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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-15 PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2015 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Straumann called the November 17, 2015, meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Rich Straumann and Committee Members Josh Bloyer, Keri Bloyer, Harold Petersen, and Chuck Michaelson OTHERS PRESENT: Staff Liaison Sara Grant ABSENT: Council Liaison Brenda Holden, Committee Members Nancy O’Malley, Steve Scott, and John Van Valkenburg 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Straumann noted the map provided would be utilized later in the discussion and pertained to the PTRC’s goals and Work Plan. MOTION: Committee Member Petersen motioned to approve the agenda and seconded by Committee Member Michaelson. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 20, 2015 MOTION: Committee Member Petersen motioned to approve the October 20, 2015, minutes and seconded by Committee Member Michaelson. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Updated Park Amenities Chair Straumann referenced the breakdown for Rice Creek Commons Parks which listed what every park should include as well as the specific amenities at park locations A, B, C and D as follows: Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 17, 2015 Page 2 Chair Straumann proposed adding a third section called “To Be Determined” and that parking spaces/parking lot be moved to this area. Committee Member Petersen suggested using the term “on-site” and “off-site” parking versus “parking spaces/parking lot”, and Staff Liaison Grant stated she would make note of this. Chair Straumann stated the items listed for Park B (the Town Center) make sense for that park. He proposed moving the items listed under Park D to the “To Be Determined” area as all items listed under Park D could also work for Parks A and C. Staff Liaison Grant stated that once the Committee determines exactly what additional amenities it wants, it can then decide whether the items should go in Park A, C or D. Committee Member Petersen asked for clarification of the tennis courts. Staff Liaison Grant stated it was discussed there would be one set of tennis courts (two, side by side). Committee Member Petersen also asked about the recommendation for one youth baseball field and if the full size adult soccer field could also be used as a full size baseball field. Staff Liaison Grant stated that she would change the notation for the full size adult soccer field to a multi-use field. She also said the youth baseball field can be a multi-use field just as it is at Cummings Park. A discussion ensued about the characteristics of the youth baseball field. Chair Straumann asked for clarification about the sand volleyball court as he thought this would have some type of hard surface. Committee Member K. Bloyer stated she remembered saying she personally preferred a hard surface for volleyball, but that a sand court is probably easier to maintain. Committee Member J. Bloyer stated he thinks there is a bigger draw to play volleyball in the sand. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 17, 2015 Page 3 Committee Member Petersen suggested waiting to specify the type of surface for volleyball until that decision is necessary. Chair Straumann asked if a volleyball court be used for something else. Staff Liaison Grant stated that the net can be lowered and used for badminton. She also mentioned the possibility of having a volleyball court located in a grassy area. Chair Straumann stated that there potentially could be more than one volleyball court or some type of multi-use volleyball court, and the list should reflect such. A discussion ensued regarding skating pleasure rinks versus hockey rinks. Staff Liaison Grant stated that Freeway, Perry and Hazelnut Parks have hockey rinks with boards. Because these three rinks are located toward the south end of Arden Hills, it was discussed that a hockey rink is desirable in the Rice Creek Commons area. Staff Liaison Grant stated she will create a list with the new changes and Chair Straumann requested she put the date in the bottom corner of the list so that as changes are made, they can be tracked. Chair Straumann asked about the rain garden listed for Park B as this is not truly a park amenity. It was discussed that “rain garden” would be changed to “gardens”. Committee Member J. Bloyer reintroduced the idea of a skate park. Chair Straumann said the skate park (also for rollerblading and bikes) will be placed on the To Be Determined list. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Walk-Bike Trail Planned for Former TCAAP Site in Arden Hills Chair Straumann stated this trail is noted as T3 on the Committees’ map. Ramsey County has acquired an additional 93 acres of land. The area will be cleaned up over the winter and a new multi-use trail will connect the Rice Creek Regional Trail to the Highway 96 Trail. A discussion ensued about the Metropolitan Council’s role regarding stormwater, parks, and trails. B. ClearSpan Structures Chair Straumann referenced the brochure from ClearSpan Structures. He indicated a meeting will be requested with AHATS to discuss land availability and a potential community center as a covered, indoor space that could be used year-round would be beneficial. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 17, 2015 Page 4 Mayor Grant arrived at the meeting at 6:50 pm. Chair Straumann explained to new Committee Members Josh and Keri Bloyer that the Joint Development Authority (JDA) is comprised of Mayor Grant, Councilmember Brenda Holden, Chair David Sand and also two individuals from Ramsey County. He stated the group would be looking at the various park amenities. Chair Straumann recapped for Mayor Grant the previously discussed material. Mayor Grant asked where the additional 93 acres are located. Chair Straumann referenced a yellow area on a map and a discussion ensued as to where a ClearSpan type structure could be located. Staff Liaison Grant stated she met with Mary Lee of AHATS approximately 5 or 6 months ago. Mary Lee indicated space had been reserved for two full-sized adult soccer fields. Chair Straumann stated a structure such as ClearSpan is an alternative to a more expensive inflatable dome. Once the Committee meets with the National Guard to determine if they are still on board, the next step would be to have a discussion with the various school districts. Staff Liaison Grant suggested contacting the surrounding businesses for sponsorships. Committee Member Petersen asked if this type of facility can be heated and it was discussed the structure can be heated and is very energy efficient. Chair Straumann suggested looking at the Vadnais Heights sports center for ideas as to what type of amenities could be available. Committee Member Petersen asked what the timeline is for meeting with AHATS. Staff Liaison Grant stated there should be a meeting within the next couple of months. Mayor Grant commented that pricing is a key factor. A discussion ensued regarding the structure’s size, use and potential cost. Chair Straumann and Staff Liaison Grant will schedule a meeting with AHATS to discuss the various options. C. Fitness in the Park Staff Liaison Grant indicated that Fitness in the Park is an initiative that supports health and fitness in the community by providing options for residents to exercise in the parks. She suggested following the example of the City of St. Louis Park in which they display signs at their parks which show youth, adults and seniors how to exercise utilizing existing playground equipment. She said if the Committee decides to move forward with Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 17, 2015 Page 5 this option, she will contact the City of St. Louis Park to determine the cost of the signs. She also said one park could be used as a test park. Committee Member K. Bloyer asked if there were plans to place items along the trails that could be used for exercises. She said that while in Spooner, Wisconsin, they saw signs along trails that accompanied a fake stump in the ground with instructions as to how to perform certain exercises utilizing the stump. Staff Liaison Grant stated Cummings Park would be a good initial option for something like this because of the number of people that use the park. She stated she could also reach out to Boston Scientific’s fitness coordinator. A discussion ensued regarding approaching prospective sponsors and potential costs for spray painting mile markers on the trails and purchasing signs showing the exercise options. D. PTRC Goals and Work Plan Chair Straumann stated there will be a meeting with the City Council in March to discuss the PTRC Work Plan. While the current Work Plan lists goals that are ongoing and as- needed, he suggested coming up with specific goals that the Committee would like to pursue in a more formal manner for Rice Creek Commons. The Committee agreed that each member should come to the next meeting in December with a list of specific goals. A discussion ensued regarding some of the Committees’ goals. A discussion ensued regarding completing the trail extension near Bethel. Mayor Grant stated that 2016 is the first year Bethel makes a payment to the City on their commitment for the trail along County Road E (between Lindy’s and the County Road E bridge and back down to Bethel). He said one item being considered is to extend the trail to connect with Lake Johanna Boulevard. Mayor Grant also indicated that the County Road F trail extension to Hamline Avenue will be moved to 2017. Because this small project would not be paired with another project in 2016, it is not as cost effective, resulting in a cost increase of between 20% and 25%. Chair Straumann stated that this trail extension would be on the PTRC’s 2016 list. Committee Member Michaelson stressed the importance of completing this section of the trail. Mayor Grant talked about the extension of the Lake Valentine Road trail and pairing this project with the County Road F trail extension project in 2016. A discussion ensued regarding options for various trails as indicated on a map and how to prioritize the items. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 17, 2015 Page 6 5. REPORTS A. City Council Report Mayor Grant indicated that the first year for Bethel is $50,000, the second year is $100,000, and currently they will pay $200,000 regarding the stretch from County Road E2 to Snelling Avenue. A discussion ensued regarding the culvert at Snelling Avenue. A discussion ensued regarding the new bridge at Highway 96 and I-35W. B. Public Works/Parks & Recreation Report Staff Liaison Grant stated that the City’s winter Recreation Guide has been mailed. She also said the new push light at Cummings Park has been installed. This light can be operated beginning at dusk in one hour increments. It will be turned off at 10:00 pm. Committee Member Petersen asked if the City Council must give approval to move the dog park to Perry Park next summer. Staff Liaison Grant stated she will add the dog park relocation request to the work session agenda. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Committee Member Petersen moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. This was seconded and the motion carried unanimously (5-0). NEXT MEETING The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m.