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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-18-23 PTRCAPPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 21st, 2023 PTRC Minutes FINAL 03 -21 -23 -PTRC MINUTES.PDF UNFINISHED BUSINESS PTRC Member Updates MEMO.PDF ATTACHMENT A.PDF ATTACHMENT B.PDF ATTACHMENT C.PDF Trail And Parks Projects Update MEMO.PDF NEW BUSINESS REPORTS Council Liaison Update MEMO.PDF NEXT MEETING Tuesday, May 16, 2023 ADJOURN A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting. Chair: Marie Hinton (2024) Committee Members: Jill Anderson (2024) Dan Dietz (2024) Mark Kelliher (2025) Timothy Nelson (2024) Kristine Poelzer (2025) Kerri Seemann (2025) Kate Olson (2026) Emelia Rogers (2026) Lacy Loosbrock (2026) Nancy Jacobson (2026) Vacant Council Liaison: Emily Rousseau Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee April 18, 2023 6:30 p.m. City Hall Address: 1245 W Highway 96 Arden Hills MN 55112 Phone: 651 -792 -7800 Website : www.cityofardenhills.org City Vision Arden Hills is a strong community that values its unique environmental setting, strong residential neighborhoods, vital business community, well -maintained infrastructure, fiscal soundness, and our long -standing tradition as a desirable City in which to live, work, and play. The public may access this meeting remotely by joining via Zoom. To join the Zoom meeting, click this link (or copy and paste it into a new browser): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86529890400 Agenda CALL TO ORDER A. Oath for Nancy Johnson 1. 2. 2.A. Documents: 3. 3.A. Documents: 3.B. Documents: 4. 5. 5.A. Documents: 6. 6.A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 21st, 2023 PTRC Minutes FINAL 03 -21 -23 -PTRC MINUTES.PDF UNFINISHED BUSINESS PTRC Member Updates MEMO.PDF ATTACHMENT A.PDF ATTACHMENT B.PDF ATTACHMENT C.PDF Trail And Parks Projects Update MEMO.PDF NEW BUSINESS REPORTS Council Liaison Update MEMO.PDF NEXT MEETING Tuesday, May 16, 2023 ADJOURN A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting. Chair:Marie Hinton (2024)Committee Members:Jill Anderson (2024)Dan Dietz (2024)Mark Kelliher (2025)Timothy Nelson (2024)Kristine Poelzer (2025)Kerri Seemann (2025)Kate Olson (2026)Emelia Rogers (2026)Lacy Loosbrock (2026)Nancy Jacobson (2026)VacantCouncil Liaison:Emily Rousseau Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee April 18, 2023 6:30 p.m. City Hall Address:1245 W Highway 96Arden Hills MN 55112Phone:651 -792 -7800Website:www.cityofardenhills.orgCity VisionArden Hills is a strong community that values its unique environmental setting, strong residential neighborhoods, vital business community, well -maintained infrastructure, fiscal soundness, and our long -standing tradition as a desirable City in which to live, work, and play.The public may access this meeting remotely by joining via Zoom.To join the Zoom meeting, click this link (or copy and paste it into a new browser): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86529890400AgendaCALL TO ORDERA. Oath for Nancy Johnson1. 2. 2.A. Documents: 3. 3.A. Documents: 3.B. Documents: 4. 5. 5.A. Documents: 6. 6.A. CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2023, 6:30 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Committee Member Kate Olson called the March 21, 2023 meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Committee Members Kate Olson, Nancy Jacobson, Kristine Poelzer, Jill Anderson, Mark Kelliher, Kerri Seemann, Emelia Rogers, Dan Dietz, and Lacey Loosbrock OTHERS PRESENT: Assistant Public Works Director Lucas Miller, Recreation Supervisor Matt Johnson, Council Liaison Emily Rousseau ABSENT: Chair Marie Hinton, Committee Member Tim Nelson 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Committee Member Kelliher asked to add a New Business item regarding the Mounds View school district brochure. A motion was made by Committee Member Kelliher and seconded by Committee Member Poelzer to add Mounds View Community Education brochure to New Business. Motion passed unanimously. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 28, 2023 PTRC Minutes A motion was made by Committee Member Dietz and seconded by Committee Member Poelzer to approve the minutes. Motion passed unanimously. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Goals for 2023 Assistant Public Works Director Miller stated that Chair Hinton wanted more input from the Committee, the goals will eventually be presented to the City Council. Committee Member Olson read the Trails goals. Discussion ensued regarding a priority list versus the goal list. