Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-14 PTRCNancy O Malley Cindy Garretson -- Don Messerly Chuck Michaelson www.cityofardenhills.org Harold Petersen Steve Scott Rich Straumann Matt Trites John Van Arden Hills is a strong community that values its unique environmental setting, strong residential neighborhoods, vital business community, well- infrastructure, fiscal soundness, and our long-standing tradition as a desirable City in which to live, work, and play. CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2.A.November 19, 2013, Regular Meeting Minutes Documents:13 PTRC MINUTES.PDF UNFINISHED BUSINESS 3.A.Franchise Fees Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager Documents:MEMO.PDF,ATTACHMENT A.PDF 3.B.2014 Work Plan Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager Documents:MEMO.PDF,ATTACHMENT A.PDF Committee Chair Nomination Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager Documents:MEMO.PDF Other Unfinished Business NEW BUSINESS 4.A.Crosswalk Discussion Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager Documents:MEMO.PDF 4.B.Other New Business 5.A.City Council Report Dave McClung, Council Liaison 5.B.Public Works/Parks And Recreation Report Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager 6.A.Tuesday, February 18, 2014 (Joint Work Session With City Council 5:00 PM) A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting. CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair called the November 19, 2013, meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:32 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Nancy Committee Members Cindy Garretson, Don Messerly, Chuck Michaelson, John Peck, Harold Petersen, Matt Trites, John Van Valkenburg and Steve Scott (arrived at 7:20 pm.) OTHERS PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Manager Michelle Olson, City Administrator Patrick Klaers, guest Chuck Kachel and Council Liaison Fran Holmes. ABSENT: Committee Members Phil Kramlinger (excused), Jane Larson (excused), and Rich Straumann (excused). 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Nancy O asked that Franchise Fees be added to the agenda as Item 3A. and City Administrator Klaers would be presenting. MOTION: Committee Member Michaelson motioned to approve the agenda as amended seconded by Committee Member Garretson. The motion carried unanimously (8-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - October 15, 2013 nd It was the consensus of the committee that the 2 sentence of paragraph 2 under item 5A. on page 4 be removed. Committee Member Peck also indicated that the 2nd paragraph on page 4 should read Committee Members Michaelson, Van Valkenburg, and Messerly instead of Michaelson, Peck, and Messerly. MOTION: Committee Member Peck motioned to approve the October 15, 2013, minutes as amended, seconded by Committee Member Garretson. The motion carried unanimously (8-0). 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. City Administration - Franchise Fees City Administrator Klaers informed the committee that an article regarding franchise fees would be in the next issue of the newsletter. He indicated the City Council has had discussions with Xcel Energy about the possibility of starting a Franchise Fee Program in the City and it would be a fee on gas and electric that would be charged to the customers, Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 19, 2013 Page 2 whether they do or do not pay taxes. This would be a different revenue source for the City to help finance capital outlay projects that the City has. This fee would be passed through Xcel and then ultimately to the property owner. The fee they are discussing would be about $4.75 ($3 for electric and $1.75 for gas) a month which amounts to $57 a year for the property owner. At this time, they are not sure how it will impact the non- residential customers. The numbers in mention would generate about $400,000 a year for the City and the Council has talked about using these monies for parks, trails, and streets. City Administrator Klaers indicated this could help with some of the needs that were pointed out in the Parks and Recreation Community Survey and some of the needs that the City Council has identified, particularly trails. He indicated a lot of cities have gone to franchise fees as a revenue source for a variety of reasons. He informed that there will be public hearings February 10 and February 24 and once Council gets that input they will make a decision. If Council decides to move forward they have talked about the program being implemented January 2015. City Administrator Klaers reported that staff plans on doing an insert to the utility bill so that residents get some information about the franchise fees and to also invite them to the public hearings so they can give their input. He stated the master plan, survey results, PTRC will all be considered when determining what the highest priorities are for parks and trails. Ms. Holmes indicated she felt it was important for the PTRC to attend the public hearing in support of the franchise fee since the plan is to use a large portion of the revenue for trails. B. Parks and Recreation Community Survey Follow-Up Staff provided the comprehensive results of the community survey for the committee members to review at the October meeting. At that time the committee asked for the comments to be categorized by park and then brought back for further discussion. Staff did categorize the comments by each park and also by trails. After discussion, staff recommended that the committee utilize work plan and then present the work plan and survey findings to Council at the March joint work session. The committee also discussed showing the