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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-21-16 PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2016 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Acting Chair Scott called the June 21, 2016, meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 pm MEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Chair Steve Scott and Committee Members Harold Petersen, Chuck Michaelson, Terry Finlay, Josh Bloyer and Keri Bloyer OTHERS PRESENT: Council Liaison Fran Holmes, Staff Liaison Sara Grant, Recreation Programmer Aaron Thelen and Acting Public Works Director John Anderson ABSENT: Chair Rich Straumann and Committee Members Nancy O’Malley and John Van Valkenburg 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: The agenda was approved by the Committee unanimously (6-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 17, 2016 PTRC Meeting Committee Member Michaelson requested the minutes be amended to note that Council Member Nancy O’Malley was absent from the May 17, 2016 meeting. MOTION: The minutes were approved by the Committee unanimously (6-0). 3. UNFINISHED BUSINES A. Johanna Marsh Survey Acting Public Works Director Anderson indicated that at the City Council Work Session on June 20, 2016, the City Council directed staff to gather additional information relating to costs associated with potentially reconstructing the tennis court. He said that the City Council also directed staff to obtain soil borings in order to gain a better understanding of the current condition of the soils underneath the court. Upon completion of this information gathering, the City Council would then make a decision regarding moving forward with the survey. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes June 21 2016 Page 2 Acting Public Works Director Anderson stated that the City Council thanked the PTRC for its work on the survey and noted that questions 4 and 5 should be removed from the survey. He said that the City Council suggested questions be added to the survey regarding how often the tennis court is used and by whom in order to determine the level of use. He stated he was asked to inform the neighborhood of the status of this process, noting a survey may be provided in the future. Acting Chair Scott asked if this topic was addressed in a prior newsletter. Council Liaison Holmes stated that the property owners in the neighborhood were contacted directly about the survey and that Acting Public Works Director Anderson would be updating them directly regarding the survey being on hold at this time pending further information. Acting Public Works Director Anderson indicated including a short article in the Arden Hills Notes was previously discussed, but since Johanna Marsh is more of a localized park and not a broad community park, it made more sense to contact the affected residents directly. Committee Member Michaelson suggested including information regarding the current state of the tennis court so as to support findings regarding any potential costs. Acting Public Works Director Anderson stated that a letter of explanation would be included with the survey. The City Council directed staff to proceed with a survey. Acting Chair Scott asked if the letter would provide background information of the site as the location on a marsh complicates potential reconstruction. Acting Public Works Director Anderson indicated that a wetland delineation may be performed and it was possible that Ramsey County would perform this function. He said that it could take a couple of months to gather all information and that the City Council may put a “placeholder” in the CIP pertaining to work on the tennis court. He did not expect that any reconstruction would be performed this summer. B. Perry Park Dog Park Staff Liaison Grant stated it was previously discussed that the hockey rink at Perry Park would be used for the off leash dog park area. However, after review of the park, it was determined that field number 4, which was previously used as a little league field, would be a better location. She said the hockey rink consists of asphalt and dirt and is closer to the busy road, whereas field number 4 is set back further, is nice and grassy, and is completely fenced in. Committee Member Michaelson asked what the costs were, if any. Staff Liaison Grant stated that costs would consist of adding some minor fencing to the dugout area and that the cost would be less than the added fencing last year at Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes June 21 2016 Page 3 Hazelnut Park (which was $800). She asked if the PTRC would like to move forward with providing this request to the City Council. Committee Member Josh Bloyer asked when the dog park area would be available and ready to use. Acting Public Works Director Anderson stated the request could be presented to the City Council at its first meeting in July and if approved, would be implemented thereafter. Staff Liaison Grant suggested a Grand Opening for Bark and Rec Day and stated she has received emails from vendors that include a dog training company called Beyond the Dog that would like to set up a table and sponsor the event. Committee Member Keri Bloyer said she felt that grass is more inviting to the dogs than asphalt and dirt. Council Liaison Holmes asked why Perry Park is being considered for a dog park now as it previously was not considered a viable option. A discussion ensued regarding the various fields at Perry Park, their current use, and why this is now a good fit for a dog park. The Committee agreed to ask the City Council for approval to have a dog park at Perry Park and it was noted that the second annual Bark and Rec day is set for July 30, 2016. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Ingerson Parking Lot Improvements Staff Liaison Grant showed the PTRC members pictures of the paved parking lot at Ingerson Park. Acting Public Works Director Anderson explained the process, stating the final product is four inches thick and should last for many years. 5. REPORTS Council Liaison Holmes thanked the PTRC members for attending this meeting even though the intent was to discuss finalization of the survey. She was appreciative that the Committee understood that the survey is on hold pending gathering further information. Council Liaison Holmes stated the City Council is currently working on the 2017 budget and stated that since a master developer has been chosen for the TCAAP reconstruction area, information will be provided to the PTRC as it is a desire to Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes June 21 2016 Page 4 make this area a destination area. She also stated that MnDOT will be designing the MnPASS project on I-35W. Acting Public Works Director Anderson concurred, stating the project is programmed for 2019 but if funding becomes available, the project could begin in 2018. He stated the project will consist of the addition of a third lane in both directions extending from County Road C to Lexington Avenue. He said this is slated to be a four-year project and will include reconstruction of various bridges. Committee Member Petersen asked if there are any new businesses coming to town. Acting Public Works Director Anderson stated permits have been obtained for the Tavern Grill and ground breaking should occur shortly. He was unsure when they would be open for business. Council Liaison Holmes stated that Arden Hills has achieved its first step as a Green Step City and she showed the Committee the award received, which also will be placed in the lobby display case. 6. NEXT MEETING Staff Liaison Grant stated there is no regular meeting in July but instead the All Committee Picnic is scheduled for July 19, 2016. She asked everyone to RSVP if they had not already done so. She also noted that Hazelnut Park was voted “Best Park” by the readers of Lillie News newspaper (which include the cities of Arden Hills, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, North Oaks, St. Anthony and New Brighton). A discussion ensued regarding the All Committee Picnic and the success of the recent pickle ball demonstration at Cummings Park. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Committee Member Michaelson moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 p.m., seconded by Committee Member Josh Bloyer. The motion carried unanimously (6- 0).