Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-17-24 - PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2024, 6:30 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Committee Chair Jill Anderson called the July 17, 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, Kerri Seemann, Lacy Loosbrock, Nancy Jacobson, Kate Olson, Emelia Rogers, Tim Nelson and Youth Committee Member Maeve Edgar OTHERS PRESENT: Recreation Supervisor Matt Johnson and Council Liaison Emily Rousseau ABSENT: Committee Members Abigail Weber and Elizabeth Johnson 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Committee Member Olson moved and Youth Committee Member Edgar seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion carried (7-0). Committee Members Emelia Rogers and Tim Nelson joined the meeting. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. May 21, 2024 PTRC Minutes Committee Member Jacobson made a correction to page 2, item 4A related to Recreation Supervisor Johnson and Committee Member Jacobson, respectively. MOTION: Committee Member Olson moved and Youth Committee Member Edgar seconded a motion to approve the meeting minutes as amended. The motion carried (9-0). 3. REPORTS A. Council Liaison Update Council Liaison Rousseau indicated the City accepted a donation for $4,980 from the Arden Hills Foundation for benches at Floral, Hazelnut, Royal Hills, Lindey’s and Johanna Marsh parks. Council Liaison Rousseau stated the Council discussed priorities for park improvements and that Councilmember Fabel had suggested that the PTRC make decisions about which playground fixtures would be utilized. She said if the PTRC members are interested, this could be addressed Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – July 17, 2024 Page 2 by a subcommittee in the future. She noted Ingerson and Sampson parks are slated for improvements in 2025. Council Liaison Rousseau indicated that Councilmember Monson requested a Master Parks Plan for the entire city. She noted there had not been a lot of movement with strategic planning but there were themes that could be supported by a Master Plan. She said that Council could further discuss various options for this during a budget conversation. Council Liaison Rousseau said that both she and Councilmember Monson questioned why the playground fixtures as they have significantly decreased in size. She stated the consultant told them that essentially the fixtures we are getting are HOA and apartment level grade. She said this was probably due to lack of budgeting and this will most likely come up during future Council budget discussions. Committee Member Jacobson inquired as to the differences between the HOA and apartment level grade playground fixtures versus standard playground fixtures. Council Liaison Rousseau used her own daughter as an example to explain how the new fixtures were downsized at both Cummings and Floral Parks following the replacement of the old equipment. She stated that they now go to a park in Shoreview instead to play as the equipment there offers more of a challenge for a 7 year old. Chair Anderson said she was confused about the direction requested of the PTRC, were they being asked to make recommendations or choose which play equipment is put in the playgrounds specifically. Council Liaison Rousseau said there were about 30 different items to choose from and based on the budget, the Council discussed line by line which items were of higher importance and feasible based on the budget. She thought the PTRC could explore this task as a sub-committee. A discussion ensued regarding playground equipment in general and the selection process. Council Liaison Rousseau asked the group how many had seen anything about an activity and wellness center in TCAAP and noted she wanted to create awareness around it. She explained that information about this was preliminary and that it came about as Mounds View had a referendum that failed regarding a new community center. She then noted that Mounds View is looking for other opportunities with private investors. She outlined a few of the options such a facility could offer. A short discussion ensued regarding an activity and wellness center on the TCAAP property. Council Liaison Rousseau noted that regarding the fact that there is generally no PTRC meeting in July is because historically the PTRC used to host the committee/commission appreciation picnic. She stated that in the future a discussion could be had about the date of the PTRC meeting versus the date of the picnic. Council Liaison Rousseau explained that she has had conversations with many of the PTRC committee members both past and present and that there seemed to be a long-standing issue with foundational governance with the committee. She said there have been questions regarding what Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – July 17, 2024 Page 3 the purpose and mission of the committee is. She referenced a document from 2014 and stated there could be opportunity to update the document. She said there may be a section of the document that is no longer applicable, for example, and questioned the phrasing of certain action words used as well as a referenced time commitment. She said she wanted to bring this topic to the group’s attention for consideration when discussing the 2025 work plan. She explained the EDC is similarly having a conversation about the function of their group. Chair Anderson agreed she herself has questioned what the goal of the PTRC is and she would like a better understanding of the expectations of the group. She asked if the PTRC was to make recommendations and then are expected to also implement the recommendations. She noted the group receives messages about short staffing so it is hard from her perspective to come up with ideas that are within the scope of what is possible while also pushing the boundaries in coming up with new and fresh ideas. Council Liaison Rousseau agreed and noted challenges with communications and when something would go to Council or to staff. A discussion ensued regarding the challenges facing the PTRC with how the group functions and can work to achieve its goals. Committee Member Olson asked for clarification regarding benches and the locations where they are placed. Recreation Supervisor Johnson stated generally the benches are donated and the individual that made the donation works with him to pick the location. A short discussion ensued regarding benches. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Trail and Parks Projects Update Recreation Supervisor Johnson stated that the City was selected to receive some funds for the trail from Valentine Road to Highway 96 and that additional opportunities were still being pursued. He noted the surveys received regarding the 2025 parks project contained good information. He further clarified from a previous meeting about the trees near the baseball diamond area at Floral Park, stating they were removed due to the need for installation of a storm sewer. He asked the PTRC members for input regarding what to do with the open space that was created by the tree removals. Committee Member Olson asked about the Hazelnut parking lot negotiations, saying she noticed they had filled potholes there. Recreation Supervisor Johnson replied that Council Liaison Rousseau may be able to provide more information regarding this, but he understood an agreement is necessary since that parking lot is really the only place to park while at Hazelnut. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – July 17, 2024 Page 4 Council Liaison Rousseau stated she believed either the Mayor and Councilmember Holden or Councilmember Fabel were working with the church regarding the parking lot agreement. She said she would find out where the negotiations stand and provide an update. Committee Member Rogers said that it appears that collectively, the PTRC would recommend during the next budget cycle that a focus be placed on this parking lot since it has high use. Committee Member Olson noted that Hazelnut was the only park besides Cummings that had a decent sized parking lot. Committee Member Rogers said she has strong feelings about this and that because this is a park that is utilized all the time, it does not matter who uses it more. That is not an effective way to negotiate and get this line item moved forward. She said the conversation needs to be moved forward such as discussion regarding the cost. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said that both parties know the parking lot condition needs to be addressed. Committee Member Olson asked if it would be helpful if the PTRC made a formal motion and then how does that work, does someone bring the information forward to the City Council. Committee Member Jacobson said she likes Committee Member Rogers’ approach of saying to negotiate. Committee Member Rogers discussed the theme of the PTRC in that Arden Hills is a welcoming place for people and part of welcoming is to have places for people to park. Committee Member Loosbrock asked for clarification about the Cummings Park parking lot and if that was a shared service agreement. Chair Anderson asked about next steps in general. Recreation Supervisor Johnson briefly discussed his understanding of the church parking lot situation in relation to Hazelnut park. Chair Anderson requested more information, including the status of the negotiations and what the barriers are. MOTION: Committee Member Rogers moved and Committee Member Edgar seconded a motion to recommend the negotiations regarding the Hazelnut parking lot move forward and that the PTRC would participate in order to reach an agreement. The motion carried (9-0). A brief discussion ensued regarding Arden Oaks Park and Freeway Park related to the PTRC’s August/September timeline for the working groups. Committee Member Dietz asked about Floral Park and if the parking was actually parallel parking as it appeared to be at an angle and Recreation Supervisor Johnson concurred with this statement. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – July 17, 2024 Page 5 A discussion ensued regarding the tree removals at Floral park. Chair Anderson suggested that a discussion regarding potential ideas for the location where the trees were removed be placed on the August agenda. A suggestion was made that Recreation Supervisor Johnson please provide information regarding caliper size and other related information such as neighborhood involvement or whether or not comments have been received, at the August PTRC meeting. B. Work Group Updates Committee Member Loosbrock provided an update regarding the volunteer work group. She indicated a group of employees from Boston Scientific placed woodchips at the trails in Crepau Park. She requested a thank you shout-out be included in the City newsletter if possible. She also commented she would inquire about declining benches in the future. Committee Member Jacobson stated that she and Committee Member Johnson continue to work on rain gardens. She provided an overview of the status of the work group, noting that a rain garden informational brochure was placed in the block captains’ Night to Unite packet. She provided this brochure to the PTRC members and stated she hoped this effort would result in obtaining information regarding the