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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-07 Item 2A, PTRC Funding Discussion ~ ~~HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: July 10, 2007 AGENDA ITEM: 2.A. TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Michelle Wolfe; City Administrator FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager '1YlcP SUBJECT: Funding Discussion with the PTRC BACKGROUND Recognizing that the City has almost no funding currently dedicated to park and trail development and improvement, the City Council charged the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee (pTRC) with identifying alternative funding sources. The PTRC has spent numerous meetings researching and discussing possible funding concepts and alternatives. At the June 19th PTRC meeting, the Comprehensive Plan Update was discussed. After reviewing the 1998 Comprehensive Plan and in particular, the Parks and Trail section, the Committee voiced concerns that parks and trail development has been severely lacking. The 1998 Comprehensive Plan identified issues very similar to the priorities and strategies established in 2002 and 2006 by the PTRC. The PTRC believes that the plan indicates that very little progress has been made in the past ten years with park and trail development. With TCAAP design standards progressing, the PTRC feels very strongly that the integration of TCAAP parks and trails and the existing Arden Hills is crucial. The City is obligated to maintain what they have and to develop missing links to connect to the development on TCAAP. The existing community is divided by many major roads, highways, and railroads. These transportation corridors provide excellent regional access and mobility, but they separate neighborhoods and people from parks. Trail connections are needed to tie the city together, create a comprehensive system of parks and trails, improve safety and enhance the feeling of community. The Park Fund can no longer be utilized for maintenance projects. In 2004, the Legislature enacted several changes to the parkland dedication statute. The new law (statute 462.358, subdivision 2b) specified that Park Dedication funds may not be used for ongoing operation and maintenance. In 2006, this statute was modified to read that Park Dedication funds may be used only for the acquisition and development or improvement of parks and must not be used for ongoing operation and maintenance of parks. Therefore, maintenance projects will need to be funded from the general fund in the future. \\Metro-inet.us\ardenhills\PR&PW\Parks\Memos\Council Memos\Memo to CC regarding Park Funding Discussion with PTRC07-4.doc City Council Parks, Trails, and Recreation Funding Discussion 2 The PTRC has been discussing and researching various funding options for parks and trail improvements, including an email survey to other City Park Departments and inviting Sue Iverson, City Finance Director to attend two meetings. After requesting information from other Cities, it became apparent that there are no clear cut trends as to how to fund park improvements. However, the options that the PTRC found to be a possibility and should be discussed as future funding strategies include: . Bonding - In order to bond, the City would need to have this funding source approved by a referendum. This funding source would be utilized for specifically identified projects. It cannot be used simply to increase a fund balance. . Park Referendum - Ifthe PTRC identifies a specific project that they feel is worthy of a Park Referendum, they would bring forward to the City Council a