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes March 21, 2023 Page 2 Committee Member Loosbrock requested an updated trail map without the proposed/upcoming trails shown, only existing trails. Assistant Public Works Director Miller proposed making one of the goals to support a more detailed or interactive trail map. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said they hope to have a removable trails map in an upcoming activity guide, along with parks and amenities. Discussion continued regarding trails maps. Committee Member Poelzer thought the term database wasn’t necessarily correct for trail improvements and parks. She thought it was probably more like a calendar or schedule. Assistant Public Works Director Miller stated the project pages on the website get updated as projects move forward. Committee Member Poelzer suggested a list of trail and park improvements could be added to the website for each upcoming year. Committee Member Anderson thought a goal could be to help create a better system for community members to get information regarding planned improvement projects, possibly changing “database” to “schedule”. Assistant Public Works Director Miller said Arden Manor and Floral parks do have their own page on the website now. Committee Member Kelliher said that last year he went through the budget and put together a park by park list of what the scheduled park improvements were and for what year they were planned. He felt that was what they were asking for. Assistant Public Works Director Miller stated there is a hard court and play structure list of projects that are in rotation, it is being adjusted and improved. Committee Member Kelliher suggested a description and future view of each park on the website. Assistant Public Works Director Miller explained that they just finished a 30-year projection of street project rotation, they will similarly do the same for sanitary, water and storm sewer, and parks. The streets projection took about three years to put together. Once done it would get put online. In general there is a street project every other year and on the odd year there would be a park project. Committee Member Kelliher thought the second bullet point should be listed under Habitat restoration/plants instead of Parks. Committee Member Olson read the Habitat restoration/plants goals. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes March 21, 2023 Page 3 Committee Member Poelzer said the goal of letting the whole city know about volunteer opportunities is moving forward in 2023. Committee Member Olson read the Community and Rec & Events goals. Committee Member Poelzer noted they have talked about having a magician, dances and music at the parks, or a free fun day. Committee Member Olson said it would be nice if there was something more to picture day at soccer and baseball. Committee Member Olson read the Volunteer Opportunities. B. GreenStep Cities Program Committee Member Olson read the information provided by City Administrator Dave Perrault. Committee Member Kelliher asked what their involvement would need to be to get to the next step. He thought a recognition thing versus a funding opportunity had a different feel to it. What would be the benefit of going to Step 3? Council Liaison Rousseau stated this was talked about at the Council work session, they discussed putting the conversation on hold until after the LMC conference in June. There was discussion about hiring an intern to work on GreenStep or climate action next year. It sounded as though we submitted for a number of things that if they had been submitted separately would have put us at a higher step, so it might be interesting to see what was actually submitted. Committee Member Kelliher asked what were the benefits of having a higher designation in the GreenSteps program. Committee Member Poelzer said some people actually look at things like this when deciding where to live, and it goes along with the City Vision. Committee Member Kelliher asked if Committee Member Seemann could lay out her vision and what she’d be advocating for. Committee Member Seemann said invasive species management was her first concern. Raising chickens has been facilitated so she felt we should get recognition for that. She is intrigued with the concept of community food forests, and support and protecting wildlife. Committee Member Kelliher asked if she was thinking to use the program as a blue print but not necessarily get a higher designation. Committee Member Seemann replied that was correct. Committee Member Anderson wondered how No Mow May fit into the program as the City is moving forward with that. She felt they could take advantage of the fact that it is happening already. