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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-16-2019 PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2019, 6:30 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Rich Straumann called the April 16, 2019 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, Paul Beggin and Tim Nelson OTHERS PRESENT: Staff Liaison Sara Knoll, and Nicholas Thomas ABSENT: Nancy O’Malley, Harold Petersen, Dan Dietz and City Council Liaison David Grant 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: The agenda was unanimously approved by the Committee. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. March 19, 2019 PTRC Minutes MOTION: The minutes were unanimously approved by the Committee. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Nicholas Thomas Mr. Thomas introduced himself as a Master Water Steward for the Rice Creek Watershed District. He is a consulting engineer at HDR Engineering and worked with watershed management authorities in Iowa before moving to Minnesota. He previously discussed potential capstone projects with Interim Public Works Director Sue Polka. He wants to focus on the Hazelnut Park project with the potential acquisition and repaving of the church parking lot, and ways that storm water can managed. Representatives from Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation District and Rice Creek Watershed will meet with the City to look at opportunities in the Hazelnut Park area for storm water management and cost sharing. He will report back to the Committee after that meeting. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes April 16, 2019 Page 2 B. Lindey’s Park Committee Member Van Valkenburg said he thought the fence was removed because of its age and maintenance issues. Staff Liaison Knoll felt an open area is best with no backstop so they didn’t promote baseball in an area that would be potentially unsafe due to the amount of traffic. There is also more road construction planned so she felt they should hold off making decisions about the park until the construction is completed. After discussion the Committee asked staff to respond to the resident’s inquiry and to table the discussion of what amenities to add to the park until road construction in the area is complete. C. Donation Letters Staff Liaison Knoll noted they sent out approximately 15 request for donation letters and have received a $1000 donation from Dan Dietz and Graco for the purchase of supplies for the Floral Park Garden Club and a bench/plaque donation from Nicholas Roberts. Northwestern College would also like to donate. Boston Scientific is building volleyball courts at Cummings Park and they may also make a donation to finish the basketball courts. D. Winter Ice Rink Participation Staff Liaison Knoll said Cummings Park wasn’t open as early as the other rinks because it took longer to flood. Skating lessons went well. There was a total of just over 3000 skaters for the season. The Hazelnut rink had a temporary warming house. There were more rentals this year than in years past. 5. REPORTS Staff Liaison Knoll noted over 100 children are registered for the annual Spring Egg Hunt at Cummings Park. Committee Member Beggin said he would like to get people into the Rice Creek Commons area to see the trails and get a feel for the size of the project. Discussion ensued regarding a possible ice cream social/trail tour. Staff will check on potential dates and timeframe to publish the event in the City newsletter. 6. NEXT MEETING The next PTRC Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.