recommendation with the reasoning and justification for such a funding resource. This would also require a resident vote and therefore, it would require a group effort to help it become successful and pass. This funding source would be utilized for a specifically identified project. . TIF District Funds - Use of funds after a TIP District expires is a possibility. Once those properties come back on the tax roll, it is possible to allocate those funds for a specific purpose. We have two TIP Districts, however, one will expire in a couple of years and the other is further out in the future. . Levy Increase - The levy would only produce approximately $25,000 for every 1 % increase. This is not a significant amount of funding. However, City Council could choose to increase the Park Fund Balance each year. The PTRC also encourages the City to pursue other alternative funding sources whenever possible such as: . Federal and State Grants - Grants can be extremely competitive and can be difficult to obtain. Further, repeated efforts to solicit funding from this source are crucial to success. . Cooperative Agreements - The City has attempted to secure cooperative agreements through MNDOT regarding improvements to County Road E. While the application for the bridge on County Road E was not successful, there will be other opportunities for cooperative agreements in the future. However, this will again depend on the specific project. . Sponsorships and Partnerships - Working with local businesses and community colleges is strongly encouraged. The EDC Committee can help the City establish working relationships with local businesses. While partnerships are always welcome and a valuable part of the Parks system, they tend to be project \\Metro-inet.us\ardenhills\PR&PW\Parks\Memos\Council Memos\Memo to CC regarding Park Funding Discussion with PTRC07-4.doc City Council Parks, Trails, and Recreation Funding Discussion 3 specific rather than supportive of general park operations or CIP lists. They are typically not perceived as a revenue stream to fund CIP projects. . Municipal State Aid Fund - MSA funds are an important funding source for City projects. Streets must meet certain criteria to be designated as MSA routes and receive MSA funding. Further, we are only allotted a certain number of miles (6.14) based on total miles of street (approximately 31) and are allocated funds based on this mileage. If any of the allotted miles are not assigned to a route, the annual fund apportionment is reduced. MSA funds can be used for trail development on MSA designated roads. Several projects in the CIP would be eligible for State Aid funding. Two projects that are listed in the CIP (Attachment A) as utilizing MSA Funding in the near future should be discussed: CP Rail Bridge and Countv Road E Bridge - The City Council asked staffto bring back more information on MSA funding in order to make decisions about these two projects. A summary of the current MSA balance and proposed MSA funded projects in the CIP is attached for your review (Attachment B). Staff was asked to verify that the cost estimates that have been prepared represent the proposed projects accordingly. The CP Rail Bridge estimate is based on the excavation of material and construction of structural support underneath the bridge (i.e. retaining walls), construction ofretaining walls on either side of the bridge to tie into the roadway elevation, and paving approximately 200 feet of the trail directly adjacent to the underpass/retaining wall work. The estimate for the retaining walls north and south of the bridge is conservative, because until a design is