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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-16 PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2016 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Rich Straumann called the November 15, 2016, meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Rich Straumann, Committee Members Terry Finlay, John Van Valkenburg, Harold Peterson, Steve Scott OTHERS PRESENT: Council Liaison Fran Holmes, Staff Liaison Sara Knoll, Staff Liaison Aaron Thelen, Interim Public Works Director Sue Polka, National Sports Center Representative Mark Erickson, National Sports Center Board Member Paul Beggin, former Executive Director of MN Amateur Sports Commission Paul Erickson ABSENT: Committee Members Nancy O’Malley, Josh Bloyer, and Keri Bloyer 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: The agenda was approved by the Committee unanimously (5-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. October 28, 2016 Minutes MOTION: Committee Member Van Valkenburg motioned to approve the June 21, 2016 minutes, and seconded by Committee Member Finlay. The motion carried unanimously (5-0). 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Open Discussion About TCAAP Chair Straumann stated that the discussion should involve the area between TCAAP and County Road I and the trailhead the County is proposing. The 500 foot strip of land from County Road I to the wildlife corridor has been remediated, but the trails Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Nov. 15, 2016 Page 2 have not been put in because they are waiting for the grading to take place at Rice Creek Commons. The County is also talking about plans for the area around Building 189. Paul Erickson, Mark Erickson and Paul Beggin are there to give input on their vision for the area. He continued that trails go in all directions from the area. National Sports Center Representative Paul Erickson stated the site is the best site in the metro for a ski jump and other significant amateur sports activities. As a city only resource, there would be no reason to go to the County or State for funding, but if the City doesn’t want to contribute then they would have to go to the Legislature for money. Arden Hills could partner with another city like Shoreview. He feels the site has the potential to be the best cross country skiing in the state, along with mountain biking. Council Liaison Holmes questioned the exact location that Mr. Erickson was speaking of. Mr. Erickson stated that they would work in conjunction with the National Guard for temporary access for major events. Chair Straumann asked if the area would be considered a regional attraction. Mr. Erickson said it would, but it will take a major coalition of city, County, and State but the resources in the site are there to do something special. A large plan of the proposed trails was available for viewing by the Committee. Mr. Erickson said the topography they are looking at is mostly located on AHATS land, and would need approval from them. Chair Straumann stated the next steps would be to go to the City Council with the plan at the annual joint work session, then concurrently go to Ramsey County, then Mounds View High School and sports groups and then the Army Training Center. Discussion ensued as the committee looked at the proposed plan map. Mention was made that the Army could use the trails for their own training as well. Mr. Beggin suggested the Amateur Sports Commission put a document and map together saying this is an optimum use for the resource, then have the PTRC look at it, then present to Ramsey County, then to the National Guard. Chair Straumann talked about the 7 mile tri-city loop he envisions in the area. Paul Erickson discussed his work with the Blaine Sports Center and how Mark Erickson could help with grant writing. Staff Liaison Knoll and Staff Liaison Thelen discussed a new version of a multi-use field. City Int erim Public Works Director Polka said the developer and City are still working on costs for parks in the TCAAP area. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Nov. 15, 2016 Page 3 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. PTRC Member List The PTRC Member list was reviewed, some changes were requested. A short discussion ensued about getting junior advisors involved with the committee. Committee Member Scott stated that he had submitted his letter of resignation from the committee effective December 31. B. PTRC Parks and Trails Priorities Staff Liaison Knoll said there will be a dog park sign placed at the entrance to Perry Park and above the home plate in the field. The dog park will be open year round. She mentioned that Royal Hills crosswalk is still being discussed. Sampson Park will be taken care of in the spring. The dog obstacle course will be installed on the city property. Interim Public Works Director Polka said the section of sidewalk the committee is interested in having installed will be discussed at an upcoming Council meeting. She also stated that the Johanna Marsh tennis court project will be very expensive because the soil borings came back poor. A 10-15 year life expectancy court would be about a $150,000 project. It will be discussed as part of the CIP at a future Council Workshop. C. Arden Hills Foundation Donations Committee Member Van Valkenburg asked what projects would be focused on with donations received. Staff Liaison Knoll said they will continue to work on new basketball systems at Cummings Park, along with additional funds from Boston Scientific. Northwestern gave $1300 for two new benches at Cummings Park. A donation of $500 from the Arden Hills Foundation to be used as a scholarship for people wanting to enroll in classes that can’t afford them. There is $1018 remaining in the Parks and Trails General Fund, money in the Messerly Fund and some donations have come in to the Chuck Michaelson fund. There could be a plaque put up at Crapeau Park from money in the Messerly Fund. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Nov. 15, 2016 Page 4 5. REPORTS Council Liaison Holmes said the City Council had recently discussed parks at TCAAP. Park plans are pretty definite but funding needs to be worked on. Council Liaison Holmes stated that University of Northwestern has put in a plan for the Smith Medical Building that will be coming before Council but will require rezoning. Bremer Bank came in as a concept plan and the Council didn’t have issues with it. The Tavern Grill is still being worked on and will hopefully open soon. Committee Member Van Valkenburg stated that Bob Mullin worked all day at Floral Park today and it is pretty much closed down. Bob added a water feature and a rain garden. Staff Liaison Knoll brought thank you cards for the committee to sign in appreciation of Bob Mullin, George Kruse and Dan Dietz. 6. NEXT MEETING The next PTRC Committee meeting will be Tuesday, December 20. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m. with a unanimous vote (5-0).