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes March 21, 2023 Page 4 Committee Member Olson suggested adding another item to the goal list for GreenStep with bullet points from the best practices list. Discussion ensued regarding which best practices have been done and which they would add to the list of goals. C. Nametags, Vests and Locks Update Name tags were distributed to committee members. Committee Member Poelzer suggested members wear the name tags when they are in the public volunteering. Recreation Supervisor Johnson reported that they would have two different colors of vests, PTRC members would be able to keep their vests and other volunteers would get the other color to use during the day they are volunteering. Committee Member Poelzer said she talked with someone at Twin City Hardware about electronic restroom door locks that could be set on a timer. She will be meeting with him at Perry Park to look at the doors. Committee Member Rogers said New Brighton is adding a lock system to a couple of their parks. Council Liaison Rousseau suggested they add electronic restroom locks to their goals. Recreation Supervisor Johnson encouraged the committee to volunteer at the Spring Egg Hunt. D. Triangle Park Update Assistant Public Works Director Miller stated that Met Council has confirmed that a Comp Plan amendment wouldn’t be needed to designate Triangle Park as an official city park and it could be brought forward to the City Council for approval. Committee Member Poelzer explained where Triangle Park is located and that there is a chess table that they want to have listed as an amenity. She’d like to see more of them installed at the park. A motion was made by Committee Member Kelliher and seconded by Committee Member Poelzer to recommend to the City Council to name the park Triangle Park. Motion passed unanimously. Discussion took place regarding how to bring the request to the City Council. It was decided to bring it to a Council work session when they present the PTRC work plan. E. Trail and Parks Projects Update Assistant Public Works Director Miller gave updates on: Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes March 21, 2023 Page 5 • The Floral and Arden Manor Park Conceptual Layouts were in the packet as requested. • 2023 Tree Plan Project Suggested Locations: o Hazelnut at old tree locations o Highway 96 Committee Member Dietz asked about the possible water source at Floral Park. Assistant Public Works Director Miller stated well pricing came in very high, the only other option would be to pull from the water main at the street and it isn’t being pursued at this time. Assistant Public Works Director Miller said the same concrete structure will be used for the new shade structure but it will be shifted away from the trail to allow for plow trucks. Assistant Public Works Director Miller also noted that 29 new trees will be installed along Highway 96. There is enough left in the budget for approximately 14 more trees to be placed somewhere in the City. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Mounds View Community Education Brochure Committee Member Kelliher asked if staff has considered partnering with the Mounds View Public School District to advertise some of the recreation activities. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said they do team up with them for things for example the track program, along with other cities. He didn’t see a problem working with them. Committee Member Rogers said for her the issue is keeping track of what activity is being offered where; parks and rec, community ed, city or county. 5. REPORTS A. Council Liaison Update Council Liaison Rousseau said she sees her role as communicating between the committee and Council. She wants to provide information about what the Council is doing, and she likes documentation. Committee Member Poelzer said she thought anything they passed a motion on would be reported by the liaison to the Council, but that hadn’t been happening. Council Liaison Rousseau said she would be reporting some information at the end of the work sessions but it might be good to have members come to present about key areas. Committee Member Kelliher wondered if some the recommendations could be handled by staff. Council Liaison Rousseau said the Council provides direction at work sessions after discussion. She thought the level that advisory committee recommendations would be taken depends on the Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes March 21, 2023 Page 6 individual Council members. She suggested at the end of each item they could determine who would take the next steps on it. Council Liaison Rousseau reported that a park maintenance plan and trail maintenance policy was presented at the last City Council work session. Also, funding was discussed for the Old Snelling trail from Lake Valentine Road to Highway 96, and the Lake Johanna Boulevard trail. They were interested in feedback from the PTRC. A motion was made by Committee Member Poelzer and seconded by Committee Member Kelliher that the City should apply for any grants that are available. Motion passed unanimously. Council Liaison Rousseau said there was a open position with the Met Council Parks and Open Spaces committee. 