complete, it is uncertain how extensive these walls will need to be. The City of New Brighton was contacted to discuss the CP Rail on Old Highway 8 and compare that to what is proposed in Arden Hills. This trail was constructed in 1990 and is similar in design to what is proposed in Arden Hills. New Brighton staff has been unable to locate information on the cost of the project. The estimate to construct a cantilevered sidewalk along the County Road E bridge has been reviewed as well. Staff feels comfortable with the current estimate. However, for each year the project is not completed, the estimate should be increased by ten percent to account for an increase in construction costs. POLICY CONCEPT The PTRC is requesting that the City Council consider establishing a dedicated fund for park and trail enhancement. This would essentially serve as a Park Improvement Fund. Specific projects would then be presented to the City Council from a priority list by the PTRC and by staff. Projects completed and the amount of money utilized each year would depend on various opportunities and identified needs. This Park Improvement Fund would be utilized for park and trail development, renewal, and maintenance. The current Park Fund could still be utilized for projects. However, as noted earlier, it would not be able to be used for maintenance. \\Metro-inet.us\ardenhills\PR&PW\Parks\Memos\Council Memos\Memo to CC regarding Park Funding Discussion with PTRC07-4.doc City Council Parks, Trails, and Recreation Funding Discussion 4 As part of the Blue Cross, Blue Shield Grant, several workshops have been held to promote active healthy lifestyles. Several of these meetings have been attended by City Staff and PTRC Members. A strong message from these workshops was that trails should no longer be looked at simply as a recreational benefit but should also be considered an alternative safe mode of transportation. The PTRC feels that it is important that the City Council commit to the concept of promoting active living. In order to accomplish this, the PTRC believes that annual financial contributions should be considered. This would in turn accelerate the development of the missing segments of trails, as they relate to transportation in the City of Arden Hills. If developing this type of fund is a direction the City Council would like to pursue, below are cost estimates to construct and seal coat a one mile section of pathway: CONSTRUCT: Eight foot Bituminous cost/mile = $110,000 Eight foot Concrete cost/mile = $150,000 SEALCOAT: Eight foot trail cost/mile = $3,000 The listed costs are strictly material costs and do not include the following: Retaining walls, utility relocations, drainage fixes, signs, striping, driveway reconstruction, ADA pedestrian ramps, easements, labor and engineering. These estimates are included to facilitate a discussion on a specific amount that could be allotted each year to the Park Improvement Fund. The PTRC Strategies for Parks, Trails, and Community Building that were approved in 2006 are included for your review (Attachment C). RECOMMENDATION The PTRC recommends the following to the City Council: Short-TermlLong-Term: Establish a dedicated fund for park and trail enhancement (renewal, development, maintenance and purchase of park and trail amenities). A specific amount would be allocated to this Park Improvement Fund each year. Specific projects would then be presented to the City Council from a priority list by the PTRC and staff. As a way to accelerate development of the missing trail segments within the City system, a Park Referendum or Bonding could be considered as potential funding sources. Continuous: Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Sponsorships should be pursued whenever possible. Grant funds tend to be project specific and cannot be considered a replacement to a continuous funding stream, but they are a needed supplement. \\Metro-it~et.us\ardenhi11s\PR&PW\Parks\Memos\Council Memos\Memo to CC regarding Park Funding Discussion with PTRC07-4.doc PTRC Fundine: Discussion Julv 16. 