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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-04 PTRC ,-ARQEN HILLS AGENDA PARKS, TRAILS, & RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2004 **7:00 P.M. MEETING ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Approve March 23, 2004 Minutes 3. Council Update • 4. Parks Update a. Perry Park b. Cummings Park c. County Road E/Bridge & Trail 5. Recreation Update 6. Trail Connection Old Snelling - Cummings Lane Over 51 Hamlin Trail Into Crepeau Park 7. Next Meeting Agenda 8. Adj ourn A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting. Paul Knutson 2235 Long Lake Road REC 19NED New Brighton, MN 55112 } 651-582-2689 APR 1 22004 651-628-9414 s CITY OF ARDEN HILLS April 8, 2004 Satveer Chaudhary State Senator 325 State Capitol St. Paul, MN 55155 651-296-4334 P y 1 To the Honorable Satveer Chaudhary: a Background: Arden Hills and New Brighton have developed an excellent network of bicycle trails within their respective cities. The bike trails in Arden Hills and New Brighton makes our communities among the most bike- friendly in the nation. However, for the bicycle commuter or recreational cyclist, it is still very difficult to cross the Hwy 10- 35W-694 barrier. Problem: The intersections of Hwy 10, 35W and 694 create a 5.5-mile wide barrier from County Rd I & 35W to Lexington & 694 for bicycle commuters. This . barrier discourages would be bicycle commuters and more importantly is hazardous to bicycle commuters who currently cross `the barrier' using Hwy 96. Crossing the Hwy 96 Bridge over 35W is dangerous because there is no shoulder or bike path. Many vehicles come on and off 35W here. As more businesses arrive in the commercial parks in New Brighton and Arden Hills, this intersection will get much more congested. Crossing Hwy 10 west bound during the afternoon rush hour is also dangerous. It is dangerous because there is no shoulder when cars turn right onto HWY ! 10 from HWY 96. I end up riding in the right lane with cars whooshing past both my left side (trying to make the green light crossing Hwy 10) and on my right side turning right onto Hwy 10. i Question: The City of Arden Hills Parks and Recreation Parks and Trail System map ? (see attachment) shows a `proposed' trail extending the current trail on Hwy 96 to the West Round Lake Road. Another trail is identified as a `future' trail that crosses 35W on a railroad bridge at Gateway Blvd. Actually, I am very encouraged by this map because it shows that others have already recognized solutions to this problem. What is the timeline for implementing these projects? What could I do to help pull in the timeline for either of these projects? Page 1 of 2 Paul Knutson 2235 Long Lake Road New Brighton, MN 55112 651-582-2689 651-628-9414 Respectfully yours, Paul Knutson Attachments: 2 Cc'd: City of Arden Hills 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 Michelle Wolfe, City Administrator Ramsey County Board Office Room 220 Court House 15 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55102 Jan Weissner, Country Commissioner, Ramsey County Page 2 of 2 CITY F I N A N C E S Wunicipal Fundamentals For the past few years I have presented a session on municipal finance fundamentals at the League's a Newly Elected Officials' Conference. While this article does not include all the details from that two-hour session, I hope it provides a basic explanation of municipal financial management terms and concepts. j { 1 Y By Dan jordet J unicipal finance is not rocket supported debt. The primary revenue Studying any language requires a science. It is important for the source is property tax. grammar book. Municipal finance is non-financial manager to ■ Capital Projects Funds set up separate no different. understand that basic munici- accounts for capital projects, such While all businesses run on generally pal financial concepts are as road and bridge construction, accepted accounting principles, these ; easier to understand than assessment projects, or new buildings. are augmented by the Government ? orbital mechanics or rocket Accounting and Financial Reporting ?--- trajectory computations. It (GAAFR) handbook distributed by the is not a secret society,nor does it operate "It is not a secret Government Finance Officer's Associa- on magic or superstition. Municipal tion (GFOA). The Office of the State finance is simply a language used to nor does operate on magic W Auditor is familiar with and implements ; d • e the financial health and the rulings on finance,which are C'mion of a city organization. Once 1 superstition.Municipal determined by state statutes. Each city you have the basic vocabulary in hand, code or ci charter has items relatin ty g it is easier to understand and speak the is simplyI to describe to finance that act as local rules on such language. things as budgeting, spending limits, or the financial healtb 1 operation reserves. Understanding city funds By state law,all cities end their fiscal ' Municipal accounting is known