HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-24-03 PTRC Minutes
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ARDEN HILLS
MINUTES
PARKS, TRAILS, AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2003, 7:00 P.M.
ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL
1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Chair Straumarm called the June 24, 2003 meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation
Committee to order at 7:07 p.m.
Members Present: Chair Rich Straumann, Committee Members Bill Henry, Roberta
Thompson, and Steve Zilmer.
Others Present: Tom Moore, Director Parks and Recreation; David Grant, Council
e Liaison (arrived 7:15 p.m.); and Heidi Guenther, Recording Secretary.
Committee Members Jim Crassweller, Don Messerly, and Joanie
Members Absent:
Werner.
Approval of Agenda: The Agenda was approved by consensus.
2. APPROVAL OF MAY 20. 2003 MINUTES
MOTION: Committee Member Henry motioned, seconded by Committee Member
Thompson to approve the May 20, 2003 minutes as amended on Page 2,
5th bullet point, changing Hamilton to Hamline and Page 4, changing
workshop to worksheet under Item 6. The motion carried unanimously.
3. COUNCIL UPDATE
Mr. Moore noted he was present at a meeting on June 23, 2003 and he reviewed the
discussion of the evening with the Committee. Chair Straumann reviewed his
presentation to Council with regard to new trails and possible new trails for 2003.
Committee Member Henry indicated the Committee Members reviewed the fact the
Committee would like to spend all of the parks budget in the next two years. He
explained the Mayor was against this at the time but suggested spending all but $50,000-
. $75,000.
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Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 2
June 24, 2003
. Mr. Moore stated he received a call from the Mayor today thanking the Committee
Members for their presentation and update on the City trails.
Council Liaison Grant updated the Committee on arbitration due to water issues with the
new City Hall. He noted the school district was requesting $1.2 million for the Ramsey
County Maintenance Facility. Council Liaison Grant indicated there are some issues
with this at this time and noted he would report back to the Committee at the next
meeting.
Council Liaison Grant noted the Council continues to interview and narrow down
candidates for the new City Administrator.
Council Liaison Grant indicated Ingerson Road was approved and was now out for bid.
He stated the assessment roles are beginning to be paid. He noted the Council authorized
upgrades of lift stations #2 and #5. Council Liaison Grant indicated they were estimated
at $200,000 each but were combined with a bid of $280,000 for both. He noted lift
station #7 was having issues and may need work later this summer. Council Liaison
Grant reported the monitoring of the lift stations was going to be reviewed to become
more efficient.
Mr. Moore asked the Committee members if they would like to "man" a tent for the
festival this weekend. The Committee members indicated they were not available to
e "man" the tent. Mr. Moore stated all set up and take down plans are set for the event
along with signage for directing traffic for the event.
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:
. He noted Michelle has had an outstanding response to the outdoor summer
playground programs. He noted additional staff has been hired with staff and
children being shifted to fill up the parks around the community. He indicated a
survey would be completed at the end of the session to gain feedback from those
involved.
. He stated he just completed a punch list on each individual park with a trail punch
list to be completed shortly to keep staff informed of upcoming proj ects and
routine maintenance.
. He stated the City has been approached for several Eagle Scout projects for the
City. He noted they would probably take place this fall.
. . He stated he met with Kraus Anderson and architects with Guidant to review the
Cummings Park proposed shelter and noted they would like to start yet this year.
Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 3
June 24, 2003
. He noted Guidant has worked with HCM to create these plans as suggested by the
Committee and would resemble the building in the Tony Schmidt Park. He
indicated the architect with Guidant and Kraus Anderson has been stressed as to
the importance of matching the building in Tony Schmidt Park. He explained
staff is looking at irrigated the large soccer field with controls in the shelter. He
noted the hockey rink would be lost at the park with a pleasure rink replacing it.
The Committee agreed to have the shelter roof a forest green color for Cummings
Park. Committee Member Thompson indicated she was really pleased with this
shelter and noted the residents would really use this facility. He noted a new trail
would be going to Cummings Park.