2007 Attachment A: 5 Year CIP Spreadsheet f'rojectDescrlption ARDEN HILLS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FIVE YEAR SUMMARY 2006~2011 REVISION DATE: January 18, 2007 Tolal Project Cost Ge7~~~ ~~filal Special Reve~ue Ger;e;;IIFUr.d Pu~lic Salety MnDOT Slate.l\id UtiliIFunds(5\ Comments Perl< Fu~d Capital Fund Coop. A reeme~t Fur.ds{41 SlormWater Water Sanitary 2006 {Workina CaD.1 fund Balance Jan 1 - 2006 $ 6,213,340 $ 187,882 $ - $ 302,250 $ 95.550 $ 735,528 $ 416,012 2006 Ridgewood N.,;ghbmJlOoo Recon.truclion , 2.058,27g.00 , {1.000.58100) , {200.1lD0.00 ; (551.026.00 , (230,546.00) , (89.31>4.00) Updeled to include CMnge OrtJ8r #2 Recoru;tructLiflStalions#1,1tI1,#12.JtI3 , 35.000,00 , (35,000.00\ , Inee" Costsonl '0> SeMmidlParkUnder ~ , 32.000.00 ; 32,000.00\ Counl Pro'eGI.Anlici tedEarliostConstruction ,~ CSAHOOLandscain Enhancemenls , 120.407.47 , 120.407.471 , Total ro'elcostsa roximatel $360.000.remainde' idb Ramse Count s"mita Sewerl&IM~i alionWork Cil For~es) , 25.000,00 , (25000.00\ Need in ul from O&M on actual laoor/effort above normal bud elod labor and materials Basketball/TennisCourIReMaml~alion. Ro al rtiUsand Floral , 12000.00\ ; 12,000.00\ 3153SoorelineLaneDrivewa , 16.000.00 , 16.000.00 Vau Mn TowerAc~essRoad , 17.603.28 , 17.603.28\ AssessmenlPa .lEnler rise Fund Conlr./MnDOT SlaleAid estimatod , 311.000 , , , , 200,000.00 , 501,917 , 68,886 , 84,603 2oo5PMPStaleAid'eimbufSeme~tofS225.0oo IncludedinSlmm'NalerFundeontribulions Totals for 2006 , (2.316.2811-75) , (843,591.75) . (32,lltIo.OO) , (212,000.00) , , 200,000.00 , (49,1011.{1O) , (161.662.00) , (1)4.761.00) 2007 t'Workina Cao.t Fund Balance Jan 1 - 2007 $ 5,369,748 $ 155,882 $ - $ 502,250 $ (144,659 $ 573,866 $ 351,251 2007PMP.MOIandOvenay , 764,500.00) , 532.000.00) , 200.00000) ; 20.000,001 . {2,50000) , (10.000001 2007Sealcoat , 100,000,00) , 100.000.00) Old Hi hwa 10Sidewatklm ovements CP Ra~B,id e , 230.000.00 , 50,000.00 , 180,000,00 CoSlto, b,id aworkonl : I'al~ostsincluded as rl of Snell AvenyaReionalTrail " sed in 2010 StormPOndMainteMneeP,o' ct , 50.000001 , 50.1lD0,OO lncludes ROffiOval ot S~I De sits for Existin Cit Ponds Sanitar &werl&1 M~i alionWork , 100,100.00 , '00.100.001 BaskalbatlrTennis Cou'IReMabil~alio~_Cummi , , 35.000.00 , 35,000,00 Erner enc VehiclePreem tion ,ernainderof ..m , 26.000.00 , 26.000.00 " ece 1900 Waler Tanker , 105.000.001 , 105.000.00 , Assessment Pa IEnla, rise Fund Co~tr./ MnDOT 5tala Aid estimated , 296.000 , , , , 190.076.00 , 261506 , 96.675 ; 108,786 Totals for 2007 , (1.410,600_00) . 1441,000.(0) , (85.000.00) , (200.000_00) , . (15.924.00) , 211,503.00 , 94.175.00 . (1.312.001 2008 (Workina Can.\ Fund Balance Jan 1 - 2008 $ 4,928,748 $ 70.882 $ - $ - $ 486,326 $ 66,849 $ 668,041 $ 349,939 2008PMP-Reconstrucl , 2.245,000.00) , 1.330,000,00) . (200.ooo.ilO) , 500,000.00) . 200000.00) , 15,000.00) Count Road E Sidewalk 1m olffimenls Brid eSa mentNo'lhO tion , 376700,00 , 327,000.00 ; 49.700.00 9<id e Se menl South 0 lion. 534B,000 $299~CO<l r,,$.47kStaJeAid) Count Road E Sidewalk 1m ovemams NOflhWal~ , 302,90000 , 302,800.00 SouthWalkSl48.300 StateA.;d1 Sanila,ySawert&lMiligalionWork , 100,100.00) , (100.100.00) S!oTmPondMainloMnceProjecl , 50,000,00 , 50,000.00) Re",,~SoulhWale,Tower 179,440.001 $copo basad upon resulls olinspect",n by KTATatOl. tne. (December. 