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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-23-PTRC MinutesPage 1 of 7 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS, AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Committee Chair Hinton call the September 19, 2023 meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 pm. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Marie Hinton, Committee Members Nancy Jacobson, Dan Dietz, Mark Kelliher, Kerri Seemann, Kristine Poelzer, Jill Anderson, Emelia Rogers and Kate Olson. NEW MEMBERS PRESENT and SWORN IN: Maeve Edgar and Abigail Weber. OTHERS PRESENT: Council Liaison Emily Rousseau and Recreation Supervisor Matt Johnson. ABSENT: Committee Members Timothy Nelson and Lacy Loosbrock; Assistant Public Works Director Lucas Miller. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Committee member Dietz moved, seconded by Committee Member Poelzer, to approve amendment of the agenda, moving Item 5A Perry Park – Bathroom Locks before Item 4 Unfinished business. Motion passed unanimously, 11-0. Committee Member Kelliher moved, seconded by Committee Member Anderson, to approve of the agenda as modified. Motion passed unanimously, 11-0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. August 15, 2023 PTRC Minutes Chair Hinton introduced the following corrections: • Page 3, Item 4 Unfinished Business, Ingerson Park. Clarification on replacement needs, only thing that needs to be replaced is the net, not net and backboard. Sentence should read “The basketball net needs to be replaced.” • Page 4, Valentine Park section, there is an additional “to report” in error, should be removed. • Page 4, Volunteer Report should be “Chair Hinton reported Committee Member Loosbrock had said that there is one person that she needs to connect with.” Adding “that she”. • Committee Member Kelliher introduced the following corrections: • Page 2, Item 3A Reports, Committee Member Kelliher report at bottom of the page should include “when the grant monies are included” at the end of the last sentence. • Page 3, Item 3A Reports, final report from Council Member Rousseau, second line should be “Valentine Park”. It was asked of the minutes preparer that the recording be revisited for clarification. • Page 4, Item 4A PTRC Member Updates, Committee Member Kelliher update on Lindy’s Park, Arden Hills Park should read “Arden Oaks Park”. Page 2 of 7 Committee Member Poelzer introduced the following corrections: • Page 6, Item 4B Trails and Parks Projects Update, fourth bullet, change the word “understanding” to “under”. Committee Member Kelliher moved, seconded by Committee Member Poelzer, to approve of the minutes as corrected. Motion passed unanimously, 11-0. 3. REPORTS Council Member Rousseau reported: • Update on Hazelnut Park sledding hill. Public Works Department is planning on prepping the hill for winter sledding. • Triangle Park – City staff are working on a resolution to bring to Council for Sept 25 meeting. • Council Work Sessions have been full and the Personnel Committee is taking up the Volunteer Appreciation subject as well. • Communications Manager Cardona will be working on 2024 city website update plans, so now is the time to coordinate with him if PTRC would like to be a part of those conversations. Committee Member Olson asked about other options to CivicRec for Recreation sign-ups. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said that making a change is being investigated, the need for change is understood at the City level. • Council Member Munson suggested that the PTRC consider Lindy’s Park as a park with opportunities for improvements. She will be at our next meeting to discuss ADA accommodations made during the recent round-a-bout construction so this topic could be discussed during the October meeting. • Gateway Visitor’s Bureau is a new funding source this year, we received $15,800 to be used for marketing activities that draw visitors from outside of the city to Arden Hills. Split the funds between Bethel University Homecoming and Family Weekend and Rib Fest Marketing. Be aware that while the amount may vary these funds could potentially be used for some of the PTRC future goals. Committee Member Olson asked who the decision makers are for funds distribution. Council Member Rousseau indicated that the Council discussed the options at a work session and then voted at the next regular meeting. The Bethel marketing option was brought forth by Mayor Grant. • Council amended an ordinance to make the city properties, including parks, smoke free (cannabis and tobacco). • Communications – 9North determines programming. Any productions presented for consideration would be considered more favorably if they include other communities in their broadcasting area. Committee Member Olson asked who 9North represents. Council Member Rousseau responded that they are a non-profit entity that the City contracts with and all contracted cities are represented on the 9North website and cable station. • The Council is requesting a Standard Operating Procedure for PTRC information releases to be included in the newsletter, on Facebook or any other communication methods. The proposed submissions would require a motion to receive full PTRC approval and if approved would then be submitted to Communications Manager Cardona for distribution. • Committee Member Edgar inquired as to the nature of 9North’s broadcasting. Council Member Rousseau delineated the public access TV channel and the work that they do to record and edit public city meetings and work sessions. Page 3 of 7 • The Council and City Staff are working through the annual budgeting process for 2024, and the current increase is at 16.33%, which is still in flux but is the highest end of the scale. For example, a house valued at $450,000 in 2023 would have paid $1050 in City taxes, and for 2024 the takes would be $1190, approximately $12 per month. Today we found out that Lake Johanna Fire Department received a 3 year federal SAFER grant. The addition of this grant will lower the contract amount for the LJFD, so the percentage will go down. The levy will be decided on December 11th and updates will provided at that time. Committee Member Dietz asked about the levy increase range across the tiers of home values. Council Member Rousseau stated that the details were presented at the September 11th Council meeting and can be found under Item 11B. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. PTRC Member Updates Chair Hinton indicated that because Committee Member Loosbrock is absent a Volunteer Update will not be provided. Committee Member Poelzer discussed the Twins grant for ball fields. Asked to include this discussion in future planning. Committee Member Kelliher asked about potential a new program for volunteer staffing. Recreation Supervisor Johnson reported that another module would need to be purchased annually, it would be used for all Rec programs (course management and registration), not just volunteering. The cost is such that it would not need Council approval, but would be ongoing. Investigating with Staff on logistics and continue to work toward making this change. Committee Member Seemann provided document with an update on the restoration project. 217 volunteer hours spent so far, 50 on planning, 37 on watering. Removal of invasive species. Half of Creeping Charlie is removed. Garlic Mustard was discovered, and will take a few years to fully remove. 26% non-native, goal is to get below 5%. The Committee thanked and recognized all of this hard work. Chair Hinton discussed the need at next meetings to determine 2024 goals, asked the group to bring ideas and needs for discussion as well as a plan for how to move these through the approval process to implementation. Another item to discuss is adding a Vice-Chair to the list of Committee positions. Chair Hinton provided information that Council Member Holden relayed that within Arden Hills the Audubon Society has an Important Bird Area in Minnesota - Rice Creek North at the Army Training Site. There is a Facebook group for the Twin Cities Urban Birding Festival. This would be a potential goal or potential use of Twin Cities Gateway funds to bring people to Arden Hills. Previous festival was May 20-21, 2023. B. Trail and Parks Projects Update Recreation Supervisor Johnson introduced Memo items for discussion. Committee Member Olson if we have a grand re-opening for parks with updates, is that the prevue of the PTRC? It was agreed, that yes, it is the PTRC that would take the lead on any event and is something that could be added as a goal for 2024. Council Member Rousseau shared that there may be a special work session with Council, regarding the Lake Johanna Blvd. Trail on November 20th. Details to follow. Page 4 of 7 Committee Member Kelliher asked for clarification on the Floral Park improvements. Recreation Supervisor Johnson reported that those are indeed, underway. Committee Member Olson inquired about a Trail Open House scheduled for October 5th from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. It was discussed that communications about this Open House will be going out on Facebook soon. The Committee discussed personally responding to Arden Hillbillies Facebook comments, in the effort to provide clarity, directing those interested back to the city page. The open meeting law was discussed and clarification was requested as to not violate the quorum regulation and any free speech violations. Asking for recommendations from Communications Manager Cardona for tips, ideas or language for Committee members to use from their personal Facebook pages to try to enlighten, clarify and diffuse residents. C. PTRC Announcement for South Shore Fitness Park and Trail Recreation Supervisor Johnson introduced the memo regarding the new park and opportunities to involve the public. Committee Member Olson discussed focusing on location and parking, perhaps using drone video footage as a communications release. She has a contact with a drone that may be able to assist. The committee discussed the complexities and confusing challenges of parking and signage at the park. Something needs to be modified or posted to clarify the “Do Not Enter” sign exactly where you need to enter. Parking is a barrier to a larger ribbon cutting or grand opening. It was informally agreed that posting any videos, maps or any new information about the South Shore Fitness Park and Trail be shared on all social media, newsletter and potentially an email blast. Recreation Supervisor Johnson will take it under advisement that additional or more clear signage needs to be provided. Committee Member Kelliher commented that if there is a ribbon cutting ceremony Nine North could get involved and if they have a drone they could potentially expand their coverage with the drone footage. Committee Member Olson reiterated that there is not ample parking to allow for a successful ribbon cutting. Council Member Rousseau commented that at the Open House for that park there were a lot of cars that parked farther down the street. No vote was taken to determine if the Committee agrees to a ribbon cutting. D. Books in Hazelnut (formerly outdoor classroom) Committee Member Seemann reported that something like a “Little Free Library” with science