6. NEXT MEETING B. Tuesday, April 25, 2023 The next PTRC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2023. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. AGENDA ITEM 3-A MEMORANDUM DATE: April 18, 2023 TO: Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee FROM: Marie Hinton SUBJECT: PTRC Member Updates Background PTRC members to provide verbal updates of projects and work group activities. Volunteers Kristine to provide verbal update on activities including egg hunt and Crepeau trails wood chips. Door timers Kristine to provide verbal update of Perry Park door timer research. Buckthorn Mark and others to provide update of buckthorn removal activities and research including goats and Minnesota Legacy Fund. Additional Reports if needed. Attachment Attachment A – Buckthorn Management Methods and Mark’s slides Attachment B – Kristine’s door timer background Attachment C – Kristine’s Crepeau email Buckthorn Management Methods With Herbicide Small Trees ●Cutting with loppers or handsaw,followed by herbicide application ○NOT effective in spring/early summer;best in late summer through autumn ●Forestry Mowing/Brush Hog ○follow-up treatment of herbicide to manage inevitable suckers/resprouts Larger Trees ●Cutting with handsaw or chainsaw,followed by herbicide application ○NOT effective in spring/early summer;best in late summer through autumn ○may result in suckering and require additional treatment ●Girdling,followed by herbicide application ○best done in spring/summer ○may result in suckering and require additional treatment ●Hack and Squirt method (notches cut into the tree at a downward 45°angle,around the trunk with ~1”of bark left between,then filled with herbicide) Without Herbicide Small Trees ●Buckthorn Puller ○plant or seed bare soil to reduce buckthorn seed germination ●Shovel and Root Saw ○plant or seed bare soil to reduce buckthorn seed germination ●Forestry Mowing,follow-up treatment to manage inevitable suckers/resprouts: ○repeated mowing,approximately once/month ○repeated goat browsing,twice per season or once each in spring/summer/fall,possibly for 2-3 years ■you can’t plant any shrubs or other native vegetation that goats would eat until the browsing cycles have ended ○controlled burning,every other year ●Goat Browsing,twice per season or once each in spring/summer/fall,possibly for 2-3 years ○spring/early summer browsing can also help weaken poison ivy ○seed grasses/sedges immediately prior to spring/fall goat browsing to improve seed contact with soil ■you can’t plant any shrubs or other native vegetation that goats would eat until the browsing cycles have ended Larger Trees ●High-cutting (trees are cut at about chest-height and any vegetation remaining below the cut is removed) ○repeated removal of any new growth,at least twice/year;it should kill the tree in a few years ●Girdling ○repeated removal of any new growth,at least twice/year;it should kill the tree in a few years *Controlled burning can kill buckthorn seedlings,but is not effective for trees more than 2 years old. PTRC Buckthorn Proposal Overview •Primer •PTRC’s View •Process and Pricing •Proposal Primer Buckthorn-what is it? •Description—A dioecious tree-like shrub that grows to 20-25’ There are two species of buckthorn found in Minnesota •European (“common”) and glossy —both are a problem •Brought from Europe as an ornamental shrub and has successfully outcompeted native Minnesota species •Longer growing season •Proliferates both through angiosperm seed and rhizomes •Resilience to removal •Fibrous root system is tenacious •No natural predation •Deer don’t have an appetite for it Primer Buckthorn-where it resides in Minnesota European (“common”) Buckthorn Glossy Buckthorn Source: Minnesota DNR Note that Arden Hills is at ground-zero for both species of buckthorn Primer Why is buckthorn a problem? •Crowds out native species and threatens wildlife habitat •Forms an impenetrable layer of vegetation •“Completely eliminates understory plant diversity”—University of Minnesota •Birds are drawn to the dioecious berries •The birds are sickened by the berries and further spread the seed through diarrhea •Contributes to erosion by shading out other forest floor growth •Serves