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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-24-05 PTRC Minutes ~_.- ~ ~ . ~LLS ~ ARDEN HILLS FINAL MINUTES PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2005 7:00 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Henry called the May 24, 2005 meeting of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Bill Henry, Committee Members Larmy Baumann, Jim Crassweller, Dave McClung, Rich Straumarm, and Cindy Wheeler. OTHERS PRESENT: Tom Moore, Operations and Maintenance Director; Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Supervisor; Gregg Larson, City Council Liaison; and Bonita Sullivan, Recording Secretary. . MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Committee Members Joani Werner, Steve Zilmcr, Derek Hames and Roger Williams. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda was approved by consensus. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES . Approve April 26, 2005 Minutes. Committee Member McClung had the following corrections: . Page 4, Item 6 - Park Tobacco Policy Presentation, name should be Nicole Holm. . Page 4, Item 6 - Park Tobacco Policy Presentation, PAC-Peers Acting to Challenge Tobacco should be PACT -Peers Acting to Challenge Tobacco. He noted PAC should be PACT throughout. . Page 6, Third paragraph should be Lia Reich not Lea Ryck. . Page 7, Rudy McNaughton should be Brittany McFadden Committee Member Straumarm stated that he had the following correction: . Page 2, Council Update, Mayor Aplikowski's update, fourth bullet should read: that Tony . Schmidt County Park would be known as a Regional Park. l\EarthlAdminlCommitteeslParks Trails and Recreation CommilleelMinutes\200515-24-05 Minutes.doc PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MAY 24, 2005 Page 2 of6 . MOTION: Committee Member Straumarm motioned, seconded by Committee Member McClung to approve the April 26, 2005 minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously. COUNCIL UPDATE Council Liaison Larson provided the Commission with a brief update on the following Council activities: . Celebrating Arden Hills is scheduled for June 25,2005 and Ms. Olson is currently looking for volunteers. He asked the Committee to contact her if they have any time available. . Michelle Olson, Recreation Supervisor recently celebrated her 6th year with City. . Received the 2004 Audit Report noting that the City received a clean report from the Auditors. Noted that it was a significant undertaking, as they had to value the entire City infrastructure. . This past Saturday was flower-planting day. Noted that it was successful but wet and Mr. Moore did a great job organizing. . Work has been completed by Ramsey County on the trail along Lake Joharma. . Currently in the process of negotiations over the value of the TCAAP property. Next big step to accomplish is to determine what the property is worth. From there, an environmental evaluation would be done over the next six months and then determine the value. He noted . that they are very near the end of the window of opportunity adding that GSA might have to go back and re-appraise the property. . City is preparing for another banner year for diseased trees. Have hired a contractor to assist with tree removal and also reviewing tree ordinances. 4. PARKS AND TRAILS UPDATES Mr. Moore provided the Committee with the following update: . Buckthorn removal is going well - at least 3 large pickups a day. . Rentals have picked up at the new warming house at Cummings Park. Renting on a weekend basis. . Perry Park facility was inspected last week by City staff and the Inspector. Pointed out punch list items and hope to have all items completed this week, with the hopes oftaking possession of the building next week. Rejected all landscaping, have to wait to see if sod responds. Suggested touring both warming houses at the next PTRC meeting. . Stated that he is the liaison to the Karth Lake Improvement district noting that he would help to organize the DNR water quality testing. . Staff has found a source for a portable trailer to substitute as a seasonal warming house. The cost is $325.00 month to rent with electrical hookup and phone. Would only use during the winter rr:onths. . PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREA nON COMMITTEE MEETING MAY 24, 2005 Page 3 of6 . 5. RECREATION UPDATE Mr. Moore provided the Committee with an update on the recreation activities: . Rain has wreaked havoc with all programs. Had a lot of cancellations on both adult and youth sports due to the weather. . Celebrating Arden Hills is coming up - Posters and tickets will be provided to Committee Members to sel1. Encouraged them to participate in the events and asked that they donate an hour or two at the event. 6. PARK TOBACCO POLICY - DISCUSSION Chair Henry stated that Committee Crassweller is not present and noted that he is not enthusiastic about the concept or proposed policy. He asked if what the Committee is considering is to possibly recommend to City Council that they adopt a new City ordinance or a policy that there would be no smoking allowed in parks or on trails. Committee Member McClung stated that there are two ways to consider noting that most Cities have opted to adopt a policy of no smoking in the public parks. He indicated that all Cities around Arden Hills have a no smoking policy in the parks. He explained that the rationale for an ordinance was to place more enforcement power and a monetary fee. He stated that this would . be voluntary enforcement. He noted that the results of a survey done by Brittany McFadden show that the policies are not keeping people from the parks and it is noted that the parks are much cleaner. He stated that the policy drafted would apply to City parks and trails. Mr. Moore noted that smoking is not allowed on City property and they have also implemented a no smoking or drinking policy with the Softball Teams. Committee Member McClung stated that he spoke with the Parks Director at the Cities of Shoreview, New Brighton and Roseville noting that two of the Cities have found the policy to be positive for the parks and residents continue to using their facilities. He stated that the Leagues have had no problems with enforcement or use of the parks. Committee Member Wheeler asked ifthis policy would also apply to chewing tobacco. Committee Member McClung stated that it is a tobacco product and would be include. He stated that many youth leagues already have policies on the use of chewing tobacco and reviewed. Committee Member McClung stated that the PACT youth group would provide the signs and are willing to help post them throughout the city at no expense. Council Liaison Larson suggested that the PACT youth group attend the next Council meeting to provide their presentation to Council. He stated that it would be very helpful and would show positive support for the policy. . PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MAY 24, 2005 Page 4 of6 . MOTION: Committee Member McClung motioned, seconded by Committee Member Straumarm that the PTRC recommend to City Council that they adopt the proposed tobacco free parks policy as written in the draft dated April 15, 2005. Motion carried 5-0. 