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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-20-03 PTRC Minutes . ~ ~HILLS ARDEN HILLS MINUTES PARKS, TRAILS, AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2003, 7:00 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Straumann called the May 20, 2003 meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. Members Present: Chair Rich Straumann, Committee Members, Jim Crassweller, Bill Henry, Don Messerly, and Roberta Thompson. Others Present: Tom Moore, Director Parks and Recreation; Michelle Olson, e Recreation Supervisor; and Bonita Sullivan, Recording Secretary. Members Absent: Committee Members Steve Zilmer and Joanie Werner; Council Liaison David Grant. Approval of Agenda: The Agenda was approved by consensus. 2. APPROVAL OF APRIL 22. 2003 MINUTES MOTION: Committee Member Henry motioned, seconded by Committee Member Crassweller to approve the April 22, 2003 minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COUNCIL UPDATE Council Liaison Grant was not present. 4. PARKS AND RECREATION UPDATES Tom Moore - Park Update Mr. Moore provided the Committee with an update on the Park activities. He reviewed the following items: . . City Hall has been seeded. Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 2 May 20, 2003 . . Completed grass burns and reviewed areas with the Committee. . Study for the County Road E Bridge along Snelling has begun. He explained that the purpose of the study is to determine if the bridge can support a sidewalk on either side or both sides of the bridge. He explained that the study would be funded through State aid not the PTRC or the City. Hereviewed the options with the Committee noting that the best scenario and the quickest way to get it completed would be to have significant support for a sidewalk. He noted that there is an opportunity to speed the progress of the project if the City pays up front and is reimbursed by the State at the end ofthe project. . He stated that a development is going up in the vacant lot located on the comer of Cleveland and County Road E2. He explained that part of the development would include a paved, bituminous sidewalk along County Road E2 and a sidewalk trail along southbound Cleveland. He stated that they are trying to connect with the diagonal trail noting that this project would be completed this year. . He stated that the trail underpass should be competed in July 2003. He explained that this project is timed to occur at the same time as the reconstruction of Lift Station 2. He reviewed the plan stating that the intent is to improve the trail in that area with wood chips or class 5 and to connect the trail with the underpass. e He stated that this project would be completed this year. . He stated that as a part of the Ingerson Pavement Management Program, they would be closing off a section of Hamilton and turning it into a trail. He explained that the trail would lead up to MSI and Crepeau Park. . He stated that negotiations are in process with Northwestern College to extend the trai1. He explained that Northwestern College would supply the funding and that the City would supply the materials. He further explained that the City would be responsible for year-round maintenance of the trail. . He stated that the land along Hamline Avenue and 51, currently owned by the Sunday's, is being donated to the City of Arden Hills. He stated that the City plans to change the area over to a designated wetland and reviewed the area with the Committee. . He stated that they currently have two Eagle Scout projects scheduled. He stated that the projects include installation of seventeen additional park benches along the trails and planting of perennials at Royal Hills Park, the hill facing north Snelling. He noted that two boy scouts have already worked to plant tulips and some of the perennials. . . He stated that the existing play structure at Royal Hills would be taken down this week. He stated that the new structure would be delivered next week with an Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Miuutes 3 May 20, 2003 . installation planned within two weeks after delivery. He stated that Royal Hills Park would be receiving significant improvements that would include flowers, baseball fieldwork, and the basketball court. . Friends of the Park have completed the planting of several gardens. . He thanked everyone for their help with the flower gardens. He stated that he has driven by all of the gardens noting that all of them look really nice. He explained that they plan to do additional gardens around the signs and trails once the existing has been turned over to perennials. Tom Moore - Recreation Update Mr. Moore provided the Committee with an update on the Recreation activities. He reviewed the following items: . He reviewed the spring season activities with the Committee noting that they are down by three teams in the Adult Softball Leagues. He reviewed the registration with the Committee. . The Engineer has started to lay the groundwork for improvements at Perry Park for ADA compliance. e . The City installed an ADA certified and inspected wheel chair ramp in Floral Park last week. He explained that the Floral Park neighborhood has a high number of wheel chair bound residents noting that they did not have access to the park. He stated that they have received very positive feedback from several Residents. . He reviewed the Highway 96 Project stating that the project has not been approved yet. He explained that if the project is approved it would be done in two stages and reviewed the proposed plan with the Committee. . The banners have been ordered and would be delivered and installed within the next week. The Committee held a general discussion regarding current park and recreation activities, ongoing and planned park maintenance, projects in progress and communication of activities to the residents. The following are items discussed: . Committee Member Thompson suggested including an article, at season end, in the Parks and Recreation Newsletter that would provide the residents with a review ofthe Parks and Recreation projects that were completed for the year. . Committee Member Messerly noted that the fields at Perry Park are still very wet. . Mr. Moore agreed noting that they have not been able to mow Valentine Park because the fields are too wet. Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meetiug Minutes 4 May 20, 2003 . . Committee Member Henry asked for an update on the birdhouses. Mr. Moore reviewed stating that in the last three years they have put up approximately 325 habitat houses. He reviewed the locations noting that they would be installing six on City Hall property this year. 6. PARK COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PRIORITIES - FOLLOWUP FROM COUNCIL WORK SESSION Committee Member Henry reviewed the workshop and suggested placing their priorities into three categories: . Extra Large Projects - Items and Projects that would require collaboration to initiate and City Council approval. . Large Projects - Items or Projects that would include buildings and parks, paid from the Park Fund. . Medium Projects - Items or Projects that would include park signage, new trails; paid from the $50,000 available from City funding. e Committee Member Henry suggested developing a list of items, that includes all Park and Recreation issues and projects, incorporate each item/project into the appropriate category and prioritize within each category. Committee Member Crassweller clarified that what they would be providing to Council are the items and projects that should be completed. Mr. Moore confirmed and reviewed with the Committee. The Committee agreed by consensus and after considerable discussion the following list of priorities, within each category was established: Extra Large Projects: . Bridge over 35W. . Bridge over 51. . Library Area Trail-connect a trail from the upper park area that would cross the marsh to the new library. The connection would ease foot traffic along County Road E. . Bridge over Hwy 10, a south route from Royal Hills Park. . . Trail along old Snelling Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Miuutes 5 May 20, 2003 . . Widen RR underpass Committee Member Thompson clarified Committee Member Henry's suggestion to incorporate the sidewalk as part of the proposed plan and present the plan to the neighbors for their input and feedback. He agreed. Large Projects: . Perry Park Building - high priority . Hazelnut Park Building . Floral Park - Small building or warming house . Valentine Park - Small Building . Walking trail along County Road F and Valentine Lake Road connecting to Mounds View High Schoo1. Medium Projects: e . Buck Thorn Removal along all trails and in all parks. . Establishment of water within Valentine Park (Cummings & Perry are only parks that have water.) . Picnic Shelters . Paved trail maintenance and seal-coating General Committee Discussion: . Mr. Moore stated that Freeway Park is not utilized enough and suggested removing it from the list. Ms. Olson agreed and suggested a seasonal trailer. . Ms. Olson agreed and suggested a seasonal trailer. She stated that there has been discussion regarding shelters at the various parks and reviewed the discussions with the Committee. She stated that several options are being considered noting that a decision has not been made yet. . Mr. Moore referenced access points to Ingerson Park stating that he is trying to negotiate two access points into the park and reviewed the status with the Committee. He explained that there are two City streets that lead up to the park, Lake Lane and . Shoreline Lane. He reviewed the project stating that the plan is to extend the roads as a formal, paved street, coming out at the lower level of Ingerson Park, which would create a path into the trees. He stated that this would provide access from the Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 6 May 20, 2003 . Edgewater neighborhood. He is also currently working with a resident in the Ingerson neighborhood who has large fencing around the area noting that they are negotiating a possible access point from that area of the park. . Mr. Moore stated that if they want Valentine Park fixed as a year round park, with normal drainage, that this would classify it as a large proj ect. He reviewed the process with the Committee stating that it would be very simple to supply indoor water and plumbing to the warming house. Committee Member Thompson asked if this is what the area Residents want. Committee Member Crassweller stated that this is one of the most used parks in the area adding that it would make sense to include water and plumbing as part of the project. . Committee Member Henry referenced the railroad bridge over Interstate 694 stating that it could, at some point, be a trail over Interstate 35W. He stated that this could add support to the argument for adding an additional trail connection in the area. Mr. Moore explained that there are sewer easement issues and reviewed with the Committee. He explained that the two companies involved are not willing to give the City an easement. He further explained that the companies do not want people coming through the area during business hours. . The Committee held general discussion around the improvement of Lake Johanna Boulevard to bring it up to normal street conditions. Mr. Moore explained that the e chances of funding for improvement of Lake Johanna Boulevard, with the addition trails is very slim to no chance. He stated that there would not be any additional trails other than what has already been negotiated with Guidant. . Committee Member Henry asked how much it would cost to become fully ADA i compliant at all parks. Mr. Moore explained that the cost would be considerable and ! reviewed what would need to be done with the Committee. . Committee Member Henry asked if ADA should be included in the list for Large Projects or would it be a part of the City's General Fund. Mr. Moore stated that ADA could be a part of the General Fund. He explained that the project would be spread out over time and reviewed the process with the Committee. . Mr. Moore asked the Committee how they would like him to respond if the Council, at the next work session, offers $50,000.00 if the PTRC matches. The Committee agreed by consensus that they do not want Mr. Moore to commit to any thing without the Committee being present for discussion with the Council. They agreed that the want to be present and provide their input before any response is given to Council regarding a matching of funds. Mr. Moore stated that he would request time on the June Council Work Session agenda to include the PTRC. He stated that the June Council Work session would be the third Monday in June adding that it would be a good time to present the recommended PTRC Project Priorities. . --- ----.---.- Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meetiug Minutes 7 May 20, 2003 . MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller motioned, Committee Member Thompson seconded, to Approve the Recommendation that the PTRC spend the entire Park Fund on Large Projects, to be allocated over the next two years, beginning in 2004. Motion carried unanimously. 7. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Ms. Olson asked if the PTRC would be interested in a booth at the Beach Barbecue. I Committee Member Thompson suggested volunteering for various activities versus the booth. Committee Member Henry suggested a booth that would include information on the Parks, Recreation and Park Improvement projects. The Committee agreed by consensus to volunteer a PTRC booth for the Beach Barbecue Event. Ms. Olson stated that the time frame would be from 3:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 8. NEXT MEETING AGENDA Review June Council Work Session. 9. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Committee Member Thompson motioned, Committee Member Henry seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Motion carried e unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Bonita Sullivan Timesaver Off SUe Secretarial, Inc. . -