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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-24-01 PTRC • AGENDA PARKS, TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2001 ** 7:00 P.M. ** ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 4364 WEST ROUND LAKE ROAD 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Approve June 26, 2001 Minutes 3. Parks and Recreation Updates 4. Review of Park Comp Plan Community Meetings 5. Park Comp Plan Time Line Review 6. Council Update • 7. Buck Thorn Update 8. Trail Team Schedules 9. Next Meeting Agenda 10. Other Items for Discussion 11. Adjourn *** Please Call Tom: 651/634-5133 or Jim: 651/628-9406 if you are unable to attend this meeting*** it MINUTES O • PARKS TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE ° TUESDAY, DUNE 26,2001, 7:00 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 4634 W. ROUND LAKE ROAD CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Johnson called the June 26, 2001 meeting of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee to order at 7:04 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Members present were Jim Johnson, Don Tix, Jim Crassweller, Rich Straumann, Don Messerly, Patrick Krenn, Tom Moore, Louis Speggen, Roberta Thompson, Jennie Michels, Council Liaison Gregg Larson, and Carla Wirth, Recording Secretary. MEMBERS ABSENT Member absent was Steve Zilmer. • APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda was approved by consensus. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller moved and Committee Member Straumann seconded the motion to approve the May 22, 2001 minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Newly appointed Committee Members Jennie Michels and Roberta Thompson introduced themselves and stated their interest in serving on the Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee. The Committee members and Council Liaison Larson each introduced themselves and welcomed Committee Members Michels and Thompson. PARK AND RECREATION UPDATES Mr. Moore reported on the mowing, cutting, and trimming work that is underway, and caterpillar infestation experienced at two parks. He stated they will ask the University of Minnesota to view the parks and offer suggestions on the best treatment method. He • noted the Lindy's Triangle Park backstop has been removed since no activities are scheduled at that Park. The backstop at Arden Oaks Playground has also been removed ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE 2 • for the same reason. He noted those two parks had not been well maintained and were closely located to residential homes so games were no longer scheduled at those ballfields. Mr. Moore advised that the Arden Manor Park blacktop road has been laid. Mr. Moore stated he will be meeting with the City Administrator and Finance Director to draft a proposal to Council for Carey Park improvements and repair to the areas behind Field #1 and#2 to meet ADA accessibility requirements. These costs would be funded from the Park Fund and is estimated at $46,000 to be done as a fall project. Mr. Moore noted the recreation update information included in the meeting packet. REVIEW OF 50'" ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Mr. Moore reviewed the volunteers who assisted with the 50th Anniversary Celebration event which went off without a"hitch." He stated his personal thanks for those who helped to make this event a success. He advised of an upcoming meeting of the City Events Task Force to discuss having another event next year. Chair Johnson stated he too heard comments from many who had a great time. PARK AND RECREATION UPDATES - continued • With regard to the recreation update information, Committee Member Crassweller noted the overall programming appears to be down some participants and asked if thought had been given that perhaps the City is spreading itself too thin considering the size of Arden Hills. He asked if thought has been given to the strongest aspects of the program that should be promoted. Ms. Olson stated this question is always discussed by staff and noted the City offered seven fewer classes which had been quite successful. She noted the decline is based on trends (track participants), the USA Tennis Carnival site being moved to Roseville, and spring ceramics was not replaced since the company went out of business. She stated the egg hunt was down in participants since it was predicted to rain. Ms. Olson suggested the key is to consider the programs that were offered and how successful they were. Overall, she noted that they canceled only three classes. Ms. Olson reviewed staffs efforts to refine the programming offered to eliminate classes that are not well accepted and to concentrate on the best classes to offer. Mr. Moore stated staff has also been discussing the potential impact of lower funding levels due to charitable gambling generating less. Thus, they have developed a policy of requiring programming to provide a 40% overhead. At the request of Committee Member Messerly, Ms. Olson explained how staff calculates • the costs to offer the program, and the minimum and maximum participants needed to realize a 40% overhead. She noted that some programs cannot realize this level of ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE 3 • percentage, but other programs are higher. Committee Member Speggen noted some families may have several children and other families may be under the poverty level. He asked how that is figured into staff s calculation if the family cannot afford to pay the participation fee. Ms. Olson explained it is common for Parks and Recreation Departments to have a budget and the expectation to establish a minimum number of participants and calculate a cost to offer the class. She noted there are many classes where just an $8 administration