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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-18-25 - PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2025, 6:30 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Committee Chair Dan Dietz called the February 18, 2025 meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Dan Dietz, Liz Johnson, Nancy Jacobson, Eva Acosta, Kate Olson, Amelia Rogers. OTHERS PRESENT: Recreation Supervisor Matt Johnson ABSENT: Lacy Loosbrock, Kerri Seemann, Council Liaison Emily Rousseau 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Committee Member Olson moved, and Committee Member Johnson seconded a motion to approve the meeting agenda as written. The motion carried unanimously among members present. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 21, 2025 PTRC Minutes MOTION: Committee Member Rogers moved and Committee Member Dietz seconded a motion to approve the meeting minutes as written. The motion carried unanimously among members present. 3. REPORT A. Council Liaison Update Recreation Supervisor Johnson read an update written by Council Liaison Rousseau who couldn’t attend. She wanted to correct her comments at the last meeting regarding the City’s 75th Anniversary. She previously said the anniversary year is 2025, however, it is 2026. The anniversary celebration will be part of 2026 budget discussions that happen later this year. The plan is to create a Planning Committee that will consist of 5-10 residents. She would like to encourage PTRC members to apply to join the committee, if they have interest in planning for such an event. This would also be a great opportunity for other residents to be a part of a committee even if they can’t commit to a full term on one of the existing committees or commissions. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – February 18, 2025 Page 2 Council Liaison Rousseau’s update stated that Council met with the consultant that will be creating the Park Master Plan. The consultant will bring a proposal to the March Council Meeting containing the scope of the plan and the cost. A steering committee was suggested and Council seemed interested. The consultant thought the committee could include two PTRC members, two councilmembers and 2-3 Staff members. Council Liaison Rousseau’s update stated the Council has hired Jessica Jagoe as City Administrator, who has been the Interim City Administrator since the previous City Administrator left in August of 2024. Council also approved changing two Public Works roles into Lead positions; a Utilities Lead and a Park Lead. The intent is that these Lead positions will help fill some of the service gaps. The Park Lead will work with more of the natural resource activities like Great River Greening Project. Committee Member Olson asked who the Park Lead is. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said the positions have been approved but interested Public Works employees will have to apply for the positions. Committee Member Olson asked if that was different than the position that was posted on Facebook. Recreation Supervisor Johnson confirmed. The Park and Recreation Manager position was posted. That is a different position. The Park Lead will be working with the part time seasonal employees on park maintenance items. Council Liaison Rousseau’s update stated that resident Ann Hall has been discussing a Tree Trust. Usually with these events a City will provide the difference in funding between the sale price and the discount for residents. Tree Trust is interested in providing 50 trees valued at $150- $175 for just $50. They would use other donations and grants. This event would take place sometime in June. Staff will be directed to identify a location with a fence where the event can be held. The tree species is unknown at this time. Council Liaison Rousseau’s update said she hoped to see some of the committee members at the Ice Swim event. She also said the Adopt-A-Park program received an application from the Rotary to adopt Floral Park. That has been approved. Chair Dietz said that Ann Hall had reached out to him and said she would be happy to attend a PTRC meeting to discuss the Tree Trust. It’s a non-profit organization. The main driving force is to replace Elm trees. He asked if the PTRC would like to extend that invitation for the next meeting. Committee Member Jacobson said that would be good. She asked how many trees they will provide at a discount. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said it would be 50 trees offered at $50 each. City Staff is working on the logistics as far as date and location. Committee Member Olson said it sounds like this is already happening. She didn’t think PTRC needs to approve it. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – February 18, 2025 Page 3 Chair Dietz understands from Ann Hall that she is not getting the full support of the City. The event may be put off until next year. She reported that she was told the function of the City is not to subsidize an event like this. Committee Member Olson said if the City doesn’t have to fund anything, they aren’t going to say no to the event. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said he can clarify if this is moving forward on the City’s side and determine if it makes sense for her to attend a PTRC meeting to discuss it. Committee Member Rogers said it is helpful when PTRC knows exactly what someone is looking for. The committee can offer support in other ways. Chair Dietz said she is asking that the City subsidize the event next year. Committee Member Olson said she would prefer to hold off on inviting her to speak until after the event this year. The event organizers can discuss what worked, what didn’t and may have a better idea of what is needed to have a City event the following year. Recreation Supervisor Johnson will clarify if it is happening, for sure. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Trail and Parks Projects Update Recreation Supervisor Johnson said there is a lot of information contained in the update. A lot of it has been on the list over the last year or so. He pointed out the newer items at the bottom of the list. He asked if anyone had any questions. Committee Member Olson thinks she remembers voting on the color of a shelter roof previously. She wondered if that would come through the PTRC again. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said he thinks the one on the list will be the same color for cohesion. Committee Member Olson asked about the Hamline Avenue Trail connection with Roseville/Lake Josephine. She said it states an Open House event is expected to be held in March/April. She wondered if a date has been selected. Recreation Supervisor Johnson did not have a date yet. Committee Member Jacobson asked about the Trunk Highway 51 Trail improvements. She said it’s nice to see there is an entry and anticipated construction in 2026. She asked if there were any more details. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said these are very early. It hasn’t been 100% approved. Committee Member Jacobson asked if this one is already funded. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – February 18, 2025 Page 4 Recreation Supervisor Johnson said it will be. Committee Member Jacobson asked if MNDOT is doing this work. Recreation Supervisor Johnson didn’t know for sure. Committee Member Jacobson said usually with a project like this, they wouldn’t just put in a trail. They would tie it to another road improvement project. It would be nice to know how that project will be coordinated. Committee Member Olson pointed out that the word “anticipated” means to her that it is happening. Committee Member Jacobson said she called MNDOT in the summer/fall and no one had any information. She is interested to learn more about that project because it impacts her neighborhood. It is their only access. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said these are all anticipated but none are guaranteed. Recreation Supervisor Johnson shared the presentation materials from Bolton & Menk regarding the Park Master Plan that was presented at the City Council Work Session. He said the consultant plans to return to the March Work Session with a proposal on cost. These Park Master Plans get very in depth. There are a lot of layers. It provides a glimpse to Staff and Council of what the needs of the City are. Committee Member Olson asked about the trail along Snelling, down to Royal Hills Park. She noted it states it is a private developer. She wondered if they are in negotiation with the new Senior Living Housing that is being added. Recreation Supervisor Johnson believes that is the case. That was a Council discussion. Recreation Supervisor Johnson updated that the park improvements scheduled at two parks this summer are moving forward. The equipment has been ordered and there will be a bid for the labor later next month. Committee Member Rogers asked if PTRC could see the old Park Master Plan from 2002. She is specifically curious about the trails. She wonders if that Master Plan includes the proposed trails that haven’t been built. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said the proposed trails aren’t guaranteed. They are just a map of what connections would be suitable. Committee Member Rogers said there have been presenters that make it seem like that trail map wasn’t necessarily based on the 2002 master plan. Recreation Supervisor Johnson thinks it was in there. Things were done differently then. PTRC was very involved with the process at that time. It is public information. If the committee wants to Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – February 18, 2025 Page 5 see the 2002 Park Master Plan, he can get a copy. It is an actual book. He isn’t sure if it’s available in electronic format. Committee Member Jacobson said she is in support of the Master Plan. She thinks it’s great and it will help PTRC with the work we do. She asked if Bolton & Menk is the go-to engineering consultant for Arden Hills. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said they will be for this project, but they aren’t the consultant for everything. Bolton & Menk have developed an entire department to help cities with park improvements. Committee Member Jacobson heard that some tree removal activity was happening at Freeway Park. She heard people are not happy about this. She asked if he knows any information on that project. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said some of the trees that are bad will be removed. He doesn’t think any have been removed yet. Committee Member Jacobson asked what “bad” means. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said it means diseased trees. They have been inspected and were determined to be diseased. One is a large tree with three trunks that is a hazard. Committee Member Jacobson thought there should be some communication, either on social media or in the newsletter. People are very passionate about trees. Committee Member Olson thinks that’s a great idea. She thought it might also be good to outline on the website what the different marks mean. Some are marked with pink, some are green. It would be good to know what those definitions are to help avoid confusion and to keep residents informed. Chair Dietz agreed. He said he has been asked about this, as well. It would be good for the residents to know what the color coding means. Then residents will know if a tree is being removed because of Dutch Elm Disease is one color, Emerald Ash is another and yet another distinction for dangerous trees. Residents see the marks and residents know the tree will be removed. They just don’t know why. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said he thinks the project at Freeway Park has to do with a fence line. There is a fence near the ice rink warming house and the City’s property continues behind that fence. There is a tree there. Committee Member Jacobson asked what Trail Fog Seal meant. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said that is a maintenance item. They identify the trails that need it and rotate the schedule every year. Committee Member Olson asked if that is the process where they seal the lines and place toilet paper over them. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – February 18, 2025 Page 6 Recreation Supervisor Johnson confirmed. Chair Dietz said they fill the crack and tape over the filled material. Committee Member Rogers said the things that the PTRC talks about are the things that could be included in the Master Plan. It would be helpful to have this information available for residents to find online. The PTRC has great ideas, this plan will help implement those ideas and recommendations. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said that will be priority. The City wants to grow and fill a lot of the gaps. Committee Member Jacobson said she likes that Bolton & Menk has focused on smaller communities. A color coding system may be something they have run into before and may have suggestions for implementing such a system. B. Work Group Updates Chair Dietz asked if anyone had any Work Group Updates to share. Committee Member Jacobson said there have been discussions about the landscaping at the roundabout. A lot of the neighboring residents are not happy with what is there. The County planted tall grass prairie. It doesn’t look that great. Committee Member Seemann wants to coordinate with the City to get volunteers together in June to go onto the roundabout, with traffic control in place. Her focus would be to remove the invasive species that you can see from the road and let the prairie grow. Committee Member Jacobson called the County and talked to the project engineer for the roundabout. She asked what the County would need in order to do this. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said it can take a few years for plantings like that to take hold but if there are invasive species it would be a good idea to remove them now so it will look better and allow the planting to get established. Committee Member Jacobson said this could be an educational project to see what a roundabout could look like with the tall grass prairie. Recreation Supervisor Johnson agreed explaining what is planted would help residents be patient until the planting is established. Committee Member Jacobson thinks Committee Member Seemann’s plan is solid and she has the expertise to figure out what should be there vs. what is invasive and needs to be removed. Chair Dietz said he has been out to Floral Park and Great River Greening has been doing amazing work. With their equipment, they do more in hours than we’ve been able to do in a year. He barely recognizes the park. It looks amazing. Committee Member Olson wondered if anyone is taking progression photos. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – February 18, 2025 Page 7 Recreation Supervisor thinks Great River Greening is documenting their progress. Committee Member Olson thought it would be great to share that somewhere. Recreation Supervisor Johnson thinks some residents will be very surprised when they walk in there in the spring. Committee Member Olson asked if any one is complaining. Chair Dietz didn’t know. He said there is signage and letters were sent to surrounding residents. Committee Member Jacobson asked how long they will be working there. Chair Dietz said it is three-year partnership. This is the first step. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Parks Summer Passport Committee Member Olson said she had asked Recreation Supervisor Johnson about timing on getting information included in the Summer Programs Guide. She was told it was due by February 10th. Committee Members Rogers, Acosta and Olson got together to discuss. This program will have Arden Hills residents, and residents from surrounding cities, visiting our parks. They will receive a passport and when they have visited all of the parks, they will receive a prize. The information in the Summer Programs Guide will just identify that this Park Passport Program is coming. The information is vague because they didn’t know, at the time, if there would even be prizes. Committee Member Olson said every park will have a letter or symbol. Participants will have to collect all of the letters/symbols and unscramble the letters to reveal a message. The letters will be laminated and be tucked around a playground or bench pole. Some of the parks may prove to be a little tricky for selecting a place for the letter to be installed. There will be a QR code on the letter. So if someone who isn’t participating yet find a letter, they can scan the code and it will take them to the page on our website that explains the program. Committee Member Olson said they are brainstorming to figure out a way that the passport can be completed digitally vs. residents needing to bring it to City Hall. They thought about partnering with businesses where residents could pick up their prize from the business. This idea came about because City Hall hours are limited but this idea feels kind of big for the first year. If there is a limit of 100 prizes, we wanted there to be a bigger prize. So everyone who completes the passport gets the prize and their name will be entered into a drawing for a larger prize, from a local business. Maybe that’s a bowling party or a meal at a restaurant. Anyone completing the passport after the prizes are gone, will still be eligible for the larger drawing. Chair Dietz thinks this is a great idea. He thought it may be a good idea to have extra letters for each park and have volunteers check the parks on a regular basis and replace letters that have been damaged or stolen. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – February 18, 2025 Page 8 Discussion ensued regarding how often volunteers should check the letters and good spots to place the letters at certain parks. Committee Member Olson noted that Freeway Park and Arden Oaks Park will be under construction. So they are looking for places to post the letters in easily accessible spaces where residents won’t have to approach the construction sites. Committee Member Rogers said that the next steps will be securing the prizes and getting the word out. Committee Member Olson said that the passports will be available at a couple locations, other than City Hall. Committee Member Jacobson said she thought this program would be for Arden Hills residents. It’s interesting that it’s open to anyone. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said it will help bring people into the City. Committee Member Rogers said the hope is that we will have kids, families, couples and individual adults interested in this program. Committee Member Olson said it needs to be considered that a daycare may show up with 10 kids and collect 10% of the prizes. We don’t know how many people will participate. Chair Dietz said that is a logistical challenge. Recreation Supervisor Johnson agreed. He said there are probably many residents that have never been to Ingerson Park or the new parks. Chair Dietz agreed. He thinks this is a great program. Committee Member Jacobson said this is a great idea, using limited funds. Committee Member Johnson asked if there were any leads on a sponsor. Committee Member Rogers said they are still working on that. Committee Member Acosta said she is working on establishing the landing page, figuring out the process for submitting, and what if someone gets the wrong answer. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – February 18, 2025 Page 9 Recreation Supervisor Johnson noted the end part will be the hardest. If someone brings it in, in person, that’s easy. It will be harder sifting through online answers. What if they get it wrong? What if they don’t provide contact information? Committee Member Jacobson asked what if someone submits twice. Recreation Supervisor Johnson suggested we could promote that residents place their completed passport in the drop box at City Hall, after hours. Then they would have to get their prize another day. Committee Member Rogers thinks that’s the piece where Staff input is needed. If there are too many options, it makes it more difficult to manage. Recreation Supervisor Johnson agreed. The easiest thing would be for them to come into City Hall, with the passport completed, during regular business hours to collect their prize. Committee Member Rogers said the thought is that the passport will be available to print off the website but they would have to come into City Hall to collect their prize. Recreation Supervisor Johnson agreed. He thought the first year it makes sense to make it available for print but redeeming the prize, in person, is required. Committee Member Olson also agreed. She thinks making the passport available online but not allowing it to be completed online is best. At least for the first year. She thinks about people that don’t have a printer but as long as there are some copies available at City Hall, that should be okay. Recreation Supervisor Johnson asked if there will be a version for someone to use on their phone so they just have to show the phone, rather than having a physical copy of the passport. You can do a google docs version of it, or a PDF. Committee Member Rogers said if her kids were to participate in this, they’re going to want to do it on their phones. Committee Member Acosta agreed. Committee Member Rogers clarified that if they can complete it on their phone and then show it, for their prize, that’s different than allowing people to submit their answers online. We want to avoid the potential for someone to submit online and it’s wrong. It will be easier for people to complete this on their phone. She could hand her kids a paper one and it will be lost in no time. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said he doesn’t think we need to worry about people abusing this. If someone really wants to do it twice and get two water bottles, fine. Discussion ensued regarding how an online version may work. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – February 18, 2025 Page 10 Committee Member Rogers said it would be great if we can have a way to market it. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said he will typically use other events, like the Easter Egg Hunt and Touch A Truck to promote other upcoming events. He will create a half sheet flyer and hand them out at those events so residents know what is coming. Committee Member Rogers would like to take some of the passports to distribute at surrounding communities like at the New Brighton Community Center or libraries. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said the passport could be printed in the Summer Program Guide and residents could rip the page out of the guide to use. Committee Member Olson said if the passport comes out in the March guide, no one will hang on to it until June. She was hoping to have it in the newsletter. Recreation Supervisor Johnson didn’t think an full page in the newsletter is an option. Committee Member Olson wondered if an article introducing the program may be an option. She also said this is being promoted as a Parks and Recreation program, and there is no mention of PTRC. She doesn’t know if it’s important to recognize the committee. Committee Member Rogers said it has the Parks and Recreation Logo. Committee Member Olson asked the PTRC members to state which park they are willing to monitor to ensure the letters are not damaged or stolen. Discussion ensued regarding who will monitor which parks and the placement of the letters at parks where they are unlikely to be disturbed. Committee Member Olson asked how large the letters should be. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said we don’t want it to be impossible. 6. NEXT MEETING A. Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 Recreation Supervisor Johnson said the next meeting will be on March 18th. He said he will be interviewing someone who is interested in becoming a member of the PTRC. Committee Member Olson offered that she is usually available if there is ever a need for a backup to help interview applicants. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – February 18, 2025 Page 11 Committee Member Johnson provided an update on the Ice Swim Event coming to Lake Johannah on February 22nd. She said there are 100 swimmers signed up. Former Olympian, Cody Miller will be there. There are a lot of well-known, open-water swimmers coming. It should be a fun event. There are over 500 luminaries made. Committee Member Olson asked if the event organizers received approval to open the back parking lot. Committee Member Johnson confirmed. They had plowed it once but then it snowed again. This will be cleared for the event. Committee Member Jacobson said each neighborhood on the lake has a station for the luminary. It looks like the weather is going to be good, too. Discussion ensued regarding luminary events in the past. Committee Member Rogers thinks this event is a great segway to start thinking about 2026, and a bigger event. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Committee Member Olson moved and Committee Member Johnson seconded a motion to adjourn at 7:33 pm. The motion carried unanimously among members present.