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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-24-26 - PTRC Minutes CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2026, 6:30 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL MEETING TO ORDER Committee Chair SJ Julius called the March 24, 2026, meeting of the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: SJ Julius, Derek Hilding, Dan Dietz, Ted Chresand, Lacy Loosbrock, Kate Olson and Nikhath Nazir Ahmed OTHERS PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Manager Jess Skalicky, Council Liaison Emily Rousseau and Planning Commissioner Ben Lindau ABSENT:. Liz Johnson 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Committee Member Hilding moved and Committee Member Olson seconded a motion to approve the agenda, as presented. The motion carried unanimously among members present. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 17, 2026 PTRC Minutes MOTION: Committee Member Olson moved and Committee Member Loosbrock seconded a motion to approve the meeting minutes, as written. The motion carried unanimously among members present. 3. REPORT A. Council Liaison Update Council Liaison Rousseau said a member of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) suggested a bike rodeo and helmet fitting, facilitated through the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, as part of the 75th Anniversary celebration. She shared some information from the Better Bike Share Partnership that highlighted some of their programs. Council Liaison Rousseau said the Senior Communications Coordinator was hired, with one of the goals being, that position would work on grant information. Council Liaison Rousseau said she met with a member of the Dayton Economic Development Authority (EDA). An EDA can determine Tax Increment Financing (TIF). It can sell and buy Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 24, 2026 Page 2 property. The Dayton EDA purchased a property along the river. They moved the home off the property then sold the land to Three Rivers Park System. It was interesting to see their strategic planning. One of their goals was strengthening the quality of life within the city by enhancing recreational opportunities. She said the park and recreation component can build into the ecosystem. They were talking about identifying opportunities and projects that highlight family friendly activities, activities for young professionals and ethnic groups related to activities to promote a healthy and active lifestyle. They are preparing a quality of life brochure to provide lifestyle opportunities and benefits for businesses and workers to relocate to that area. Council Liaison Rousseau said Council has received the final draft of the Public Works Maintenance Plan. She noted over 7,000 hours, or 44% of all Public Works hours for the year are allocated for parks. Council Liaison Rousseau said she will be meeting with Rotary Club to discuss their Adopt-A- Park. It appears they need some support with volunteers. She asked if Committee Member Loosbrock could work with them on that. She said the Adopt-A-Park program isn’t ready for the next newsletter. Shoreview is posting their parks that are available for adoption. B. Parks and Recreation Report Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the Adopt-A-Park framework and application packet are ready to go. We are waiting until Council gives its official approval on April 27 before promoting the program. We need direction on if this will be advertised or simply have it available for people who seek out the opportunity. The Rotary is having trouble getting volunteers for the first park. We don’t want to create a program that doesn’t have the volunteer pool to help the groups that adopt the parks. We have to find the balance. It is the adopting group’s responsibility to find volunteers. That will all be part of the discussion in April. This program will include Adopt- A-Park, Adopt-A-Spot, Adopt-A-Garden, etc. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the Great River Greening Natural Resources Management Plan for Chatham, Floral and Hazelnut are about 95% done. She believes the plan will be ready to present to the PTRC at the next meeting. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said Council directed Public Works to move forward with the 2027 Park Improvement projects at Sampson, Perry and Ingerson Parks. There will be a significant amount of work at Perry, especially on the trail, the failing retaining walls and the grading needed. Additional suggestions like dog park improvements and grading were not in the plan but Council did support moving forward with the work. Council was supportive of a temporary warming house at Ingerson. The final scope hasn’t been decided. Final plans will be made when the engineering consultant can identify costs of the additional proposed work. She anticipates a consultant will be on board by May 2026. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the recreation registration system has been overhauled. It will make it easier for residents to sign up for programs. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the Tree Trust tree pick up will be on June 6, 2026. Tree sales open on April 1, 2026. It will be open through May 22, 2026. It is expected that the trees will sell out. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 24, 2026 Page 3 Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said that she and a number of Parks employees attended the Shade Tree Short Course at Bethel. It is an annual conference about trees. She will get her certification to inspect playgrounds next week. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the Parks System Plan will go to Council for adoption on April 13, 2026. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky encouraged committee members to watch the March 9, 2026 City Council Work Session. Ramsey County Trails were discussed. She knows PTRC are interested in knowing what trail projects are coming up. Council Liaison Rousseau said the Joint Engineers of Ramsey County (JERC) are working with the County on a new policy regarding cost sharing. It could significantly reduce the costs to the City if implemented. She said there was discussion on many trails at that work session. There may be some opportunities coming up. C. Trails and Parks Projects Update Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky noted the memo from Assistant Public Works Director Miller is in the packet. The items in bold are new. The parks projects for Ingerson, Perry and Sampson were presented at the work session on March 9. Council agreed with the budget and scope and Staff will move forward with selecting a designer and performing a Request For Proposals (RFP) for a playground vendor. She explained how the playground vendor selection process will change by putting an RFP out there for several vendors, rather than just one or two, as was the process in the past. This process will give the bidders an amount and the RFP will request the best playground for that amount of money. Vendors are aware that they are competing with other playground vendors so they will give us the most elements at the best price. Committee Member Hilding asked if the same process will happen for all three parks. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the playground at Perry will not be replaced. It is not at the end of the life cycle yet. Committee Member Hilding asked if the two parks will be bid as a combined project. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said it will be two separate projects, each with its own RFP. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the hardcourts at Arden Manor Park were bid out and the apparent low bidder will be awarded at the April 13 Council Meeting. The ADA access trail at Arden Oaks and Freeway will be awarded to the apparent low bidder at that same meeting. Committee Member Olson noted a list of items still to be completed at Arden Oaks. She asked if that was benches. She noticed there were none. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky confirmed benches and picnic tables will be installed. She said all of the parks will have gaga ball pits. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 24, 2026 Page 4 4. NEW BUSINESS None 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. 2026 PTRC Work Plan Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said she misspoke during the last discussion when she said the City Council would like to hear an update in September regarding the 2026 Work Plan. What is expected is the 2027 Work Plan will be presented to City Council in September. The 2026 Work Plan will not be presented to City Council. Chair Julius asked if the Council wants any kind of update on the 2026 plan. Council Liaison Rousseau said it would be best to bring it before the last quarter at the end of the year when budget discussions start. Discussion ensued regarding if PTRC is required to volunteer. It is not required but anyone who wishes to volunteer will be greatly appreciated. B. Park System Plan Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said she has been meeting with our consultant from Bolton and Menk every three weeks. There is a steering committee, as well. Bolton and Menk assessed every amenity in every park. There was a huge engagement process with the community. The Park System Plan is ready to be adopted. This will guide improvements in Arden Hills parks for the next 10 to 20 years. Committee Member Hilding asked how the City allocates funding to implement the plan. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the City has a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) every year that outlines the capital improvements over the next five years. The items on the plan aren’t guaranteed to be completed. It is a recognition of the current status and what the needs are. The City has to decide which of the projects to budget for and implement. Council Liaison Rousseau said the CIP is an annual process and the Park System Plan is recommended to be reviewed every 10 years. She said there may be some mini park plans for individual parks that can get into more detail about what’s needed. Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said Council has interest in mini plans, however the 2026 parks will not have them because the planning process for those improvements have already begun. Creating a mini master plan could delay that work. Council Liaison Rousseau said the mini park plans can help inform future councils. Committee Member Loosbrock said the mini plans can also help groups who adopt a park to know what work needs to be done there. Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 24, 2026 Page 5 Discussion ensued that one of the photos is not a photo of an Arden Hills feature. Further discussion ensued that the final plan can be adopted with a recommendation to replace that photo with one in Arden Hills. MOTION: Committee Member Olson moved and Committee Member Ahmed seconded a motion to recommend approval of the Parks System Plan, with a recommendation to replace the photo on page 68 with an Arden Hills photo. The motion carried unanimously among members present. 6. REPORTS FROM SUBCOMMITTEES Committee Member Loosbrock said she has a link for volunteers to sign-up to help at the Egg Hunt. She said she is looking for photographers, two egg hunt leaders and someone to wear the bunny suit. 7. NEXT MEETING A. Tuesday, April 21, 2026 ADJOURNMENT Chair Julius adjourned at 7:23 pm.