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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-15 PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Stephens called the February 17, 2015, meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:35 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Jennifer Stephens and Committee Members Phil Kramlinger, Chuck Michaelson, Nancy O’Malley, Harold Petersen, Steve Scott, and Rich Straumann. OTHERS PRESENT: Staff Liaison Sara Grant and Recreation Programmer Aaron Thelen. ABSENT: Committee Members Don Messerly, Matt Trites, John Van Valkenburg, and Council Liaison Holden. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Committee Member O’Malley motioned to approve the agenda seconded by Committee Member Petersen. The motion carried unanimously (7-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 20, 2015 Committee Member Kramlinger indicated that the first sentence should be changed to Co-Chair Van Valkenberg as opposed to Co-Chair Kramlinger. MOTION: Committee Member Petersen motioned to approve the January 20, 2015, minutes as amended seconded by Committee Member Michaelson. The motion carried unanimously (7-0). 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Basketball Court Improvements Committee Member O’Malley indicated that she and Committee Member Van Valkenburg toured the basketball courts and put together a maintenance/replacement schedule. They rated each court with a rating of 1-5, with 5 needing the most repair, and have also included recommendations on what items need work. Ms. O’Malley pointed out a correction in that the recommendations under Arden Oaks Park were actually intended for Royal Hills Park and vice versa. Committee Member O’Malley commented that possibly Boston Scientific could be approached about donating a hoop at Cummings Park since their employees use the courts during their lunch period. Ms. Stephens suggested the committee put together a Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes January 20, 2015 Page 2 draft proposal for Boston Scientific and present to Council. Committee Member O’Malley volunteered to draft a letter for Boston Scientific to present at the next PTRC meeting. Chair Stephens also suggested the committee create a plan to present to Council on the top three courts needing repairs to or replacement of the basketball goals. B. Pickleball Court and Instructional Lesson Staff Liaison Grant indicated that she has gone ahead and ordered 12 pickleball paddles and 12 balls. She informed that the pickleball court will be at Cummings Park and equipment can be rented there or at City Hall. Committee Member Michaelson indicated that he and Staff Liaison Grant are still in the process of deciding what to charge for the equipment rental. Ms. Grant commented that Public Works is purchasing special tape that can be used for marking the outside courts. She informed the tape will not ruin the surface and it can just be peeled off. Staff Liaison Grant commented that in order to promote pickleball, she is planning to have a pickleball demonstration June 15, from 1:00-2:00 pm, at Cummings Park and has hired an instructor for the event. C. Other Unfinished Business Committee Member Peterson asked that Staff Liaison Grant provide the members with a calendar of meeting dates. Committee Member Straumann gave a brief update on upcoming and future road/trail projects. He indicated the trail subcommittee will be meeting with Ramsey County on Tuesday, April 14. Discussion ensued on trail connections. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. 2015 PTRC Member Information Chair Stephens asked the members to review their contact information for any changes. Committee Member Straumann indicated that the home phone number listed for him is actually his wife’s cell number and asked that his work and fax number be removed. Committee Member Kramlinger commented that his email should be changed to pjk@eganco.com and Committee Member Michaelson indicated his work number should be changed to his cell number of 651-235-1337. B. Community Parks and Trails Survey Staff Liaison Grant recapped that the survey provided in the packet was the survey that was used in 2013. She indicated she did discuss the survey with Council Liaison Holden and it was decided to revamp the survey and also have the survey available on Facebook. Ms. Grant asked the committee if they had any additional survey questions they wanted added or if they had any changes they wanted made to the survey. Chair Stephens indicated she felt the survey was long enough and should not be any longer. Committee Member O’Malley suggested they make the survey available after the summer since there is much trail development activity going on Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes January 20, 2015 Page 3 The committee reviewed each question and recommended the following: • keep question #1 “What park(s) do you live near?” • to have question #2 read “What park(s) do you use? • #3 for what with current #3 remove • to have question #4 be the previous #6 “For the activities you listed in the previous question, are the current facilities/amenities in our parks sufficient?” • • move as the last question for the park survey  it was suggested for question #5 should be the new #3,#6 is now #4. old #4 should be #5. • Ranking – what is the most important to you…. • move 7 & 8 at the end of the trail section • #9 take parks out • 13 what recreation programs do you use (youth, senior) you could break it done further by youth sports, etc.) • • 15 what programs would you like to see more of (senior, youth) • that “develop more trails” under question #12 be eliminated Ms. Grant commented that Council Liaison Holden stated she would like to see more questions on whether people are taking senior programs. 0, are you involved with any of our rec programs instead of would you like to see more senior programs. Miss Holden also had suggested for the questions develop an off-leash dog park or develop more parks (thought it would be a nice touch) have money symbols as to cost so people are aware this costs so much and this so much (3 money symbols or only 1). Jen agreed there should be a disclaimer. • bullet points for tennis, soccer, etc. • before the other paved, etc. what trails do you use • #10 Jen – what do you use more trails that are paved, woodchips, dirt, other – We still want to know does nobody use the natural trails. Or why spend money on the woodchips if no one is using them • for number 12 do not rank – just check the ones and have an OTHER spot What is important – check top 3 Ms. Grant listed which senior programs are being offered for the spring/summer. Chair Stephens asked if there is anything on the cover of the recreation guide pointing out that senior programs are being offered. She suggested that maybe pictures of seniors be included on the cover and adding youth, recreation, and senior programming to the heading. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes January 20, 2015 Page 4 Recreation Coordinator Grant commented that the 2015 Spring/Summer Recreation Guide has already been sent to the printer and that approximately 300 youth programs and 10-15 senior programs are being offered. Chair Stephens suggested that the cover include something about Senior Activities and what page number the senior programs can be found on. It was the consensus of the committee that this was a good idea for future recreation guides. B. Other New Business Chair Stephens we were mentioning soliciting for new members. Sara indicated there is a limit of 12 and they are at 11. Committee Member O’Malley suggested if they didn’t want to be on the committee could you looking for casual contributor. Chair Stephens suggested putting a solicitation article in the newsletter. Ms. Grant mentioned she included a section in the Spring/Summer Recreation Guide informing residents of the Arden Hills Adopt-A- Garden Program. Staff Liaison Grant informed she met with the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church. Because the church is closing for an undetermined amount of time, the congregation has offered to donate their time to work on the Hazelnut signage garden and are also planning on a community garden. how is community garden we have working out almost across from the school. Hwy 10 garden plots where people actually have to pay for those plots. The community garden is free . They fill up every year. Straumann – can you check what they charge. O’Malley, if they fill up maybe have more. Sara – it is a lot of work and we have to rent a tiller and they have to till the land and fill the water barrels. It is time consuming, but we can definitely look into it. Chair Stephens suggested they add a question to the survey asking whether there is interest in the garden plots. Committee Member Straumann informed that the Rice Creek Commons website is up and running at. The website is ricecreekcommons.com. Committee Member Michelson would like to see the results of how many people have used the off leash dog park. Ms. Grant indicated that is a question that could also be added to the survey. 5. REPORTS A. City Council Report None B. Public Works/Parks & Recreation Report Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes January 20, 2015 Page 5 Staff Liaison Grant indicated that she is in the process of training Aaron Thelen, the new Recreation Programmer, and that he has been very helpful. Ms. Grant informed that the joint PTRC/Council meeting will most likely be scheduled for some time in May. She indicated she will let the members know when the exact date is determined. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Committee Member Scott moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m., seconded by Chair Stephens. The motion carried unanimously (7-0). NEXT MEETING The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, March 17, 2015.