as of a city organization." year on Dec. 31. Each city over 2,500 "fund accounting." Each "fund" in the ' system is like a separate pot to keep population is required to have acertified public accountant perform an track of income and expenses fora j ■ Enterprise Funds are like city audit after the end of each fiscal year. specific purpose: businesses that operate on the Following this audit, the annual }}I ■ The General Fund is just what it revenue generated by the products financial statements are prepared. In ' sounds like the general accounting they sell,such as water and sewer larger cities, a comprehensive annual 1 fund for the basic services provided services or mass transit. financial report (CAFR) is prepared by a city. Essential taxpayer services ■ Internal Service Funds track costs for with commentary on the financial 1 are provided with taxpayer dollars in divisions and departments that only information and supplemental informa- tr j this fund so that the use taxpayer provide service to the other depart- Lion on economics, tax base,and dollars can most easily be tacked and ments of the city organization, such demographics. In smaller cities, basic explained. These services include as purchasing, accounting, informa- financial statements with notes will j police and fire protection, street tion services, or public information. suffice. In either case, a summary ! maintenance, parks and recreation, ■ Trust and Agency Funds are dollars financial statement must be published in 3 planning and zoning services and, for which the city acts as fiscal agent, the official newspaper telling the public sometimes, general city administra- such as a town festival or a special about the city's financial condition. five costs. grant award project for a community■ Special Revenue Funds can track group. They are somebody elm The role of the city budget se'revenues collected and spent for a Budgeting is another integral tool in specific purpose, such as library money. the management of municipal finances. services or multi-government The municipal finance system A budget is a plan for the use of the cooperatives. Every useful system needs to have monies generated by the various income ■WP ebt Service Fund pays the recognized authorities for setting the sources of a city. Those resources al and interest on the city's tax conventions for using the system. include property taxes; state aid in the •TEMBER 2000 MINNESOTA CITIES 9 , 1 1 i 3 1 I I forms of local government aid (LGA), levied and collected from specific local city and the payments revolve homestead and agricultural credit aid property owners to repay the bonds. back into the fund to be reused on (HACA), and various grants; fees for A general obligation pledge can be put another project. services such as building permits or on a revenue bond to reassure investors Learning more about municipal finance liquor licenses; interest income on that their funds will be repaid with a reserves; and sales of water, sewer, tax levy if the anticipated revenues fall In your particular city,there are a a electric or refuse services. The process short. This will often lower the interest number of additional resources avail- of preparing the annual budget helps rate on a revenue bond. able to help you interpret the language of municipal finance. First and fore- allocate scarce resources. A budget can also serve as a management control tool Economic development finance most,your city clerk, administrator, or for monitoring success in following the There is a special sub-dialect of finance manager or your city's finance officer city's annual financial plan. language called economic development are willing to review the specifics of i For most cities, budgeting begins in finance. Key concepts here are tax your city's finances and budget. They the late spring or early summer. Cities increment financing, tax abatement, understand your city's unique circum- receive notification in August of state and revolving loan funds. stances best and will have the most dollars to be received for the next year. detailed knowledge of your city's By Sept. 15, each city must decide on financial vocabulary. a preliminary property tax levy for the "KnownIn addition, the League of Minne- following year and certify that amount sota Cities publishes the Handbook far to the county's financial officer. Once hearings,these meetings allowMinnesota Cities, which simplifies the 3 this preliminary levy is set, it can be language of state law on a number of reduced but not increased, except in to highlight the priorities ' plans issues, including finance. This docu- some very specialized cases. ment may already be available at your Late in the fall, each city must hold setforward by budget.They als' City Hall, from your public library, or - -- a public hearing to present the proposed by contacting the League. Minnesota property tax levy and budget for the allow citizens to become ' ' Cities magazine and the Cities Bulletin following year to the general