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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-26-05 PTRC Minutes ~ ~ ~ . ~HILLS ARDEN HILLS MINUTES PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2005 7:00 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 1. CALL TO ORDER Acting Chair Werner called the April 26, 2005 meeting of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Acting Chair Joani Werner, Committee Members Lanny Baumann, Jim Crassweller, Dave McClung, Rich Straumann, Roger Williams and Steve Zilmer. OTHERS PRESENT: Tom Moore, Operations & Maintenance Director; Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Supervisor; Beverly Aplikowski, Mayor; Gregg Larson, City Council Liaison; and Bonita Sullivan, Recording Secretary. MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Committee Member Bill Henry and Derrek Hames. . APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda was approved by consensus. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES . Approve March 22, 2005 Minutes. Committee Member McClung stated he had corrections: . Page nine, paragraph four, line two and three Reads 'complete the linkage for the Rice Street Corridor'. Should read: 'complete the linkage for the Rice Creek Corridor.' . Item C - Committee Membership - the motion was not included and should read: MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller moved, seconded by Committee Member Zilmer, to recommend that the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee to move forward in their effort for new membership that would add diverse viewpoints and perspective to the PTRC. The motion carried unanimously. MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller motioned, seconded by Committee Member . Zilmer to approve the March 22, 2005 minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously. l\EarthlAdminlCommitteeslParks Trails and Recreation CommitteelMinutes\2005104-26-05 Minutes.doc PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 26, 2005 Page 2 of 10 . 3. COUNCIL UPDATE Council Liaison Larson provided the Committee with the following update: . Referenced the City Council work session that was held to discuss the vision framework and public financing plan noting that the next step for Council to consider is the Public Financing Policy that would layout several of the conditions. The types of public plans are unknown at this time but they want a policy in pla('e to show what is expected with respect to public financing. . Council continued their discussion regarding the type of landscape they would prefer along Highway 96. Received plans from the consulting engineering firm that includes trees and flowers along the highway and medians. . Council had received some proposals to change the zoning ordinance to allow residents more flexibility in adding porches to the front of their homes. Mayor Aplikowski provided the following update: . Provided an overview ofthe Library Task Force. Noted that the Library Task Force's goal is make the Library move visible to the Community. . Noted that there is a trend to create a Northwest Regional Library and they would like . to try to keep it located in Arden Hills. . Suggested that the PTRC plant a flowerbed in front of the building. Noted that they have several who would be able to maintain the flowerbed but they need help planting. . Noted that Tony Schmidt County Park would be known as a Regional Park. . Received a donation of a bench and a flower pot for the Library. 4. PARKS AND TRAILS UPDATES Mr. Moore provided the Committee with the following update: . Noted that the City now has two copies of the Tree Inspectors Field Manual. One is used in the field; the other is kept at City Hall and is available for residents to use. . Arden Hills now has 3 certified tree inspectors on staff. . Currently working to put parts of the manual out onto the City website. . New Park Pavilion at Perry Park - Plan to have a staff walkthrough on May 5th to review the punch list items. . Expect to have Perry Park up and operational by May 15th. Looks very well. . Have a letter from Peggy Lynch, Ramsey County Friends of Park thanking the Committee for their donation of $ 115 to plant five trees in the parks. . --.....-- PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 26, 2005 Page 3 of 10 . . Boy Scout Project - Will be removing buckthorn at Floral Park and Crepeau Park. The Boy Scouts will provide the labor with a minimum of three city staff members running the wood chipper and chain saws. . Plan to use the wood chips along the trail systems in the City. . Boy Scout Project - Will plant the flower garden at Royal Hills Park. . Handouts are available for the flower-planting event on Saturday, May 21,2005. The event was also included in the City newsletter and mailed to Staff. . PTRC will have their own garden noting that this year the project is to beautify City Hall with a horseshoe of perennial flowers around the City Hall sign. . Girl Scout Project - They plan to re-plant the flower garden at the intersection of Lexington by the Holiday. . City Hall will be extending the line of evergreen trees and plan