2005 ) includes $24.300 for fanca , 79.440.00 , and200/0forenineeri Screen and radin worl<oomlatedh O&M. not ;ncluded;~ cost 6a.~..tball/Tennjs CourlReMabililalion Ha7.elnll( , 15.000.00 ; 15,000,OQ '" Tra,Sinaa , 25.000.00\ , 25.0oo.0Q\ 5-10Picku , 25.000.00 , 25.000.00 AssessmentPa ./En1er rise Fund Conlr.lI.tnOOT Slate Aid estimaled , 440,000 . ; , , 190,076.00 , 295.340 , 150,651 , 164.073 Totals for 2008 , (3,219,140.00l . ~15,OOO.(0) , (45.000.00) , (2t5.000.00) , , 1152,524.00) , (254.660.00) . (128.7-69.00l , 48,973.00 2009 (Workin!-1 Cap.) Fund Balance Jan 1 ~ 2009 $ 4,013,748 $ 45,882 $ - $ 323,802 $ 187,811 $ 539,252 $ 398,912 2009PMP-Recons1ruGt , 1.233,800,00 , 683.900.001 ; 200.0DllOO) . 250.000.00) ; 50,000.001 . 150,000001 2009 Sealcoal , 77,000.00 , {77.00000) Includ~s 2,500forsea:Coatir>9 of Fir.. StalJOn;;<1 pafkinglol Sto,m Pond Maintenance Pro'aot , 50,00000 , 50.000.00 I neludes Removal ot S~I De sits from Existin Crt Ponds Sanilar Sewerl&IMili alionWo,k , 100,100,00 ; I tOO, 100.00\ 6askelbalI/Tennis Courl ReMabilitalion Cilat13re , 15.000.00\ , 15.000.00 F.2504x4T,uek , 30.000.00 , 30,000.00 Grouoo.Maslarw/B'OOf11 , 30.000.00 , 30,000.00 FfaelsidePicku One Ten wi Hoisl , 35.000.00\ , 35.000.00 Re,,"ce.letlerTruck , 130.000.00 , 130.000.00 Asses"",,,,,tPa./Enle rise Fund ConlrJMnDOT State Aid ""timated . 347.000 , , , , 190,076.00 , 310,319 , 180.015 , 200.3fj5 Totals for 2009 , (1.701.Qotl.no) . 1638.900.00) . , (215,000_00) , , 19n.076.tlO , 1n.319.00 , 130.015.00 , 50,265_00 2010 IWorkina Card Fund Balance Jan 1 ~ 2010 $ 3,374,848 $ 45,882 $ - $ - $ 513,878 $ (177.492 $ 669,267 $ 449,177 2010 PMP. Re<:onstruct , 2.19$,000.001 , 700.000.00 , 200.(0000) , 800,00000) ; 350,00Q,00 , 130.000.00) , (15.00000) 5'00.000 of State Aid to be appli8dlo Stofm 3ewarCost. Snellin AvenueRe ioMtT,a;1 . ElOO,OOO.OO , 800.000001 Research possib~~y of grants to fund lhis proiect Ce"didale for federal/unds" Sanilary Sewe, 1&1 MiligalionWork , 100.100.00 ; 100,100.001 6askotbalI/Tennis Courl Rehabilitalion Cilateare , 15,000,00 . 15.00000) F.3S00nel@Picku wi Dum , 82,000.00 , 82,000,001 ToroGrOUndsmaslerw/B(oorn , 32,000,00) , 32,000,00 Tractorw1621 Plow , 100.000.00 , 50.000.00) ; 50,000,001 Skid Sleer Loader/Soow SIOW<lr . 28,000.00 . (28,000.00) As.essrnentPa ,/Enle' ,ise FundConlr./MnDOT SlaleAid estimated ; 529,000.00 , , 180.076.00 , 300.000,00 , 175,00000 ; 115.000.00 Totalsfor2010 , (3,332.100.00) , (1,143.000.00) , , (21S,000.00) , , ; (609.924.00) , (50.000.00) ; (5,000.001 , 59.000.00 2011 (Working Cap.) Fund Balance Jan 1 _ 2011 $ 2,231,848 $ 45,882 $ - $ - $ 103,954 $ 227,492 $ 664,267 $ 509,077 2011 PMP.R6Construct/M~laooOva,ia , 811000.00 , 498.000.00 . 200,000,00 , 50.000.00) , (50000.001 . 115.000.001 2011 Sealcoal . 120,000.00 . 120,00000\ SanilarySewe'I&IMi~ alionWor~ , 100,100,00 ; il00.'00,OOI 6asketballfTennisCourlRehabilitalion Cilateara , 15,000.00) . 15.000,00\ Groundsmastarw/6room , 34,00000\ ; 134000,00 9,ushCh; , , 50,000,00 , 50,000.00 F.250 D;asel Truck . 30,000,00 . 30,000.00 F.4500neToniPlaw , 62,000.00 . 102,00000 AssessmanlPa .I Enle ri,eFundConlr./MnOOTSweA.id e,t;matcd , 354000,00 ; , 190.07ij.()0 , 300,000.00 , 175.000.00 , t75.000,00 Tolalsfor2011 , (1.222,100.00) , (43-6.000.00) , , {215.000,001 , , ; 190,076.00 , 250,000,00 , 125.000.00 , 59,900.00 2012 Workina Cap.