public. newsletter are also good LMC sources Known as the "Truth in Taxation" " ' ' ' '' ' of information about the interesting x hearings, these meetings allow city staff language of municipal finance. to highlight the priorities and plans set ion property, 'the services The bottom line is that better forward by the budget.They also allow understanding of the terms and basic 1' citizens to become informed about the that willbe provided by ' operations of municipal finance helps impact of City Council decisions on decision-makers make better decisions. their property taxes and the services Learning the basic concepts of munici- In tax increment financing, a new al finance is within our reach. B that will be provided by those taxes. g p y y Following this hearing, the City construction or renovation can produce combining these basic finance language Council adopts the final property tax higher property taxes from a property. skills with interpreter services from ; levy and the budget for the upcoming The additional tax generated by the your local city staff,you can be year. investment,which creates a higher conversational in this language with -- property value,is called the tax incre- positive results for your city. r Issuing bonds for city projects ment. Tax increment can only be used Understanding when, how, and why a for very specific economic develop- city issues bonds is important. In order ment projects and under specific ' to do large projects,bonds are often circumstances. While its use continues I sold to get the cash for a project up to be restricted by legislation, tax 1' front while paying for it in installments, increment is still a valuable tool in the like a mortgage. Unlike a mortgage, economic development toolbox. the city pledges either its taxing Tax abatement is a relatively new Dan Jordet is deputy city manager for the , authority (in a general obligation bond) concept in which taxes paid by a project city of Mankato, Minn., and a presenter } or the revenues from its utilities or or property can be assigned to pay costs at the LMC Newly Elected Officials other specific source (in a revenue for a specific public improvement. Conferences held each January. For more bond) to repay the loan from the bond Local revolving loan funds can be information about the Newly Elected investors. Assessment bonds are a established through acquisition of grant Officials Conference and the Leadership special kind of revenue bond issued to funds from the Department of Trade Conference for Experienced City Offiicials, do capital improvement or mainte- and Economic Development or through please contact Conferences £r Training nance projects. When a specific user private grant applications. Loans are Manager Jodie Tooley atjtooley@lmnc.org benefits from a project, assessments are made under policies developed by the or(651) 281-1251. . i f 10 MINNESOTA CITIES SEPTEMEE0. 2000 - 41 A Playworld Systems' Exclusive! r Tip ©PLAYWORLD SYSTEMS ' Help older adults n have fun, nUfl, make friends _ ,,, , m and stay active. Y ` y yy J� YE 5 t w� www . pIayworldsystems . com / IifetraiI feTi % M Y 6.. n BY ETSY 130WE THE GRANT FINDER Building Blocks � .� { More ways to write better grants.. . How to make your project stand out to decision makers. An earlier article this year focused One project in Orange Township, for recreation by redefining projects— on ways to differentiate grant Ohio, created a universally accessible Innovative projects across the nation are applications amongst the competi- playground for children as part of an occurring not because of changing fund- tion and stand out to ensure funding overall park master plan. The project ing programs, but because of how we 'success (see Parks & Rec Business, April included equipment designed for visual- define, and redefine recreation to meet 2003, page 34). ly and physically challenged children, the interests, needs and overall enjoy- As you took to take advantage of including Braille signage and other ment of all ages of populations. federal funding for recreation Projects, enhancements,which made the facility a Redefining the TEA-21 Recreational below are some additional ways that you needed enhancement for a growing resi- Trail Program: President Bush recently might be able to differentiate your appli- dential area. signed the extension of Transporta- cation to ensure success: tion Equity Act for the 1. Build user educa- 21st Century (TEA-21), tion into the project— which would have expired Empowering users of recre- is on September 30. The aLion facilities and projects Recreational Trail Program with educational signs, included in that funding boards and materialss i is s a source is a competitive pro- lis trong way to tie a funding gram that provides approxi- ........... program's goals to your mately $50 million nation- project. ally for projects that pro- Recreational trails can vide, renovate or maintain often be enhanced with sig- recreational trails, trailhead nage about trees that are This is the Summit County Trail and Greenway in Akron, Ohio. Also and trailside facilities. common to the trail,indige- shown is the portage trailmarker. The trailmarker shows cultural history The five-month Men- nous species of plants and of the trial, how the Inidans used the area as a place where they carried sion just signed by President animals,and learning mate- canoes between two major rivers, the.Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas. Bush authorizes the federal rial for passersby government to keep operaL- Use of interpretive boards about plant Incorporating "universal accessi- ing at almost half of its full year budget species and the life cycles of plants and bility"into the project helped the town- authority until the extension runs Out in trees is a great way to enhance projects. In ship earn the entire allocation of fund- March 2004. addition, including historical or cultural ing available for the entire county for the In other words, this may be a final markers along a park or a path also project. change prior to any additional exten- enhances quality of life and the overall 3. Access to regional transporta- sions to take a shot at trail funding.With recreation experience for the user. tion—Focus on the location of the pro- the strict deadlines in TEA-21 prior to Think of including health-related ject to regional and local transportation the President's recent action, the pro- information for walkers, or enhancing resources,such as metro-bus or rail sys- gram would have literally cut off fund- maps of project areas with focus points, tems that might be available. ing for new trail projects. highlighted with signs along the way. Include mass transit materials Many states have changed their Consider your project an outdoor class- which link the project LO outlying areas, deadlines to meet the shorter time frame room. not jUSL the immediate community and you may want to check with your 2. Universal accessibility—Open Build upon local populations that may staL8 program administrator for the dead- your project to use by all ages of adults be in neighboring communities and line at www.fhwa.dot.go�,/environment/ and children,including physically,men- request letters of support or link with rtpstate.htm. tally, or visually challenged persons. Go other communities as part of the appli- To help your application be more above and beyond the requirements for cation process. competitive, you may wish to diversify i access. 4. Rethink familiar funding sources the common trail project and redefine a w­parkwndrecbusines5=m I JANUARY2004 I PARKS&RECBUSLIMSS THE GRANT FINDER trail in your community, which may a ® help differentiate your project. Did you know that water trails are ® eligible? Pennsylvania has been very 6 successful in developing Delaware River r" water trails by first supporting water- shed conservation plans and then p applying for the RTE The federal RTP legislation defines a recreational trail as: A thoroughfare or { track across land or snow,used for recre- ational purposes including,but not lim- ited to, such uses as bicycling, Nordic ' (cross-country) skiing, day hiking, OOa' equestrian activities, jogging or similar New for t- - fitness activities, trail biking, overnight and long distance backpacking, roller skating, in-line skating, dog sledding, running, snowmobiling, aquatic or water activity and vehicular travel by motorcycle, four-wheel drive or all ter- rain,off-road vehicles. Diversify your project by combin- ing eligible project categories: sA�Qf15 orls inc i c . Maintenance and restoration of I � existing recreational trails; • ' '• ' • • Development and rehabilitation Circle Reader Service#582 of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages; Premier Manufacturer of Attractive, • Purchase and lease of recreational trail construction and maintenance :r Strong, I AffordableAluminum1 1 equipment; • Construction of new recreational r trails(with restrictions on new trails on 3 ■ Cost effective ` ` _ federal land); ■ Li htwei ht - • Acquisition of easements or prop- ..,... g g ^ ..;; . erty for recreational trails or recreation- All ■ All aluminum picnic tables v�^ at trail corridors; and benches "`' `" • State administrative costs related 3 ? to program administration(up to 7%of ■ Low maintenance alternative a slate's funds);and to wood or plastic At Alumna Ltd. Operation of educational pro- customer satisfaction grams to promote safety and environ- ■ Choose from a large selection is guaranteed! mental protection as those objectives of colors and sizes related to the use of recreational trails (up to 5% of a slate's funds). Links to the legislation for additional j reference can be found at wwwffiwa.dot. gov/environmenl/rt-tea2l.htm.P&Re Y # •.,, p J Betsy Bowe is grants and *`` •__" r regulatory affairs manager for Environmental Design Phone(515)885-2398• Fax(515)885-2592 Group Inc., Akron, Ohio. For questions or comments, z t WWW.alUmaklm.COm 4`A. contact Betsy at (330) .,� .y: ;•.