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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-19-24 - PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024, 6:30 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Committee Chair Jill Anderson called the March 19, 2024 meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Jill Anderson, Committee Members Dan Dietz, Nancy Jacobson, Kerri Seemann, Abigail Weber, Kate Olson, Emelia Rogers, Elizabeth Johnson and Youth Committee Member Maeve Edgar OTHERS PRESENT: Council Liaison Emily Rousseau, Recreation Supervisor Matt Johnson, City Councilmember Brenda Holden, and Greg Rubenstein, Arden Hills Foundation ABSENT: Committee Members Tim Nelson and Lacy Loosbrock 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Anderson requested that a presentation by Arden Hills Foundation member Greg Rubenstein be added to the agenda as item 3, prior to the approval of minutes. Committee Member Rogers asked about adding Committee Update to the agenda. Chair Anderson suggested this be added as New Business item 6F Work Group Updates. MOTION: Committee Member Olson moved and Committee Member Edgar seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried (9-0). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 13, 2024 PTRC Minutes Committee Member Olson indicated that on page two there was a comment referenced that she made “the one thing missing from the memo was the screening to the neighbor’s home.” She noted this was in reference to Freeway Park and not about the neighbors’ homes. She said it was regarding the screening to the park and the Old Snelling on ramp. MOTION: Committee Member Rogers moved and Committee Member Olson seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as amended. The motion carried (9-0). 3. PRESENTATION Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 19, 2024 Page 2 Greg Rubenstein, Arden Hills Foundation (the Foundation), stated he was speaking in the place of Foundation Member Arlene Mitchell. He noted the Foundation had been in place since 2012. He explained the group was comprised of resident volunteers that help manage donations provided to the Foundation that in turn are donated to the City to help with expenses related to various projects. He noted various companies have donated money to the Foundation and that the group also receives donations for items such as remembrance benches and plaques that are located around the city, and he briefly discussed the process. Mr. Rubenstein requested the PTRC and Parks staff share suggestions regarding where donations and items could be deployed. He stated that it was possible the Foundation could provide donations that could be applied toward 2024 projects and urged the PTRC to let the Foundation know of their needs. He recited several more examples of past donations related to City parks and scholarships for Arden Hills residents. Committee Member Olson asked for clarification regarding the reference to current park, trail and related balances. Mr. Rubenstein stated that the amount referenced was the money allocated toward that fund, but the Foundation has received additional funding for other things that have yet to be allocated. A short discussion ensued about the specifics of how some of the funds were allocated for past projects. Committee Member Dietz said it was his understanding that they could propose what the donated funds could be used for and then the Foundation authorizes it. Mr. Rubenstein confirmed that is correct. He asked if the PTRC has a budget. Councilmember Rousseau stated that the PTRC does not have a budget. A discussion ensued regarding streamlining the process and options for purchasing items. Recreation Supervisor Johnson stated that perhaps the PTRC could have an account at Beisswenger’s and this could address the money transaction issue. Committee Member Anderson asked for clarification on the role of the PTRC regarding making recommendations, such as to the City Council, and how the approval process works. Recreation Supervisor Johnson indicated the City Council would approve installation of items. Committee Member Olson asked if the Foundation has ever held a fundraiser. Mr. Rubenstein stated he has not been involved in one but the group has been around longer than he has, and he did not know the answer. Committee Member Jacobson asked if the funds generally available are $2,300. She asked if the need for benches was lower. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 19, 2024 Page 3 Committee Member Olson asked if the PTRC could propose a project that was larger than $2,000. Mr. Rubenstein replied this was correct and reiterated the Foundation was looking for ideas from the PTRC regarding how to deploy the funds. Committee Member Olson asked how many board members the Arden Hills Foundation has. Mr. Rubenstein indicated the members are himself, Arlene Mitchel, David Mitchel, Brian Holmes, and David Grant. Committee Member Rogers asked for the best way to present the PTRC’s recommendations to the Foundation. Mr. Rubenstein noted the back page of the Foundation’s information contained his contact information, as well as Arlene Mitchel’s. He noted an email would be the best. Chair Anderson and PTRC members thanked Mr. Rubenstein for his presentation. 