Committee a spring outreach event with the central focus being on the park. Chair Peck indicated the County would be willing to provide plastic bags for the cleanup. He questioned if any members on the Committee would be interested and willing to assist in a spring cleanup project. Chair Peck stated a corporate sponsor could be contacted to provide food/drinks for the event for the volunteers. Council Liaison Holmes stated the Council could be asked for funding for this event on a low scale. Ms. Olson stated she did have a couple hundred dollars available within her budget as well to assist in the cleanup of these parks.