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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-23-2001 PTRC Meeting Minutes • MINUTES PARKS,TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2001, 7:00 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 4364 WEST ROUND LAKE ROAD CALL TO ORDER Chair Messerly called the October 23, 2001 meeting of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee to order at 7:10 p.m. The meeting began after the Committee had completed a tour of the New City Hall facilities provided by Tom Moore. MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Messerly, Roberta Thompson, Rich Straumann, Don Tix, Patrick Krenn, Steve Zilmer. OTHERS PRESENT: Tom Moore, Parks and Recreation Director; Michelle Olson, Recreation Program Supervisor; Steve Wensman, Ingram and Associates; and Bonita Sullivan, Recording Secretary. MEMBERS ABSENT: Jim Crassweller. • APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda was approved by consensus. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the September 25, 2001, Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee were approved by consensus as presented. PARK AND RECREATION UPDATES Mr. Moore provided a Park and Recreation update to the Committee. He stated that they are getting the parks ready for winter. He stated that the community vegetable and flower gardens have been plowed and a layer of pream has been placed for the end of season and would do the same next year at the beginning of the season. He stated that all grass areas have received the final fall fertilization and the new perennial gardens at Perry Park have received a layer of straw for the year. He stated that they have had vandalism issues at Perry Park noting an outdoor bathroom facility was destroyed and he referenced issues with the young men playing with their skateboards near the railroad tracks. Committee Member Tix asked if phosphorous is used in the fertilization. Mr. Moore • acknowledged that the fertilizer used this year does contain phosphorous and that the City Council is considering a non-fertilization no phosphorous policy. He stated that they used the ARDEN HILLS PARKS TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE 2 standard, commercial fertilizer this year and that it contains a high level of phosphorous. • Committee Member Tix asked for clarification of the recommendation process. Mr. Moore explained that it was brought up by a Council Member through the Shoreview policy presented to the Council at their last meeting. He stated that sometime in January or February the Council would be making a decision noting their approval of the no phosphorous policy. He explained the recommendation and approval process to the Committee adding that it would come back to the Park committee for review and then back to Council for a formal review and publicized to the Public for spring use. Committee Member Tix asked if they could make a recommendation that City Parks could not use it. Mr. Moore explained that it would be a citywide policy for both City and public use. He stated that he would like a copy of the Shoreview or St. Paul policy to review for possible changes and get it out ahead of time for a vote as a committee. Recreation Update-Michelle Olson Parks and Recreation Supervisor Olson provided an update for the recreation activities and park sports enrollment to the Committee. She stated that they have been working on the Pumpkin Celebration scheduled for this Friday, October 26, 2001 and asked for volunteers for the carnival games and cleanup. She stated that it is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. at Valentine Hills. She stated that they have about 40 children registered and any help in • coordinating this event would be appreciated. Ms. Olson stated that they are officially done with soccer season. She stated that it was a good season and that they were very lucky that games were not cancelled due to bad weather. She stated that she would be sending out Thank You notes to all of the Coaches for a job well done. Ms. Olson stated that they are beginning the registration process for the Winter Recreation Program and noted the schedule would be available the first or second week of November 2001. She acknowledged the cover photographs for the brochure this year stating that they were photographs provided by Committee Member Messerly of his grandchildren. She thanked Committee Member Messerly for his contribution. She stated that they are getting ready for winter season by beginning their search for an Ice Arena Manager and Skating Rink Attendants. Mr. Moore stated that they next item on the agenda was the Park Comprehensive Plan discussion and suggested moving this discussion to the end of the agenda. COUNCIL UPDATE Mr. Moore announced that Council Member Larson's father passed away this past Friday, October 18, 2001. He stated that the services would be held on Wednesday, October 23, • 2001, 11:00 a.m. at the Fort Snelling Chapel. He stated that they did not hold a Council ARDEN HILLS PARKS TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE 3 • meeting last week, only a work session and indicated Council Member Larson would provide an update to the Committee at the next Park Committee meeting in November. BUCK THORN REMOVAL PROGRAM UPDATE Mr. Moore stated that he received a call from Peter Dindorf stating that he would be doing Buckthorn removal this Saturday, October 27, 2001. He explained that they would be working on the Buck Thorn Phase Two removals at Kraypo Park from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. He explained that they have eight Boy Scout volunteers in addition to the Park Crews to assist with the removal. He stated that volunteers are welcome and reviewed the areas they planned to cover with the Committee. He stated that they have had some neighborhood groups begin the removal of Buck Thorn in their local neighborhood parks and thanked them for the help and assistance. He stated that MSI Insurance is going to assist this year with their section of Kraypo Park and explained that MSI would utilize internal employee volunteers in addition to their full time maintenance staff. Chair Messerly noted the property near the Football Park and stated the Residents along Gramsey have started to cut Buckthorn out from the park property as it is beginning to encroach upon their property. PARK COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DISCUSSION • Steve Wensman, Ingram and Associates stated that he has redone the park maps based on feedback received by the Committee Members. He asked if Tony Schmidt's lower section has been completed. Mr. Moore explained that no trails have been formally done in the lower section and explained that Ramsey County ran out of money and did not do the trail component. He stated that the trails do exist informally as paths. Mr. Wensman asked if the future joint athletic complex is still viable. Mr. Moore stated that it is so viable that it could go up with weeks. He explained that the joint athletic complex has been designed for softballibaseball and multiple youth soccer facilities. He noted that the land has been available and ready for use for sometime and that this is the reason this has moved ahead of everything else. He explained that the Mayor and the City Administrator have had conversations with the U. S. National Guard and Army and indicated they have volunteered their personnel and use of equipment to assist in building the fields. Committee Member Patrick Kremm arrived at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Wensman reviewed the changes noted on each park map and asked the Committee members to review and provide feedback for additions, changes and deletions. He reviewed