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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-16-16 PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Straumann called the February 16, 2016, meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 pm MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Rich Straumann and Committee Members Josh Bloyer, John Van Valkenburg, Steve Scott and Harold Petersen OTHERS PRESENT: Staff Liaison Sara Grant and Recreation Staff Member Aaron Thelen ABSENT: Council Liaison Fran Holmes and Committee Members Nancy O’Malley, Chuck Michaelson and Keri Bloyer 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: The agenda was approved by the Committee unanimously (5-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 15, 2015 Regarding paragraph one on page three of the Minutes, Committee Member Van Valkenburg indicated that former PTRC Council Liaison Holden suggested the City of New Brighton be contacted regarding the New Brighton Road underpass as they have a franchise fee agreement and possibly more resources. MOTION: Committee Member Scott motioned to approve the December 15, 2015, minutes as amended and seconded by Committee Member Van Valkenburg. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 3. UNFINISHED BUSINES None. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. 2016 Joint Meeting Presentation Chair Straumann provided an update regarding Ramsey County’s I-694 Crossing study. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes February 16, 2016 Page 2 It was discussed that the PTRC/City Council Joint Work Session is scheduled for 6:00 pm on Monday, March 21. Staff Liaison Grant indicated that the City Council will begin its regular Work Session at 5:00 pm if the PTRC would like to attend that portion as well. Committee Member Scott agreed to present the PTRC Purpose/Mission statement as well as the Goals/Ongoing or As Needed slide. Chair Straumann agreed to present the 2016 Proposed Work Plan that include the following subsequent slides: o Recommended actions that advance the vision for parks, trails and recreation; o Assist in identifying ongoing parks and trails maintenance/improvement properties; o Recommend and review grant opportunities, sponsorships, and partnerships for parks and trails; o Assist, recommend and monitor plans for parks, trails, and recreation within Arden Hills at the appropriate time; o Rice Creek Commons Park Amenities (this slide was moved up); o Rice Creek Commons Parks (this slide was moved up); o Continue to work with Ramsey County on mutually beneficial trail/park projects and activities; and o Monitor potential road improvements to encourage inclusion of pedestrian friendly infrastructure whenever possible. Proposed changes to the vision for parks, trails and recreation slide are to include that the Ingerson Park parking lot be repaved. Regarding the ongoing parks and trails maintenance/improvement slide, Chair Straumann suggested the following be referenced in the order below: • County Road F Sidewalk • County Road H Bridge and Trail • County Road E2 Bridge and Trail • New Brighton Road – Railroad Underpass Staff Liaison Grant will revise the fourth bullet point (New Brighton Road – Railroad Underpass) to include language clarifying the location (east side of the underpass). Committee Member John Valkenburg will present the slide pertaining to grant opportunities, scholarships and partnerships. Staff Liaison Grant indicated the Arden Hills Foundation donated $300 for scholarships for youth and adult programs. She said there was also a bench donation in memory of Don Messerly which will be placed at Valentine Park. Staff Liaison Grant will reference on the slide detailed information regarding the donations received. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes February 16, 2016 Page 3 Chair Straumann suggested adding “Parks and” to Trail Amenities on slide number 7. He also suggested moving the Rice Creek Commons slides (currently slides 15 and 16) to immediately follow slide number 7. A short discussion ensued regarding the water tower and proposed observation deck. It was determined the photograph of the water tower would be reduced in size and the regulating map and Creek Park concept sketch would be added to this slide. Chair Straumann will provide an update pertaining to Ramsey County related activities that include the addition of trails, bridge work, Active Living and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. A discussion ensued regarding the Ramsey County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and Active Living. Chair Straumann will discuss the slide regarding potential road improvements. A separate slide pertaining solely to Bethel University and Old Snelling will be added. A discussion ensued regarding Crepeau Park, which will be included on this page. Committee Member Bloyer will present the slides pertaining to