} Fund Balance Jan 1 ~ 2012 $ 1,793,848 $ 45,882 $ - $ - $ 294,030 $ 22,508 $ 789,267 $ 568,977 Unassi nedPro'ects Wesl Round Lake Road Reconstruclion , 1500.000,00 , 1,100,000.00\ , ; 200.000,00 ; 50.000.00 , 150.000.00 Polentialto be Full Fundedb Oovelo ar'Amounl,nGeneraIFundinGludasS350.000fromTIF WesIRaundLa~eTra' . 120000.00 , 120.00000\ CounlRoadDTral . 150000.00 . 150.000.00 T,me w.th Ramsa Count Roadim rovements Le,i ton AverlUeT,ailresu,facin , 50000.00 , 50.000.00 Coslsun~nown allhishma Sanita S""",rSa ,; and Aceass ROad at eSJt7 . 150,00000 , '50,000.001 (estJmated cost lor conWuction and 'nsp~ctianin 2009, ij20K,n 20010 dollars); iI done a. 2 projects. ReconstrucleiflStations#1.#II,#12,#13 . 700,000.001 . , 700,000.00\ 11&13firotl&12second SCA.DASstemlnSlallalion , 200,000,00 ; 25.000.00 , (175.000.00 " ace Pia Structure-ValentinePa,k , 55,000.00 . 55,000,00 Valentir;eParklm rovame~ls CostsunMownallhist,me Gatewa SinsClevetandlCoRdOlexi 1000/96 lus2-3addilionallocalion , 180,000.00 , 180,000.00 Clavelaoo!Count RoadOs na5hma\edatS30.000 South Waler Tower Exteriof Coali aooeao , 150,000.00 , 150,000.00 Basedu neslima'eF'omKTATalor.lnc Dec~mber, 2005. neednolant",;aledbeFo,e2012 FondingSource Notes 1 General Capital Fuoo includesPIR Fund, NonassessableSlreelFund, & Capilal Equipment Thislund is d,awn down for Initial project disbu,semenls (enginee'in 8er.dconstructio~conlractor)and Funded bV resLdent and business assassrnenl paymenls 2. Assumed IMt 5200,000 will be drawn from the general ruM anrlUaUy fo' streel improvemams 3 IncludosTIF Dislric12 (Round Lake Business District) and TIF Disl,ict 1 (Collage Voiles) . About 5200.000 TIF ~alanceava~ablefor projects 4 Slale Aid Fund balance assumes annual disbursemenl from MnDOT af $lGO,076 !>.ased upon cu,",,,,,t leveb over the pasl10 years. Funds roceived ffam Stale Aid are applied la tho General Fund or the Storm Water Fund, when appticable 5 Util~y Enterprise fund balances assume a net operating surplus aach yea' which i.direct<><llowards QP proiects. Enle,prise fund balan""s do toke ;~to accounl the anticipaled revenue from increased utility,ales which wero basod upon the 'tudy Too Ufility ntes naad to be r......"amined ef rc.structu,ed if we ,,",sire Ie haY<> a h;ghecfund bala""" than is eurrcnlly p,ojected. Alternalively. W<I aitho, havo to SMlk other ,eY<>nue ,ouree or ~ul ba~k On projocts. Current Ul~~y rate study goes thrau8h 2009. Rales fo, 2010 and 2011 aro e.timaws only Addjfjonalcomments' Itshoytdbenotedlhaffundbalaneewillandt:an~hangoradj""llyiftheprojectCosls changeorthc Cityfatls shorl on revenUe eollection or spending mO<El tha n-ilntic;patodon,epaj",. PTRC Fundine: Discussion Attachment B: MSA Funding Spreadsheet Julv 16, 2007 I- a 0 c 2 E -0 2 -0 -0 -0 -0 ",- '" '" '" '" -000 co co co co "'0-0 Eo C E E .s E .- ~:::l ~ ~ ~ tit--LL 00 <1>"'- '" '" '" '" 00 '" C .'!l .'!l .'!l .'!l ._ ffi- Q) c-o E c c c c .Q 2 Q) .Q 0 0 0 - '" '" co ~ ~ 'g ~ .9- 9 " " " " ..Q .2 <( .Q .Q .Q .Q roc Q) OJ OJ OJ OJ - '" > - 15 - - Q-c:P 0 0 0 -ro~ C C C C '" 5.c ~ => => => => " o It= 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 E20 E E E E z <((1)0 <( <( <( <( " ............... ..... .......... ..... ..... .....'" "'''' ..... ..... " 0>0>0> "l ~~ 0> 0> 0>0 00 0>0> C triariu:i ~ ~~ r.....:r.....: Mcri cia trim III " "" '" "'''' 0> 0> .....'" 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" ". 0 0 0 q o. .Q N ci ci ci 0 0 OJ 0> 0> 0> 0> 0> 0> ~ ~ F ~ OJ '" '" '" '" '" => c c <( <('E 00 00 0 0 0 00 00 q q 0 CI) " cici cia 0 0 ci ::;; E 00 00 0 '" '" " 00 .....0> 0 "0 '" 00 O>N 0 " - ~ OON " 0 0 III => ~'" "'''' co E.Q '" '" '" .- E - .- '" " wo:: 0-- 00 00 00 00 (3 10 00 00 qq "0 00 cici 00 w " 0 00 00 00 I 1;;U oq .....0> 00 l- E- 0<0 <ON otio :;;g "'N .....0 0>0 ~ "'.