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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-20-07 PTRC 4P- - S EN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS, & RECREATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY, MARCH 20TH **7:00 P.M. MEETING** ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 *****PLEASE BRING FOR REVIEW: *** FINANCIAL FOLDERS *** COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AGENDA 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of February 22, 2007 Meeting Minutes 4. PTRC Strategies Plan—Funding Discussion Sue Iverson — Finance Director will be present to help with the funding discussion and is available for questions. 5. City Council Update—David McClung 6. Parks, Trails, and Recreation Update— Greg Hoag &Michelle Olson 7. Committee Expectations 8. Next Meeting Agenda 9. REMINDER: JOINT WORKSESSION WITH CITY COUNCIL ON PARK FUNDING—Monday,May 21". PLEASE MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR 10. Adj ourn Attachments: 2122107 Minutes Park Funding Survey Information City of Arden Hills 5 Year CIP Commission/Committee Expectations Ramsey County Parks Commission Agenda for 3113107 Ramsey County Parks &Recreation Commission Minutes from 2113107 Ramsey County Parks & Recreation 6 Year CIP Plan A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting. � st" ,. �t'-r ` ' �- RDZEN HILLS Draft: CITY OF ARDEN IIILLS PARKS,TRAILS,AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY,FEBRUARY 22; 7:00 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Henry called the February 22,2007 meeting of the Parks,Trails and Recreation Committee to order at 7:01 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Committee Chair Bill Henry, Committee Members Lanny Baumann,Jim Crassweller,Rich Straumann, and Cindy Wheeler. OTHERS PRESENT: Michelle Olson, Park and Recreation Manager; Greg Hoag, Public Works Director; Dave McClung, City Council Liaison; Dave Hammernick,National Guard; Greg Mack, Ramsey County; Larry Holmberg, Ramsey County. MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Committee Members Roger Williams and Steve Zilmer. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: Committee Member Straumann motioned, seconded by Committee Member Baumann to approve the agenda. The motion carried unanimously. 3. RAMSEY COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION PRESENTATION A. Tony Schmidt Park Master Plan Draft Tony Schmidt Park was re-designated as a regional park. The re-designation provided opportunities to access state and regional funding for future improvements. In order to meet the re-designation standard,it was necessary to go through a master planning process. Mr. Larry Holmberg presented the proposed plan. The committee asked if priority #4 could be moved up in priority. Mr. Mack stated that based on the discussion he has heard from the committee,swapping priorities #3 and #4 would seem to have better community benefit than the north side of Farrell Lake. The committee was in agreement with switching priorities#3 and#4. Chair Henry asked about the Elmer Andersen Trail. Mr. Mack suggested that the City make a request to the County Board to consider designating the trail that extended from the Elmer Andersen Trail, in Arden Hills,to Long Lake Regional Park as the Elmer Andersen Trail. B. Rice Creek North Regional Trail Mr. Holmberg stated that last summer the US government transferred 112 acres along the Rice Creek Corridor. Mr. Holmberg gave an overview of the proposed trail project and stated that construction was anticipated to start spring/summer of 2007. It was agreed upon to bring the resolutions requested by Ramsey County and the PTRC to the March 12, 2007 City Council meeting for approval. MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller motioned, seconded by Committee Member Baumann, to encourage the City Council to recommend to the Ramsey County Board to officially _designate the trail that extends from the end of our Elmer Andersen Trail to Long Lake - Regional Park as the Elmer Andersen Trail. The motion carried unanimously. PARKS,TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 22,2007 Page Z MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller motioned, seconded by Committee Member Straumann, to recommend that the City Council approve the Tony Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan, provided that priorities #3 and #4 in the development project be switched as suggested by Mr—. Greg-Mack-Tiie-motian-Garried-unanimously. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. November 21,2006 Minutes MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller motioned, seconded by Committee Member Baumann, to approve the November 21, 2006 minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously. B. December 19,2006 Chair Henry had the following corrections for the December 19, 2006 minutes: • Under item 3, second sentence,last word,the word is sleeve not sweep. MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller motioned, seconded by Committee Member Baumann to approve the December 19,2006 minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously. 5. COUNCIL UPDATE Council Liaison McClung provided the following update: • New Council Members were sworn in. • PTRC Members were appointed to serve another year. A TCAAP Master Advisory Planning Committee was appointed and consists of 15 members. Committee Straumann is the PTRC representative to that committee. • The City has a new finance director, Susan Iverson. • The Town Hall Meeting was held on January 16, 2007. • At the January 29`I' Council Meeting, a Resolution supporting the Safe Routes to School Grant Application was approved. • There were several discussions regarding the preliminary development agreement between the City and CRR. • A third set of amendments to our offer to purchase was approved. The GSA has sent back an executable copy of the offer to purchase with all three amendments. • The Mayor, with the City Administrator, has set a tentative work session schedule through the end of the year. There are several items scheduled for the May work session that involves the PTRC: parks and trails, the Valentine,hills warming house, possibly a preliminary discussion on the maintenance plan,and the parks and trails vision and financing. 6. PARKS,TRAILS,AND RECREATION UPDATE Ms.Olson provided the following update: • The Safe Routes to School Grant Application was submitted on January 31'. The City expects to hear back sometime in March,2007. • The DNR Grant Application would be brought to the Council for a support Resolution on February 26"'then the completed application would be submitted on February 28`h • Friends of the Park brochures were available. Deadline for applications was April 1,8,2007. • Iee Rinks were officially closed. A comprehensive report would be provided for Council and the PTRC to review. At that time, an evaluation would also be done to determine how to proceed in the upcoming year with Valentine Park. • In regards to committee membership, the Ordinance stated that membership consist of eight members. The PTRC currently has one opening and three applicants. Once a revised Ordinance is established, interested individuals would need to apply by application. PARKS,TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING FEBRUARY 22, 2007 Page 3 7. PTRC STRATEGIES PLAN—FUNDING DISCUSSION Ms. Olson stated that a survey was included in the meeting packet. In that survey was a memo from the City of Eagan that should be helpful in this discussion. Finance Director Sue Iverson was invited to the next PTRC meeting to help possibly answer some technical questions. Ms. Iverson has City financial experience and should serve as a great resource. 8. NEXT MEETING AGENDA Continuation of Funding Discussion and Committee Expectations 9. AJOURN MOTION: Committee Member Straumann moved and Committee Member Crassweller seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. 2007 Park Funding Survey SURVEY QUESTION: Our Parks, Recreation and Trails Committee is studying potential funding alternatives. They have approved strategies which include a number of park improvements. As a City,we also have to plan for the costs of on-going maintenance. I am aware of many funding sources used by cities for parks facilities, infrastructure,improvements, and maintenance. However, staff would like to develop a comprehensive list of options that the Committee can study. Some,obvious ideas are to increase your general levy and use park dedication fees. We are interested in finding out what other sources.cities maybe using to fund parks, recreation, and trails. 1. Kandis Hanson @ the City of Mound We have partnered with the DNR for the development of boat ramps and fishing piers in some or our parks bordering water. They also partnered with Wayzata, I think, on a marina project abutting their city. Needs to be on bodies of water where they have jurisdiction. 2. Jim Peterson @ Blaine In 2000,the voters of Blaine did approve a 3.5 million referendum,but it was for the purchase of land for open space. Our park system is funded in two ways: 1. Park dedication is required from all residential, commercial and industrial development. This allows us to acquire and build new parks and provide new facilities in our community parks and playfields,but does not allow us to use it for operation and maintenance. 