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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-21-20-PTRC MInutes. CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020, 6:30 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Rich Straumann called the February 18, 2020 meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:32 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Rich Straumann, Committee Members Jill Anderson, Paul Beggin, Terry Finlay, Micah Kiernan, Marie Hinton, Suzanne McGaugh, Tim Nelson, Dan Dietz, Kristine Poelzer OTHERS PRESENT: Council Liaison David Grant, Public Works Director/City Engineer Todd Blomstrom, Staff Liaison Joe Vaughan ABSENT: Committee Member Nancy O’Malley, Harold Peterson, John Van Valkenburg 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: The agenda was unanimously approved by the Committee. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 18, 2020 PTRC Minutes MOTION: The minutes were approved by the Committee. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Donation Information Chair Straumann noted donation request letters would be sent to the businesses listed, along with Brausen Auto, Alpine Factory and Dunn Brothers Coffee, Old Southern BBQ and Gradient Financial. B. Park Bench Inventory Chair Straumann said he had mentioned to staff to include the benches that Ramsey County has on Highway 96 and in Tony Schmidt Regional Park. The current map only shows Arden Hills benches. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes July 21, 2020 Page 2 Committee Member Beggin explained they want to see where the benches are along the trails so if they are planning or asking for donations they have an accurate picture of where they could go. They also need to know how much is in the account for Chuck Michaelson. Chair Straumann said there may also be money set aside for Don Messerly who was very involved with Crepeau Park. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom noted staff is taking an inventory of all of the park assets that includes benches, play structures etc. There will likely be an updated map available at the next meeting. Committee Member Poelzer discussed a bench that isn’t on the map and a swing that is showing on the map as a bench. C. Playground Replacement (Capital Improvement Program Planning) Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom explained that each year the City prepares an update to the Capital Improvement Program, which is a list of projects over a certain dollar threshold that the City intends to deliver. Projects reviewed by staff and Council and costs are estimated. The 2021 Capital Improvement Program is being reviewed now and staff is looking at projects for up to ten years. A fiscally restrained CIP allows for projects and funding to become more predictable. They have a preliminary list that the Council will be considering. Total expense of all projects is over $3 million. The items on the list are listed in table below: 2021 Arden Manor Play Structure improvements, drainage, concrete and shelter issues, and Hazelnut warming House or portable warming house rental 2022 Floral Park court reconstruction 2023 Perry and Cummings Park roof replacements 2024 N/A 2025 Freeway basketball court resurfacing and Arden Oaks Play Structure 2026 Park Shelter roof replacements at Cummings, Floral, Hazelnut, Royal, Ingerson and Arden Manor 2027 Freeway and Ingerson playground structure replacements and Hazelnut and Perry parking lot resurfacing 2028 Arden Oaks basketball court and Floral and Sampson playground structure 2029 N/A 2030 Royal Hills playground structure D. Community Outreach Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said they will be looking at the next round of Community Development Block Grants for Arden Manor. It’s likely it will be in 2021 or 2022 so there isn’t an immediate need for community outreach. Committee Member Beggin felt that it is important to contact the people in the neighborhoods that use the parks to assist in planning. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes July 21, 2020 Page 3 Committee Member Beggin asked if businesses or individuals could donate to the Foundation and the money to be used specifically toward playground equipment. Council Liaison Grant said people can designate what the donation goes towards. E. Trail Crossing, I-694 Update Chair Straumann gave a brief update on the current trail crossings on I-694. Other possible connections from Indian Place to Tony Schmidt Regional Park and Valentine Park were discussed. Committee Member Poelzer said at County Road E and the Elmer Anderson Trail a lot of people turn around because there is no paved trail beyond that point. Some people will walk to the beach on County Road E but stay on the same side of the road, which is a safety issue. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said they are in discussions with Ramsey County Transportation on this item. Committee Member Poelzer said along Lake Johanna Boulevard and the boat launch there are trailers and trucks that park along the road taking up the shoulder so people walking and biking are trying to squeeze by and it’s a safety issue. When the trail is done from County Road E along Lake Johanna Boulevard that safety issue would be taken care of. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Regional Solicitation Applications for Trail Extensions Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said the City had applied for two Regional Solicitation grants. Staff Liaison Vaughan explained that Project 1 – The Mounds View High School Trail, would be an extension of the trail built in 2018 on the west side of Snelling Avenue North. The trail would extend from County E2 to Lake Valentine Road, continuing on to the east parking lot for Mounds View High School. Project 2 – The Old Snelling Trail Extension, would be an extension north adjacent to Old Snelling Highway 10 from Lake Valentine Road to Wedgewood Circle. The applications were submitted on May 15, 2020. The Transportation Advisory Board will select projects for funding in December 2020. A total of approximately $180 million in federal funds is anticipated to be available in this solicitation for program years 2024 and 2025. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom stated the program involves Federal Transportation funds that are given to the state, a portion of which are often times made available for counties and cities to apply for funds through the Met Council’s Transportation Advisory Board. The scoring of applications should be released in late August. Both projects are listed in the Multiuse Trails and Bicycle Facilities category. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes July 21, 2020 Page 4 Council Liaison Grant noted that Mounds View Highs School is supportive of the Mounds View High School Trail Project. A letter from the school district superintendent was submitted with the application. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said a letter of support from Ramsey County was submitted with both applications. Staff will share the letters with the committee. Funding limits helped determine the trail boundaries. Committee Member Beggin wondered if they ever award less grant money than what is asked for. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said he believes they may add some partial funding but in general they don’t allow changes to the application, or provide partial funding. If the grants are approved, the City funds needed should be factored into the Capital Improvement Program. Historically the projects have been very competitive and approximately 50% are funded. 5. REPORTS Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said he appreciated the patience of the committee as they get the meetings back on track. Council Liaison Grant reported that City operations continue, some staff is working from home but the City Hall is closed to the public. There are a few staff in the office each day. Council meetings have been virtual. He asked for an update on Building 189. Chair Straumann said a study was done by an architect and should be coming forward to the Ramsey County Parks and Rec Commission. Council Liaison Grant stated that New Perspectives is proposing a senior unit near the Anderson Center that would be a four-story building with 143 units. They have a high amenity environment such as a warm water pool for physical therapy, a bistro, theatre and other amenities. It will have a variety of care levels. They also have a facility in Roseville on Lexington and County Road C. A preliminary review was done at the last City Council work session. A height variance and units per acre variance will be requested. There will be a public hearing at the Planning Commission and the City Council should they move forward. They will be paying park dedication fees, and responded favorably to extending the trail to create a loop and adding exercise equipment to the trail. A map was shown to the Committee and the site was further explained. Other trail possibilities on the site were discussed. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom noted that extending a sidewalk to Pine Tree Drive was a condition of the platting approval. Chair Straumann asked when the center median refuges on Hamline Avenue by Floral Park were scheduled. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom replied that the project is almost ready to proceed with bidding. Ramsey County has asked the City to use State Aid Funds so that plan Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes July 21, 2020 Page 5 review process is ongoing. The other change is Ramsey County has agreed to rapid flashing beacons that will be placed where the trail crosses the road on the south end of the project. Chair Straumann noted that white crosswalk bars were installed on County Road F going to Hamline. He thanked the Public Works Director/City Engineer and Ramsey County. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom mentioned that Council direction is still forthcoming for Fall Parks and Rec activities. 6. NEXT MEETING The next PTRC Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2020. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.