- N'" "'''' ~co w 2 '" "'''' N'" C/) I- <L '" 0 W .<:: --, to a 0 0:: Z 0-- C 0 Q) w E 0 g"" Z (I) '" :::J ",5: iD LL <( .g€ 0> (I) 'C 0 I 2 f!JZ <( ,..c (I) -"'-'" 0 Z rom .8 w ~ ~ 2 0 Q) '" u:; ~ -0 -0 :::J ~ wen I 0 ww I~ a 0 I -0 -0 -0 '" '" ~ C9 ~ 0 0 Icl~ Z ~l~ ;z 1:> .m c c 0:: I .~ .....0::0-- 0) c c en 0== ~ N a 0 00--> 0 => => 0 "r"'"ID(5 ~ ~ 5: ~ ~()W 0 0 0 0 oCC 0 0 <L N 00 N N(I)(I) N N PTRC Fundinl! Discussion Julv 16, 2007 Attachment C: Strategies for Parks, Trails, and Community Building STRATEGIES FOR PARKS, TRAILS, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING STRATEGIES FOR PARKS I. Disk golf course/Bocce golf course The PTRC is exploring the idea of a disk golf course or bocce golf course because these activities provide another way for citizens to eujoy our parks. The estimated cost is $7,500, locatiou to be determined 2. Fenced dog park While a fenced dog park has been proposed as a potential strategy, it appears that Ramsey County is discussing the idea of adding a dog park to Tony Schmidt Regional Park. Discussion of this option should follow that decision. Staff estimates the cost of this development at $15,000. 3. Improve warming house conditions at Freeway Park and Hazelnut Park. These parks see increased use during the winter months and the current warming houses are inadequate. The condition ofthe warming houses has been addressed by Council action. 4. Study the feasibility of improving Valentine Park. The park floods every spring due to the fact that it is at a lower elevation than Lake Valentine. The play structure, warming house, and baseball field are routinely flooded. Replacement ofthe play structure has been delayed several times due to these issues. Information on costs and benefits of improving the park, and consideration of other options for providing a park for the neighborhood, will lead to a future recommendation. STRATEGIES FOR TRAILS Trail development has lagged behind the City's investment in park facilities for a number of years. The PTRC recommends development of an arterial or "core" trail system that provides access to all areas of the community and in addition, provides needed access to the trail systems in adjacent communities and to the regional trail system. The proposed trail segments also become an integral part ofthe overall transportation network. i. Tony Schmidt Park Railroad underpass This improvement has been scheduled for construction this year and will provide improved access to the Park from neighborhoods to the north utilizing already completed portions of the Arden Hills trail network. It will also form a strong connection with other recommended arterial trails, especially the anticipated Ramsey County trail connecting Tony Schmidt with Long Lake Regional Park PTRC Strategies for Parks and Trails Page 2 2. Perry Park trail down to lift station road. This trail connection will link Perry Park to the Tony Schmidt Railroad underpass. The City will apply for a DNR Local Connection Grant for this trail segmeut. The grant has a 50% match up to $100,000. The total estimated cost is $38,500. 3. West side of Old Snelling from Highway 51 on the south to County Road E on the north. This portion of highway is tentatively scheduled for improvement during 2010. Building the proposed trail as part of that project has obvious advantages. This trail segment is a key link in the major north-south arterial through the city which will eventually connect the existing Arden Hills with the new TCAAP development. This trail may be eligible for municipal state-aid funding. In the future, this trail could be extended to Lydia along the west side of Highway 51. 