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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-05 PTRC Minutes . ~ ~ . ~HILLS ~ ARDEN HILLS MINUTES PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2005 7:00 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 1. WELCOME NEW MEMBER Chair Henry noted newly appointed member to the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Roger Williams would be arriving later. 2. CALL TO ORDER Chair Henry called the February 15,2005 meetiICg of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee to order at 7:02 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Bill Henry, Committee Members Lanny Baumann, Jim Crassweller, David McClung, Rich Straumann, Joani Werner, Roger Williams (arrived late), Steve Zilmer. . OTHERS PRESENT: Tom Moore, Director Parks and Recreation; Michelle Olson, Recreation Program Supervisor; Gregg Larson, City Council Liaison; and Nancy Czajkowski, Recording Secretary. MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Committee Member Derrek Hames. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda was approved by consensus. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES . Approve January 25,2005. Chair Henry had the following correction: . Page 3, Council Update, sixth bullet, first sentence reads: 'Arden Hills and neighboring cities are working together with MnDOT on the improvements for the Interstate 694/35W and Diagonal Road intersection. . Should read: IIEarthlAdminlCommitteeslParks Trails and Recreation CommitteelMinutesI2005102-15-05 Minutes.doc February 15, 2005 Page 2 of9 . 'Arden Hills and neighboring cities are working together with MnDOT on the improvements for the Interstate 694/35W and Highway 10 intersection' . . Page 5, fourth paragraph, reads: 'Chair Hem:,r suggested considering a larger garden area and suggested 96th and Lexington as potential location. ' Should read: 'Chair Henry suggested considering other locations and suggested 96th and Lexington as potential location' . Committee Member McClung had the following correction to the minutes: . Page 3, last bullet, the first sentence reads: 'Pavement Management is working on plans for County Road E, Highway 61 and the Industrial Park areas.' Should read: . 'Pavement Management is working on plans for County Road E, Highway 51 and the Industrial Park areas.' MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller moved, seconded by Committee Member Straumann to approve the January 25,2005 minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously. 4. GUEST SPEAKER: MR. GREG MACK, RAMSEY COUNTY PARKS DIRECTOR Chair Henry welcomed Mr. Greg Mack, Ramsey County Parks Director, to the meeting. Mr. Mack provided the Commission with an overview on the County's interest in Arden Hill projects. A. TONY SCHMmT PARK TRAIL . Major arterial route runs north and south from Lake Joharma to County Road F. . Mutual benefit to have an underpass for the Sioux Line Railroad. The County obtained a 20-foot easement for the underpass. . Railroad has an engineering firm and will award contracts. . It is a two-phase process: Design phase and Construction Phase. . . The underpass location would be where the railroad is elevated. It is further west than tIle current location. ------- ---------- February 15,2005 Pagc 3 of9 . . As the trail continues north, the County would enter into Joint Powers Agreements with the City and the School District to complete portions on land owned by the respective parties. . Challenges would come in the residential areas. . The County had considered a waterbridge from Ramsey County Library site, but decided to go along the roadway with the trail. . Ramsey County Library has shown strong interest in working with the County on jvint use of library space for educational programming involving a tie-in with nature. . As the northwest quadrant develops, more consideration would be given to a trail from the High School to the Regional Park. There is sufficient right-of-way. Chair Henry noted the desire to identify the Elmer L. Andersen trail and questioned a possible connection. Mr. Mack stated this connection could go forward with a good proposal to the County. He noted Mr. Andersen's contributions in starting future resource funds for parks and open space. Committee Member Crassweller noted his support for a connection through his neighborhood to old Highway 51. He added his homeowner's association would support such a connection. He stated the Association might consider financial sapport of the trail. . B. OTHER COUNTY PROJECTS Mr. Mack provided the following updates on other County projects: . Proposed Elmer L. Andersen Park. The County does have a policy for naming parks. He stated he would provide a copy to the Committee. . There is a County Park Plan that is currently being updated. When complete, a copy would be provided to the Committee. . There was no expansion planned for Tamarack Park, but the County would refine the trail system. There is a paved trail that was added as part ofthe Birch Lake Regional Trail. The County would expand the nature center and double the space. There would be more interactive exhibits. Five school districts planned to use the sites for more family childhood education . The County currently has four off leash dog areas that are heavily used. It is considered exercise for people who have dogs. The user groups were very supportive with financing and rule enforcement. . The County is redeveloping much of the Lake Josephine County Park. There will be a new building located just south of the existing building. The parking lot would be redone to handle and treat some of the stormwater before it returns to the lake. There would be handicapped access to the waterfront. . The County has had a number of discussions with the Raptor Center. There is . potential for a stronger