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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-25-03 PTRC Minutes - ~ ~HILLS MINUTES PARKS, TRAILS & RECREATION COMMITTEE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2003, 7:00 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Straumann called the February 25, 2003, meeting of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee to order at 7:05 p.m. Members Present: Chair Rich Straumann, Don Messerly, Bill Henry, and Jim Crassweller. Others Present: Michelle Olson, Recreation Program Supervisor; David Grant, Council Liaison; and Bonita Sullivan, Recording Secretary. Members Absent: Tom Moore, Director of Operations & Maintenance; Robert Thompson; , Steve Zilmer; and Pat Krenn. Approval of Agenda: The Agenda was approved by consensus. 2. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 28, 2003 MINUTES MOTION: Committee Member Henry motioned, seconded by Committee Member Messerly to approve the January 28, 2003 minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COUNCIL UPDATE Council Liaison Grant was not available. Ms. Olson provided the Committee with a brief Council update. .:. Council discussed removal of the elementary track program. She stated that the Mayor received several calls that were in disagreement with that decision. The Council discussed the issue and voted to reinstate the Track Program track, effective immediately. The vote was 5-0. .:. The City is presently in the recruitment process for a new City Administrator and City Accountant. She explained that the City Administrator was asked to resign . by the Council and briefly reviewed the issues with the Committee. ,- Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 2 February 25, 2003 - .:. The Committee discussed the possibility of volunteering at the track meets and discussed possible resources for a volunteer pool. They discussed the costs for the curriculum noting that Jerry Otto was responsible for initially setting up one of the best programs in the State. .:. Committee Member Messerly asked for clarification on who the City pays. Ms. Olson clarified that the City pays the coaches. She reviewed the items that are paid for from the revenue stating that volunteers are utilized throughout the program. She explained that Staff made the decision to cut the program because they felt that the district should be funding the program. Council Liaison Grant arrived at 7:40 p.m. .:. Guidant AUAR is in the final stages. .:. Council discussed a 'visioning' exercise for TCAAP that would include the Advisory Panel and the City Council. He reviewed the process with the Committee. .:. Council Liaison Grant uoted that the PTRC is preparing to approach the Community for funds to support their summer event. He suggested working with City Staff to coordinate the effort to avoid duplication. Ms. Olson explained that I they are working on a letter that will be sent out to the businesses adding that it would be followed up with a phone call. 4. PARKS AND RECREATION UPDATES Ms. Olson provided the Committee with an update on the Highway 96 project. She reviewed the following items: .:. The City is moving forward with the Highway 96 project. .:. She stated that decisions still need to be made with respect to lighting. .:. The City would need to incur the costs for additional lighting, if they decided that more lighting was desired. .:. The City needs to decide what will go in the median islands. .:. The sidewalk aloug the north side of Highway 96 is still in discussion. Ramsey County is having a difficult time justifying the costs to the State to extend the sidewalk out to the TCAAP area. She stated that they would probably receive enough funding to connect just past City Hall at Hamline. . .:. A trail will be placed on the south side of Highway 96 and she reviewed the connections with the Committee. .:. Construction should begin sometime in May. Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 3 February 25, 2003 - Committee Member Crassweller stated that the trail connection linking the south side of Arden Hills to the TCAP area is an identified project in the City's Long Term Plan. He suggested sending a recommendation to the City that the connection is completed now during the reconstruction process. He stated that this would be the ideal opportunity to expend the funds and implement a project identified iu the Long Term Plan. MOTION: Committee Member Henry motioned, Committee Member Crassweller seconded, to recommend to the City to strongly consider creating the underpass during the Hwy 96 construction. Motion carried 4-0. Committee Member Henry referenced an article in the St. Paul paper stating that it discussed the exchange of surplus property from municipality to municipality. He stated that the article mentioned that the City of Rose vi lie is selling a bridge and suggested looking into the possibility of purchasing the bridge. Ms. Olson stated that she would discuss with Mr. Moore and report back to the Committee. Ms. Olson discussed the following items with the Committee: .:. Provided the Committee with an overview of the Winter Stats Report. .:. Ice Rinks are officially closed for the season. She stated that they had a very I good season adding that she would bring the attendauce numbers to the next meeting. She stated that, at the next meeting, she would like to discuss the concept of keeping the rinks open through February 17th each year. .:. The Spring Recreation Guide will be issued next week. .:. She stated that they are getting ready for the Spring/Summer programs. She stated that if anyone knows of anyone interested in a summer job to please have them call City Hall. She stated that they have several openings and reviewed with the Committee. Committee Member Messerly stated that he would like to compliment the Valentine Park Staff for the great job they did on maintaining the rinks this season. He stated that they did a really nice job of maintaining the park throughout the season and wanted to be sure they were recognized for a job well done. 5. PARK PARTNERS PROGRAM FOR 2003 Ms. Olson stated that a list of Arden Hills businesses has been provided to each Committee Member for their review. She explained that the list is to be used as reference to begin identifying businesses that could be contacted for donations and support for the swnmer event. She suggested tabling discussion of this item to the next meeting in order to include all . Committee Members in the process. -- ------- -- .- Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 4 February 25,2003 - 6. PARK BUILDINGS Review Cummings Park Pavilion - Ms. Olson provided the Committee with an npdate on the Cummings Park Pavilion. She stated that based on the dedication fees Guidant has decided to handle the entire building of the shelter. She referenced the letter sent by Guidant and reviewed the content of the packet with the Committee. She stated that she thought they planned to use the HCM design. She explained that it is their intention to follow the Park Committee plan adding that it would include a plaque inside the shelter stating that the building was donated by Guidant. Chair Straumann suggested meeting with Guidant to discuss the build process. Ms. Olson stated that in some respects it would be out the City's hands to manage the build. Committee Member Henry clarified that Guidant is donating the funds to build the shelter adding that they would need to follow the guidelines outlined by the City. Ms. Olson stated that she has had discussions with Aaron Parrish who has had discussions with Guidant and they confirmed that it is their intent to follow the City guidelines. Mr. Crassweller suggested that the committee meet with Guidant to review the process, the materials and the design of the building. She reviewed the park dedication fee process with the Committee noting that they are trying to work with Guidant on the outstanding issues. She stated that Mr. Moore would be meeting with Aaron and Guidant to work through the particulars. Mr. Crassweller suggested inviting Guidant to the next Park meeting to discuss the plans for Cummings Park. Ms. Olson stated that she would e speak with Tom Moore and Aaron Parrish regarding this issue and report back to the committee. MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller moved, Committee Member Henry seconded that no final approval for construction of any shelter at Cummings Park begins without the Park Committee review. Motion carried 4-0 Committee Member Crassweller suggested that the Committee prioritize all items that need to be done. He expressed concerns regarding the underpass. He stated that they should do whatever they can to push for the development of the underpass. He stated that the Committee wants to go on record stating to City Council that they should make these connections. He stated that this is a very critical issue and that installing the underpass during the development along Highway 96 would be the perfect opportunity to complete a trail connection. Committee Member Henry agreed stating that they should let the Council know how strongly the Committee feels about the underpass development. Ms. Olson stated that this would be an agenda item for the next City Council meeting and suggested that the Parks Committee attend the next City Council meeting to voice their concerns. The Committee agreed by consensus to attend the next Council meeting to discuss the underpass Issue. Committee Member Messerly asked what happened to the list of priorities they developed. He reviewed the Park Committee list of priorities that were submitted to the Council for 2003 and . asked if the list was still valid. Committee Member Crassweller clarified that the list definitely included trail connections as a priority. ---" Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 5 February 25, 2003 - Committee Member Henry asked that a list of priorities and all projects be provided to the Committee prior to the next meeting for their review, He stated that having copies ahead ofthe meeting allows them to be better prepared for discussions. Review Perry Park - Chair Straumann stated that he and Mr. Moore would discuss what they should have on the agenda for HCM. He suggested tabling this discussion until Mr. Moore was in attendance. 7. 2003 BUDGET A. 2003 CIP IMPROVEMENTS .:. Perry Park Softball Field Improvements for ADA Ms. Olson reviewed the Governor's budget proposal with the Committee noting that they will not receive any State Aid. She stated that the City is presently in the planning process trying to determine how to best handle the changes. She stated that they would probably freeze all capital improvements in the budget noting that the Perry Park Softball Field Improvemeuts is still funded and have been given the ok to proceed. .:. Play Structure at Royal Hills e Ms. Olson stated that Tom Moore discussed with City Council at the last workshop, funding for the play structure at Royal Hills Park. She stated that it sounded as if they preferred taking the funds directly from the General Fund and move the funds from the Park Fund at a later time. She stated that Mr. Moore would provide an update at the next meeting. She stated that the Council is in favor of transferring the dollars from the Parks Fuud noting that with the changes at the State level they probably will have to take the funds from the Park Fund to cover the cost of the structure. B. Non CIP Improvements Ms. Olson reviewed the list with the Committee and asked if they had any other items to add to the list. Chair Straumann suggested tabling this discussion until Mr. Moore could be in attendance. Committee Member Henry asked for a list of their priorities and projects to review before the next meeting. Ms. Olson stated that she would provide the Committee with a list of items prior to the next meeting. C. Anv Other Items for 2003 Park Fund Chair Straumann suggested tabling this discussion until Mr. Moore was in attendance. - Arden Hills Parks) Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 6 February 25, 2003 - 8. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION None at this time. 9. ADJORNMENT MOTION: Motion by consensus to adjourn the meting at 8:35 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Bonita Sullivan Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. e .