as host to pests, such as crown rust fungus •Lacks “natural controls” like insects , disease, or predation •What the experts say •MN Department of Agriculture—”Known to be detrimental to human and animal health and the environment” •University of Minnesota Extension—”One of Minnesota’s most damaging invasive plants” •Minnesota DNR—”An invasive species that is a real threat to our forests” PTRC’s View •PTRC’s 2023 goals include the following: •Buckthorn eradication/mitigation •Focus on eco-friendly interactions when managing our parks and trails •PTRC identified Floral and Perry Parks, and “Chatham Trails” as targets •Non-mutually exclusive solutions include: •Forestry mowing •Cutting trees individually, then spot application of herbicide to the stumps •Goat-Landscaping •Because of the tenacity and prevalence of buckthorn seed, a long-term solution must also include a re-vegetative program to restore areas where buckthorn has been “harvested” PTRC’s View •Using goats was explored as part of the buckthorn mitigation goal •Goats are eco-friendly •Almost all seeds consumed by goats do not survive digestive process •The use of goats would increase public awareness that Arden Hills takes buckthorn (and its parks) seriously—Great public relations! •Excellent education opportunity for schools and the community •Goats grazing would mimic the natural disturbances that our wooded areas would otherwise experience if not for the proximity of residential homes •With homes nearby, forest fires in the wooded areas no longer occurs naturally •Using goats offers the collateral benefit of eliminating other invasives •Goats love garlic mustard and poison ivy–YUM! Process •An ad hoc PTRC working group was formed to explore the idea of renting a goat herd to eradicate/mitigate buckthorn •Internet and referrals from other cities identified eight goat- landscaping firms •Seven of the eight vendors responded •Four of these vendors have made onsite visits and assessments •Each vendor was asked which site should be chosen to provide the best opportunity for success in mitigating buckthorn growth Process •Because of buckthorn’s pervasive nature, a comprehensive and holistic plan must be utilized by Arden Hills •Goats love the buckthorn leaves (and the berries for dessert!), but aren’t able to graze on taller, bigger buckthorn (except some girdling of the tree’s bark) •Chainsaw “harvesting” must be part of the solution •However, using goats and chainsaws will still not be enough •Arden Hills must commit to a plan that revegetates “harvested” areas Process •Depending upon which park is selected, the following seeds and plantings should be considered for the harvested areas: •(Insert a list of native grasses and sedges here) •Sugar maples, elderberry shrubs, dogwood, and hazelnut •All of these were studied by the U of MN Extension program, “Cover It Up,” and found to be useful in supplanting (no pun intended) buckthorn’s return •Because of the goat’s discerning palate, goats avoid eating grasses and certain trees (such as oaks) •Additionally, if seeding is done, the action of the goat’s hooves will help etch the seed into the soil as they graze Pricing •Monies may be available from the Arden Hills Foundation •Additional monies could be generated through a community fundraising, using the Foundation as an intermediary •PTRC has been exploring several possibilities to obtain grant funding •Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation District •Minnesota Department of Agriculture •Great River Greening, a grant-writing facilitator •Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (Minnesota Lottery) •Outdoor Heritage Trust Fund (Minnesota Legacy Amendment) Pricing Vendor Responses and Proposals We Goat Chew $1,250/acre, less if > 1 acre is contracted, recommends Floral Park as pilot Midwest Goat Mitigation $1,000/acre, recommends Floral Park as pilot Goats on the Go $1,200/acre (preliminary estimate) The Munch Bunch $865/acre, plus $600 fence-setting fee per season Totes My Goats No follow-up response Diversity Landscapes No follow up response Goat Dispatch No Response Minnesota Native Landscapes No longer doing goat landscaping Proposal and Recommendation •(Insert PTRC’s specific recommendation here) Appendix Revegetation has big and positive impact Study conclusions from the University of Minnesota: •Herbaceous seeding (grasses and sedges) had a positive impact when canopy openness was greater than 10% (more light) •Shrubs and trees had a positive impact when canopy openness was <10% (darker) Appendix Revegetation, plus herbicide has big impact Appendix Manual intervention has big impact Chatham Trails Volunteer effort Before After Appendix Manual