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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-25-04 PTRC Minutes ~ e ~~ILLS ARDEN HILLS MINUTES PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2004 7:00 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Henry called the May 25,2004 meeting of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Bill Henry, Committee Members Jim Crassweller, Don Messerly, Rich Straumann, Joani Werner and Steve Zilmer. OTHERS PRESENT: Tom Moore, Director Parks and Recreation; Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Supervisor; Brenda Holden, City Council Liaison; and Bonita Sullivan, Recording Secretary. MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Committee Member Roberta Thompson. . APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda was approved by consensus. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES . Approve April 27, 2004 Minutes Committee Member Messerly referenced page two, first paragraph and asked for clarification of the punch list. Ms. Olson clarified that a punch list is similar to a 'to do' list for items that remain to be completed in a project. She reviewed noting that they are getting closer to resolving all of the punch list items for the project. Chair Henry referenced page 3, 7'h bullet item, last statement referencing the approved costs as $247,000 and clarified that the number was considerably less. Mr. Moore confirmed stating that the entire cost ofthe study would not be more than $35,000. Council Liaison Holden referenced page 2, Council Member Update, 7th bullet item, noting that she does not remember discussing any project approvals for the TCAAP area and requested that this item be removed from the update. - Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Conunittee Meetiug Minutes May 25, 2004 Page 2 of? e Chair Henry referenced page 5, Item 5, Trail Connections references that the project is two years down the road and asked if the timeframe referenced is correct. Mr. Moore stated that this is in reference to the County Road E project. He stated that he would review and correct the time frame. MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller motioned, seconded by Committee Member Messerly to approve the April 27, 2004 minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously. COUNCIL UPDATE Council Liaison Holden provided the Committee with the following update: . City Council approved the 'No Parking' on Cummings Park Drive . Advertisement for bids has been approved and started for the PMP project. . City Council met with CRR and the Developers to discuss roles, responsibilities and answer questions regarding involvement in TCAAP. . National Guard has stated that they want to begin fencing around the TCAAP area, specifically the Arden Hills Army Training site. She reviewed with the Committee noting . that they could begin as early as June. She stated that the fence would be 6-feet in height with barbed wire around the top. She noted that there would be four 3-foot by 2-foot areas, along the wall, for small animals to go through and reviewed with the Committee. She stated that the DNR was present and seemed to be happy with the plans. She stated that the project would begin soon as the fence has to be up and completed by this fall. . Council held a discussion regarding the County Road E bridge and trail connections. She stated that Council reviewed alternatives for the placement of the trail connection. . Celebrate Arden Hills presentation . The new Community Services Director, Scott Clark, begins his new position with the City on May 26, 2004. 4. PARKS AND RECREATION UPDATES Tom Moore - Parks and Trails Update Mr. Moore provided the Committee with an update on the Park activities. He reviewed the following items: A. PerrY Park . Bidding process for the project has begun. . Bid Opening for the project is scheduled for Wednesday, June 9, 2004. e . Staff will review the boring results submitted by the Engineering firm tomorrow, May 26, 2004. Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meetiug Minutes May 25,2004 Page 3 of? e Will provide the Committee with an update on the results at the next meeting. . B. Cummings Park . The City will take possession of the building on June 1,2004. . The inside work on the building is basically complete and they are in the process of pulling telephone wire. . Plan to hydro seed around the building and reviewed the areas with the Committee. . Installation of the ADA trail is completed. Chair Henry asked what the plans are for the Grand Opening. Mr. Moore stated that once the City takes possession of building that he plans to meet with the City Administrator to determine the timeframe for the Grand Opening. He stated that it would include the City Council, the PTRC, Neighborhood Groups, Guidant and Residents. He stated that it is their hope to hold the Grand Opening sometime in June. C. County Road E/Bridge & Trail . Project has been pushed back to 2005. . Staff is hoping to be able to get the bids out by the OctoberlNovemberlDecember . timeframe. . Trail placement is a key issue. Noted that they are exploring two potential options: street/boulevard/sidewalk or street/trail/yard. He reviewed the options with the Committee noting that they might have to place a trailblock with the second option due to the acceptance of State Aid funding. He explained that there are issues with the setbacks stating that they need space to place regulatory signage. He reviewed the concerns and requirements with the Committee noting that it is very similar to the right-of-way along Lexington Avenue. Chair Henry stated that placing a boulevard between the trail and the street would be the best and safest option. The Committee and Mr. Moore agreed stating that they have to balance the trails