to plant in the next couple of weeks. . Minnesota Native Landscapes came out and did their annual inspection of the prairie grasses. The grass is coming along quite well noting that this is the third year of the contract. Next year will include a burning to assist with the growth. . Noted that TCAAP announced in the St. Paul paper last Saturday that they plan to open the Hamline Facility for public tours. He stated that tours would begin on April 30th for migratory birds starting at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. He stated that . the information would also be posted on the City website and armounced on City TV. . Summer Mowing has started. Reviewed the schedule noting that the fertilization and aeration program starts next week on the open spaces. Tree maintenance and care will also start next week. Committee Member Zilmer asked if the flower garden at Lindey's was going to be rearranged. Mr. Moore said no and explained that they have not determined where the signs should go yet noting that long-range, there might be some issues as to what Lindey's Park will be. He indicated that more trees would be planted in the park adding that the Committee would decide later this year what to do with Lindey's as far as creating more a nature reserve or a garden park. Mayor Aplikowski stated that she has been asked why they are planting if perennials are already in place. Mr. Moore explained that this year they are going to locations that do not have perennial flowers. He noted that eventually all of the gardens would be perermial. Committee Member Williams asked if the City is responsible for the pickup of buckthorn that has been removed. Mr. Moore confirmed that it is the City's responsibility stating that Residents can contact the City to arrange for pickup. He noted that they are running a bit behind schedule but someone would be out for pickup. The delay in pickups is due to the chipper being under repair. . Committee Member Straumarm asked what kind of flowers they are planning for the garden located at Lexington and Highway 96. Mr. Moore explained that the project is to develop the --- -- -----.- - PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREA nON COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 26, 2005 Page 4 of 10 . plan and design so that when Council is ready to install the sign the design will be ready. He stated that if a garden is done all of the plantings would be perennials. 5. RECREATION UPDATE Ms. Olson provided the Committee with an update on the Park activities: . Discussed Committee Member Crassweller's comments to include a statement regarding the appropriate walking directions on roadways. She stated that it would be included on the park map and as a reminder in the City Newsletter. . Had a brutal ice rink season as far as weather goes. Had to close the ice rinks early due to weather. . Provided the Committee with overview of the number of days each park and rink was open during the season. Noted that the rinks were in very good condition this year and they had a good attendance. . Eagle Scout project - Cummings Park - made benches that allows players to place their shoes under their seat. . Want to survey the Cummings Park neighborhood to determine their interest as to whether they want to keep the pleasure rink or a hockey rink. She stated that they want more feedback, as it seems to be an even 50/50 split for both rinks. Committee . Member Williams asked if they have ever tried to determine where the users of each rink come from. Ms. Olson stated that they have never researched that but it appears that most of the users are children from the neighborhood. She stated that it is possible that some ofthe users could be coming in from surrounding cities. . Noted that the ice at both Hazelnut and Freeway was in fantastic condition this year. She stated that she received many positive comments noting that staff did a great job maintaining the rinks. . Currently in the middle of SUlllffier hiring. Have a lot ofretum employees. . Playground program registration is going well noting that the afternoon program at Hazelnut is already full. . Noted that the number of registrations they receive is growing and they cannot take anymore due to facility constraints. Asked committee to consider a new structure for that park. . Softball season started this evening. Currently have 18 teams playing on Tuesdays. Softball fields look great. The teams love the improvements at Perry Park. . Have a Church user group coming in on Sunday nights to rent the fields. . Biggest focuses right now are the summer programs and the Celebrating Arden Hills event. . Celebrating Arden Hills is scheduled for June 25, 2005; 3:00 p.m. to dusk. She stated that they plan to cater a barbecue; the Teddy Bear Band will be part of the . entertainment in addition to community vendors. ------- PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREA nON COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 26, 2005 Page 5 of 10 . 