location of rain gardens in the city. Committee Member Jacobson explained that the City of Roseville contracts with a consultant to manage rain gardens for the City. She further explained relating to her experience with rain gardens in Arden Hills that years ago residents could say whether or not they wanted the rain garden in their yard or not and that if so, it was installed with the understanding the resident would maintain it. She said that worked fine until the property owner moved and a new owner came in that either wasn’t interested or did not have the ability to do the maintenance. Committee Member Jacobson noted she had participated in a Rice Creek Watershed-sponsored rain garden maintenance class. She said in that particular situation, the class was really for those individuals that had obtained a rain garden through a grant, and a requirement of that agreement was the person needed to maintain the rain garden. Based on that, Rice Creek Watershed offered classes for such. A short discussion ensued regarding reference to the informational brochure and this being a City supported initiative. Committee Member Olson provided a short update regarding the community events work group and briefly discussed the Lions Club sponsored picnic in August. She noted there was nothing new to provide regarding the Rotary. Chair Anderson stated it was her understanding the Eagle Scout project was complete. A discussion ensued regarding the Eagle Scout project. Committee Member Seemann gave an update about the project, which included the planting of natural plants. Chair Anderson provided an update regarding the Chatham goats and noted Committee Member Seemann was working on that project. She stated there was confusion about how the project was Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – July 17, 2024 Page 6 being managed, noting volunteers were involved, Committee Member Seemann was involved and the City was involved. She stated it was her understanding the City was ordering seed and per recommendation would be laying the seed. She asked Committee Member Seemann for confirmation on this and also wondered if the goats would be back. Committee Member Seemann said the City would be purchasing the seed and delivering it to the volunteers. Council Liaison Rousseau said her understanding was that the PTRC recommended the goats come out last summer and this summer. She indicated the City Council approved the recommendation for the two seasons and at this time the goats were not slated to return. Chair Anderson stated the PTRC’s role in that project was done unless someone had an interest in advocating to work on it. She acknowledged that there were some challenges with the project and related communication, and it was her understanding Committee Member Seemann was not interested in continuing to work on the project. She urged the members to come forward if any were interested in furthering the project. C. Great River Greening Update Chair Anderson explained she and Committee Member Seemann participated in a City Council work session along with Great River Greening, noting this was Great River Greening’s second discussion with the Council. She noted the Council had wanted to clarify additional questions and concerns it had regarding projects with Great River Greening. She indicated the majority of the Council were in favor of moving the project forward. Chair Anderson noted the PTRC previously made a motion to move forward with Great River Greening and this was relayed to the City Council as well. She said the project was moving forward. Council Liaison Rousseau stated at the time, Great River Greening’s focus was primarily centered around Floral and Hazelnut parks. She said that related to Chatham, Great River Greening recommended funding be used to create a comprehensive plan for tackling invasive species. She briefly explained how the funding may work for these projects and potential cleanup initiatives that could be coordinated by the PTRC. Chair Anderson stated the good news was the project with Great River Greening was moving forward. A short discussion ensued regarding Great River Greening, potential future projects that could be affiliated with that group, work in-kind, funding for such, and the City’s budgeting as it related to these types of projects. Chair Anderson acknowledged the work and time Great River Greening has devoted to city projects. D. Community Picnic Update Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – July 17, 2024 Page 7 Recreation Supervisor Johnson stated information regarding the August 15 picnic was in the City’s July newsletter. A brief discussion ensued regarding the picnic. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. 2025 Work Plan Discussion Chair Anderson indicated that the 2025 work plan discussion was a much bigger discussion than the group could have at this meeting. She said she wanted this on everyone’s radar for the next few months as being a top priority. She stated that she would like clarification on the PTRC’s role as well as what the City Council is looking for from the PTRC. She wanted to ensure what the group’s authority was in making determinations. Committee Member Dietz followed up with a few varied, general questions that he had and a short discussion ensued. Chair Anderson and all of the PTRC members in attendance thanked Youth Committee Member Edgar for her contributions to the PTRC and wished her well. MOTION: Committee Member Olson moved and Committee Member Dietz seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried (6-0). 6. NEXT MEETING A. Tuesday, August 20, 2024 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.