2. The City annual general fund provides funding for park maintained and operation. We all know however this is a limited fund and a budgeting struggle each year. Maybe cities should get their legislators to make cities eligible for funding from Met Council's appropriation for regional parks? 3. Aaron Parrish @ Crookston As a community,we have done a few creative things. We recently built eight new tennis courts and three athletic fields in partnership with our local school district. We provided the upfront financing for the project.To repay the investment,we have a lease with the School District that will recapitalize the fund over a ten year period of time. This allowed the School District to utilize their lease levy authority. Continued on next page Aaron Parrish @ Crookston-continued- Their lease levy allows them to increase property taxes to generate funds to repay the \ lease. From our perspective, since the school district's property tax base is significantly larger than ours,it was a more desirable approach. The only downside is there is some financial exposure to the City in the event the school district would not annually renew the lease(school districts can only lease a year at a time).As a result, a degree of trust was required on our part. We also mitigated our exposure by requiring the school district to deed the property where the improvements were made to the City. This was required to do the lease levy as well. In the event of non- payment of the lease,we still have the land. Since it is part of their High School complex, we are pretty confidant they will renew the lease annually. The only other area we are exploring is the implementation of a local option sales tax to finance a new arena complex. Our current facilities need to be relocated as part of a flood control project we are working on. Many communities have done the local option sales tax for general park improvements,trials etc. . . If you are looking at trail connections, MNDOT has their safe routes to schools program. If there are linkages to Valentine elementary that are being explored,that may be something to look at. 4. Eric A. Johnson @ Oak Park Heights You can't use park dedication for maintenance, (tired-darn attorneys) only capital imp. I don't know the Stat. number. We have discussed: Park Shelter rental fees and some Trail Pass Concepts, but none have been approved. 5. Joel Hanson @ Little Canada We have been using our 10% gaming funds to help in this area. 6. Heidi Nelson @ Ramsey Open Space/Parks referendum....we did one in Blaine when I was there if you want to talk about what we did. 7. Juli Johnson @ Eagan Attached is a copy of a report our parks commission completed a few years ago regarding this subject that you may find helpful. At this time,we are primarily relying on general levy and park dedication fees for funding,but are continuing to look at alternative resources for the future. Continued on next page 8. Terry Schwerm @ Shoreview We place a little toll booth at the entrance to each one of our parks and charge kids 25 cents each time they enter the park. It raised$6.8 million dollars last year. Actually,we just fund our park maintenance out of our general fund (tax dollars),mew park development out of our Capital Improvement Fund(combination of funding sources) and replacement items from our General Fixed Asset Revolving Fund (primarily tax dollars). The City did a comprehensive park and trail development referendum in 1988 that passed nearly 2 to ,but would probably be difficult to pass today with the changing demographics in the community. 9. Mark Nagel @ Eldo New Market We are considering contracts with private companies to provide recreation services...example: Skateboard camp-we get 20% of the registration fees. Sales of ad space have also on outdoor rinks have also helped. Let us know what you find out. i r_ Alkikil, I NEW GIEY OF eaaan MEMO To: Ken Vraa, Director of Parks and Recreation CC: Paul.Olson,Superintendent of Parks FROM: Beth A. Wielde, Parks Research and Special Projects DATE: October 20, 2003 RE: APrC Findings-Alternative Funding Study COUNCIL CHARGE In recognition that funding through parks and trail dedication would not sustain the parks system indefinitely, Council charged the Advisory Parks Commission(APrC) with identifying alternative revenue streams for the Park Site Fund. In June of 2002,the APrC began a series of workshops to brainstorm ideas and determine which of these ideas would bring a continuous stream of funds to support parks projects. METHODOLOGY The APrC received the findings of a survey conducted nationwide to see what methods other communities with high buildout rates used to fund their parks projects. Survey results