HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-20-16 PTRC Minutes
CITY OF ARDEN HILLS
PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016
ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Rich Straumann called the December 20, 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, Nancy
O’Malley, Harold Petersen, Steve Scott and John Van Valkenburg
OTHERS PRESENT: Council Liaison Fran Holmes, Staff Liaison Sara Knoll, Interim Assistant
Public Works Director Sue Polka, Arden Hills Resident and Guest Paul Beggin.
ABSENT: Committee Members 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. November 15, 2016 Minutes
MOTION: Committee Member Van Valkenburg motioned to approve the November 15, 2016
minutes, and seconded by Committee Member Petersen. The motion carried
unanimously (6-0).
3. NEW BUSINESS
A. Joint Meeting Presentation
PTRC Members went through the joint meeting presentation that they will be
presenting to the Arden Hills City Council at an upcoming work session.
Staff Liaison Knoll stated that she will be updating the pictures that appear in the
slide show. The PTRC Committee had some special events that were held this
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Dec. 20, 2016
Page 2
summer. Members would like to see pictures of the Perry Park Dog Park opening
and the bee hives that were added to Arden Hills City Hall and Floral Park.
Chair Straumann asked the PTRC Members if they wanted to add anything to the
PTRC Purpose/Mission or Goals. The PTRC Members thought that the goals and
purpose/mission of the PTRC could stay the same.
Council Liaison Holmes stated that it would be better for the PTRC Members to
list what they did on the slides and what they want to do. This will allow the City
Council to see what goals and projects the PTRC Committee is prioritizing.
Committee Member Finlay stated that we could keep the goals and mission
statement in the slide show but not go over each goal separately. Guest/Future
Committee Member Paul Beggin thought that it was helpful to see the PTRC
Purpose/Mission Statements listed for residents, members, and City Council.
Committee Member O’Malley stated that goals number nine and ten should be
looked at more closely. Goal number nine states that the PTRC Committee will
sponsor and organize community events such as cleanup day, and other volunteer
projects. We have not done community clean up events recently but continue to do
garden clean up days in our parks. Goal number ten relates to preparing semi-
regular articles that the Committee would like to see highlighted in the City
newsletter. Interim Assistant Public Works Director Polka stated that the City
Council would like each Committee to come up with article ideas that could be
published in the City Newsletter.
Council Liaison Holmes gave the PTRC Members an update on the status of the
City Newsletter.
Committee Member Scott thought that it would be beneficial to prioritize the goals
that the PTRC Members will be presenting to the Arden Hills City Council.
Committee Member O’Malley stated that it would be helpful to look at some more
trail connections that are needed in Arden Hills. The PTRC Members would like to
have an updated trail map that they can look at for the next meeting.
Committee Members discussed the trail that Bethel University and the City of
Arden Hills will be adding to Old Snelling. The trail will be from the Bethel
University entrance to County Road E. The trail will continue over the highway 51
bridge to Pine Tree Drive. Discussion continued on trial connections. PTRC
Members would like to connect the new Old Snelling Trail to the Safe Routes to
School trail in front of Valentine Hills Elementary School. In the future the Old
Snelling trail could go to highway 96 and then to Mounds View High School.
Interim Assistant Public Works Director Polka discussed the upcoming
playground improvements. Perry Park is scheduled to get done this Spring.
Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Dec. 20, 2016
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Council Liaison Holmes informed the Committee Members that Roberts
Management Group (RMG) had an ad in the Community Newspaper asking for
donations for the Arden Hills Foundation.
Committee Member O’Malley let the PTRC Committee members can ask a couple
the new businesses that could be asked for donations including: Balance for Life
Fitness Center, Staples, Pop Culture Frozen Yogurt, Big 10, George’s Shoe Repair,
Tavern Grill, and Lindey’s Steakhouse.
Committee Member Van Valkenburg reminded members that if we ask for
specific donations businesses are more likely to donate.
Chair Straumann discussed an article that was handed out at the meeting regarding
skiing in Arden Hills and on TCAAP property. The plan was written ten years ago
by an Arden Hills resident who is very involved in cross country skiing.
Guest/Future Member Paul Beggin stated that the role of the PTRC Members is
to coordinate communication with these groups. When major events have taken
place in the state, there is usually one group that allows themselves to be the focus
for it.
The PTRC Members went through each slide and made changes that they would
like to see at the next meeting.
The PTRC Committee decided to create four main slide topics: Parks, Trails,
Recreation, and Community Partnerships.
B. Johanna Marsh Tennis Court Update
Interim Assistant Public Works Director Polka and Staff Liaison Knoll met
with the Homeowners Association of Johanna Marsh to discuss the different options
for the replacement of the tennis court. They had a great discussion about what the
homeowners would like to see in their neighborhood. After reviewing the costs for
a tennis court it is not feasible to build one there. City Staff would like to continue
working with the Johanna Marsh Homeowners Associations to come up with a plan.
They would like to have a joint meeting/open house with residents and the families
in the neighborhood.
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5. REPORTS
Council Liaison Holmes said the City Council had recently passed the TCAAP
Development plan. The developer and the County will now be negotiating
purchasing price. There will be a Civic Center space that is available. There is a
possibility that the City Hall would be moved to the new development.
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The City Council did approve to put over $500,000 into the capital improvement
plan for trail connections.
6. NEXT MEETING
The next PTRC Committee meeting will be Tuesday, January 17, 2017.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m. with a unanimous vote (5-0).