�:.;; 375-I390are-mail bbowe®2edg.com. Circle Reader Service#583 ® PARKS&REC BUSINESS I JANUARY 2004 j www.pwksandre busines mm ti i This item was prepared by Ron Struss,Regional Extension Educator,University of Minnesota Extension Service. rstrussnumn.edu or 651-215-1950. 3-26-04.Available for free use. i E j� 3 Minnesota Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law-January 1, 2004 Fertilizers containing phosphorus cannot be used on lawns in the seven county Twin # Cities metro area(Anoka, Caver,Dakota, Hennepin,Ramsey, Scott, and Washington). F t Outside the seven county Twin Cities metro area,lawn fertilizer use is limited to 3% phosphate content. Exceptions: Lawn fertilizer with higher phosphorus content than stated above can be used when: • Establishing new lawns by seeding or laying sod. • When soil testing shows need for phosphorus fertilization. For soil testing information,contact the UM Soil Test Lab at 612-625-3101 or visit them at the"Yard and Garden" section at www.extension.unm.edu. Look for the middle yt t number! A string of three numbers on a fertilizer bag show its analysis—the middle E number being phosphate (phosphorus) content.A a "zero in the middle" means phosphorus-free fertilizer. ;i MINNESOTA WATER .} LET`S KEEP rr CLEAN cleanwatermn.org s 3 s 4 S i i Recommendations for handling existing stock of phosphorus lawn fertilizer in the seven county Twin Cities metro area ISSUE Now that phosphorus lawn fertilizer use is restricted in Minnesota,cities and other units of government may be asked by the public"What should I do with my leftover bag of phosphorus lawn fertilizer?" THE LAW As of January 2004,phosphorus lawn fertilizer is not to be used on established lawns in the seven county Twin Cities metro area unless a current soil test shows a need for I phosphorus.Phosphorus lawn fertilizer can be used when establishing new lawns, either by seeding or laying sod.The law restricts use of phosphorus lawn fertilizers on 4 lawns,not its sale.Full details on the law are available at the Minnesota Department ;?�ro- of Agriculture's website: www.mda.state.nm.us/god/ace/lawncwatgrq.htm. �a s READING THE BAG Phosphorus lawn fertilizers are lawn fertilizers that have a number other than a zero in the middle of the string of three numbers showing the fertilizer's analysis.For example,a fertilizer with 22-3-15 on the bag contains phosphorus;a bag labeled with A"zero in the middle" 22-0-15,does not. indicates this fertilizer is phosphorus-free.A OPTIONS FOR EXISTING PHOSPHORUS LAWN FERTILIZER USE number other than zero The law applies only to lawn fertilization,and the zero phosphorus restriction applies indicates the fertilizer only to the seven county Twin Cities metro area(in non-metro areas,a 3%phosphate contains phosphorus. restriction applies).This provides several alternatives for use or disposal of phosphorus lawn fertilizer: Alternatives for handling phosphorus lawn fertilizers that contain pesticides: (Typically containing herbicides for weed control or insecticides for insect control.) 1. Use the fertilizer on lawns outside of the seven county Twin Cities metro area where it is legal to do so.It is not advisable,however,to use phosphorus lawn fertilizers in areas near lakes. 2. Take to a county household hazardous waste collection site.Call your county government information phone number or visit your county government website for locations. 3. Do not use lawn fertilizers that contain pesticides on gardens or any other area that is not a lawn! Alternatives for handling phosphorus lawn fertilizers that do not contain pesticides: 1. Use on vegetable and flower gardens.However,realize that unlike typical garden fertilizer,lawn fertilizer can be relatively high in nitrogen and low in phosphorus and potassium.Apply no more than 1.5 cups of lawn fertilizer to 100 sq.ft.(10'X 10')and plan to soil test after three years to assure plant nutrient needs are being met.An additional 1 cup of lawn fertilizer per 100 sq.ft.can be applied as a sidedress on sweet corn,vine crops,tomatoes,potatoes and cole crops 3-4 weeks after planting. 2. Use the fertilizer on lawns outside of the seven county Twin Cities metro area where it is legal to do so.It is not advisable,however,to use phosphorus lawn fertilizers in areas near lakes. 3. Place in trash. FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE LAW AND LAWNS For information on the Minnesota Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law,visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's website at www.mda.state.mn.us/annd/ace/lawncwaterq.htm or call 651-296-6121. For information on lawn care,visit the University of Minnesota Extension Service's Yard and Garden Line at www.extension.umn.edu or call 612-624-4771. Prepared by: Ron Struss, University of Minnesota Extension Service, 651-215-1950. 3-26-04 NOTES RECEIPT DATE��' V , NO. 2247 RECEIVED FROM R ADDRESS 7�. 0 r FOR lvuu 3 ACCOUNT _ HOW PAID AMT:OF CASH ACCOUNT AMT, CHECK ) PAID BALANCE MONEY, BY DUE ORDER 02001[§_0 RM®8LB02 i 1 ' A if i E 3 ` 7 / • 1 I$ S y 3 t 3 'f S t {