results of the survey on website after that time. Ms. Olson recapped that Committee Member Kramlinger suggested the PTRC come up with a subcommittee to talk about trails and felt the PTRC should discuss the survey results one more time before deciding how to utilize the results. Chair reminded the committee that they had discussed looking at the results of the survey for any quick fixes that could be done like the comment about the lack of a trash can at Crepeau. Ms. Olson indicated that will be done next spring when they put the trash cans back out. Ms. Olson informed that some other items that were completed were the removal of the gates at Cummings and putting in the domes and the handicap accessible concrete slabs; removal of the gate at Floral and the gates at Hazelnut; installing bike racks at Cummings, Perry, and Floral and Hazelnut; removing the chain Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 19, 2013 Page 3 with the stop sign at Sampson Park and removing the bumpers so the trail will be open in the winter; removing the fort and recliner in the woods at Cummings; and repainting the hockey rink. Other items that will be taken care of in the spring at Cummings Park is reseeding and taking out the big concrete slab, redoing the chips under the play structure and adding some rubber matting to increase safety underneath some of the bars at Cummings Park. Ms. Olson indicated currently there is no plan on replacing the play structure at Royal Hills for a larger one, since the one that is there is fairly new. She did talk to Public Works Director Maurer about the crosswalk which residents felt was in the wrong place and Mr. Maurer indicated the crosswalks were put back exactly where they were before the road was done. Committee Member Petersen felt that is not the point and asked if Mr. Maurer read the comments from the people that use the park. Ms. Olson stated that if the committiee feels the crosswalks are in the wrong location they could bring forth to Council to make that change as Mr. Maurer placed them where they were before. Ms. Holmes felt the best thing to do would be to go over there and look at the situation. Committee Member Petersen recapped that residents instead of crossing at the crosswalk cross by his house because they do not want to push strollers through the grass. Mr. Petersen indicated that one of the residents he has talked to several times said she and some neighbors would be willing to put together a letter and send it to the committee. The committee agreed that this would be a good idea and they would look at the situation. Ms. Olson reported she has e-mailed a couple residents who indicated interested on being on the PTRC and will also e-mail Jen Stephens as John Peck and Jane Larson will not be coming back next year. Committee Member Petersen indicated there were several comments about the tree limbs being hacked off on the trails. Ms. Olson informed that the City does not have the manpower to hand cut and trim like in the past but are now utilizing a machine to do that. Committee Member Trites questioned if Public Works could possibly mulch the debris. Ms. Olson indicated she would discuss this with Public Works Director Maurer. She indicated she believes the debris does get picked up but possibly not right away and that Public Works does not remove debris from a downed tree unless it is a hazard or it is impeding on a trail. Chuck Kachel expressed concern about where the Elmer L. Andersen trail crosses at Stowe Avenue and New Brighton Road. He indicated that when coming northbound there is a blind spot due to the hedges. Ms. Olson indicated those hedges have now been trimmed back and that seems to have improved the site lines. She indicated she can revisit this with City Engineer Anderson and will keep an eye on the area. Committee Member Trites asked if there was a specific phone number residents could call for downed branches or downed trees. Ms. Olson indicated the best approach would be for residents to call City Hall and staff can then get a message to Public Works. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 19, 2013 Page 4 Committee Member Michaelson mentioned that people commented on having lines on the tennis courts in order to play pickleball. Ms. Olson stated that she will consider putting the lines at one of the courts at Cummings Park this spring. Committee Member Michaelson also indicated that several people mentioned splash pads. Ms. Olson reported that she researched this and the cost can range anywhere from $30,000-$100,000, which does not include maintenance. The maintenance includes the water being tested and treated weekly. The committee questioned how important splash pads are compared to other things like trails. The consensus of the committee was to encourage Council to approve the franchise fees as well as submitting a list of projects the franchise fees might be used for. Council Liaison Holmes suggested the committee do a motion in support of the franchise fees since the plan is for a substantial portion of the fees to go for parks and trails. Chair alley asked that Ms. Olson add Franchise Fee Discussion to the December agenda and that the committee then vote and pass a motion on whether they are in favor of the franchise fees. Ms. Olson indicated she would have Public Works Director Maurer join the December meeting at which time she will have a list of projects and a replacement schedule. Committee Member Trites asked to know how much the surrounding communites bring in for franchise fees. Ms. Holmes stated she would check with City Administrator Klaers regarding the amount. The committee members were in consensus that all-in-all the survey results did identify all the segments