indicated that aside from user fees, General Fund contributions, and bonds, the 33 respondents had no long-range planning strategy for sustaining revenue sources. It became clear that Fagan was pioneering a study of this sort. The survey was also notable for the low response rate. 117 surveys had been distributed,48 in Minnesota, 117 nationwide. The low response rate may indicate that people felt the survey asking about creative funding methods just didn't apply to them. Learning of the disappointing results of the survey,the APrC workshop participants brainstormed any idea that could possibly generate revenue for the Park Site Fund. Out of this first pool of ideas, the APrC identified 10 that they wanted to discuss further. These items were: • Park tax • Park renewal/replacement fee on • Volunteer"Check Off' on utility water bills bills • Charitable gambling proceeds • Volunteerism • Increase park dedication fees • Adopt-A-Park programs • Charge the Public Works • Tax levy funds department for utility easements in • Mandatory water utility"round up parks Some of the ideas were discussed and were determined as not feasible as a sustainable revenue (-- source. The APrC then challenged staff to create projections of potential revenue from the sources that seemed to be sustainable. Investigation into the items that were considered "potential"revenue sources found that each idea,while having merit, had some inherent problems: • Park tax: Impose a tax from sales of goods such as gasoline or similar. Since the APrC has no authority to impose a tax, this idea was immediately deemed"not feasible." • Volunteer"Check Off'on utility bills: When checking with another city who has implemented this program, it was clear that this does not generate substantial revenue. Roseville says that this system has generated"a few thousand dollars"a year and about 20%participation for their parks system. The APrC determined that this, along with administrative costs of tracking such a system,would not sustain CIP projects. • Tax levy funds: While dedicating a portion of the tax levy is desirable, concern was brought up about the distribution of funds, and why parks CIP projects should be funded from the General Fund. Because of levy limits,this would mean a decrease in funding available to fund current General Fund programs. • Mandatory water utility"round up": When projected income was tallied,initial income was determined not to support a one-year CIP project list. With additional administrative costs to handle the program, it was determined that the cost far outweighed the benefit, and the idea was determined as"not feasible"as a sustainable revenue source. There was also an equity issue, since the amount paid per resident would be different for each person; if rounded to the next dollar,a person with a$40.56 water bill would pay$.44, while someone with a$40.98 water bill would only pay$.02. • Park renewal/replacement fee on water bills: While this idea would have generated a reasonable amount of revenue to sustain the CIP and been a reliable,sustainable revenue source,City Attorney Bob Bauer determined this idea had no legal basis to proceed. Thus the legality of the idea determined it to be"not feasible." This analysis meets Council's request to eliminate options that are not legally feasible. A confidential memo from the City Attorney's office reiterates this point,that legally this is not a feasible option. • Charitable gambling proceeds: State statute allows municipalities to receive a 10% contribution from charitable gambling operations within their community. While this system would generate some funds,the total amount would not be enough annually to sustain more than one or two projects on one year's CIP list. Income would potentially range from$24,000 to$40,OOO each year, if gambling remains steady. Decline in legal gambling would decrease the amount of income. This idea was determined to not generate enough revenue to be considered a sustainable revenue source. • Increase park dedication fees: This idea will, in fact,generate revenue. It has been the primary revenue source for decades, sustaining CIP projects. Each year, fees are adjusted/increased to reflect market value of land. However, this source of revenue will decrease and eventually cease as land is developed and the City begins its "maintenance and replacement"mode. This source may not be reliable in the near(10- 20 year) future to sustain CIP projects. Charge the Public Works department for utility easements in parks: There are many utility easements located on park property. The thought behind this option was to attach a fee to the land used for utility easements,to be charged to the Public Works department. There