alliance. The County Parks serve as host sites for some releases now. --------- -- ~ ~~ ----- February 15, 2005 Page 4 of9 . Chair Henry asked about other potential joint ventures between the County and Arden Hills. Mr. Mack stated the TCAAP property and Rice Creek were the most likely. He noted the Rice Creek corridor passes through the TCAAP property. He added the negotiations with the Army are ahnost complete. He stated one major issue remained concerning a new MN Law intended to eliminate nuisances on deeds. He noted the law provides that after 30 years restrictive covenants are eliminated. He added the state's historical office considered three tenths of an acre on the site a historical site. He noted there would be no protection if the restrictive covenant becomes invalid in thirty years. Mr. Mack explained thc County had been working with Mounds View School District to discuss a joint athletic facility. He stated there might be an interest in how that facility would access the Rice Creek Corridor cOffilections. He noted as the TCAAP site evolves there would be a number of points of interest. He added the County had received a small grant to offer and sponsor some interpretive trail activities within the am1Y portion ofthe TCAAP site. He stated there would be a few open houses and bird walks. Mr. Mack thanked the Committee for the opportunity to speak. Mr. Moore thanked Mr. Mack for his assistance with the City's Celebrating Arden Hills event. . He noted Mr. Mack had made staff available to the City for this event. 5. COUNCIL UPDATE Council Liaison Larson provided the Commission with a brief update on the following Council activities: . Two residents spoke in opposition to closing the frontage road during the public hearing on the pavement management project on Highway 51. . An alternative to closing it would be to move the access point to Grey Fox Road. . Surrounding businesses do not feel the frontage road is necessary. . Staff will discuss the foot traffic with the surrounding businesses. A. COUNTY ROAD E TRAIL . The City Council has received notice that the bridge project was not on the list of transportation Department projects for this summer. The City would apply again next year. . Council Liaison Larson does not support doing only the bridge part of the trail since it would result in location ofthe trail OIl the north side of the street. . ---- -- February 15,2005 Page 5 of9 . B. DEVELOPMENT TWO CITY SITES . The first site is located on the comer of Highway 96 and Interstate 35W. The site, formerly a dirt farm, was purchased as part of the development of Round Lake. There are nice Pine Trees on the site. The City Council hopes for more than a typical Holiday Store on the site. . The second site is down the road from the City Hall site. A buyer is interested in constructing an office building on the site. C. TCAAP PROPERTY VISION. Council Liaison Larson displayed the most recent Framework Plan and provided the following update: . The City Council discussed the Framework Plan with the consultant i1t the most recent work session and suggested changes. The Plan would be called a Framework Vision since it is just a tool for the next step. The Framework Vision is a 20-year plan. . The Plarming Commission would work on a Comprehensive Plan for the area to include design standards and zoning. . . The Community Recreation Center reference would be changed to Community Focal Area. There is no definite plan for what would be placed there. Similarly, there is no definite plan for the Sport Facility Site. It could be just athletic fields. . The consultant would also rework the Transit Center area to try to accommodate whatever transit connections possible. . The City Council hopes to transfer the property early in 2006. . The City has to develop a policy on public financing. . The project is a wonderful opportunity for this Committee. There is a wildlife corridor with many open spaces in the development area. There are a series of water f~atures. There are also significant park dedication fees. . This Vision will change significantly over time. . Some features will not change including the wildlife corridor, access to the freeway system, access to County Road H, and access to Highway 96. Committee Member Williams stressed the need for the Planning Commission to work with this Committee and the EDC for input on the final plan. Committee Member McClung stated this site is going to be more dense than Arden Hills currently. He noted the additional housing units would increase Arden Hills population by fifty percent. He added more density requires recreation. . Council Liaison Larson said in order to make this site work the developers need to . have a return. The density is necessary to make the site viable. Arden Hills has a great variety of housing types. Residents had indicated a desire for a mix of housing. February 15,2005 Page 6 of9 . People nearing retirement age want other types of housing in order to remain in Arden Hills. . The City either must make this Vision work or watch the parcel sold piecemeal for development. The City has a greater voice in what occurs on this property with the current approach. . Most of the site would remain undeveloped. 