Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-21 PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021, 6:30 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair John Van Valkenburg called the February 17, 2021 meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair John Van Valkenburg, Committee Members Jill Anderson, Paul Beggin, Dan Dietz, Terry Finlay, Micah Kiernan, Marie Hinton, Tim Nelson, Kristine Poelzer, and Rich Straumann OTHERS PRESENT: Staff Liaison Joe Vaughan, Interim Public Works Director David Swearingen and Council Liaison David Grant ABSENT: Committee Member Suzanne McGaugh and Harold Peterson 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: The agenda was unanimously approved by the Committee. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 19, 2021 PTRC Minutes MOTION: The minutes were unanimously approved by the Committee. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Snelling Avenue South Trail Update Committee Member Anderson volunteered to be the point person for the Snelling Avenue South Trail and the Committee unanimously approved. Interim Public Works Director Swearingen reported that the City website has been updated with the feasibility report and an informational video regarding the Snelling Avenue South reconstruction. The feasibility report will go before the City Council in April. The Council may approve the plans and specifications will be developed at that time. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes February 17, 2021 Page 2 Council Liaison Grant noted that nothing has been included or excluded in terms of a trail at this point. The Committee should draft a written response with their priorities to submit to the City Council. Council Liaison Grant discussed debt and being fiscally sound with City projects. Further discussion ensued regarding the mowed trail on Highway 51 and priority of other trails in the area. Interim Public Works Director Swearingen said each design will have pedestrian travel as a priority. The biggest difference will be having a grade separated trail versus a trail on the same surface as the roadway. B. Mounds View High School Trail Update Committee Member Beggin volunteered to be the point person for the Mounds View High School Trail and the Committee unanimously approved. Interim Public Works Director Swearingen said SRF Consulting has been approved to begin the design process. C. Lake Johanna Boulevard Trail Update Committee Member Kiernan volunteered to be the point person for the Lake Johanna Boulevard Trail and the Committee unanimously approved. Interim Public Works Director Swearingen said he received a Request for Proposal draft from Ramsey County Public Works for the trail on Lake Johanna Boulevard from County Road D to Old Snelling Avenue. Committee Member Kiernan noted that at a meeting with Ramsey County he was told they will look at metrics with population density, along with proximity to parks and other trails to give them an idea of pedestrian use numbers. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Trail Assignments Committee Member Hinton volunteered to be the point person for the Crepeau Nature Center Trail and the Committee unanimously approved. Committee Member Straumann was unanimously approved as the overall trail coordinator. B. Maintenance Issues in the Parks Chair Van Valkenburg stated that in the past Committee members would bring issues to compile a list of things that need to be fixed throughout the park system that would be brought to the City Council. He encouraged the members to watch for things to add to the list. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes February 17, 2021 Page 3 Committee Member Kiernan suggested Committee members reach out to neighbors to help clean up the parks in their neighborhoods after the snow melts. 5. REPORTS Staff Liaison Vaughan reported that the City Council approved some programs such as the playground program, sports leagues and camps to be held in spring and Summer. Approval was with the contingency that programs would fall under the current Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 guidelines. The spring egg hunt and some adult programs were not approved. He will put a recreation guide together soon. City Council Liaison Grant said the Recreation Programmer position would be supplemented with additional staff over the course of the summer, and the Recreation Coordinator position was eliminated. City Council Liaison Grant noted a letter had been sent to Ramsey County regarding the need for a trail along Lake Johanna Boulevard. A response was received that mentioned cost sharing with the City. 6. NEXT MEETING The next PTRC Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16, 2021. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.