intervention has big impact Chatham Trails Volunteer Effort Before After Appendix What are other cities doing? Date: 10/08/22 To: Marie Hinton, Chair, Arden Hills (AH) Parks, Trails, Recreation Committee (PRTC) From: Kristine Poelzer, AH PTRC member Agenda item: Improvement Residents Park Use - Request for PTRC discussion at October 18, 2022 meeting. Intended motion: Complete cost feasibility to install door automatic timer open/lock at Perry and Cummings Parks restroom facilities and add to 2024 budget if not capable to install sooner. Background: In July I visited a Lakeville, MN, park and noticed signs stating restroom doors automatically open and close at certain times. Currently AH Perry and Cummings parks’ indoor restrooms aren't open unless the facilities/ball field are rented and when the city holds an event. We don't have staff nor police to manually open and close them every day. The locked restrooms are useless the majority of the time when they could be used every day by residents using the parks and trails. The porta-potties at these two parks could then be used at other AH parks where there currently are none. Lakeville City Hall response to my inquiry: “We have installed automatic door locks to our restroom facilities for some of the same reasons you mention. The system is fairly simple in design, but has worked well for us for a number of years. The contractor that supplied and installed the door locks was Twin City Hardware (TCH) out of Oakdale, MN. Generally speaking, we installed electronic door strikes that are controlled by a timer. The wires needed to be run from the controller to each door which wasn’t too invasive for our park buildings. We continue to have keys that will unlock the door from the outside (in case of a power outage or other reason the doors are not open when staff need to enter the room ). In addition, we continue to have an operable handle on the inside of the door, to ensure someone could exit the room if the door strikes locked while they were inside. If you have any further questions, please contact me. Thank you.” Mark Kruse, Parks Superintendent, City of Lakeville Phone - 952-985-2715 Mobile- 952-985-2719 7570 179th Street, Lakeville, MN 55044 UNFINISHED BUSINESS – 3B MEMORANDUM DATE: April 18, 2023 TO: Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee FROM: Lucas Miller, Assistant Public Works Director SUBJECT: Trail and Parks Projects Update Previously Discussed Items:  Lexington Ave is estimated to be substantially completed in August 2023.  Safe Routes to School from MVHS to E2 down Lake Valentine Road/Old Highway 10 is scheduled for construction this summer 2023. Plans are currently out to bid. There were $450k in grants awarded for this project.  City is working with a consultant to pursue grants and bonding for the trail from Lake Valentine Road to Highway 96 along Old Highway 10. Feasibility study has been completed for this project this last fall. Estimated project cost is $2.6 Mil. Estimated construction would be in 2025/2026 dependent on funding awarded.  Lake Johanna Blvd conceptual trail study was completed by Ramsey County and they are pursuing funding currently. They are shooting for a final design in 2028, dependent on funding awarded. Estimated construction cost is $9.5M. City staff has expressed support for this project to the County. County is going for grants and bonding this year potentially up to $5.5M.  Floral and Arden Manor parks design for both projects are ongoing and construction is slotted for 2023. Arden Manor funding are grants combined with city funding. Floral is city funding.  Annual trail maintenance is being scheduled for summer 2023 along Round Lake Rd, Lexington north of 96, Cummings and Floral Parks.  The CIP for Parks is available online. The budget has been adjusted and will be available when it is approved.  The 2023 Tree Plan Project is moving forward with the suggested locations along Highway 96 (29) and Hazelnut Park near the stump removals (2). New/Updated Items:  Pavement Rating for trails is planned for 2024. This is the first technical step looking ahead to planning existing trail project restorations. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – 3B  Hazelnut Parking lot negotiations continue between the City and Trinity Lutheran Church. Details in the negotiations are still a work in progress, although the goal would be to attain a small portion of the parking lot as City park property. Attachments N/A REPORTS – 5A MEMORANDUM DATE: April 18, 2023 TO: Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee FROM: Council Member Rousseau SUBJECT: Council Liaison Update Background Verbal update will be given by Council Member Rousseau.