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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-20-PTRC MInutesCITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020, 6:30 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Rich Straumann called the November 17, 2020 meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Rich Straumann, Committee Members Jill Anderson, Paul Beggin, Terry Finlay, Marie Hinton, Tim Nelson, Dan Dietz, and John Van Valkenburg OTHERS PRESENT: Staff Liaison Joe Vaughan and Public Works Director/City Engineer Todd Blomstrom ABSENT: Committee Members Nancy O’Malley, Harold Peterson, Micah Kiernan, Suzanne McGaugh, and Kristine Poelzer, Council Liaison David Grant 1.APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: The agenda was unanimously approved by the Committee. 2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES A.September 15, 2020 PTRC Minutes MOTION: The minutes were approved by the Committee. 3.UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Recreation Program Update Staff Liaison Vaughan stated that Staff received direction from the City Council to move forward with a select few recreation programs. Staff developed a shortened version of the winter recreation guide, attachment A. The five areas approved were outdoor skating and hockey, before and after school programs, virtual programs, special event and holiday events, and adult programs. The City Council approved moving forward with outdoor skating lessons, some virtual programs, and some adult programs. A few families have already registered for the virtual event with Santa. Staff Liaison Vaughan noted that warming houses will only be open to rink attendants, the public will use picnic tables outside. Attendants will be required to wear masks when not able to socially distance, cleaning policies will be put in place and encouraging residents to wear facial coverings DRAFT Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 17, 2020 Page 2 of some kind. There is a COVID plan prepared that will be provided to ice rink instructors and rink attendants. Committee Member Beggin wondered if they would be having residents sign in when they come to use the rink. Staff Liaison Vaughan responded that rink attendants will keep track of the number of participants at the rink, he will look into getting names, addresses and phone numbers. B. Building 189 Update Chair Straumann referred back to these comments that Committee Member Beggin made at the September 15, 2020 meeting. Mr. 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 said he sent an email to Ramsey County and was told the Metropolitan Council should have the master plan on their agenda in January. He asked if Staff could find out who would be making the presentation. Committee Member Nelson reported that Battle Creek received about half of their funding request, and they are waiting to hear what the money will be used for. Chair Straumann asked about the bonding bill. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom commented the city had submitted projects for the State bonding bill, two were trail extensions. The trail projects didn’t make the cut for the State bonding bill. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said there will be easements from the cul-de- sac at the end of Gateway Boulevard to the edge of the tower property which will help in the process of trail corridor extended. Ultimately a trail easement across the tower property would be needed. Chair Straumann said he has a commitment from State Farm to add a bench at Crepeau Nature Preserve. Further discussion ensued regarding other trails, possible funding and types of trail surfaces. Benches and funding were also reviewed. A map and spreadsheet will be sent to committee members. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 17, 2020 Page 3 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Winter Ice Rink Discussed as part of item 3A. B. Chair Nomination and Committee Resignations Discussed after Item 4C. Chair Straumann announced that Committee member Nancy O’Malley resigned at the end of her term. Chair Straumann stated that he is stepping down from chair position, but will remain on the committee. Staff Liaison Vaughan said that according to the ordinance for the creation of the PTRC, the Mayor, with the City Council’s approval, should appoint one member to serve as Chair. C. Friends of the Parks and Trails St Paul & Ramsey County Donation Staff Liaison Vaughan reported staff received a donation from the Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul & Ramsey County to purchase a tree and plant it at Valentine Park. The tree may be the native species of our choice and probably won’t be planted until spring. 5. REPORTS None 6. NEXT MEETING The next PTRC Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19, 2021. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.