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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-07 PTRC Minutes Approved CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS, AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2007; 6:30 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Henry called the October 23, 2007 meeting of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Committee Chair Bill Henry; Committee Members Roger Williams, John Peck, Jim Crassweller, Lanny Baumann, Steve Zilmer, and Rich Straumann. OTHERS PRESENT: David McClung, Council Liaison; Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager; Stan Harpstead, Mayor; Greg Hoag; Public Works Director, Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers & Associates Tim Ronchak, Kay Reyerson and Mary Bremer from Arden Hills Association #3 were present until 8:00 p.m. MEMBERS NOT PRESENT : Joani Werner 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: Committee Chair Henry motioned, seconded by Committee Member Williams to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 18, 2007 MOTION: Committee Member Williams motioned for approval of the minutes of the September 18 meeting. A correction was noted to state Joani Werner was at the meeting. Committee Member Crassweller seconded. The motion carried. 4. REFERENDUM/BONDING DISCUSSION – Ehler’s Stacie gave an overview of basics on referendums and ways to finance. She indicated referendums placed out to voters usually were for a term of 10 to 20 years and for General Obligation Equipment Certificates the term was limited to 10 years. Stacie suggested that when the City is looking to do any kind of park improvements it’s best to have a plan in place and know what they want to finance so that Ehlers can look at the various options that are available and find the best tool to finance those improvements. Stacie indicated the City should have an overall plan for everything they want to do for the next 20 years. She indicated Ehlers would look at the Comprehensive Improvement Plan and then they would determine the best way to finance those improvements. PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING October 23, 2007 Page 2 Stacie pointed out some legal parameters, the statutory guidance for referenda in Chapter 475 and Chapter 205, and the list of things that the City will need to go through in order to do an election. One option is to have it at a normal regular election in November or to call for a Special Election which will have some restrictions. She stated the ballot language is very specific and must include the amount of the bond, the amount of debt the city is going to issue to accomplish what they want to do, the term and rate of financing. It’s looking at what the tax impact will be to the homeowners and making the statement that by voting “yes” they are voting to increase taxes. Stacie indicated that the tax supported debt is limited to 2 percent of the city’s taxable market value so for Arden Hills the 2 percent limit is $22 million. She indicated most general obligation debt for street improvements is paid on tax capacity and anything that is voter approved debt is paid on market value. Stacie also indicated the restrictions are that the funds need to be used for what was specified and the City cannot use any of those funds to advocate for passage of the referendum. She stated the City can do communications for providing factual information to the voters and provided the Council with sample communications of referendums that were done by other communities. She suggested that for a successful referendum the City needs to define what the funding is for and what the problem is, also to let the taxpayers know what options the City has looked at, and the process the City went through to arrive at their decision. She indicated the key thing is to know what the City wants to finance and to get some fairly accurate estimates on what the cost will be. Chair Henry questioned if a referendum failed in the school would it also fail in the city. Stacie indicated “no”, that it could succeed in the City if it failed in the school. In closing, Stacie indicated it is helpful to the Council when they’re making budgetary decisions to lay the CIP out in a 10-20 year timeframe. 5. SHEEHY TENNIS COURT DISCUSSION Arden Hills No. 3 Association Input and Discussion: Arden Hills Association No. 3 residents Tim Ronchak, Kay Reyerson and Mary Bremer attended the meeting to represent their position and to hear more information regarding the Sheehy Tennis Court. The Association expressed their desire to continue leasing the Tennis Court as they had done in the past. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson gave a history of the Tennis Court and indicated the reason this was brought to Council with different options, which were discussed in a prior meeting, is because there was some question as to why this was private and not public. She indicated with the option to lease there are concerns regarding maintenance of the property. The Association residents indicated they leased the tennis court in 1996 and in 1999 they put $5,000 into repairs and they realize it is again in need of maintenance and indicated they are ready to repair. They also indicated that when the Sheehys gave it to the City as a gift it was intended for neighborhood use and not for a public park. They indicated the intent of the neighbors and the Association is to keep this in the neighborhood and that this would also take the burden off the City for cost of repairs. They understand that private use of public land is an issue, but they would like the Committee to reconsider and recommend to the City Council that the lease for exclusive use of the tennis court be extended. PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING October 23, 2007 Page 3 Committee Member Crassweller motioned to change the recommendation to Council by stating the City enter into negotiations with the Association to lease the property but the Association be required to provide for maintenance, insurance, signage and other issues. Committee Member Peck seconded the motion. Ms. Olson clarified the letter from the attorney stating the finding is that the City cannot just convey the land since it was donated to the City, but they could sell it. She indicated it would have to go through the Planning Commission as well so it is an involved process. Mr. Ronchak indicated if that was an option that wanted to be explored by the City that in the interim they have a lease arrangement. Ms. Olson indicated the City could do that, and until fully resolved they would keep leasing. Committee Member Williams asked if the association would be interested in purchasing. Ms. Reyerson indicated they would be interested in owning but that would depend on price. Committee Member Williams requested it be noted that Council asked the question on if the Association was interested in purchasing, but that it did not necessarily indicate that the City would sell. Public Works Director Hoag indicated he does have concerns about privately run operations on a public piece of property. Committee Williams also felt because of other needs of the City it was not in the City’s best interest to spend money on the tennis court and the City could accommodate the neighborhood and not have the burden of the expense. Chair Henry indicated the motion is to recommend to Council to extend the lease and include a commitment on the part of the neighborhood for repairs, signage, insurance, and other factors. The motion carried 6-1. Ms. Olson indicated once Council made a decision she will work with the Association. Council Liaison McClung asked Ms. Olson to be prepared to answer at the next Council Meeting out of all the city parks, which ones have on-street parking and which have off-street parking. 6. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE – David McClung Council Liaison McClung provided the following updates:  He thanked those who attended the second open house for the Comprehensive Plan. He indicated for those that were not able to attend that there was a link on the city website to look at the materials and recommended they look at that and provide input on the questions that were asked to City Planner Lenhoff. PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING October 23, 2007 Page 4  Council authorized a housing market study to be conducted, independently of the developer, to provide input into some of the decisions being worked on in terms of density for the TCAAP development. The firm selected is Maxfield. The study looks at what the potential is on the land and the housing market and what housing and companies there currently are in Arden Hills.  Development Cases: the Northwestern College Development Proposal Master Plan is coming to Council on o Monday evening; County Road E and Lexington is on the Planning Commission for November o  They are working on the budget and the truth in taxation meeting is set for the first week in December and they have approved the preliminary levee at 4.9 percent. He indicated they can stay at 4.9 percent but cannot raise it.  Karen Barton has left to go to the Metropolitan Council and they are starting the interview process for her replacement.  Noah Simon, who was extended the Assistant City Administrator position, will be starting on th, Monday, October 29and will be a great addition to the staff. Committee Member Williams had concern about the storm water for the Northwestern College expansion running into Lake Johanna and asked Councilmember McClung to check on where the drainage would go. He also had concern about a Walgreen’s opening in Arden Plaza and does not feel there should be another drugstore in the vicinity of three existing drugstores. Council Liaison McClung indicated they are reviewing the B2 zone and understands the concern regarding the drugstore, but that the City cannot regulate what type of tenant goes in. Mayor Harpstead agreed the City can look at traffic but not dictate what tenant goes in there. 7. PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION UPDATE – Michelle Olson Ms. Olson provided the following updates:  She is working on the Safe Routes to School Grant and talked to Jim Tolaas from Ramsey County and they are very much in support of the trail and are willing to work with the city. She indicated it is not much different from the last application that was put in, the only thing is the engineering is not covered 100 percent; about 1/3 of the engineering is eligible for reimbursement so the City will have to pick up some of that cost. On a good note that leaves $175,000 for improvement of trails.  Engineering looked at the Cummings Park Tennis Court and that project is going to cost around $65,000 to get the court back to where it needs to be. Because of the timing it will have to be postponed until the spring. It will be going to Council this coming meeting. She indicated if it’s a reconstruct it comes out of the park fund and if it is a resurface it does not. The staff recommendation will be to bid the project this spring.  The liaison for the New Brighton Parks and Recreation Trail Committee called and wanted to know where our committee stood on the old railroad bridge that goes across 35W because they see that as a temporary fix to having no access across 35W. She indicated they should have discussions with MnDOT regarding replacing the bridge since it would not be cost-effective to spend a lot of money on refurbishment if MnDOT does not plan on keeping the bridge. Public Works Director Hoag indicated the bridge is far enough north that it does not affect the 694 PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING October 23, 2007 Page 5 project. Council Liaison McClung indicated that MnDOT stated the bridge will not be there when they reconstruct. Ms. Olson stated she informed New Brighton that for Arden Hills to get involved we would need reassurance from MnDOT that Arden Hills is wrong about the bridge not being removed. Mayor Harpstead indicated the City has other things they should be spending their efforts on that are much more important, but also stated the City would consider working with them on the County Road E bridge, sound abatement, the Briarknoll neighborhood, or Lake Valentine Road, if they consider that.  Ms. Olson stated she has researched the problem with the Round Lake Trail and it has to do with not having a signed easement from Distribution Alternatives. She indicated they stated they would sell an easement for around $50,000 and that is where talks stalled.  Another item regarding the Safe Routes to School depends on whether Ramsey County moves the paving of the underpass up to County Road E2 to 2008. Ms. Olson indicated if this occurs she would like to add to the DNR grant to pave from Perry to the trailhead, in a cost-sharing effort.  Ms. Olson also reminded everyone that the Buckthorn removal is this Saturday, October 27, at Hazelnut from 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 8. TRAIL PRIORITY DISCUSSION – Michelle Olson Ms. Olson indicated that with the referendum she would like them to identify the project and the other areas that have funding possibilities, and feels they should do this in segments and set priorities. Mr. Hoag indicated this will help in the CIP as well and felt some sort of pecking order should be in place. Committee Member Crassweller feels the north/south and east/west connections are the two most critical pieces. Mayor Harpstead indicated that on the illustration of the proposed trails it would be good to include the dollar amount and also indicate if it could be a Safe Routes to School Grant Application or a possible referendum. 9. COMMITTEE TERM LIMIT APPOINTMENTS Ms. Olson indicated the need to set term limits and the process of assigning those terms. Mayor Harpstead clarified that members could be on three consecutive 3-year terms and any separation starts a new term, so, therefore, Committee Member Werner would be on the first part of a new sequence. Chair Henry informed them they need one third of the members to be on a 3-year term, a third to be on a 2-year term and a third to be on a 1-year term. The following are the terms that were assigned: John Peck – 3 PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING October 23, 2007 Page 6 Joani Werner – 3 Rich Straumann – 3 Lanny Baumann – 2 Steve Zilmer – 2 Roger Williams– 2 Bill Henry -1 Jim Crassweller- 1 10. ACTIVE LIVING RAMSEY COUNTY Ms. Olson indicated the Active Living is scheduled for Thursday, November 8, and will start at Flaherty’s and the walk will continue down County Road E. There will also be a presentation and workshop where there will be questions individuals can comment on. Ms. Olson indicated people invited are the Planning Commission, PTRC, EDC, the City Council, all of the Parks and Public Works. Mayor Harpstead mentioned they may want to have a handout for ideas. Members also discussed where the walk should take place and what the presentation should include. 11. NEXT MEETING – NOVEMBER 20, 2007 The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 20, 2007. 12. ADJOURN MOTION: Chair Henry moved and the motion seconded. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. \\Metro-inet.us\ardenhills\Admin\Committees\Parks Trails and Recreation Committee\Minutes\2007\10-23-2007.doc