Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-20-12 PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Acting Chair Scott called the November 20, 2012, meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:35 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Chair Steve Scott; Committee Members Don Messerly, Harold Petersen, Nancy O’Malley, Jane Larson, Chuck Michaelson. OTHERS PRESENT: Public Works Director Terry Maurer, Parks and Recreation Manager Michelle Olson and Council Liaison Brenda Holden. ABSENT: Chair Garretson, excused; Committee Members Phil Kramlinger, Rich Straumann, excused, and John Peck. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Committee Member O’Malley motioned to approve the agenda seconded by Committee Member Michaelson. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 16, 2012 Committee Member Larson asked that the first sentence on page 4 read Committee Member Larson instead of Committee Member O’Malley and Committee Member O’Malley asked that “Advertisements on hockey boards” be added to the bulleted list at the bottom of that page. MOTION: Committee Member Larson motioned to approve the October 16, 2012, minutes as amended, seconded by Committee Member O’Malley. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Freeway Park Improvement Discussion th Parks and Recreation Manager Olson recapped that at the October 16 PTRC meeting the committee discussed possible improvement options for the upper portion of Freeway Park and that these improvements were researched and discussed with Public Works Director Maurer and Assistant City Engineer Anderson. Ms. Olson indicated she has also included aerials and pictures of the proposed improvements and that Public Works Director Maurer would be providing a summary of the cost estimates. Public Works Director Maurer stated that improvements researched included paving and curbing the parking lot, removing the fencing that is in disrepair, moving the access to the hockey rink to the south end, paving the trail that leads from the hockey rink to the warming house and also possibly putting in a rain garden. Mr. Maurer noted that because of lack of parking, he has included expanding the parking lot which would require Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 20, 2012 Page 2 making the rink a bit smaller. Mr. Maurer indicated the cost of the proposed improvements would fall into the $65,000-$70,000 range and if the committee was in favor of going forward, it could be included in the next CIP. Discussion ensued regarding the improvements and concerns about the soil north of the rink and also concern about compromising the ice rink to increase the parking area. It was the consensus of the committee to have the rink as large as possible. Mr. Maurer indicated if a rain garden is added, they would replace some of the soil with engineered soil and they could try to increase the parking without compromising the pleasure rink. Michelle noted two improvements that the committee had asked her to look into, but not recommended by staff, was painting the outside of the hockey rink and the Plexiglas at each end of the rink. B. 2013 Goal Discussion Parks and Recreation Manager Olson recapped that at the last meeting she had asked that each committee member bring forward 2-4 goals for consideration at the November meeting. Committee Member Larson suggested continuing with the buckthorn work that was done in October and possibly having an adopt a park since the buckthorn removal would require continued maintenance. She suggested establishing Hazelnut Park as a demonstration project for the removal and maintenance of buckthorn and also educating the residents on buckthorn removal. Committee Member Michaelson also suggested working on the buckthorn removal and educating and informing the community on buckthorn. He indicated the committee could establish a program on how to get rid of it and then establish a strategy. Ms. Larson also suggested looking at ADA guidelines during the annual walkthrough of the parks to find areas that do not meet the ADA guidelines. Ms. O’Malley also agreed the committee should assess the accessibility in the parks and that it would be nice to see people being able to use the parks. Ms. Larson suggested eliminating the paper PTRC packets. She suggested having the PDF e-mailed to the members instead and only having a couple paper copies at the meetings. Ms. Olson indicated that it is up to the committee if they would rather have the packet e- mailed versus receiving a hard copy. Committee Member Larson also indicated she would like to see nicer toilets installed in the parks. She recommended the committee research more permanent bathrooms. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 20, 2012 Page 3 Acting Chair Scott asked that Ms. Olson send an e-mail to the members who were not present so they can finalize the 2013 goals in December and January. Committee Member O’Malley suggested the committee seek input from the Arden Hills citizens on what they would like to see the PTRC working on. Acting Chair Scott questioned whether the committee do this via calling the residents, using survey monkey to create a survey or have neighborhood meetings where people could provide input. C. Other Unfinished Business Committee Member Messerly informed that progress has been made with Arden Manor. He indicated the play structure area has been cleaned as well as the shelter. Mr. Messerly reported the new manager has a committee of concerned parents that are interested in working to take care of the park. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Recreation Statistics – Spring/Summer 2012 Ms. Olson provided spring/summer recreation statistics. There were a total of 1,301 participants which is up 87 from 2011. The statistics do not include the adult softball program which has been flourishing as well. Ms. Olson reported that she has moved the dance program to the Arden Hills City Hall which was a savings to the City as well as to the participants. Committee Member Messerly questioned those classes where 0 or 1 were enrolled and was wondering if it is cost effective to run those classes. Ms. Olson indicated those are classes that Arden Hills holds in cooperation with Shoreview. She indicated they will not run a class for just one person and have an established minimum for programs, depending on the type of class, if it is a cooperative effort with another City and overall cost of the program. Ms. Holden questioned the difference between those classes indicating 0 and those showing NA. She also asked on which classes were done in cooperation with Shoreview. Ms. Olson reported that 0 meant the class was offered but did not have any enrollees and N/A indicated the class was not offered. She stated that the spring break camps and most senior activities are a joint effort with Shoreview. Ms. Holden asked that Ms. Olson highlight the classes that are joint classes and send back the results to the committee members. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 20, 2012 Page 4 Discussion ensued on dropping the unsuccessful classes as the City is subsidizing by over 50 percent. There was consensus that the committee had never been involved with what classes were being offered. Committee Member O’Malley suggested the committee have discussion at the next meeting. B. Other New Business None 3. REPORTS A.City Council Report Council Liaison Holden indicated Council did meet with Davison Companies regarding the Holiday Inn and they are still looking at renovating the building into 1-4 room apartments. Ms. Holden indicated the City is looking at the water rates so see if it is feasible having residents pay for a minimum of 10,000 gallons when they are not using that amount. Council Liaison Holden announced that the new City website will still go live on December 7, 2012. Ms. Holden reported that Council passed a resolution allowing a microbrewery in the building behind Blue Fox. Council Liaison Holden informed that the County is still looking at purchasing TCAAP and partnering with the City of Arden Hills. The City and County are now in the process of drafting a City-County Joint Powers Agreement for TCAAP. Council Liaison Holden reported that since Sand Companies did not receive funding for the Arden Village affordable housing development at County Road F and Hamline Arden Village, they are now looking at constructing market rate apartments. Ms. Holden informed that the tax levy is coming up for a vote in December and is currently set at a 3 percent increase. B. Public Works/Parks & Recreation Report Parks and Recreation Manager Olson thanked everyone for joining in on the Buckthorn Removal Day. She indicated that there was a good turnout of residents as well. Ms. Olson reported that Public Works did some tree trimming along the tennis court at Floral Park in order to keep leaves off the court surface. Tomorrow Public Works will also be trenching for root intrusion at that location and also along a trail located directly across the street off Hamline, next to the pond. Ms. Olson informed that she and Sara have been interviewing for rink attendants. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 20, 2012 Page 5 ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Committee Member Michaelson moved to adjourn at 7:52 p.m., seconded by Committee Member O’Malley. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for December 18, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.