with the needs of the residents living in the area. Mr. Moore stated that it would probably be the street/boulevard/trail option noting that they are waiting on MnDOT's determination regarding the width of the boulevard. He explained that from a City perspective, they want to have as little impact on the residents as possible, while still having a safe, productive trail. He stated that he has also had discussions regarding the trail with the residents located on the non-trail side noting that they were very positive about the trail. He stated that from an overall perspective, Citywide, it is a popular issue and the City should be sensitive to the residents living along that strip. e Chair Henry expressed concerns stating that it would be a mistake if they built a trail that is sub- optimal in order to keep a few happy. He noted that this would affect everyone who lives in the Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Miuutes May 25, 2004 Page 4 of? e Community of Arden Hills. Mr. Moore assured the Committee that there would be further discussion before any final decisions are made. Chair Henry asked if the City runs any risks with State and County funding if they wait until 2005. Mr. Moore assured the Committee that from a State Aid financial perspective there would not be any concerns as the City received an annual allotment from the State. He noted that the City receives approximately $250,000 a year from the State and is utilized to fund projects such as the Ingerson Park project and reviewed with the Committee. He indicated that, in view ofthe legislative actions taken this year, they do not anticipate a need for additional dollars for the current year, as the fund balance is healthy adding that there would not be levy limits on Cities for this next year and reviewed. Council Liaison Holden clarified that the Council has only been discussing the bridge itself and the area west of bridge. She noted the grade drop and asked what the plan would be for that area. Mr. Moore explained that from a Staff perspective, this area is included and considered to be a part ofthe bridgework. He reviewed the area included in the bridgework with the Committee. Council Liaison Holden asked how wide the trail would be. Mr. Moore stated that the width would correspond to all existing trail segments and reviewed. . Committee Member Crassweller expressed his agreement with Chair Henry stating that he would like to see some type of boulevard between the street and the trail. He suggested that the Committee make a motion recommending this option to City Council for consideration. MOTION: Motion by Committee Member Crassweller, second by Committee Member Messerly, to recommend to City Council that they include a boulevard between the street and the trail to extend from the Bridge to Snelling A venue. Motion carried unanimously. D. Old Highwav 10 Railroad Bridge . URS and the City Engineers have received the bridge specifications from Canadian Pacific. . Currently reviewing, have not seen the reports yet. . Initial report of the bridge and its' condition is currently rated at a minus-l for use and safety and reviewed with the Committee. . He expressed concerns adding that they would continue to pursue and bring the results of the study back to the PTRC and Council for their review. . He stated that it is a three-part study and reviewed the process with the Committee. He explained that the first component of the study is to determine the possibilities noting that they would move forward with the second and third part of the study based on the results e of the first component. Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes May 25, 2004 Page 5 of7 e E. Flower Garden Mr. Moore thanked everyone for the participation in planting the flower gardens. He stated that they had 47 people participate in the planting noting that this is a very good number of volunteers. He stated that the O&M staff planted Cummings Park and the Seasonal Kids planted Perry Park. He noted that all perennials are now planted. Chair Henry stated that he really enjoyed the planting project as it provided him with an opportunity to meet new people from the Community. He stated that this was a very important and significant 'community' building event. He suggested incorporating an annual spring and fall project that would continue to provide this type of community building effort. Mr. Moore and the Committee agreed that they should explore this further. Mr. Moore noted that they still have a couple of spots planned for next year and suggested including as possible community events. Committee Member Wemer suggested considering a park cleanup event and reviewed with the Committee. Committee Member Messerly agreed noting that the City did hold a similar event one year and had a huge turnout. Committee Member Wemer stated that she has a list of ideas that she used on other Committees noting that she would provide copies to the Committee for further discussion. . Chair Henry asked if there is an update on Tony Schmidt. Mr. Moore stated that they have not heard from Ramsey County yet. He stated that the deadline is June 15, 2004 noting that the County still has some time before having to respond. He stated that they are very hopeful that the City would receive the DNR grant and reviewed with the Committee. Committee Member Zilmer asked if the repairs were completed at Crepeau Park. Mr. Moore stated that the repairs have been completed noting that the bridge was redone and balanced. He stated that the repairs were completed internally noting that they also fixed the dam and created a pond south of the bridge as a new habitat for the ducks. Michelle Olson - Recreation Update Ms. Olson provided the Committee with following update: . Stated that they are presently gearing up for summer