fee is charged. However, she tries to meet a minimum of 40% overhead costs for the majority of the programming offered. Committee Member Speggen cautioned about using a financial basis and to be aware of the economic level that is being served. Ms. Olson stated the 40% overhead cost is a goal and sometimes a class is not canceled if the minimum number is not met, based on other considerations. However, staff does need to be accountable with the budget. Committee Member Crassweller stated he wondered if the Parks and Recreation Department was spreading itself too thin by offering too many classes considering the City's population base. He asked if it would be better to scale back the offerings to gain quality of programming. • Mr. Moore stated staff has analyzed those issues and monitor it on a quarterly basis. Committee Member Tix stated it appears that staff is analyzing the best way to get the most participants involved for the best cost. Mr. Fabel asked if a child has ever been turned away because they cannot afford the fee. Mr. Moore stated a child has never been turned away. Ms. Olson reviewed the discounts the City is currently offering. BUCK THORN REMOVAL PROGRAM - PHIL FABEL Phil Fabel extended his congratulations to the Committee on the wonderful 50th Anniversary Celebration. Mr. Fabel noted the information contained in the meeting packet related to buck thorn which has been declared a noxious plant by the State of Minnesota. He advised the State encourages communities and individuals to do what they can to eliminate buck thorn. Mr. Fabel stated some believe it is too big of a problem while others are excited about what can be done. He noted that buck thorn has not been used as a hedge plant since the 1930's but the older communities have a much larger buck thorn problem. Mr. Fabel explained that Arden Hills has pockets of buck thorn but it is not an overwhelming . problem. ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE 4 • Mr. Fabel reviewed numerous articles related to buck thorn and advised of the St. Anthony program that was successfully offered. He also advised of programs with the Minneapolis Park Department, Roseville, North Oaks, Shoreview, Ramsey County, and Bethel College. Mr. Fabel reviewed his conversations with Bethel College which may offer an opportunity for a trial program. Mr. Fabel presented the program offered by St. Anthony Park who had mailings and publications to inform the public of a one-day clean-up with a contracted chipper. They had 47 homeowners sign up but the day of the chipping, 75 homeowners showed up. St. Anthony required the homeowner to cut and stack the buck thorn on the curb and the City's contractor came in and chipped it up. He noted this was a very successful program in St. Anthony. Mr. Fabel stated he believes private property will not be the problem in Arden Hills, it will be Bethel College and Northwestern College. He explained that buck thorn chips would be good to use on trails. Committee Member Messerly stated that buck thorn is almost an impossible task at Crepeau Park. Mr. Fabel stated that he does not believe it is "impossible" but may require the involvement of Arden Hills to organize and head up the project. It was noted that without the removal of buck thorn, the oak trees may die. Committee Member Crassweller suggested first focusing on a particular park, such as Crepeau Park. He stated in that venue, all the buck thorn chips could be used for those dirt trails. Once that project is successful, another area could be considered. MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller moved and Committee Member Straumann seconded the motion that the Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee recommend to Council that it establish a buck thorn removal project for Crepeau Park and establish Phil Fabel as the project manager and Don Messerly as his assistant. Mr. Fabel agreed to accept this volunteer position. Council Liaison Larson reviewed his work to clear about 1.25 acres of property of buck thorn and the newspaper article he wrote as a result of that work. He stated that after removal of the buck thorn, he was amazed at the change that took place where oak seedlings and wild flowers are now growing. Committee Member Thompson stated she has also seen these changes. She stated she has learned a lot about the issue of buck thorn from the materials provided in the meeting packet and believes education of the public would result in more support. She noted that many are probably not aware of the benefit of increased oak.seedlings and wild flowers. • In response to Mr. Moore, Mr. Fabel explained that fall is the best season to recognize buck thorn since it stays green colored longer than other plants. ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE 5 Committee Member Thompson commented on the need for repeat treatments in the following years to assure there is not a resurgence of buck thorn. Committee Member Tix asked if someone would have to be hired to use chain saws to clear the larger sized buck thorn. Mr. Moore stated the City has a chainsaw and chipper and uses a contract chipper as well. Committee Member Crassweller suggested the coordination of a program that involves City staff and volunteers over one or several weekends. He agreed that Crepeau Park would be a very good place to start and once successfully completed, it will be easier to create additional programs for other parks and areas. Committee Member Tix asked if Bethel College will also be included in the program. Mr. Fabel stated he will stay in contact with Bethel College. Committee Member Tix stated another problem area is by the Mounds View High School. Committee Member Crassweller agreed and commented that may be the next area to consider. The motion carried unanimously. • PARK COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE A. NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING SCHEDULES/COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION Mr. Moore noted the letter that will be sent to residents advising of the meeting dates scheduled for the community. He explained that some of the signage used for the 50th Celebration will be reused to advertise these meetings in individual neighborhoods, if deemed important. Mr. Moore asked the Committee to establish a schedule of who will attend to represent the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee at each of these four meetings. Mr. Fabel suggested that the issue of buck thorn also be mentioned at each of these meetings. Council Liaison stated his agreement with this suggestion and asked staff to create a small display that could be shown at the meetings. TRAIL TEAMS Mr. Moore stated it was determined at the last meeting that the Committee would be split into "teams"to inspect sections of trails and then report back to the Committee on their findings. ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE 6 Committee Member Crassweller offered to guide a tour of Quadrant 3 trails. He suggested two goals of the tour: 1) determine where things are; and, 2) determine linkage options. He stated he believes there are a lot of trail connection options and suggested a map be provided of the area prior to the tour. Committee Member Crassweller noted there are also many "informal"trails that have been created and are used by many people even though the informal trails are not maintained or graded. He suggested those informal trails be incorporated into the City's trail system if the City owns that land. Committee Member Speggen stated he sometimes finds it difficult to determine the land that is owned by the City or County, and that which is privately owned. He reviewed several such trail locations and commented that it would be helpful to know of the ownership. Committee Member Crassweller stated that even with County-owned property, the City may be able to obtain a trail easement. Discussion occurred regarding the Tony Schmidt Park development and County plans for the property. • Mr. Moore stated he will gather more information and create an evaluation form for consideration at the next meeting. COUNCIL UPDATE Council Liaison Larson concurred with earlier comments made about the success of the 50th Anniversary Celebration. He noted the number of volunteers who contributed to that success and the Council's appreciation for that effort. Council Liaison Larson provided an update on Round Lake Trail and the process to obtain easements. Council Liaison Larson reported on the well attended public informational meeting regarding putting buoys on Lake Johanna and the public's indication that they do not want buoys. However, the Council is concerned about the liability issue and directed the City Attorney to review the language to make it permissive rather than mandatory, or to repeal the ordinance section that requires buoys. Council Liaison Larson advised that the Council approved the final plat for Chesapeake Companies, located at the I-694 and 1-35W interchange. Council Liaison Larson reported that the Council adopted an amendment to the Zoning is feet to change the setback requirement for lakeshore property from 75 feet to 50 feet since the 75-foot setback was not consistent with the DNR required setback. t ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE 7 Council Liaison Larson stated the Council is in the process of revising an erosion and sediment control ordinance as required by the Metropolitan Council as part of the Comprehensive Plan process. The Council is also working on a right-of-way ordinance to address use, require a City permit, and demonstrate the property has been restored. Council Liaison Larson stated the Council approved the new City Hall monument sign that incorporates Kasota Stone and the new City logo. The City also purchased additional limestone at a substantial discount for use in the other monument signs to provide a consistent appearance. Council Liaison Larson stated work is underway on a sound wall between Highways 96 and 10, east of I-35, by the mobile home park. Council Liaison Larson reported that the budget process is underway for 2002 and the City received another excellent audit report. He advised that the Council is awaiting results of the special legislative session, results of impact to TIF, and available local government aids. Council Liaison Larson stated the Council is working on the Pavement Management Plan which was halted when it was decided to not pave the Ingerson neighborhood. The Council will be determining how to proceed with street improvement projects. Council Liaison Larson stated the Council approved changes to the PUD on West Round Lake Road since some occupants are putting in outside facilities which they need, such as dumpster areas, that are different than anticipated by the City when it originally approved the PUD. The City has asked the operators to come back with a plan which was adopted on Monday and will result in more screening between the parking lots and buildings. Chair Johnson asked when the first meeting will be held in the new City Hall. Council Liaison Larson estimated late August. NEXT MEETING AGENDA Trail Teams Buck Thorn Progress Recap of Comprehensive Park Plan Neighborhood Meetings OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Council Liaison Larson commented on the importance of the consultant offering a presentation of the plans being considered, not just posting presentation boards around the room and requesting input. Mr. Moore stated his impression that there will be a lot of "give-and-take" and information provided to residents. . Committee Member Crassweller agreed with the need for a presentation and emphasis y ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE 8 that the City is attempting to plan for the next 10 to 20 years. Mr. Moore stated he will raise these issues with the consultant. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Committee Member Krenn moved and Committee Member Crassweller seconded the motion to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Carla Wirth TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. • F Summer 2001 Park To Do List Arden Oaks 1. Trim around trees 2. Weed around trees 3. Mulch around trees 4. Swing set grooves 5. Paint swing chains 6. Add fiber to safety box (west of frog) 7. Basketball court needs resurfacing 8. Paint basketball court poles 9. Clcan out drain area from play structure 10. Water new grass seed area 11. Move picnic tables from basketball court to swing lot area Lind 's 1. Trim all trees Crepeau 1. Straighten out/support second section of the sportsman bridge 2. Paint swing bench poles 3. Trim tree limb,by trail, over street area 4. Pull out old trail mark post, south entrance Freeway 1. Fill in with black dirt tire tracks, lower level 2. Picnic table needs painting 3. Swing set grooves 4. Trim under swing bench 5. Paint red/blue lines in hockey rink 6. Trim tree suckers, lower level, west of basketball court 7. Paint door to warming house 8. Fix/repair and paint steps to warming house 9. Repair soffit of warming house 10. Put up parking lot chain and paint chain silver 11. Check out threshold, bottom of warming house • e Samson 1. Paint swing set chains 2. Paint "No Alcoholic Beverages" sign 3. Swing set grooves 4. Trim all tree suckers 5. Paint swing bench poles 6. Pull weeds inside play structure safety box 7. Reseed grass area around play structure safety box 8. Trim hedge,west of trail 9. Weed/trim play structure Cummins 1. Paint warming house 2. Repair fascias on warming house 3. Trim weeds, tennis court, trees 4. Repaint tennis return wall 5. Mulch trees, soccer field and trail 6. Swing set grooves 7. Another load of wood fiber for safety box 8. Paint the legs of park shelter 9. Weed/trim curb of Wyncrest cul-de-sac 10. Blow out leaves off tennis court 11. Trim trees/brush away from park sign (east side of road,just before the parking lot) Perr 1. Remove tape from warming door 2. Swing set grooves 3. Paint picnic tables 4. wed the parking lot island,play structure 5. Mulch trees/trim tree, north of play structure 6. Weed/trim yellow flowers along curbs 7. Straighten out north parking sign 8. Cap off the fire hydrant by hockey rinks i Hazelnut 1. Tyke slide is too high off the ground, more fiber 2. Blow out leaves in tennis court 3. Mulch pine trees, east side of tennis court 4. Swing set grooves, slide groove too 5. Mulch trees in entire park 6. Trim around trash can at tennis court/swing set 7. Picnic table by swing set needs painting 8. Baseball back stop, home plate, attach fence 9. Paint swing bench along 1"base line 10. Trim tree suckers, 36 line 11. Fill in holes in dirt path down to warming house 12. Post "No Sledding" signs on hill going into hock rink, by the basketball court/picnic shelter paths 13. Paint posts to parking shelter 14. Paint basketball poles and back of back boards 15. Remove the tennis return board 16. Replace basketball nets 17. Trim lower branches to trees around the trail in right field/center field of baseball field 18. Signage on Prior Avenue "No Vehicles Allowed on Park Trail" Valentine Park 1. Weed wood chips around trees,parking lot 2. Trim trees 3. paint baseball benches green 4. Weed, pull, inside play structure box 5. Shift pea gravel around inside the box (plastic cover showing) 6. Pull weeds inside swing box, rake in grooves 7. Move neighborhood watch sign (other side of stream)next to park sign 8. Wood chip two trees by swing set box 9. Trim cut/drainage ditch (old 10 side between warming house 10) 10. Cut down dead tree behind 11. Paint/stain warming house (roof repair on peak?) 12. Fix roof vents on warming house (old 10 side) 13. Paint chains on swing set 14. Light out inside warming house 15. Fumigate inside warming house 16. Remove or clean the rubber mats inside warming house 17. Backstop repair behind home plate reattach to bottom pole 18. Trim under player benches and bleachers Royal Hills 0 1. Paint posts to picnic shelter 2. Trim all weeds from curbs, trees, poles,play structure, tennis court 3. Mulch all trees 4. Remove weeds from the inside of play structure 5. Trim tree suckers, west of play structure 6. "Weed-B-Gone"the retaining wall 7. Remove the tennis return board 8. Paint the picnic tables 9. Ball field needs more ag lime 10. check out pipe, ground level, P base, safety fence 11. Attach backstop to bottom pipe,behind homeplate 12. Mulch tree behind backstop 13. Cement/blacktop team bench area 14. Check out end caps on backstop, third pipe up In eg rson 1. Trim tree suckers 2. Resurface basketball court 3. Level out fiber in safety box 4. Clean off black marks on slide 5. Paint picnic table 6. Paint burn mark underside of roof/picnic shelter 7. Paint swing bench poles 8. Pick up trash 9. Remove trash can 10. Trim tree branches by basketball hoop 11. Park sign (?) 12. Move the "Welcome to Arden Park" sign up closer to driveway for better visibility Floral 1. "Weed-B-Gone"grass in basketball court area 2. Remove tennis return board 3. "Weed-B-Gone" inside tennis court area 4. Mulch trees 5. Trim all curbs, signs, trees 6. Trim tree branches on tennis court and basketball court 7. "Weed-B-Gone"wooden steps in front of park 8. Trim all tree suckers 9. Water grass seed area • ' t Floral Lcont.i 10. Paint post of picnic shelter 11. Fill in tire tracks along trail leading to ballfield 12. "Weed-B-Gone"team bench area 13. Blacktop/cement team bench areas 14. Trim trees 15. Repair/reattach backstop behind homeplate