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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-15-20-PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020, 6:30 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Rich Straumann called the September 15, 2020 meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:34 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, John Van Valkenburg OTHERS PRESENT: Council Liaison David Grant, Public Works Director/City Engineer Todd Blomstrom, Staff Liaison Joe Vaughan and Bobby Goldman ABSENT: Committee Member Nancy O’Malley and Harold Peterson 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: The agenda was unanimously approved by the Committee, with the exception of Item B moved to be the last item. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. July 21, 2020 PTRC Minutes MOTION: The minutes were approved by the Committee. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Regional Solicitation Grant Update Staff Liaison Vaughan said the City recently received the scores back from the Transportation Advisory Board and the Met Council. They received 132 applications for funding as part of the 2020 Regional Solicitation process, including 38 applications within the Multiuse Trails category. Arden Hills submitted two trail project applications. The Mounds View High School Trail placed 25th and the Old Snelling Trail extension ranked 35th. Staff submitted an appeal for the Mounds View High School project and should get a final score soon. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes September 15, 2020 Page 2 Staff Liaison Vaughan explained that the Mounds View High School Trail would close the gap on Lake Valentine Road between Valentine Park and the high school. It would also extend along Old Snelling to County Road E2. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom noted the scoring was based on population density within one mile of the project. The appeal submitted asked Met Council to reconsider safety. Once scores are finalized they will determine funding allocation between the different categories which will determine how far down the list they will go. Further discussion ensued regarding MRTUA, Safe Routes to School and other grant opportunities. B. Rice Creek North Regional Trail Master Plan and Building 189 (This Item was discussed after Item 4B) Chair Straumann explained the attachment was a document from Ramsey County outlining the Master Plan for the Rice Creek Regional Trail. The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners voted to move the Plan on to the Council. Committee Member Beggin said it has been a long process with the first meeting being in 1993. They are trying to provide new and unique recreational opportunities on the property. They are discussing 12K of cross-country skiing within the Arden Hills section and another 10-12K in the north section, and expand near Irondale to about 10K. Mountain biking has also been looked at on those trails. Rice Creek was rerouted to its original state and canoes and kayaks can be used on the Creek. A landing has been discussed at the beginning and end. Building 189 has been talked about being made into a trail head center with a variety of amenities/activities. Chair Straumann gave further explanation on cross-country skiing in the area. Committee Member Poelzer suggested binoculars would be a good thing to add to the list of rentable items. Along with flyers identifying plants and trees. Chair Straumann reviewed the photos of the area. Committee Member Beggin said there is a huge area that could be used for parking and staging events, along with an area next to the building. There is also room for a solar farm. Chair Straumann continued to review the Master Plan including the Two-Level Trailhead and Administrative Center proposed for Building 189. Council Liaison David Grant mentioned that a Master Plan needed to be submitted to the Met Council before you could apply for funding so this was an important document. Further discussion ensued regarding storage, lockers, the gym area, snowmaking and trail lighting. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes September 15, 2020 Page 3 C. Tony Schmidt Regional Park Update Staff Liaison Vaughan said Staff contacted the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department for plans of a possible future off-road trail connection from County Road E to Tony Schmidt Regional Park. The Ramsey County staff responded that at this time, the Parks department does not have the trail connection scheduled from County Road E to the existing Elmer Anderson Trail within the park. The Ramsey County Parks department is aware this of this connection, however due to lack of funding availability, timing is unknown at this time. D. Donation Letters Chair Straumann noted the letter that had been drafted, and that it could be modified as needed. The letter has not been sent yet it is in process, hopefully they will be sent in the next week. Committee Member Poelzer suggested to add the number of committee members and that they are volunteers to the letter. Staff Liaison Vaughan shared the list of businesses the letter will be sent to. After discussion, other businesses were suggested to add to the list. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Fall and Winter Recreation Program Update Staff Liaison Vaughan said Staff received direction from the City Council to not move forward with all fall programs but to look toward winter programming. Staff has been working on developing five areas: 1) Outdoor skating and hockey – including warming houses and skating lessons. 2) Before and After School classes and what sports would be allowed. 3) Virtual and online opportunities – Roseville has been offering a wide variety of activities and Staff is looking at accepting vendors for virtual programs or encouraging residents to register for Roseville programs. 4) Special Events and Classes such as holiday events and the dance program. 5) Adult programs like yoga, day trips, and driver safety programs. The items will be brought up to the City Council at a work session on September 27. B. Hazelnut and Perry Park Vandalism Staff Liaison Vaughan reported there was vandalism brought to the City’s attention. Items vandalized include: park benches, retaining walls, trash cans, buildings, signs, base boxes, and a lift station. Staff took pictures, logged all of the vandalism, and reported it to the Ramsey County Sheriff Department. Staff is trying to mitigate as quickly as possible. Discussion ensued regarding possible trail cams, Ramsey County Sheriff patrol and additional graffiti. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes September 15, 2020 Page 4 5. REPORTS None 6. NEXT MEETING The next PTRC Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, 2020. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.