was concern, however, about using this as an income source; first, the Parks Department is not charged for utilities to the parks. This would detract from the earnings from this option. These findings were reported to Council at their workshop meeting on March 25,2003. Council requested that additional information be investigated, such as: • Volunteerism: While volunteerism definitely benefits parks systems and can save some labor costs, it is not a revenue generator. Volunteers typically volunteer for one- time projects for service groups. Volunteers who Figure t:Adopt-A-Park Considered a commit regular service are not allowed to use the Sustainable Revenue Source heavy equipment such as groomers or mowers due to potential liability problems. A survey was conducted to inquire about volunteerism and adopt-a-park income in other Minnesota communities. 93% of the 39 respondents said that • volunteers produced no revenue for their parks system. This idea was determined as"not feasible"as a long-term revenue source. • Adopt-A-Park programs: Respondents to the Figure 2:Adopt-a-Park Duties volunteerism and adopt-a-park survey indicated Financial that Adopt-a-Park programs do not generate 5% other revenue for the department(see Figure 1), and ono Financial and certainly not enough to sustain CIP parks projects maintenance Heavy at Eagan's level. Figure 2 shows that 68% of 27% Maintenance respondents indicate that their Adopt-a-Park ORS program was a"light maintenance only"program where there is no fee charged for participation. This idea was deemed"not sustainable as a revenue source." • Lottery Grants: Staff investigated the process by which lottery funds are distributed. State lottery funds are distributed to the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR), who allots it for grant funding. The City of Eagan has received LCMR-allotted funds through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in the form of grant funds. According to the LCMR, individual municipalities are not eligible to apply directly for State Lottery funding. • Partnership Opportunities: Eagan Parks and Recreation has historically welcomed sponsorship and partnership opportunities. In recent years, a sponsorship policy has been developed to guide the City on its dealings with external sponsors. The APrC is currently working on a donor recognition policy that will help with those opportunities. While partnerships are always welcome and a valuable part of the Parks system, they tend to be project or amenity specific rather than supportive of general parks operations or CIP lists. As such, they are typically not perceived as a revenue stream to fund CIP projects. COUNCIL CHARGE: SET GOALS FOR FUTURE FUNDING INITIATIVES AND DETERMINE FUNDING SOURCES FOR SPECIFIC GOALS The APrC met in September of 2003 to discuss future steps to supporting CIP funds. They reviewed the annual cost of maintaining the parks system as-is, with no new development and no additional amenities. They determined that to maintain the status quo of the parks system, it seemed reasonable to depreciate current Park Site Fund assets at $245,000 per year. Hypothetically, if no additional funds were added, the Park Site Fund would run out in 12 years just on holding the current park system,replacing depreciated amenities and regular replacements such as playground equipment, tennis courts, etc. Park Site Funds are used for CIP park development projects only,and by statute are not to be used in the general maintenance of a park or its amenities. Of course, there will likely be some income from parks dedication, so the estimated 12 years may be conservative. On the other hand,maintaining the status quo has not been the only function of the Park Site Fund. It is also used for acquisition,park development,Master Planning,new amenities,and the Iike. The status quo of expenditure actually reduces the 12- year estimate for depletion of existing Park Site Fund. Therefore, as revenue from parks and trails dedication decreases, it becomes urgent that a solid, identifiable source of revenue be identified before Park Site Funds can not support a conservative CIP. The APrC came up with three recommendations for Council to consider. RECOMMENDATIONS After over a year of research,workshops, discussion, and analysis, the Advisory Parks Commission has compiled its findings pertaining to alternative funding streams for City of Eagan parks. • Short-term: Discuss the logistics of a referendum to be used for acquisition and development projects. Also, use the existing park site fund for renewal/replacement, at approximately $245,000 per annum. • Long-term: Consider raising the levy,within the boundaries set by the state legislature. Consider a dedicated fund for renewal,development, and purchase of park amenities. • Continuous: Grants,donorships,and sponsorships will be pursued whenever possible. Grant funds tend to be project-specific and can not be considered a replacement to a continuous funding stream,but they are a very welcome supplement. Project Description - pnts 2006 (Working Ca Fund Balance Jan 1 2006 Ridgewood Neighborhood Raconshuclion Reconstruct Llt Stations 111,911,912.