that the committee has brought up time and time again and that the committee is going in the right direction. C. Other Unfinished Business None 4. NEW BUSINESS A. 2014 Work Plan Ms. Olson asked the committee members to think of items for the work plan which they can then discuss at the December meeting She indicated they may want to keep some of the 2013 projects, add prairie restoration to the 2014 work plan, and recapped that the Freeway Park enhancement was moved out from 2014 to 2015. Ms. Olson also recapped that Committee Member Kramlinger had brought up the idea of forming a subcommittee which focuses on trail planning and ways to improve pedestrian safety. She indicated the subcommittee could meet individually and report back to the PTRC. Ms. Olson suggested they revisit this again in December and then see if anyone is interested on being on the subcommittee. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 19, 2013 Page 5 Council Liaison Holmes questioned if they had not talked about doing something with the University of Minnesota or some other study to find out about buckthorn eradication aside from just cutting it down. Ms. Olson indicated she has been trying to get a hold of Roseville to see what they have been doing with buckthorn in their parks. She indicated this could be a work plan item because it would need a lot of discussion on how best to address buckthorn and they would probably need to look at other entities to come in and help with it. Discussion ensued and the members were in agreement to add this item to the 2014 work plan. Ms. Olson informed that the Emerald Ash Borer problem has been discussed with Council and that there is a management plan in place for the next couple of years. She did negotiate a better price with contractor to get the City and residents a better price for the tree ash injections and this will be going to Council at the next meeting. Once the contract is in place she will put the information out on the City website. B. Other New Business None. 5. REPORTS A.City Council Report Council Liaison Holmes indicated that Council approved the off-leash dog park. Ms. Holmes mentioned that Council did have discussion about Bethel purchasing the Country Insurance building and that this will be brought back at the next Council meeting. proposals. One proposal was for a Goodwill store on County Road E and Lexington, but that there are some traffic issues. The other proposal was for Creative Catering who is interested in purchasing the Carrollsa catering facility and also a 400-seat banquet hall. The Council has concerns since there is no parking at the Carrolls location. Creative Catering has proposed using parking in the area and is in the proceess of trying to make arrangement, Country Financial and other businesses nearby. Ms. Holmes informed that Council and staff are working on the budget for next year. She also informed that Hwy 10 and 96 is now open. Council Liaison Holmes mentioned that prior to the PTRC meeting, Ramsey County and the State held a presentation regarding bridges to help with the TCAAP property, which are mainly H and 96. Ms. Holmes indicated she did speak with Ramsey County about her concern about the shoulder on Old 10 which is very crumbly. Ramsey County Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 19, 2013 Page 6 informed that that area will be repaved next year. Ms. Holmes indicated she feels they should discuss and monitor the project since it may be an opporutnity to get wider shoulders at the time of the repavement. Public Works/Parks & Recreation Report Parks and Recreation Manager Olson indicated staff is in the process of hiring rink attendants who will start in December. Ms. Olson mentioned that Public Works is getting ready for winter and that they are very busy. Ms. Olson reported that Public Works moved the sign at Cummings Park to the opposite side of where it was and they will be doing the landscaping around the sign in the spring. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Committee Member Petersen moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m., seconded by Committee Member Peck. The motion carried unanimously (9-0). NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. AGENDA ITEM MEMORANDUM DATE: January 14, 2014 TO: Parks Trails and Recreation Committee FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Franchise Fees Action Requested Staff is asking the PTRC to brainstorm, review and comment on potential parks or trail improvements that franchise fees could be used for in the future. In addition, the Committee may want to consider a motion in January in support of the creation of franchise fees. Background At the November 19, 2013 PTRC meeting, Administrator Klaers presented the topic of franchise th fees to the Council. The Council is going to be holding two public hearings on February 10 th and 24 regarding this topic and it was encouraged that the PTRC attend one or both public hearings and speak to the benefits to parks and trails that would come from franchise fees. The Committee consensus seemed to be positive on the concept and the next step in the process is to brainstorm a list of potential projects that would be considered for franchise fees. To help with this exercise, staff has included a rough list of potential parks and trails projects (Attachment A) to work with at the meeting. Staff will go over the list with the committee at the meeting. After this exercise, staff will take the list and add estimated costs for further discussion in January. Prioritizing the list of projects will not be done until a later date. The Committee also discussed making a motion at the December or January meeting supporting franchise fees and