7. BUDGET PLANNING PROCESS Chair Henry asked Mr. Moore Tom to review the budget process as it relates to the City Parks. Mr. Moore explained that with the exception of replacement of play structures any other replacements or improvements in City parks come out ofthe Park Fund. Committee Member McClung asked if this is the standard practice of the City or part of the ordinance. Mr. Moore stated that he believed this was standard practice. Mr. Moore noted that the last major expense from the Park Fund was for the renovation of Perry Park, which was approximately nine years ago. He stated that the Cummings Park building was paid for by Guidant. Chair Henry asked what the last significant trail was that was built in the City. Council Liaison Larson stated that the only trail that the City invested a large amount of money for was West . Round Lake Road. Chair Henry noted that there was discussion around whether the PTRC should retain a significant amount of money in the Park Fund as a buffer. Mr. Moore confirmed noting that this was during the Fall of2004. He stated that the dollar amount discussed was $150,000.00. The Mayor was in attendance for that discussion. Council Liaison Larson suggested placing the establishment of a fund for expenditures at the top of their list of priorities. He suggested that the PTRC work with Council to determine what other funds might be available noting that Council has not had too many discussions on this issue. Chair Henry agreed and suggested that the PTRC work to identify their priorities going forward and prioritize based on need more so than on revenue. Council Liaison Larson agreed adding that pushing for a more concrete funding process should be at the top of their list of priorities noting that the park dedication fees are not as available. Committee Member McClung agreed and suggested that they incorporate both process and add TCAAP Park Infrastructures. Chair Henry asked ifTCAAP would be a windfall for park fund. Council Liaison Larson stated that eventually there would be park dedication fees from the development noting that right now it . is not clearly defined. ----- ------- PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MAY 24, 2005 Page 5 of6 . Chair Henry stated that he is interested in how the City Council deals with parks in a developing area ofTCAAP and whether there are revenues from the developing area that would benefit parks in general. Committee Member McClung suggested that the PTRC review and begin work to make the case that they need allocations from the General Fund. Chair Henry agreed stating that the PTRC should work to determine how they plan to pay for park needs. He asked ifthe City Council would be willing to have this discussion. Council Liaison Larson suggested approaching the Council to request a discussion around funding sources for parks. He agreed that there is a need to address the funding issues. Committee Member Wheeler stated that it would be a good idea to have a policy in place before TCAAP happens. Committee Member McClung agreed stating that it would be good to have the policy established and have support from the Council on the policy before TCAAP happens. Chair Henry asked how the City funds street projects, sewer upgrades and maintenance. Council Liaison Larson stated that the City has enterprise funds to pay for street projects and storm water. He stated that the City also receives funds from MSA, State funding, from the Levy, from . Enterprise funds, small amount in grants each year and assessments on property. MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller motioned, Committee Member Straumann seconded, to recommend to City Council to identify, as a first priority, on a list, a determination of the source of revenues that would support future improvements in parks and trails. Motion carried 6-0. Committee Member Crassweller noted that one of the items done over the last couple of years is Buckthorn r'mloval. He stated that if the City is serious about buckthorn removal that they should begin to allocate a specific dollar amount each year for removal. He suggested that this be made into a long-term, armual project with specific funding. Committee Member McClung agreed stating that the PTRC should discuss this with City Council as part of the process to deal with diseased trees. Committee Member McClung suggested that they also include the intra-park trail from upper Freeway Park to lower Freeway Park. Chair Henry asked if the City could actually build a trail along Old Snelling for $121,000. Mr. Moore explained that the number came from the City Engineer and confirmed that it could be done. He stated that $168,000 would come from the Park Fund and other funding sources would be used to make up the difference. He stated that the $121,000 is just a portion of the cost for the . project, comes from the Park Fund. PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MAY 24, 2005 Page 60f6 - Chair Henry asked for an update on the Elmer Anderson Trail naming policy. Mr. Moore stated that Council has approved the naming of the Elmer Anderson Trail and staff plans to meet with the contractor the first week of June to discuss signage. He stated that it would be a fall dedication project. Council Liaison Larson stated that in negotiating with MnDOT he suggested that they might be willing to consider some things they could do for Arden Hills if they prevail on making Highway lOa federal highway. He suggested keeping the Bridge Underpass project on list for this reason. Committee Member Straumarm armounced that the Friends of St. Paul and Ramsey County Parks and Trails are having their 20th Am1iversary celebration on June 23, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. He stated that they would be planting 20 trees at Keller Park in commemoration in addition to several events throughout the day. He stated that the Am1ual meeting and a free picnic would be at the Streetcar Station at Como Park. 8. NEXT MEETING AGENDA . Review budget list and discuss priorities for 2006. 9. ADJOURNMENT . Committee Member McClung motioned, Committee Member Straumarm seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Bonita Sullivan TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. .