#13 Tony Schmidt Park Underpass 106 CSAH 96 Landscaping Enhancements paid by Ramsey Count Sandary Sewer 181 Mitigation Work(City Forces mal budgeted labor and materials Basketball/Tennis Court Rehabilitation-Royal Hills a 3153 Shoreline Lane Drivewa Vaughn Tower Access Road Assessment Pay./Ento r se Fund Contr./MnDOT S1a'edin storm Water Fund contributions - Totals for 2006 2007 (Working Ca Fund Balance Jan 1 2007 PMP-Mill and Overla 2007 Sealcoal Old Highway 10 Sidewalk Improvements CP Rail Brid f Snelling Avenue Regional Trail proposed in 2010 _ Storm Pond Maintenance Project Ids Sanitary Sewer 181 Mitigation Work ii—kelball/Tennis Court Rehabilitation-Cummin s Emergency Vehicle Preemption re ainder of r Replace1990 Water Tanker Assessment Pa/Ente r se Fund Contr/MnDOT Slat' Totals for 2007 2008 (Working Ca Fund Balance Jan 1 2006 PMP-Reconstruct County Road E Sidewalk Improvements Brid a Se9mlb Aar..$471,State Aid County Road E Sidewalk Improvements North Walk I. Sanitary Sewer 18I Mitigation Work j Storm Pond Maintenance Project l Inc.(December.2005),includes$24.300 for fence Repair South Water Tower Ielad by 08M,not included in cost BaskelbaltrTennis Court Rehabilitation-Hazelnut City Trail S ne e S-10 Pickup Assessment Pay./Enter rise Fund Contiti/IVInDOT Slatt Totals for 2008 - 2009 (Working Ca Fund Balance Jan 1 2009 PMP-Reconstruct - 2009 Sealcoat Storm Pond Maintenance Project ends Sanitary Sewer 181 Mil alien Work Basketball/Tennis Court Rehabilitation-City at Large F-250 4.4 Truck _ GroundaMaster w/Broom Fleetside Pickup One Ton w/Hoist - Replace Jotter Truck Assessment Pa/Enler rise Fund Conh-IMnDOT Slal Totals for 2009 2010 (Working Ca Fund Balance Jan 1 2010 PMP-Reconstruct sls Snelling Avenue Regional Tral idals for federal funds? Sanitary Sewer 181 Mitigation Work - Basketball/Tennis Court Rehabilitation-Cil at Lar e F-350 One ton Pickup w/Dump Toro Grountlsmaster w/Broom Tractor w/621 Plow Skid Steer Loader/Snow Blower - Assessment Pay/Enterprise Fund Contr-/MnDOT Stat i Totals for 2010 - 2011 (Working Ca Fund Balance Jan 1 2011 PMP-Reconstmcl/Mill and Overlay 2011 Sealcoal Sanitary Sewer 181 Mitigation Work BaskelballtTennis Court Rehabilitation-City al Lan go Grountlsmaster /Broom _ Brush Chipper F-250 Diesel Truck F-450 One ToWPIow Assessment Pay/Enterprise Fund Conlr/MnDOT Slate Totals for 2011 - 2012 (Working Cap.)Fund Balance Jan 1 Unassigned Projects West Round Lake Road Reconstruction General Funtl inclutlos$350 000 from TIF West Round Lake Trail County RoadD Treil Lag Ion Avenue Trailresurfacin Sanilar Sewer Sa Pipe and Access Road at LS i7 9,620K in 2006 dollars):0 done-as 2 projects. Reconstruct Lift Stations#1,At 1.912.#13 SCADA S stem Installation Re lace PIa Slruclure-Valentine Park Valentine Park Im m enls Gateway Signs ClevelandiCoRdD Lexi (oni96, lus f South Water Tower Exterior Coating and Logo r,2005-need not anticipated before 2012. Notes_ 1. General Capital Fund includes PIR Fund.Nanassess - i 2. Assumed that$200,000 will be drawn from the gene).. 1 Includes TIF District 2(Round Lake Business Dislricl 4. Stale Aid Fund balance assumes annual disbursem< 5. Utility Enterprise fund balances assume a net operal - Utility rates need to be re-examined or re-sI—ftirl Current Utility rate study goes through 2009.Rates fC Additional comments: - Itshould be noted that fund balance will and can chi r Commi&sion and Committee: Committee Name: Parks,Trails and Recreation Committee(P fRC) Established by Arden Hills City Council: General Purpose for Committeess and Task Forces: The overall purpose for committees and task forces are to improve the value of the Arden Hills citizens' property,increase the desirability of Arden Hills as a place to live or work, and to enhance/protect the health and well-being of the citizens. While the City Council and City Staff have the sole responsibility for all activities with in the city,of Arden Hills,from time-to-time they find it desirable,advantageous and necessary to bring together residents of Arden Bills in order to broaden and enrich the discussion around possible decisions. As an example,the City Council's ability to debate and consider far-ranging alternatives is stifled by the risk that the mere discussion of alternatives will engender