6. PARKS AND TRAILS UPDATES Mr. Moore provided the Committee with the following update: . The trails held up well this season. There were many calls thanking the City for the maintenance of the trails. The handrails were very popular. . Ramsey County is plowing its sidewalks. Currently, County Roads in Arden Hills are plowed first. Both results are by-products of the cooperation in the joint facility. . Two years ago the Committee considered placing a disc golf course in one of the parks. There was not sufficient room for an IS-hole course at any location considered. A disc golf course consultant has offered to make recom'11endations at no charge to the City on the cost of a possible six or nine-hole disc golf course. A. PERRY PARK PAVILION . . The new woodwork at the pavilion is complete and has been inspected. It is up to standard. . Builders are waiting for warmer weather to complete caulking and grout. . The Pavilion will be ready by Spring. B. COUNTY ROAD E TRAIL . Council Liaison Larson gave an update on this item. C. 2005 LOCAL TRAIL CONNECTION PROGRAM APPLICATION . The DNR sent a letter that indicated money was available from the Local Trail Connection Program. Higher Priority is given to trail projects. The Program covers projects costing $10,000 or more. . The DNR pays one-half of the cost. . One possible project would be the trail from Upper Perry to Swamp Lift Road that connects to the underpass in Tony Schmidt Park. The Estimate for this project was $20,000. . Alternative Projects include making Lindey's park more of a community focal point and the beautification of City Hall. . February 15, 2tl05 Page 7 of9 . . The City would provide the matching funds out of the Park Fund. All Park Fund expenditures are authorized by the City Council. Currently, the Park Fund balance is approximately $150,000. . The Perry Park trai.l also ties in with the Ramsey County project. It goes from the largest park to a trail that would connect the Chatham neighborhood and a New Brighton neighborhood. o Chair Henry liked the Perry Park Trail since the City already had planned to do that proj ect. MOTION: Committee Member McClung moved, seconded by Committee Member Williams to recommend that the City Council direct staff to seek and to apply for funding from the DNR 2005 Local Trail Connection Program for the trail that starts in Perry Park and ends at the Swamp Lift Road. The motion carried unanimously. , I 7. RECREATION UPDATE Ms. Olson provided the Committee with an update on the Park activities: . Ice rinks are officially closed. It has been a challenging season due to rapid weather changes and little snow. . . Attendance on the ice rinks has been good. . Freeway and Perry Parks have been used for broomball for a $600.00 rental fee. . Actual attendance numbers would be available next month. . Staff will send out letters to the neighborhoods to seek opinions on any changes citizens may want for the hockey rinks. . Presence of the new building had a great impact on rink usage. Skating lessons were moved to the park. Parents had many positive comments on the warming house. . Staff is working on facility requests for the Spring/Summer programs. . Celebrating Arden Hills will be held on June 25, 2005. Most of vendors are established. The City engaged the same fireworks vendor as last year. The rain date for the fireworks would be National Night Out. . Senior Luau will be held on March 10, 2005 jointly with Arden Hills, Mounds View and Shoreview at Spring Lake Park. . Shoreview and New Brighton have large senior programs. Cooperative efforts work well instead of competing efforts. Out of 100 participants approximately 20 may be from Arden Hills. . Staff has started the hiring process for summer positions. 8. UPDATED 2005-2009 PRIORITIES Chair Henry requested input on the priorities listed in the Agenda. . - ----.-- February 15, 2005 Page 8 of9 . Committee Member Straumann stated the short connection from North Hamlin Avenue to Crepeau Park should be added as a priority. He noted the connection went through the Country Insurance property. Mr. Moore stated County Insurance had not agreed to construct the trail. He noted that if the city provided the labor and engineering, Country Insurance might pay for the trail installation. He added the trail would hook up to the existing Country Insurance trails. He stated the paved trails are on the Country Insurance property and the wood chip trials are on City property. Committee Member McClung suggested completing item 12, replacing warming house at Valentine Park, with the other work scheduled in 2006. He stated it should be placed higher on the priority list. Councilmember Larson stated the trail connection identified in the County 2005 Local Trail Connection Program should be added as a top priority to the list. Chair Henry stated there were two additions to the priority list: the trail connection between North Hamlin Avenue and Crepeau Park and the trail connection from upper Perry to Swamp Lift Road. He stated the second item should be listed as priority one or two. 9. ELMER L. ANDERSON PARK NAMING PROCEDURE . Committee Member Baumarm explained briefly the salient points in the Roseville, Cottage Grove, and St. Paul procedures. He agreed to draft a proposed procedure for discussion at the next meeting. 10. NEXT MEETING AGENDA Committee Member McClung stated it would be a good idea to move forward on the Tobacco Free Park Policy. He noted all the surrounding communities have some type of policy on tobacco use in parks and on trails. He added Maplewood recently passed a resolution. He stated this type of policy is usually a park policy or park ordinance. He suggested having the students make a presentation to the Committee with recommendations. He added he would draft a policy for discussion. Committee Member Crassweller questioned whether the city needed a policy if there was not a tobacco problem. He noted he disliked smoking and would be willing to consider a policy. Chair Henry stated the parks are used by kids. He noted concern regarding exposing children to tobacco usage. He added the Committee could discuss the issue further when the draft policy is presented. . Committee Member Straumann noted the correct name of the proposed trail was Elmer L. Andersen. February 15, 2005 Page 9 of9 . 11. ADJOURNMENT Committee Member Straumann moved, Committee Member Williams seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Czajkowski TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. . .