6. Park Tobacco Policy - Suzanne Florey, Christina Florey and Nicole Holm Suzanne Florey, Christina Florey and Nicole Holm provided the Committee with a brief presentation on a proposal for a Park Tobacco Policy. Ms. Suzarme Florey stated that they are members of PACT-Peers Acting to Challenge Tobacco and are present this evening to ask for the Park Committee's support in proposing a Park Tobacco Policy that would ban all tobacco use from City Parks and public areas. She stated that many of the youth in Arden Hills are concerned about the quality of the air in the City Parks and public areas. She stated that the parks are supposed to be available to use for healthy activities such as sports, skating, picnicking and swimming and the parks should be known for their fresh beauty not for the smell of smoke or the litter from cigarette butts. She explained that they believe that no person should be allowed to use tobacco products in a park facility, open facility or joint School/City facility. She stated that many of the metro Cities including New Brighton, Shoreview, Maplewood and St. Paul have passed similar policies addressing this issue. She urged the Committee to consider supporting a recommendation to City Council stating that it would send a very strong message to the Community that the City does care about their time and enjoyment of the parks. She stated that allowing tobacco use in the parks has caused a number of problems including excessive littering, the possibility of small children swallowing a used cigarette; and potential for being a fire hazard, not to mention the extra cleanup involved. She stated that she and her friends spent fifteen minutes picking up various types of litter in the park and presented the Committee with three full baggies of butts and matches, along with a variety of other items. She expressed concerns stating . that there is a lot of tobacco use in the parks and through her own experience she has observed preteens and middle school children pick up and re-light a used cigarette. She stated that she is concerned about the potential for young people to develop a very bad habit. She noted that by establishing a no tobacco policy in the parks the litter would be reduced considerably and it would no longer provide teens with a place to go and smoke. Ms. Christina Florey stated that there are several reasons to consider implementing this policy including the effects of second-hand smoke in addition to role modeling for teens. She stated that young people are influenced by their parents, coaches and older teens. She stated that there are always people sitting at the tables smoking while children are playing nearby and it puts a picture in their heads, at a very young age, that smoking is ok or cool and that this is something they are supposed to do once they become adults. Ms. Nicole Holm stated that all three of them are very active in sports. She indicated that her mother has not been able to attend very many of her sports activities because the smoke causes chronic migraines and bad allergic reactions. She stated that it is unfortunate that people carmot enjoy a sports activity or the nature of the park because of the poor air quality. Ms. Florey stated that they have created brochures to help educate the community on this proposal and also have several petitions that they would like to provide in support of their request. She stated that they received a very good response to the petitions noting that the . petition includes signatures from their peers to neighbors, teachers, business owners and residents of Arden Hills in genera1. She stated tlJat they also have letters, written by residents ------- PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 26, 2005 Page 6 of 10 . and business owners in the City of Arden Hills, that she would also like to include. She referenced a letter she received from an organization called The Friends. She explained that this group works to establish and improve park areas, open spaces and trails. She stated that The Friends recently passed a resolution prohibiting tobacco use in public parks and public areas and is urging Arden Hills to support this effort and implement a ban on tobacco use from all parks and public facilities. She provided the Committee with copies ofletters and petitions for their revIew. Ms. Holm asked how the City would go about enforcing a ban. She suggested utilizing resources like the City website, the Arden Hills newspaper, City Cable Channel and Mounds View High School. She indicated that they have received strong support from the smoke-free restaurants noting that they would receive 100 free signs to post in the parks and public areas. She stated that the PACT members would be willing to help install the signs ifthe policy is passed. She noted that the PACT group passed a tobacco-free sports policy this year stating that since Mounds View Sports is now tobacco-free, it would be nice if the parks around school were too. Ms. Florey stated that they are asking the Committee for their support in recommending to the City Council that they vote in favor of a tobacco-free policy for the parks and public facilities in Arden Hills. She stated that they all feel very strongly about this policy adding that the tobacco use in the parks takes away their right to enjoy the parks. She