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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-19-16 PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2016 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Straumann called the April 19, 2016, meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:32 pm MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Rich Straumann and Committee Members Nancy O’Malley, Josh Bloyer, Keri Bloyer, John Van Valkenburg, Harold Petersen, Chuck Michaelson and Steve Scott OTHERS PRESENT: Staff Liaison Sara Grant, Recreation Programmer Aaron Thelen, Guests Bob Mullen and Terry Finlay ABSENT: Council Liaison Fran Holmes 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Committee Member O’Malley requested adding graffiti complaints at Arden Manor Park to the agenda. This item has been added as item 4D. MOTION: The agenda was approved by the Committee unanimously (8-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 21, 2016 Joint Work Session with the City Council MOTION: Committee Member O’Malley motioned to approve the March 21, 2016, minutes and seconded by Committee Member Harold Petersen. The motion carried unanimously (8-0). 3. UNFINISHED BUSINES 2016 Joint Meeting Presentation Debrief Committee Member Van Valkenburg stated it was discussed that there was a potential issue regarding having a second dog park this summer and whether there would be one at Hazelnut Park again. He asked for clarification as to where the dog park(s) would be held this summer. Staff Liaison Grant indicated there would be two dog parks and they would be held at Hazelnut Park and Perry Park. She said that Public Works staff was in the process of preparing for the dog parks as the plan was to open them in mid-May. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes April 19, 2016 Page 2 Staff Liaison Grant also stated that Bark and Rec Day which is scheduled for July 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm would be held at Perry Park this summer and notification would be placed in the City newsletter or perhaps a utility bill. Committee Member Michaelson asked why Bark and Rec Day was not being held earlier in the season. Staff Liaison Grant stated that it was planned to occur once the majority of summer events were finished. She also said that the Penny Carnival event would take place at Perry Park on July 29 in the hopes that residents would return the next day and participate in the Bark and Rec Day event. Chair Straumann asked about the status of playground structure replacement. Staff Liaison Grant stated the Council did not formally approve replacement as proposed in the CIP. She noted that the PTRC supported the replacement of playground equipment. Committee Member Steve Scott noted that the CIP is a planning document. Committee Member Petersen asked about the parking lot repairs at Ingerson Park. Staff Liaison Grant stated that Public Works would be able to do this work. A discussion ensued regarding solicitation of donations for projects. Committee Member Van Valkenburg stated that Land O’ Lakes donated $2,500 for a half basketball court and the hope was that other generous businesses would follow suit and provide a donation. Staff Liaison Grant stated that Roberts Management Company donated $1,000 for the Family Fun and Run and Bark and Rec Day events. Chair Straumann indicated that a meeting was set with Bethel University and a donation could potentially be discussed at that time. Committee Member Van Valkenburg asked about providing a donation solicitation letter to the University of Northwestern. Chair Straumann stated the City Council discussed the MnDOT Crossing Study results and basically not much information was derived from the study that directly affected Arden Hills. Committee Member Michaelson recapped the discussion about Floral Park and stated that Councilmember Holden suggested an article be included in the City newsletter regarding pesticides and how they affect the bee population. He wanted to know if this was an article that should be provided by the PTRC and when. Committee Member Van Valkenburg said that the Committee could request Tina Kulzer of the Communication Committee write the article. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes April 19, 2016 Page 3 Committee Member O’Malley stated the PTRC could write the article and provide it to the Communications Committee for finalization. Chair Straumann stated he and Staff Liaison Grant would be attending a meeting on April 21 in the Marsden Room at the Public Works facility and that pollinators would be discussed. He also noted that Ramsey County would be requesting the City of Arden Hills provide a resolution in support of being a pollinator city. Committee Member Scott asked if that meeting would be broadcast and Staff Liaison Grant stated it would not but that she could do an audio recording of the meeting. Chair Straumann stated that many times copies of the PowerPoint are distributed via email afterwards, and he would follow up regarding how to obtain information presented at the meeting. Committee Member Petersen asked about a tour of the TCAAP property. Committee Member Scott stated he attempted to schedule a tour a couple of years ago and that he could look into this again. A short discussion ensued regarding the Council asking that Rice Creek Commons be referred to as TCAAP. Staff Liaison Grant stated Rice Creek Commons appears to be associated with Shoreview and is a marketing name only. Once a master developer is selected, it will decide on the formal name. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. GreenStep City Chair Straumann stated he participated in a meeting with Julie from Minnesota Conservation. Environmental sustainability issues were discussed that included the bicycle and pedestrian plan, active living, waste management, an energy plan and Rice Creek Commons. Staff Liaison Grant explained that the GreenStep City program is a free, voluntary program that helps cities achieve their sustainability goals through implementation of best practices. She said that Arden Hills, Little Canada and Vadnais Heights are the only cities in Ramsey County that do not currently participate. She said the first step is to provide a resolution and that this was scheduled to be presented to the City Council at its April 25, 2016 meeting. She also said that currently, the City of Arden Hills has fulfilled some of the best practices requirements such as the newly added push button light at Cummings Park. Committee Member Petersen asked about the benefit of being a GreenStep City. Staff Liaison Grant stated that a City would have “bragging rights” but more importantly it would better the City’s chance of receiving grants and funding for projects. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes April 19, 2016 Page 4 Chair Straumann stated the Committee would be happy to help Staff Liaison Grant complete the necessary paperwork. Other Committee Members agreed. Committee Member Michaelson stated he would contact a representative from the City of Falcon Heights about their GreenStep City program. B. Twin Cities Urban Birding Festival Chair Straumann stated that there does not to appear to be many walking tours on the schedule this year, and no events in Arden Hills. He directed everyone to the Audubon’s Facebook Page for more information. C. PTRC Meeting Schedule Chair Straumann stated the meeting dates were correct with the exception of the addition of a joint meeting with the Community Development Department on May 17. D. Graffiti Complaints at Arden Manor Park Committee Member O’Malley stated her husband coaches a Special Olympics basketball team for young adults and one participant resides in Arden Manor. He stated that the graffiti problem in the area is worse than usual. While she had not personally looked at the graffiti, she believes it is on the street signs and shelter building. Recreation Programmer Thelen stated that he visited this park along with Josh and Keri Bloyer last week. They did see graffiti on the beams of the shelter building. Committee Member Michaelson asked how the graffiti would be removed. Staff Liaison Grant stated Public Works would first try to power wash the graffiti and if that did not work, they would paint over it. 5. REPORTS Staff Liaison Grant stated that the University of Minnesota would place a beehive at Crepeau Park for a research project. She also said the beehive will be mentioned in a City newsletter and also noted that Arden Hills’ resident Mike Noonan raises bees and will place a hive in a wooded area at Floral Park. Guest Bob Mullen clarified a statement he made at the joint meeting with the City Council in March regarding a church’s offer to volunteer at the park. He then stated he would like to create a garden to help foster the butterfly population. This would be located at Hazelnut Park on the east end, north side in a spot that is more hidden from the public and is sheltered from the wind. The goal would be to provide a breeding site for butterflies and the garden would be created by hand utilizing volunteers. He said it would be a relatively light workload, but would be broken down into a five-year program due to the difficulty in transporting water for the plants. Mr. Mullen stated potentially rain barrels would be used to assist in watering the garden area. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes April 19, 2016 Page 5 Staff Liaison Grant confirmed there is no running water at Hazelnut Park. She also said she will speak with Public Works Superintendent Joe Mooney to confirm that Public Works staff does not mow or use the area in question. The PTRC members stated they support a butterfly garden but want to ensure there is also approval by the City and Public Works. A discussion ensued regarding Bethel University’s students use of Hazelnut Park’s basketball court. Bethel University has stated that are not interested in donating money for repair/replacement of the basketball court at this location as they are donating $800,000 for a trail which will connect the University to Freeway Park. A short discussion ensued regarding the sidewalk by Lindey’s. It was suggested that perhaps Lindey’s would be interested in providing a donation. A short discussion ensued regarding a potential observation deck at the water tower which will be located on the TCAAP redevelopment site. It was noted there are no water towers in Minnesota that currently have an observation deck. Committee Member Bloyer suggested a destination playground for families be created in the TCAAP area. Committee Member O’Malley agreed and stated she would like to see a classy playground in the development area, and she would like to see at least one park in the TCAAP area have a full size basketball court. Staff Liaison Grant stated these suggestions would be discussed with Community Development at the joint meeting in May. She then noted that there will not be a Park Tour this summer but a Trail Tour instead and that the City’s trail map would be updated as well. 6. NEXT MEETING Joint Meeting with Community Development on May 17, 2016. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Committee Member Petersen moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m., seconded by Committee Member Van Valkenburg. The motion carried unanimously (7-0).