4. REPORTS A. Council Liaison Update Council Liaison Rousseau indicated that Arden Manor Park hardcourt reconstruction was put on hold by the Council last year due to estimates for that and Floral Park were 30% higher than predicted by the consultant. She noted the Council had hoped to apply for a grant for underserved communities again this year but instead the City was looking at funding the project with a DNR grant. The City would need to match the grant at about 50%. Council Liaison Rousseau stated that she and Committee Member Olson met with the Arden Hills-Shoreview Rotary regarding building a strategic partnership. She noted the PTRC’s prior meeting with the Lions Club and today’s presentation from Mr. Rubenstein of the Arden Hills Foundation. She hoped the PTRC could identify future projects to partner on and that would align with their missions. Council Liaison Rousseau stated the Council approved a contract with the community work group and this could be a potential resource for buckthorn. She also noted a recent City Council discussion regarding encroachment issues and the Council’s direction for the PTRC to bring forward recommendations on how to address this. She stated the PTRC’s work plan has been created for this year but could be considered for 2025. Committee Member Jacobson asked for clarification on the encroachment issue. A short discussion ensued regarding encroachments. A short discussion ensued regarding the Spring Egg Hunt. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 19, 2024 Page 4 Council Liaison Rousseau requested Committee Member Weber and Youth Committee Member Edgar share their future college plans with the group. She asked Youth Committee Member Edgar to share the specifics of the US Presidential Scholar Program is. Youth Committee Member Edgar stated this is a scholarship program recognizing high school students in the nation, noting she was nominated for the scholarship along with three others from the school district. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Trail and Parks Projects Update Recreation Supervisor Johnson stated the City was working with a consultant to pursue a grant for State bonding funds for a trail at Lake Valentine Road to Highway 96 along Old Highway 10. He noted the project estimate is $4.1 million and estimated actual construction of the trail is 2025/2026 if grant money is awarded. He stated that the project was being considered for a regional Safe Routes to School grant, that it did not score well for such, but a final determination had yet to be made. He referenced the open house held on October 25, 2023, which was well attended. Recreation Supervisor Johnson indicated the Lake Johnanna Boulevard trail study was completed by Ramsey County. He said the project would cost $9.5 million with a local match estimated at $2 million, noting this project also did not score well and so depending on funding, the project could happen in 2028. Committee Member Olson asked why the projects didn’t score well. Recreation Supervisor Johnson stated he did not know why. Council Liaison Rousseau indicated there were a number of other projects in Ramsey County vying for the grants. Committee Member Jacobson provided copies of the information pertaining to the scoring. A short discussion ensued regarding the data pertaining to the grant submissions and subsequent scoring. Recreation Supervisor Johnson noted the PTRC’s additional parks projects list was presented to the City Council at its work session on March 11. Committee Member Jacobson requested an update on the status of the Lake Johanna trail project. Council Liaison Rousseau asked Recreation Supervisor Johnson to obtain an update from Assistant Public Works Director Miller or Public Works Director Swearingen and that he provide that information to Committee Member Jacobson. Committee Member Dietz requested information pertaining to the excavation markings at Floral Park. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 19, 2024 Page 5 B. Ramsey County Update Committee Member Jacobson stated she attended the March 11 quarterly Active Living Zoom meeting sponsored by Ramsey County Communities. She noted there were over 30 individuals in attendance from a range of entities and she discussed the various topics. She said she was not interested in participating further but wanted to let the group know it is a good opportunity for those wishing to learn more. Committee Member Jacobson also said she attended the Ramsey County bike/walk group meeting that is currently focusing its energy on the northwest quadrant of Ramsey County, the Rice Creek Commons area. She briefly discussed the focus of the group and encouraged others to participate. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Newsletter item Committee Member Seemann requested the City’s May newsletter include an article about the goats returning for buckthorn removal in June. Chair Anderson asked how the goat project was previously communicated. Recreation Supervisor Johnson stated there was a video of the goats and he believed it was in a newsletter. Committee Member Rogers said information that was sent to the Valentine Hills families and it was on Facebook and the different Arden Hills sites. Council Liaison Rousseau suggested a motion be made to request this topic be included in the May newsletter. MOTION: Committee Member Seemann moved and Committee Member Olson seconded a motion to include an article in the City’s May newsletter regarding the goat buckthorn removal project. The motion carried (9-0). B. Lindey’s Park Update Committee Member Jacobson stated she requested this item be on the agenda as she would like to have an update as to where things are at. Committee Member Olson stated that as a citizen, she contacted Ramsey County in January or February regarding cleaning up the area, which the County did, and she also asked if the site would be restored to look as it did prior to the project. She did not yet have an answer from the County regarding this question. Chair Anderson asked if the PTRC was interested in further discussing Lindey’s Park. A discussion ensued regarding the past appearance of the Lindey’s area, the associated trails, the maintenance of the roundabout and Lindey’s park, and the future of Lindey’s Park. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 19, 2024 Page 6 Recreation Supervisor Johnson stated he could get background information on the park and Committee Member Olson reported she would continue to be in contact with the County and provide an update to the group in the future. Chair Anderson wanted to gauge the interest of the PTRC regarding forming a work group, noting the focus would be for future planning of the park. A discussion ensued as to how a potential work group could function. C. Agenda Packet Discussion Recreation Supervisor Johnson indicated that other committees/commissions have moved to digital packets, noting this would alleviate the potential issue of late packet arrival. He noted paper copies could still be provided to the members at the meeting. He requested the members let him know their preference. Chair Anderson explained the packet would be accessible digitally well in advance but paper packets would still be available the night of the meeting for the members. D. Work Session Update Chair Anderson noted that she along with Committee Members Olson and Seeman were in attendance at the City Council’s March work session. She provided a summary of their presentation which included the PTRC’s 2024 work plan, fire pit donations, bathroom locks, community outreach and Lindey’s roundabout landscaping. She indicated that the Council was not in favor of the fire pits but was in favor of bathroom locks, noting the implementation process for the locks was to be determined by City staff. She said there was no action on the community outreach and Lindey’s topics as further discussion would occur in the future. E. Community Outreach/Events Councilmember Holden stated she was excited when she saw the PTRC’s goals and work plan. She said that in her neighborhood, instead of letting things rot in the garden, there is a table where excess produce is placed for anyone to take. She noted this practice is referred to as gleaning and said this could be a potential offering for the community that would need outreach. Committee Member Olson asked about the City’s community garden off of Old Highway 10. Councilmember Holden stated that individuals pay for a garden plot site and the produce is the property of that individual. Councilmember Holden stated there is a group in Minneapolis called Food Group Glean Team. A short discussion ensued about gleaning, the community sharing of excess produce. Councilmember Holden indicated that isolation in communities in Minnesota as well as around the country is a big theme. She stated a possibility for community outreach could be to have an initiative in which neighbors reach out to those that live alone to provide assistance or companionship. She noted the importance of education on isolation within our community. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 19, 2024 Page 7 Councilmember Holden explained a pollinator initiative at wineries in Oregon in which an old whiskey barrel that is cut in half is rented by a business that plants pollinators specifically. She stated that the PTRC could request the Arden Hills Foundation purchase barrels and then solicit businesses to rent the barrel and plant pollinators, not just any plants. A discussion ensued regarding this potential initiative. Councilmember Holden stated that Arden Hills and specifically the 2,000 acres including TCAAP is second in the state for bird watching. She urged the group to check out the Audubon Society’s website. Councilmember Holden noted in closing that the reason Lindey’s Park has not been further developed is that Bethel University had previously donated money and requested the location be a site for college students to utilize the area for frisbee golf and rugby. F. Work Group Updates 1:12:53 Chair Anderson stated the various groups were in beginning stages and asked if anyone wanted to provide an update or add anything. Youth Committee Member Edgar asked if any action was needed regarding the work tracker spreadsheet. Committee Member Jacobson shared information regarding the rain garden work group. She noted the group met with Public Works Director Swearingen regarding rain gardens, noting he requested the group assist with an inventory in general and also the evaluation of specific problem rain garden locations. She stated this process was currently being developed, noting the assistance of Night to Unite block captains may be helpful. A discussion ensued regarding rain gardens, including how to identify potential problems within a rain garden itself, and how to engage the community. Committee Member Olson noted Lake Johanna Fire Department’s initiative to keep fire hydrants clear which basically was “show us your fire hydrant” and suggested something similar for rain gardens. A discussion continued regarding rain gardens and potential options for community outreach. Council Liaison Rousseau suggested that once a plan for rain gardens comes together, the PTRC make a motion to bring forward a formal, comprehensive plan to the City Council. A discussion ensued about the issue of maintenance of rain gardens. Committee Member Olson stated that she and Committee Member Rogers had discussed 2024 community outreach events, specifically the Lions Club event and how the PTRC could support such an event. She noted the event could include food trucks and a bounce house. She also said they will bring their 2025 mission to the next meeting. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 19, 2024 Page 8 Council Liaison Rousseau asked if the group had considered medallion hunts to which the response was no. Chair Anderson asked if there were any further updates. 7. NEXT MEETING A. Tuesday, April 16, 2024 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.