encouraging the creation of the fees. The Committee may want to consider including in the motion, drafting a letter in support Terry Maurer, Public Works Director will be attending the meeting to participate in the discussion. ATTACHMENT A Trail Segments Cleveland Avenue - County Road D to County Road E2 (Segment A/A2) County Road D - Cleveland to New Brighton Road (Segment B) New Brighton Road  County Road D to County E2  (Segment C/C1)  Railroad Underpass County Road E2  35W to Safe Routes to School (Segment D1)  (Bridge  16) Lake Valentine Road  35 W to Old Highway 10 (Segments E/J)  (Bridge  15) Ramsey County Open Space (from Mounds View to RC Open Space (Ven (Segment E1) County Road E/Lake Johanna Blvd. - Indian Place to Lake Johanna Blvd. to Elmer Andersen trail to Old 10 (Segments G/G1) County Road E - Old Highway 10 to Connelly (Segment H) Old Highway 10 -County 96 to TH 51 (Segments I/I1/I2/I3) Trail behind Round Lake Road (Segment K2) Highway 96  Sidewalk North Hamline to North Heights (Segment L) o Sidewalk North Prior to 35 W (Segment L1)  (Interchange 15) o Trail  South Round Lake Road to 35W (Segment L2) o North Snelling Avenue  County Road 96 to Briarknoll (Segment M) Lexington Avenue County Road F to Grey Fox (Segment O) o County Road E to Shoreline Dr. (Segment O1) o Tanglewood to County Road I (Segment O2) o Crepeau Preserve - From Cannon to Crepeau Nature Preserve (Segment P) Pine Tree Drive - County Road E to existing grass trail into Crepeau Nature Preserve (Segment P1) Highway 51  From Old Highway 10 to just past Glenhill (Segment Q) County Road E  Lexington Avenue to Existing (Segment R) Bridge Pedestrian Facilities Park Improvements Freeway Park Enhancements Ingerson Parking Lot Resurfacing Play Structure Replacement  ADA (scheduled - ongoing) Hard Court Replacement (3 courts) Ball field Rebuild (Perry #4  Association) Irrigation (Valentine Park?) Hazelnut Picnic Pavilion Splash Park Perry Park road reconfiguration Fencing Additions/Replacements New Trash Barrels Additional Benches Royal Hills Play Structure Expansion AGENDA ITEM MEMORANDUM DATE: January 14, 2014 TO: Parks Trails and Recreation Committee FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: 2014 Work Plan Action Requested Staff recommends the PTRC review the 2014 draft work plan items listed below and make changes, additions and comments in order to be prepared for committee approval at the January meeting. Background Each year, the PTRC sets a work plan for the upcoming year. Staff provided the approved 2013 work plan (Attachment A) at the November 19, 2013 PTRC meeting for committee review. The committee suggested a few items for the 2014 work plan and the consensus was for staff to bring this back for further discussion in December. The Committee members were asked to bring additional input in preparation for this discussion. Below are the potential topics that were discussed at the last meeting: 1.Create a trail subcommittee to look at pedestrian safety improvements in the City and present proposal/findings to Council. 2.Research potential buckthorn eradication methods 3. propose to Council for summer 2014 possible implementation. 4.Review the Community Survey Results and utilize for potential parks and trail improvements into the future 5.Work on parks and improvement project lists in preparation for potential franchise fees Attachments Attachment A: 2013 Approved work plan and expectations Attachment A Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Workplan –2013 2013 Work Plan Priorities 1. Trail Development 2. Freeway Park Enhancement 3. Hazelnut Picnic Shelter Enhancement 4. Off Leash Dog Area JANUARY 1.Review and finalize goals and work plan 2.Prepare presentation for Council/PTRC Joint Work Session FEBRUARY: 1.Trail Priority Review 2.Prepare for Joint Meeting MARCH: CITY COUNCIL/PTRC JOINT WORK SESSION 3.Review goals and work plan with Council 4.Discuss priorities APRIL: 1.Parks and Open Space Ordinance Presentation 2.Joint Meeting Debrief/Work Plan 3.Survey Monkey Question Discussion 4.Ice Rink Season Review 5.Pick meeting locations for off-site meetings 6.Prepare for Clean Up Day at Tony Schmidt Park MAY 1.5 year CIP PreliminaryDiscussion 2.Off Leash Dog Area/Freeway ParkImprovement Discussion 3.Park Amenity Discussion 4. Survey Monkey Follow up Discussion Over JUNE 1.Park Tour 2.Valentine Park Re-Grand Opening Involvement 3.5 YearCIP Review/Recommendation JULY 1.All Committee Barbeque AUGUST NO MEETING SCHEDULED?or TRAIL WALK IN CITY? SEPTEMBER 1.Discuss details of Clean up Day 2.TBD 3.TBD OCTOBER 1.Review Recreation Activities and Statistics 2.Review Comprehensive Plan Goals/Plans NOVEMBER 1.Goal setting discussion for 2014 DECEMBER 1.Establish and recommendgoals and work plan for 2014 AGENDA ITEM MEMORANDUM DATE: January 14, 2014 TO: Parks Trails and Recreation Committee FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Committee Chair for 2014 Action Requested Staff is looking for a nomination for Committee Chair in 2014, in order to make a recommendation to Council. Background . Staff is looking for a recommendation from the PTRC on a 2014 chair. Steve Scott has been suggested for 2014. Discussion should take place in order to make a motion with a recommendation to bring to Council. All City committee chairmen are appointed by resolution at the same time (second meeting in January). AGENDA ITEM MEMORANDUM DATE: January 14, 2014 TO: Parks Trails and Recreation Committee FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Crosswalk Discussion Action Requested This topic was presented as a discussion item. Background Discussion has taken place at the last two regular PTRC meetings regarding crosswalks at Royal this with the Committee.