them with undeserved merit_ In addition,Arden Hills will always seek to hire the most qualified and capable employees,but in doing so we will frequently hire staff that is not intimately connected to the Arden Hills neighborhoods, Therefore it is critical that the City create a mechanism where the City Staff can get unfettered and unbiased reaction to their novel thoughts and ideas. The Commission,Committee and Task Forces are established to broaden and enrich the content that will ultimately be enacted or authorized by the elected City Council. MiRsion/Purpose: Parks,trails and recreation in Arden Hills enhance the health and well-being of the residents/guest,improve the value of citizens' property,and increase the desirability of — the city as a place to Iive or work The PTRC represents the interests of Arden Hills' citizens in leading the ongoing development,improvement and maintenance of those resources.The PTRC members gather and consider community input and recommends to the City Council actions that support those interests;monitors use of and improvements in park~,trails and recreation;and collaborates with other city committees and commissions to improve parks and trails. Expected outcomes:• Specific Obiectiv_es: Lon&er Term Objectives: 1)Explore and recommend financing methods that enable the parks and trail system to transition from the existing Park Dedication Fees to appropriate ongoing funding sources. 2)Develop Parks and Trails Plan for TCAAP 2)Participation of PTRC members is key to their contribution: a)Members should be present at and involved in meetings of the committee b)Members should be actively engaged in discussing issues,sharing perspectives and raising questions that arc essential elements of"good decision-making". e)Effective participation derives from continually teaming about Arden Hills' parks,trails and recreation and the physical and political environments in which they exist.This teaming process includes formal opportunities afforded by PTRC, as well as informal opportunities that occur in the course each membees activity. d)As a guideline,members should expect to spend approximately 6 to 8 hours per month in their work on the PTRC committee. 3)The PTRC is a group of peers—no single member has more standing or power than another. 4)Respect for the opinions of other members,and for those with wbom the PTRC interacts, is a hallmark of the committee's work. Members seek clarity in presenting their views,and represent a sense of stewardship in all that they do. 5) PTRC members engage in continual self-assessment of their performance on.the committee. As needs arise,they seek education,input and the skills necessary to their performance. 6)The PTRC provides opportunity for the education of its members,both as a part of comnuttee meetings,and through access to outside educational events. Members are expected to actively participate in these opportunities. 7)Some of the PTRC's work involves subjective judgment,where there is not enough data to make the decisions that are necessary. Members who are most,successful in these decisions are those who are aware of the values in their neighborhood,willing to engage in the discussion of values,and respectful of those values held by others that might differ from their own. 8)By design the PTRC is composed of individuals with diverse perspectives and experience. The committee benefits from these contrasts that this diversity engenders and seeks to improve the decisions in makes and actions it takes by understanding the differences and resolving disputes that arise during discussion of issues and plans. i WIE ` N € ihKS ANs1ftT�IQN C' "M'MSSTC?N f E � COUNTY PAR A KS N� GIATIOIV y 20151��3RT�I$V�A�I�I�I� E�`��E T= ` ffz 1I LEWO QDr { SIN FL OR CONFERENOOM 1) CALL TO ORDER 2) APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 13, 2007 4) DESIGN AND COST ESTIMATE FOR A SNOWMAKING SYSTEM AT BATTLE CREEK REGIONAL PARK 5) REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY DESTINATION CONCEPTS AND SITE PLAN FOR TAMARACK NATURE CENTER 6) DIRECTOR'S REPORT 7) REPORTS FROM CHAIR AND OTHER COMMISSION MEMBERS 8) ADJOURNMENT W ��� Ul 'iRK �4N'FEITICN CQENrl`Sa' N tv E F kr�uary '� 2€ 07 f RAMEE �E �O`UNTY PARKj� 41V fEIC IAT10N DE'PARTMEN ' Y 2015 Q n V, ilhkiSTREET , MAPLI�WC)©d,`IInN 5�51 z � Ma�n ran ex r� p eu _, QOtil The regular meeting of the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Straumann at 6:00 p.m., at the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department, 2015 North Van Dyke Street, Maplewood, Minnesota. Members.Present: Deb Falkowski, Jonathon Kusa, Gale Pederson, Richard Straumann, Elyssa Weber Members Absent: Terry Huntrods, Phil Jenni, Candace Petersen Staff Present: Greg Mack and Larry Holmberg APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Straumann asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Ms. Pederson moved, seconded by Mr. Kusa that the agenda be approved. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Straumann asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2007 meeting. Ms. Pederson moved, seconded by Ms. Falkowski, that the minutes of the January 9, 2007 meeting be approved as mailed. Motion carried. 2007 DEPARTMENT WORK PROGRAM Mr. Mack provided the Commission with an overview of the Department's 2007 Work Program related to Administration, Planning/Design/Construction, Operations/Maintenance and Program Services and Capital Asset Management. 2007 COMMISSION WORK PROGRAM The Commission reviewed the attached draft Work Program. The work program incorporates Commission involvement in selective items contained in the Department's Work Program. Chair Straumann asked for a motion to approve the 2007 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Program. Ms. Weber moved, seconded by Mr. Kusa, to approve the 2007 Parks and Recreation Commission Work Program. Motion carried. MEETING ATTENDANCE/SCHEDULE The Commission discussed the meeting schedule, which is currently the second Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The consensus of the Commission was to continue meeting when there are items for review or Commission action. If there are no items requiring Commission review in a particular month, the meeting will be cancelled. The issue of quorum was also discussed. The Commission suggested that the 91" member of the Commission should be appointed and that would help with attendance issues. 1 At the January meeting, there was a request for an accounting of meeting attendance by Commissioner for e year 2006. This accounting was provided and discussed. The issue of attendance will be revisited at each meeting of the Parks Commission. 2008-2013 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM The Commission reviewed the projects proposed by the Department for 2008-2013 with.emphasis on the 2008-09 projects. Attached is a summary of projectsranked in the order of priority. Chair Straumann asked for a motion to recommend approval of the 2008-2013 CIP as presented. Ms. Pederson moved, seconded by Ms. Falkowski, to support the 2008-2013 CIP as presented. Motion carried. BOAT LAUNCH ISSUES Power loading of boats on trailers has caused deterioration of our boat launches. The worst boat launches are at Snail Lake and Turtle Lake. Ramsey County Parks and Recreation is planning a cooperative demonstration project with the Minnesota DNR to remove planks and extend the boat launches 40 feet to minimize the problems that power loading causes. There is a need for bituminous work at the White Bear County Park boat launch and the parking lot will be expanded as this launch is one of the top four busiest in the Metro area. The DNR is contributing $300,000 to the expansion project. This winter, Ramsey County Public Works will be making improvements to the boat launches at Bald Eagle and Lake Wabasso. 'RECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Mack discussed significant issues facing the Department that have been transmitted to the County Board for their Strategic Planning: ♦ The Ramsey County Parks and Recreation system consists of built and natural environments. Reinvestment in the built environments through an adequately funded Capital Asset Management program is critical in order to maintain quality service levels in parks, trails, golf courses and ice arenas. ♦ Intense market competition and other economic factors have dramatically impacted golf course revenues. Revenues over and above the cost of golf operations are no longer a reliable source of funding for other parks and recreation services. ♦ User expectations for special facilities and improved service quality are not aligned with historical Ramsey County funding for parks and recreation services. County residents experience higher service levels from other jurisdictions and expect comparable services from Ramsey County. ♦ Changing age and cultural demographics have affected participation in traditional school and association ice skating programs within the City of Saint Paul. Expanding recreational ice arena programs to more effectively serve youth of the community and maintain ice arena occupancy has financial and organizational implications. ADJOURNMENT loon appropriate motion, the meeting adjourned. Vicki Dahlquist 2 - p , O O , , . O , p p O O I"- O O CD C tn C 0 N �1• �O cr N N O O O O ' ' O -O ' ,- ' , p O %00_O C. O Q 00 N O. 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