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Home My WebLink About10-26-04 PTRC EN HILLS AGENDA PARKS, TRAILS, & RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2004 **7:00 P.M. MEETING** ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Approve September 28, 2004 Minutes 3. Council Update 4. Parks and Trails Update is a. Perry Park Pavilion 5. Recreation Update 6. 2005-2009 Priorities 7. Next Meeting Agenda 8. Adjourn • A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting. • 2005-2009 Priorities • Walkway under RR connecting Tony Schmidt Park to Perry Park and trails. • Trail along old Snelling from Hwy 51 to 96. • Trail through Northwestern College. • Trails within the 10-96 reconstruction. • Trail over old RR bridge across I-35W, allowing connection to Long Lake Park. • Trail and footbridge crossing 51 at Old Snelling. • Trail from Old Snelling to Long Lake Park: Parkshore Drive, Gateway Blvd, old RR bridge across 35W. • • Trail/sidewalk along west side of Lexington from Co Rd E to 694. • Trail along N. Snelling from Briarknoll to 96. • Trail through marsh to link library with existing trails. • Trail along west side of Round Lake. RAMSEY COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA October 19 2004, 5;00 p.m. RAMSEY COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT 2015 NORTH VAN DYKE STREET . MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109 MAIN FLOORR CONFERENCE ROOM. 1) CALL TO ORDER 2) APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 3, 2004 • 4) INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSION MEMBERS 5) PROPOSED ADDITIONS TO THE REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE SYSTEM 6) ALLOCATION OF REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE CAPITAL FUNDING 7) 10-YEAR COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION REHABILITATION PLAN 8) UPDATE ON TCAAP PROPERTY TRANSFERS FOR PARKS AND RECREATION 9) DIRECTOR'S REPORT 10) REPORTS FROM CHAIR AND OTHER COMMISSION MEMBERS 11) ADJOURNMENT * * * COMMISSION MEMBERS • PLEASE CALL CHER YL JOHNSON A T 651-748-2500, X307 IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT RAMSEY COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 3, 2004 TAMARACK NATURE CENTER 5287 OTTER LAKE ROAD WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP, MN Following a tour of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant with the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, the regular meeting of the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 6:25 p.m., at Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Township, Minnesota. Members Present: Deb Falkowski, Michele Hanson, Phil Jenni, Richard Straumann and JoAnne Van Guilder Members Absent: Terry Huntrods and Jonathon Kusa Staff Present: Greg Mack, Larry Holmberg, Jody Yungers and Marcie Oltman APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice-Chair Hanson asked for a motion to approve the agenda. Mr. Jenni moved, seconded by Mr. • Straumann, that the agenda be approved. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice-Chair Hanson asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the July 13, 2004 meeting. Mr. Jenni moved, seconded by Mr. Straumann,that the minutes of the July 13, 2004 meeting be approved as mailed. Motion carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Mr. Jenni inquired whether the Commission should hold an election of officers to replace the Chair, Mr. Mark Davis, whose term on the Commission expired in June 2004. It was the consensus of the Commission members present that election of officers should take place when all current Commission members are present or, preferably, after the County Board appoints individuals to the two vacant seats on the Commission. PROPOSED 2005 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT Mr. Mack distributed 2005 Operating Budget information, including the Department Financial Summary, a List of Major Changes, a List of Unfunded Priorities, and Proposed Fee Increases for 2005. He noted that the budget was received by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on July 27, 2004, and that the department's budget hearing was held on August 2, 2004. Public testimony on the entire county operating budget will be held on September 7, 2004, from 1:30-5:00 p.m. Mr. Mack distributed copies of the department's budget overview, which was presented to the Ramsey County Budget Committee on August 2, 2004. He noted that the 2005 budget, as proposed by the County Manager, reflects department-wide expenditures of$7,663,974, financed with tax levy of $2,026,400, and $5,637,574 from fees and inter-governmental grants. The proposed tax levy is • comparable to the level the department received in 1990. At the proposed budget level, taxes represent only 26% of the budget (compared to 45% in 1990), while other revenues provide 74% of the funding. The budget, as proposed by the County Manager, would eliminate lifeguard services at two additional county beaches. Lifeguard services would continue to be provided at Long Lake Regional Park, White r Bear Lake County Park, Lake McCarrons County Park and Battle Creek Waterworks. In response to questions from Commission members, he noted that, based on swimmer activity, the department would • strongly recommend lifeguard services be provided at these facilities, plus Tony Schmidt County Park and Snail Lake Regional Park. Lake Josephine County Park will be closed in 2005 for reconstruction; however, staff believes that lifeguard services should be provided at this location in the future. The Commission discussed the growing backlog of lifecycle rehabilitation and maintenance throughout the parks and recreation system. Mr. Mack noted that the County Budget Committee had considerable discussion about this unfunded need during the department's budget hearing. The County Board members recognize the need to fund predictable lifecycle maintenance in order to protect the county's investment in improvements and maintain service levels. Following considerable discussion regarding the proposed 2005 operating budget, expenditures and fee revenues, it was moved by Mr. Jenni, seconded by Mr. Straumann, that the Commission acknowledges the challenges facing the County Board in financing county services; however,the Commission recommends the following: 1. The 2005 operating budget levy for the Parks and Recreation Department should be increased to provide lifeguard services at the five busiest beaches (Snail Lake Regional Park, Tony Schmidt County Park, Long Lake Regional Park,White Bear Lake County Park and Lake McCarrons County Park, as well as Battle Creek Waterworks); and 2. The County Board should begin financing a capital asset preservation program to maintain the integrity and serviceability of parks and recreation buildings, grounds and facilities. Furthermore, the Commission stands ready to assist the County Board in further evaluation of maintenance and operation financing options to maintain high-quality public services, including potential revenue enhancements. Motion carried. TAMARACK NATURE CENTER PROGRAMS Ms. Yungers and Ms. Oltman provided an overview of Tamarack Nature Center programs and proposed facility enhancements, including interactive displays proposed for funding by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR). INTINERARY FOR SEPTEMBER PARKS AND RECREATION TOUR Mr. Mack asked Commission members for suggestions regarding the upcoming Commission tour. Commission members suggested touring Keller Regional Park (discuss redevelopment plans), Pleasant Ice Arena (see improvements made to accommodate St. Paul Figure Skating Club), Lake Gervais County Park and Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park. Staff will prepare a tour itinerary that includes a visit to each of these locations. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Mack reported that the city of Shoreview intends to appoint a citizen task force to review issues associated with the proposed band shell to be financed by the Guidant Foundation. Mr. Straumann has been recommended for appointment to the task force to represent the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Commission. It is expected that the task force will begin its work in early September. REPORTS FROM CHAIR AND OTHER COMMISSION MEMBERS None ADJOURNMENT Upon appropriate motion, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. • Greg Mack 2