the trail connections within each park and asked the Committee Members to review and make suggestions for need. He explained that he has shown all the connections to County and City trails and further explained that the County is identified in red and individual Cities are in blue. He asked the Committee to verify the connections. • ARDEN HILLS PARKS TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE 4 Mr. Wensman stated that he has located all of the community gardens and noted them on the • maps. He reviewed the garden locations with the Committee and asked for further clarification on City locations versus Business locations. Mr. Moore clarified the City garden locations versus Business garden locations for Mr. Wensman. Committee Member Zilmer asked if anything has been decided with respect to the water fountains for Perry Park. Ms Olson stated that Perry Park is currently the only park capable of getting water and Committee Member Straumann noted a water fountain on the plan. Mr. Wensman referenced parking issues for Cummings Park and reviewed the potential access areas with the Committee. Mr. Moore stated that they do need to determine parking facilities for Cummings Park. The Committee reviewed potential access points noting that this is an important issue that requires further review of the area. Ms. Olson acknowledged the parking issues and referenced access issues to the various parks discussed. She noted the location off New Brighton Road adding that it is a steep area and would require steps. She clarified the location for the Committee. Mr. Moore stated that parking cannot go in this area and asked that it be removed from the plan. Ms Olson asked if there would be room to install tennis courts as the tennis courts are used • more often than hockey rinks. Mr. Wensman clarified that there would not be room for the courts. Mr. Wensman reviewed each of the individual park maps with the Committee and received feedback for additions and changes. There was joint discussion amongst the Committee members with respect to trail connections and parking issues for the six parks and feedback was provided to Mr. Wensman. Mr. Wensman asked the Committee how they would like to develop the draft of the park plan. He suggested using a master map for the markup comments. Mr. Moore stated that everyone on the Committee has not reviewed the maps and suggested that the Committee take the time to review their copies of the maps over the weekend and return their comments back to him by next Monday, October 28, 2001. He clarified that their comments must be in the mail no later than Monday or they have the option of personally dropping them off to him, at City Hall, no later than Tuesday, October 30, 2001. He emphasized that this must be done over the weekend and all comments provided to him by Tuesday. Chair Messerly clarified Mr. Moore suggestion and confirmed that all comments must be provided to Mr. Moore no later than Tuesday, October 30, 2001. • ARDEN HILLS PARKS TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE 5 Mr. Wensman reviewed the issues with the Committee noting the need to redline, determine • plan priorities and prepare the Committee's vision statement. He reviewed the draft statement and plan maps with the Committee. He stated that they need to develop their vision statement and suggested that everyone put together a draft statement for discussion at the next meeting. Mr. Moore explained that the Council is getting impatient and wants this done. He clarified that the Parks Committee does have a vision statement located in the back of the Arden Hills Brochure. He suggested using this statement with no changes. The Committee agreed,by consensus, to use the existing mission statement. Mr. Wensman suggested that the Committee reviews and identifies their priorities noting the need for cooperation between County, City and State. Chair Messerly stated that the main issue is parking and reviewed the parks that need to be considered. Mr. Moore clarified that parks can be developed but without access they would not be used. Committee Member Thompson asked for clarification on the priorities noting their dependencies must also be considered. She asked if it should be based on each park or review and prioritize based on the whole picture. • Mr. Moore stated that it is apparent that not everyone has prepared for this discussion. He suggested they schedule a meeting to discussion the issues and determine the priorities. He explained the need to focus and identify the process with respect to just this plan. Chair Messerly noted that missing one work session has not created a major delay in this plan and that the missed dates go back as far as June, 2001. Committee Member Thompson asked for clarification on the expectations of the Council. Mr. Moore clarified that they are looking for the plans and the concepts along with the process. He stated that initially the plan came with a September timeline and then moved back to December or January. He stated that the plan is now being pushed back to the March\Apri12002 timeframe due to outside issues that have affected the progress. He explained Council's perspective is that Staff has been dragging their feet a bit and stated that they need to focus and get this done. Chair Messerly suggested next Tuesday, October 30, 2001 for their next meeting. The Committee agreed and committed to being prepared for the discussion. Mr. Moore confirmed that a Special Meeting would be scheduled for next Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. at the new City Hall. Chair Messerly asked for clarification on what each member needs to be prepared for this ARDEN HILLS PARKS TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE 6 meeting. Mr. Wensman stated that the items that should be addressed include the Committee • Mission Statement, clarification of priorities, implementation recommendation, trail connection recommendations, open spaces, and easements. He stated that there is a list of these items included in their packets. Committee Member Straumann asked if there are dollars identified with these items. Mr. Moore clarified that dollars have not yet been identified. Mr. Wensman committed to making the changes to the master map and the individual park plans for next Tuesdays'meeting. NEXT MEETING AGENDA Mr. Moore stated that the next Committee meeting is scheduled for November 27, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. He clarified that the following items would be included on the agenda for discussion: Buck Thorn Update Park Comprehensive Plan Update OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION • Chair Messerly stated that they have two positions open on the Committee and need to replace lost members, Jennie Michaels and Jim Johnson. He suggested that each Committee Member should try to provide potential candidate names for discussion at the November. Mr. Moore confirmed that the City Council would like to replace both positions as soon as possible. He stated that he would be interested in talking with any resident or friend in the community that would like to participate. He stated that Committee Members could provide names to him ahead of the next meeting and he would contact them to discuss their interests. Ms. Olson reminded the Committee to volunteer their help and to be there, at Valentine Hills Park this Friday evening, October 26, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Chair Messerly moved and Committee Member Straumann seconded the motion to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Bonita Sullivan Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. Custom Manufacturing, Inc. 606 Delco Drive • P.O. 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