enhancing/adding recreation opportunities and the recommendations for future enhancements for the 5 year Capital Improvement Program. Chair Straumann asked if disc golf could be a possibility. Staff Liaison Grant indicated that collapsible baskets would be necessary and available during park hours only. Staff Liaison Grant and Recreation Staff Member Thelen will contact Bethel University regarding whether or not the disc golf course on their campus is open to the public. Committee Member Van Valkenburg stated he would like to focus on senior opportunities such as pickleball and Fitness in the Park. A discussion ensued regarding tennis courts. Recreation Staff Member Thelen discussed the two new pitching machines. A discussion ensued regarding summer use for hockey rinks. Inline skating was suggested as a possibility. Staff Liaison Grant stated the entire rink would have to be paved and cost could be a factor. This option would potentially be offered at Perry Park and Hazelnut Park. Staff Liaison Grant will approach the University of Northwestern and Bethel University regarding a potential partnership. A discussion ensued regarding adding basketball hoops to the 5 year Capital Improvement Program slide. The Committee agreed to ask Committee Member Michaelson to present the Community Events slide as he had been involved in the majority of the referenced events. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes February 16, 2016 Page 4 Recreation Staff Member Thelen explained the new event - Family Fun Bike, Run, Walk Day which will be held on Saturday, June 14 at a cost of $2 per person. Staff Liaison Grant and Recreation Staff Member Thelen will promote the event, and trail maps will be provided. Staff Liaison Grant provided an overview of the new college student volunteers and Recreation Staff Member indicated yoga will be a new addition to class offerings this spring. Committee Member Michaelson will present the articles/ideas for the City Newsletter slide. A discussion ensued regarding the addition of a honey bee hive to Floral Park. Chair Straumann indicated Ramsey County wants to be a pollinator supported county and in turn the City of Arden Hills could be a pollinator supported city. He provided a draft template resolution to Staff Liaison Grant which can be brought forward to the City Council this year. Committee Member Van Valkenburg suggested now that the City parks series of articles is complete that an article be written about Rice Creek Commons. He also stated the Committee should request the Communications Committee write articles about the new PTRC programs. Committee Member Van Valkenburg agreed to present the 2015 Completed Projects slide. The Committee agreed to have a separate slide for Parks and Trails. The following topics will be included in the Trails slide: o Highway 96 Bridge – Walking/Biking Area o County Road E Bridge o Trails/Connections in Arden Hills o Rice Creek Commons – Updated Park Amenities o PTRC Park Tour – Maintenance Program The remaining topics on the current will be included in the Parks slide. Staff Liaison Grant stated she will make the requested changes to the PowerPoint and provide it to Council Liaison Holmes for her input prior to the joint meeting with the City Council. A discussion ensued regarding the Rice Creek Commons Park Amenities page. Chair Straumann suggested removing the reference to Park #1 and Park #2 and changing this to Optional Amenities. He also stated there should be three boxes and that like items could be grouped together. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes February 16, 2016 Page 5 Committee Member Van Valkenburg suggested defining “multi-use” field to include soccer, baseball and lacrosse. It was discussed that disc golf will be added to the Optional Amenities and benches should be included in the list of what every park should include. 5. REPORTS There was no Council report. Committee Member Scott asked if the March 21 joint meeting would be the March PTRC meeting. Chair Straumann stated he met with AHATS and was not able to obtain much information regarding a joint partnership. Committee Member Scott stated he went to the ribbon cutting ceremony and when he inquired about the cost to rent the facilities, the individual he spoke with did not have any information. Chair Straumann stated he will call AHATS to request more information. A discussion ensued regarding the current AHATS space. Staff Liaison Grant stated that both Acting Public Works Director John Anderson and City’s Planning Department would need to be involved in future discussions with AHATS. 6. NEXT MEETING The Tuesday, March 15 meeting is cancelled due to the joint meeting with the City Council on March 21. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Committee Member Petersen moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m., seconded by Committee Member Van Valkenburg. The motion carried unanimously (5-0).