based educational publications for use while in the park would be a great addition. Chair Hinton agrees that this addition would be welcome. Asked for costs and needs from the PTRC or City to finalize and implement. Page 5 of 7 Committee Member Rogers commented that there would probably need to be City approval for a structure and the Lions Club is a potential funding source. Committee Member Edgar commented on the potential location options and recommends that the One Unit Playground Area would be a much better location. Chair Hinton asked that further research, budgets and options. Committee Member Seemann agreed to head this endeavor. Committee Member Olson offered to use her experienced network to assist in Little Library Production, if needed. E. Park Improvements Plan Recreation Supervisor Johnson shared the plan as information for the Committee. Committee Member Olson raised the question about the Hazelnut Parking Lot portion of the Plan (p. 3), her understanding was that it would happen sooner, asking if there was a change to the timeline or agreement complications with the adjacent church. Council Member Rousseau offered that Mayor Grant and Council Member Holden were tasked with reaching out to the church and to come to an agreement about the shared parking lot. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Perry Park – Bathroom Locks Recreation Supervisor Johnson requested discussion and action on the item. Committee Member Poelzer moved that the PTRC recommend to the Council approve the amount of $3,897.91 for purchase and installation of automatic locks for the Perry Park bathrooms. Reserving the final decision on operational hours to be resolved between City staff and PTRC. Committee Member Kelliher seconded the motion to discuss the pros and cons. Recreation Supervisor Johnson relayed the cons of the proposed locks being maintenance of the interior of the bathrooms by public works staff. Increase in staffing. Also open for vandalism and potential for further vandalism should the locks malfunction. Pros include public building should be available for the public. Committee Member Poelzer recognized that this change is scary and it is easy to think of the negatives but the benefits outweigh the potential problems and costs. Also, the additions to the dog park will increase traffic and the portable facilities will not be adequate. Families may be more likely to use the playground knowing that bathrooms are available as opposed to the current portable facility. Advise to start slow with timing and hours and increase if needed. Committee Member Kelliher asked if it is possible to get a usage report from this type of lock. Recreation Supervisor Johnson replied that this is a basic type of lock, with a timer only. Discussion ensued about having the usage data would help us to minimize the staff costs. Committee Member Poelzer revealed a new community run Facebook page for the Perry Dog Park that will be another way to utilize the Facebook page for surveys. Council Member Olson asked if the Arden Hills Foundation has been considered as an avenue to use for the upfront costs. Page 6 of 7 The Committee discussed the particulars of staffing in summer using part-time staff and PTRC creation of a work plan to present to the Council at a work session Committee Member Kelliher moved to table the discussion until a revised quote can be obtained for locks that can provide usage reports. Seconded by Committee Member Dietz. Motion approved 10-1, Committee Member Poelzer opposed. Committee Member Anderson commented that usage may not be analogous to maintenance. Based on park usage data already tracked by Staff that may be adequate to start with the quoted locks. Recreation Supervisor Johnson will investigate and provide an updated quote with an option for locks with more advanced technology that can track usage. Motion is tabled as is and is move to October meeting for further discussion and potential vote. B. Bee House Locations – Griffin Boldt Recreation Supervisor Johnson reported the locations of the Bee Houses as well as the Committee concern for locating them at a great enough distance from playgrounds and higher traffic areas so guests would not be in danger. Committee Member Kelliher posed the question about how many park locations, one location or three. Recreation Supervisor Johnson responded that it is Mr. Boldt’s intention to install a Bee House at each of the three parks, so three in total. Committee Member Weber voiced her favor for the Bee House plan, increasing public awareness and potentially lowering the stigma around bees. Committee Member Olson commented on the need long-term plan for maintenance. The Committee discussed signage, size and design. Bee types that utilize a Bee House are Leaf Cutter Bees and Mason Bees. Concern was voiced for Royal Hills Park as a location, as it is smaller and seemingly not a lot of flowers Committee Member Kelliher clarified that the bee installation in Floral Park is an actual Bee Hive, not a Bee House. Chair Hinton voiced concern for Royal Hills Park as a location, as it is smaller and seemingly not a lot of flowers. Asked that this be addressed in Mr. Boldt’s plan as well as the timeline for long term maintenance or disposal. Committee Member Kelliher moved and seconded by Committee Member Olson that we allow Griffin Boldt the opportunity to present his proposal for Bee Houses at the three parks. The Committee will consider his ideas on his proposal at that time and vote accordingly. The motion passed unanimously, 11-0. Page 7 of 7 6. NEXT MEETING A. Tuesday, October 17, 2023 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 pm.