Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-20-22-PTRC MInutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022, 6:30 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Marie Hinton called the September 20, 2022 meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Marie Hinton, Committee Members Paul Beggin, Jill Anderson, Dan Dietz, Mark Kelliher, and Council Liaison Steve Scott OTHERS PRESENT: Assistant Public Works Director Lucas Miller and Staff Liaison Joe Vaughan ABSENT: Committee Members Suzanne McGaugh, Micah Kiernan, Kristine Poelzer, Kerri Seemann, and Tim Nelson 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Committee Member Beggin and seconded by Committee Member Kelliher to approve the agenda. Motion passed unanimously. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. August 16, 2022 PTRC Minutes A motion was made by Committee Member Dietz and seconded by Committee Member Beggin to approve the August 16, 2022 PTRC Minutes. Motion passed unanimously. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Trail Projects Update Assistant Public Works Director Miller reported that Lexington Avenue construction is moving slowly, most of the pedestrian routes won’t be done until next year. The Safe Routes to School from Mounds View High School to County Road E2 received a $450,000 grant and the rest of the cost will be split with the County, construction will be next year. The feasibility study for the route from Lake Valentine Road to Hwy 96 is ongoing. Trails received annual maintenance including some fog sealing. The Parkshore trail loop had ADA ramps installed last week, exercise equipment is there but waiting for installation. The Lake Johanna Boulevard trail study is complete DRAFT Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes September 20, 2022 Page 2 and available on the Ramsey County website, tentatively scheduled for construction in 2027. Pickle ball striping will be installed at Hazelnut and Freeway parks this week. Committee Member Kelliher asked why the trail fogging was done right after school started. Assistant Public Works Director Miller said it was tied to some large area street patching projects, and due to weather and scheduling conflicts it unfortunately coincided with the first week of school. Further discussion ensued regarding funding for the future Lake Johanna Boulevard Trail. B. PTRC Item Update Council Liaison Scott said he had not yet taken any of the items to the Council for discussion. Chair Hinton asked if the Council liaison could bring the survey, volunteer recognition/vests and trail name contest ideas to the other councilmembers. Further discussion involved ways to recognize volunteers. C. Tree Locations at Perry Park Dog Park Assistant Public Works Director Miller said the earliest trees will be planted will be the end of October. Committee Member Kelliher felt the trees weren’t necessary when there is a shelter planned. Chair Hinton said the trees make it look nicer. Assistant Public Works Director Miller noted the trees were $700 plus additional costs, for about $1,000 each. Council Liaison Scott stated the money in the Tree Fund has to be used for trees. Assistant Public Works Director Miller said if there are other spots that they feel would like to see trees to let staff know, but these are being planted based on previous feedback from PTRC. Staff Liaison Vaughan said the number one comment that he has heard at Bark and Rec Day is that there is no shade for dogs or humans. Committee Member Dietz felt it the trees were good for aesthetics, that instead of feeling like an old baseball field they would help make it feel like a park. Chair Hinton thought the layout staff showed was good. Committee Member Anderson agreed. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes September 20, 2022 Page 3 D. Parkshore Loop Trail Name Assistant Public Works Director Miller said at the last meeting they talked briefly about having a contest for naming the trail, although the equipment isn’t in place yet. Chair Hinton thought they could put information about a contest in the newsletter and social media, or enlist the help of elementary schools to see if they can come up with a name. Council Liaison Scott said the PTRC could make a recommendation to Council and they could decide if they are interested in the contest or name. Discussion ensued about how a contest at the elementary and/or high schools might work. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. State of the City Recap Council Liaison Scott said the State of the City event was held at Boston Scientific. Only about a dozen people from the community attended. Part of his presentation focused on the trails; how many miles of trails were put in over the last ten years, obstacles to construction such as ADA compliance, soil conditions, driveway impacts, retaining walls and stormwater management. He noted the recording was available for viewing on NineNorth. B. 2023 PTRC Work Plan Trail Recommendations Chair Hinton stated that each year they develop a work plan. One of the things they usually put into the plan is a recommendation for trail sections. She has had feedback from outside the group that signage along some trails is out of date. Assistant Public Works Director Miller said Council feedback on last year’s plan was positive. Committee Member Beggin thought they should keep up with what Ramsey County is planning to put in to Rice Creek Commons. Discussion continued regarding the trails on last year’s plan, what was happening with those projects, and updates for the list. C. Floral Park Well Update Assistant Public Works Director Miller said they went out for quotes for wells at Floral Park and at the community garden area. Quotes came in for wells between 160 and 200 feet deep from multiple contractors, with pricing for a hand pump at Floral Park around $22,000, and about $26,000 at the community gardens, with another $5,000 each for a solar option. While the solar option adds a convenience it also adds to the expense, and a handpump would require roughly 40 pumps before you would get water. Those quotes have not been brought to Council to discuss. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes September 20, 2022 Page 4 5. REPORTS Council Liaison Scott stated that Council is considering amending the Tree Fund ordinance to include landscaping. Money currently in the Tree Fund has to be used for trees, but future money can be used for trees or landscaping. The money comes from developers when they do projects in the City. Assistant Public Works Director Miller said developers have to replace a certain number of caliper inches or they are required to put money into the Tree Fund. Staff Liaison Vaughan explained that he submitted his resignation and would be starting as a Recreation Program Specialist at the City of Woodbury at the end of the month. 6. NEXT MEETING The next PTRC Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 18, 2022. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.