stated that they have a vision and want their City and the surrounding Cities to be completely smoke-free and the Parks Committee . and the City Council are the ones that can help make their vision happen. Committee Member McClung stated that it is quite impressive that Mounds View as a school and sports team have now included tobacco products as part of their chemical free policy. Lia Reich, Counselor at Mounds View and PACT Counselor stated that she would like to thank the Parks Committee for taking the time to hear what the girls had to say. She stated that they would appreciate the support of the Parks Committee in implementing a smoke free policy for the parks and public facilities noting that the schools have implemented a smoke free policy that applies at all school functions both on school premise and off site. Committee Member Bauman asked if the Committee provides support on issues like this and would they pass a recommendation on to Council. He asked who would be responsible for installing the signage and enforcing the policy. Mr. Moore explained that the City Council approves the installation of all signage in the City. He further explained that if the Committee were to recommend and support this request for a smoke free policy it would then go to Council for consideration. He stated that signage requires a resolution and City Staff would be responsible for the installation. Committee Member Crassweller commended the girls stating that they provided the Committee with a fantastic presentation of all of their concerns and issues. He stated that he is one of the . strongest anti-smokers around noting that he has lost family members to smoke related diseases and with that, he would have to vote against any motion to recommend this type of policy. He PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREA nON COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 26, 2005 Page 7 of 10 . stated that the question raised here is what is good public policy for a City to adopt. He explained it is his beliefthat it is bad public policy for individual Cities to try and prohibit a person from doing something that is legal, such as tobacco use, despite its affects. He stated that he would be willing to vote in favor of posting signage that designates certain areas as tobacco- free zones, but to say tobacco use is not allowed, with no enforcement invites people to get into arguments over someone being able to exercise what is a legal right, for an adult, in this Community. He commended the young women stating that the long-term solution to the tobacco problem is precisely the kind of efforts they are going through here and at school. He stated that he is very proud of them for coming and making this presentation. Mr. Moore suggested including this topic as a major discussion point at the next PTRC meeting. Committee Member McClung thanked them for their presentation stating that they all did an excellent job. He commended them for being well spoken and active noting that this shows that the City of Arden Hills has a first rate high school. He stated that in his opinion this is the right thing for the City of Arden Hills to do even if other Cities haven't already acted. He urged the Committee to consider recommending approval of the policy to City Council. He stated that any City could regulate the uses of its public parks and trail systems noting that there are policies in place prohibiting the use of alcohol, shooting golfballs in public places in addition to many other examples. He stated that he does not see the barming of tobacco use in public parks to be any different than the banning of alcohol use. He stated that it is for the health and safety of the . Community. Acting Chair Werner thanked them for their presentation stating that the PTRC would let them know what they decide. She stated that the Committee is very proud of the girls for stepping forward and supporting issues such as this adding that they are proud to know they are from Mounds View. Brittany McFadden stated that she has traveled around the State listening to the discussions noting that it is her job to track all of these policies. She indicated that approximately four out of five Cities have implemented similar policies through their ordinance process and through the use of siguage. She stated that the University of Minnesota completed a recent survey of 1500 Minnesota Adults in December of 2004 noting that the survey was done to get a feel for the level of support around park policies address tobacco use. She stated that approximately 70 percent of those surveyed were in support ofthis type of policy. She stated that ofthe Cities in Minnesota that have implemented a policy, 88 percent reported no change in the level of park usage and 58 percent reported observing less litter in the parks. She stated that the Committee could make the suggestions and policies as strong as they prefer. 7. 