4. South side of County Road E from Old Snelling to Connelly This very important trail links the eastern and western portions of the City, connects two existing parks, provides access to businesses for people living west of Hwy. 51 and is an important part of a longer east-west arterial traversing the city from west to east. 5. East side of Old Snelling from County Road E to Highway 96 This is a continuation oftrail segment 3 and would iuclude reworking ofthe railroad underpass north of Lindey' s as well as some form of grade separation when the Highway 10 and 96 intersection is reconstructed.. This segment is crucial to improved circulation between the existing and new portions of Arden Hills. 6. North side of Lake Johanna Boulevard from County Road E on the west to Old Snelling on the east. Development of this trail segment would complete the southern east-west arterial through the city. It is heavily used now - year round - by residents, as well as students from Bethel and Northwestern Colleges and Mounds View High School. That use is likely to increase with the growing popularity of Tony Schmidt Park and the County's completion of the trailljnk under the railroad (Segment I). Ramsey County has requested that the Metropolitan Council designate Tony Schmidt as a regional park which will further increase its visitor use. As a result, Arden Hills may be eligible for regional park funds to improve this trail and provide safe access to the park. 7. Traffic signals at County Road E and Old Snelling This intersection becomes a major connector in the arterial trails system and trails approach and leave the intersection from different sides ofthe street.. For this reason, and because of the increasing volume of traffic using the intersection, traffic signals are needed. PTRC Strategies for Parks and Trails Page 3 8. South side of Highway 96 from North Heights Church on the east to Old Highway 8 and Long Lake Regional Park on the west. This trail segment completes the northem east-west arterial through the city by linking with the existing trails along Highway 96. It would provide better access to city hall and the development in TCAAP as well as providing safe access to the land and water-based recreational opportunities afforded by Long Lake Regional Park, the Rice Creek trail system leading to the Mississippi River, and Tony Schmidt. 9. Elmer L. Andersen Trail Designation The PTRC will be working with Ramsey County Parks and Recreation to determine the exact location and length of what will be recommended as the Elmer L. Andersen Memorial Trail. A naming guideline policy will also be presented to City Council for their consideration for approval. 10. Safe Routes to School Trail along County Road E2 - including connection to Venus Avenue The City, County, and School District will partner to apply for a grant through the Federal Safe Routes to School Grant Program. The segment oftrail that is being considered is the south side of County Road E2 from Old 10 to New Brighton Road and the connection across the street in the Ramsey County Open space - connecting the neighborhood. There is no cash match for this grant. However, it is a reimbursable grant. STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING Annual Events-suggestions/examples: Spring: Summer: Fall: Winter: Flower Planting Celebrating Arden Hills Buckthorn eradication Kid's ice fishing contest, snowman building STRATEGIES FOR APPROPRIATELY MAINTAINING EXISTING PARKS AND TRAILS Maintenance of existing Parks and Trails in the City should be provided on a regular and anticipatory basis.