. He indicated bids are being taken to transport the existing warming house to
Hazelnut Park for their warming house. He noted he would report back to the
Committee after bids have come in to see if this is an option. He stated the
building is located in the park per the master plan.
. Council Liaison Grant indicated a 403b could be set up to gain donations for
future park projects for the City. The Committee noted this was a great suggestion
to get the public involved with the Partners in the Park for the City of Arden Hills.
. He noted the E2 trail has been wood chipped with an additional trail entrance
along County Highway 10.
e Tom Moore - Trail Update
Mr. Moore provided the Committee with an update on the trail system. He reviewed the
following items:
. He reviewed the trail update with the Committee.
. He noted Bethel College has applied to put up a pedestrian light at the intersection
going to their women's softball complex.
6. PARK COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PRIORITIES - FOLLOWUP FROM
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Committee Member Henry asked if redoing the County Road E bridge was feasible. Mr.
Moore indicated there was funding available with over half coming from other federal
agencies and the other half of the money coming from the City. He noted the trail project
should be a $40,000-50,000 project for the City.
Mr. Moore explained there were beams under the County Road E bridge to support a
sidewalk. He noted this should be an "easy" project as the main components were
already present to handle the pedestrian traffic. He stated to the west of the bridge the
roadway would be narrowed to accommodate the trail, which may require some property
. right of way.
Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 4
June 24, 2003
. General Discussion:
. Committee Member Thompson asked how the City could get involved to not allow
the speed limit to change County Road E as it did on Old Highway 10. Council
Member Grant indicated this would be handled by the County and noted speed
measurements would be taken to address this issue.
. Council Member Grant noted the County Road E2 bridge is now being looked at by
the State level to address the safety factors at this intersection.
. Chair Straumann indicated he would like to see Valentine Park moved up on the
priority list. Mr. Moore stated he would like to see just one project taken on for 2004
being Perry Park.
. Committee Member Henry asked if the railroad underpass by Bethel was under
discussion at this time. Council Member Grant indicated the wooden bridge by Perry
Park was first on their list, but was about five years out. He noted the underpass by
Bethel is not up for discussion at this time. Committee Member Henry suggested
digging out dirt to provide safe passage near this underpass. Mr. Moore stated he
would investigate this suggestion.
e . Chair Straumann suggested having an engineer begin looking at the Valentine Park
building. Mr. Moore indicated he would begin this process.
. Chair Straumann noted if the building were transferred to Hazelnut, it would solve the
problem at this park for a short number of years.
. Committee Henry explained he would like to see the new play structure at Valentine
Park be pushed back to make sure the park design is set before the investment is made
in this new structure.
. Committee Member Henry asked if the buckthorn removal project could be used for
the Eagle Scouts. Mr. Moore stated this could be investigated, but may be a fall
project.
. Council Member Grant indicated several newly planted trees on the Bethel College
campus were dying and should be replaced while still under warranty. Mr. Moore
stated he would speak with their groundskeeper to address this.
. Chair Straumann noted the water at Valentine Park could be addressed within the
next two years. Mr. Moore stated this was the case if a building was completed.
. Committee Member Henry asked if Arden Hills should undertake a project such as
. the Heritage Trail in Roseville. He stated he would like to see 20-30 areas within the
City be highlighted to provide a sense of community.
Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Miuutes 5
June 24, 2003
. . Committee Member Henry reiterated that the three main priorities for 2004 are Perry
Park, a trail along County Road 51 and County Road E and Valentine Park
equipment. Mr. Moore stated that as the current budget is for 2004, the budgeted
projects leave only $100,000 for additional proJeds in said year.
7. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
None.
8. NEXT MEETING AGENDA
Review Tuesday, July 22, 2003, Dinner Meeting (6:00 p.m.).
9. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Committee Member Thompson motioned, seconded by Committee
Member Zilmer, to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
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Heidi Guenther
Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.
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