2005 - 2009 Priorities Acting Chair Werner reviewed the 2005 - 2009 List of Priorities provided at the last meeting . noting that the Committee has been asked to review and prioritize with the plans to discuss further. PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREA nON COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 26, 2005 Page 8 oflO . . Elmer Anderson Trail naming policy. . Walkway under railroad connecting Tony Schmidt Park to Perry Park and trails. . Trail along Old Snelling from County Road E to Highway 5 I; Highway 51 to Highway 96. . Trail through Northwestern College. . Trail from Northwestern College to Old Snelling. . Trails within the 10-96 reconstruction. . Trail/Sidewalk along west side of Lexington from County Road E to 694. . Trail along North Snelling from Briarknoll to Highway 96. . Bridge and Trail on County Road E . Replacement Warming House at Freeway . Replacement Warming House at Hazehmt . Replacement Warming House at Valentine . Off Leash Dog Park . Trail along Lake Valentine Road (Valentine Park to Mounds View High School) A. Funding . Committee h1ember McClung noted that even though they had previously voted on the list he thought it would be a good idea to review the list and prioritize the items. He asked if they knew how much they had available to spend from the Park fund. Mr. Moore statcd that they have approximately $150,000 in the Park fund. Acting Chair Werner asked ifthey have any idea on the costs for each of the projects on the list. Committee Member McClung agreed stating that it would be nice if they could get a ballpark figure from Staff on the projects listed. He noted that Items 1 and 2 have been completed and suggested removing them from the list of priorities. He stated that the Committee should get a better handle on the funding process and what is available. He stated that the Committee should work to determine what they believe is important for 2006. Acting Chair Werner asked Mr. Moore ifit would be possible to have Staff review the projects and put dollar amounts to each project for the Committee to review and prioritize. She suggested placing this item on next month's agenda for further discussion. Mr. Moore stated that he would put together the information and provide to the Committee for discussion at the next PTRC meeting. Council Liaison Larson noted that the City has relied on park dedication fees to fund the Park Fund. He stated that ifthere is not a lot of development in the City there is not a lot in the Park . fund. He stated that there has never been an armual allocation of from the General Fund to the Park Fund. He explained that initially, there was not a lot of need to spend on the parks adding PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 26, 2005 Page 9 of 10 . that this is now starting to change. He stated that this is a discussion that the City Council should have on how to replenish the Park Fund and at what level. He agreed that part of the context to consider is the priorities outlined by the Parks Committee. He stated that Council would be starting their budget process soon noting that the timing is good for the Committee to review their priorities and come up with suggestions at the next PTRC meeting. Committee Member Williams stated that he would like to see the Parks Committee become more involved in the budget process and in presenting their priorities to City Council. He stated that the Committee should know the basis of the costs for a project in order to determine the priorities. Committee Member McClung agreed and suggested that the PTRC put together a Parks proposal for the CIP and forward the proposal to Council as a recommendation. 8. County Road E A. Upper and Lower Freeway Park Access Discussion Committee Member McClung stated that the Committee has recommended to City Council that they re-apply, as they would like to see a trail on south side of County Road E. He stated that there should be some form of acknowledgment from this Committee stating that there is a need for an inter park trail between the two parks. . Acting Chair Werner suggested that they add this item to their list of priorities for discussion at the next PTRC meeting. The Committee agreed by consensus to add Upper and Lower Freeway Park Access as Item #15 on their 2005-2009 List of Priorities. 9. NEXT MEETING AGENDA . Park Tobacco Policy . Park Budget . 2005 - 2009 List of Priorities Mr. Moore stated that the only item included in the Parks CIP is Crepeau Park Trails. He stated that Committee Member Hames has agreed to help with the design ofthe gateway signs and park trail signage. The equipment should be handled through the CIP and he explained that the City has a replacement cycle process that is used to determine when playground or park maintenance equipment should be replaced. He stated that he would bring the existing City budget documents to the next meeting including the operating budgets for Parks and Recreation and copies ofthe CIP. He stated that he would email the packet to everyone and also provide hard copies at the meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT . PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 26, 2005 Page 10 of 10 . Committee Member Crassweller motioned, Committee Member Zilmer seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Bonita Sullivan TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. I . .