Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-20-05 PTRC Minutes ~ '\ . .--A~HILLS ARDEN HILLS APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20,2005,7:00 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1245 WEST HIGHWAY 96 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Henry called the December 20, 2005 meeting ofthe Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Bill Henry, Committee Members Lanny Baumann, Rich Straumann, Cindy Wheeler, Joani Werner, Roger Williams and Steve Zilmer. OTHERS PRESENT: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Supervisor; Gregg Larson, City Council Liaison, and Bonita Sullivan, Recording Secretary. MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Committee Members Jim Crassweller, Derrek Hames, and Dave McClung. . APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Committee Member Williams motioned, seconded by Committee Member Straumann to approve the Agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES . Approve the November 22, 2005 Minutes. Chair Henry had the following corrections: . Page I, Members Present, remove 'Chair Henry was present via conference call.' . Page 2, Parks and Trails Update, first bullet, reads: 'Buck Thorn'; should read: 'Buckthorn'. . Page 3, fourth bullet, reads: 'Hazelnut Park has also been inspected. Everything checked out, only one are needs work. The building is not in good shape but is usable.' Should read: 'Hazelnut Park has also been inspected. Everything checked out, 'but does need' work. The building is not in good shape but is usable. . Page 3, fifth bullet, reads: 'Valentine Park also has issues and would be reviewed'; should read: 'Valentine Park also has issues and would be reviewed at a later date.' Committee Member Williams has the following corrections and additions: . . Page 3, PTRC Vision Statement, first bullet reads: Subcommittee met two times'; should read: 'Subcommittee met numerous times'. \IMetro-inet.uslArdenHillslAdmin\CommitteeslParks Trails and Recreation CommitteelMinutes\2005\12-20-2005 Minutes - Approved.doc PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING DECEMBER 20, 2005 Page 2 of4 . . Page 3, Second paragraph, additional bullet items should include: . The railroad underpass on the north side of Tony Schmidt Park. This segment is expected to be completed by Ramsey County in the spring of 2006. . Along the west side of Old Snelling, from County Road E to Highway 51. This segment is expected to be included in the pavement replacement project planned for 2007. . Along the south side of County Road E from Old Snelling to Connelly. This should include re-design of the traffic semaphores at County Road E on either side of Highway 51 to preclude rigbt turns on red lights. . Along the east side of Old Snelling from County Road E to Highway 96 and north into the new development. This must include a pedestrian underpass at the railroad crossing, as well as grade separated crossings of both Highway 96 and Highway 10 (considerations that should be included in the re-design of that intersection). In this regard, consideration should be given to a pedestrian crossing of Highway 10, at the present site of the public gardens, linking with north Snelling Avenue. . Along the north side of Lake Johanna Boulevard from west County Road E to Old Snelling. . The intersection of County Road E and Old Snelling must accommodate the intersection of two arterial trails, each changing from one side of the road to the other at that point. As both trail and automobile traffic increases at this intersection, consideration should be given to traffic signals appropriate to expected volume. . Trails should be separated from roadways, at least 8- feet wide, hard surfaced, and . designed to accommodate both pedestrians and bicycles. . The priorities noted above are the core arteries of the system. Connecting trails should be added in the next phase. . Trail crossings of major roadways should be grade-separated or controlled by traffic signals. . Page 4, Eighth paragraph, second sentence reads: 'He suggested that the PTRC prioritize the park projects'; should read: 'He suggested that the PTRC 'include' park projects.' Council Liaison Larson had the following corrections: . Page 3, PTRC Vision Statement, Third paragraph reads: 'Council Liaison Larson asked why they did not look at the extension of the west side of Old Snelling. Committee Member Williams stated that the extension was discussion and it was agreed that the line should be extended. Chair Henry agreed stating that there are several spots where it could be extended.' Should read: 'Council Liaison Larson asked why they did not look at the extension' of the southerly end of 'New' Snelling. Committee Member Williams state that the extension was 'discussed' and it was agreed that the line should be extended.' . Page 5, Paragraph 7, second sentence reads: 'He stated that in looking over their plan, signage is currently on hold and ifthey are thinking of adding sellable items for discussion they could include signage'; Should read: 'He stated that in looking over their plan, signage is currently on hold and if 'the PTRC is' thinking of adding sellable items for discussion 'the . PTRC' could include signage'. -- . PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING DECEMBER 20, 2005 Page 3 of4 . MOTION: Committee Member Werner motioned, seconded by Committee Member Williams to approve the November 22, 2005 Minutes as amended. The motion carried unanimously. 3. COUNCIL UPDATE Council Liaison Larson provided the Committee with the following update: . In regard to the status to the embezzlement case of the former finance assistant employee, the Council instructed staffto draft a letter to the Ramsey County attorney stressing that they consider the charges seriously and hope they are dealt with in that manner. . The GSA and City met to negotiate a price for the TCAAP property. The City has made an offer and is waiting for a response for the GSA. . Suggested to the PTRC that they may want to consider referendums as a possibility ofraising funds for park. Councilmember Larson sited an article in the Pioneer Press recently that examined the use of referendums for parks. 4. PARKS AND TRAILS UPDATES Ms. Olson provided the Committee with the following update: . Ramsey County attorneys and Canadian Pacific attorneys have agreed on a design for the railroad underpass to Tony Schmidt Regional Park and are scheduled to begin work in Spring . 2006. S. RECREATION UPDATE Ms. Olson provided the Committee with an update on the Park activities: . Ice rinks opened today. . Skating Clinic is scheduled for next week. . Planning has begun for the Spring/Summer programs. . Last month, we provided an update that the Freeway Park warming house could to be torn down because of mice infestation. We encountered difficulties when tearing down the structure. Staff discovered that the electrical wiring is throughout the entire building. Staff got an estimate from an electrician to move the wiring outside to the pole. The estimate came in at $4,000. Staff made a decision to leave the building standing, clean it up to Heath Department standards and cover up entry hole for rodents. Committee member Werner asked is that would be a safe situation. Ms. Olson informed the Health Department and followed their instructions for the clean up. The Health Department has no health concerns provided the clean up is completed. Committee Chair Henry asked why a mobile unit couldn't still be brought in and parked by the existing building. Ms. Olson stated that was a consideration but it would take away a large . section of the pleasure rink and that staff would still have to go in and out of the old building for access to lights. Staff will take a look at the building for next year. PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING DECEMBER 20, 2005 Page 4 of 4 . 6. GENERAL DISCUSSION Discussion took place on exploring referendums and options to help raise money in the Park Fund. A suggestion was made by the committee to look at the possibility of bringing back the finance committee. . Committee Member Williams asked if Mr. Moore or Ms. Olson could bring examples of items for park improvements for the next meeting. If there are any needs that should be added to priorities/vision, we need a recommendation from staff. . Ms. Olson stated that she would discuss with Mr. Moore noting that she could also follow up with staffregarding the possibility ofbrining back the finance committee 7. NEXT MEETIN AGENDA - JANUARY 24, 2006 . PTRC Vision Statement Discussion . PTRC Goals and Objectives for 2006 . Preparation for work session with City Council - schedule for February 20, 2006 8. ADJOURNMENT . MOTION: Committee Member Werner motioned, seconded by Committee Member Williams, to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Bonita Sullivan TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. .