programs noting that the Park Schedule is available at City Hall and on the City Website. . Celebrating Arden Hills is currently their biggest focus. The event is scheduled for June 26,2004 from 3:00 p.m. to dusk at Tony Schmidt Regional Park. . There will be a combined PTRCICity booth adding that the City Council, Staff and PTRC would share shifts at the booth. She suggested that the Committee Members contact Mr. e Moore to let him know when they would be available and for what events. -- Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes May 25, 2004 Page 6 of? e She provided each Committee Member with tickets for 5 adult and 5 children to sell . noting that they could contact her if they need more tickets. She asked that all money for sold tickets and unsold tickets be turned in one week prior to the event. Would like them sold or returned a week before event. . She noted that a raffle would be included with the Dinner ticket stating that the pre-sale price would be $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children. She stated that if they wait until after pre-sale to purchase a ticket the prices would go up to $10.00 for an adult and $6.00 for children. . She reviewed the dinner menu and beverage limit with the Committee noting that each person would receive beverage tickets at the time they turn in their dinner ticket. . Drawing for the raffle will be held at 8:00 p.m. noting that holders do not have to be present to win. She noted that the prizes have not been determined yet adding that they would be looking for donations from the various local businesses. . Colorful posters for the celebration, that outlines the various events, will be distributed throughout the City of Arden Hills. She stated that it would be helpful if some of the Committee Members could volunteer to help handout the posters with the tickets. She noted that Committee Member Messerly has volunteered to help work with some of the local businesses to post at their respective business sites. Committee Member Werner stated that she would post a few at their upcoming neighborhood garage sale. The Committee decided to divide the area and work with the local businesses to distribute and . post the posters for the event. . Committee Member Messerly noted that most businesses have a 'no posting' policy and suggested that they only talk with the manager of the business regarding the posters. He suggested returning to the business at a later time if the manager is not available. . 5. OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Chair Henry asked what the next step is for County Road E. Mr. Moore stated that once they receive determination from MnDOT it would then go back to Council for further discussion at the June work session. Chair Henry asked if they are still discussing the possibility of a dog park at Lindey's. Mr. Moore stated that he has not spoken to the Council on this issue yet. He explained that he has prioritized and is working one issue at a time. He further explained that he would like to get the County Road E issues resolved first and then review the dog park at Lindey's. He stated that he has received several calls from residents in support ofthe dog park and agreed that something should be established noting that they are not sure where the location would be just yet. Chair Henry referenced an article in the paper regarding Medtronic's effort for tax relief on the proposed building to be built on the northwest comer of Highways 35W and 694. He stated that if New Brighton decides to build, this could be a good time to also discuss the bridge. Mr. e Moore agreed noting that the County should be aware of it, as it is a regional trail connection. He stated that he would update Mack. Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes May 25,2004 Page 7 of? e Council Liaison Holden stated that the City Council has been in discussion regarding the Shoreview and New Brighton 501c3 Fund process. She stated that they would like to setup their own 501c3 funding process and reviewed with the Committee. Chair Henry agreed that this would be a very good idea noting that Committee Member Thompson has mentioned this over a year ago and reviewed with the Committee. He noted that there are probably a number of people who would be interested in contributing to the fund. Mr. Moore stated that he has had discussions with the City Administrator and have been in contact with surrounding Cities to determine how other City Administrators have approached it. He stated that they found that the best way to approach it is to have a foundation run the funding process with no City participation in the fund. Mr. Moore asked the Committee if they would like to explore the options further. The Committee agreed. Mr. Moore stated that the Joint PTRClPlanning Commission/City Council barbecue is scheduled for Tuesday, July 27,2004. He stated that the regular PTRC meeting would go ahead, as scheduled, at 7:00 p.m. He explained that their first goal is to develop relationships and a framework as to how the Committee and Commission can work together. He referenced the Gateway entrance signs to the City noting that this would be a focus for a joint project for the Committee/Commission to work on together as a joint accomplishment. He stated that this . would be a good process for developing good working relationships with each. He noted that the barbecue would also include Ramsey County and the National Guard. NEXT MEETING AGENDA . Foundation Fund . County Road E . Tony Schmidt Regional Park . Association Field Use . Trail Priority Update . Perry Park . Old Bridge 7. ADJOURNMENT Committee Member Crassweller motioned and Committee Member Messerly seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Bonita Sullivan e TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.