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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-16-09 PTRC Chair: John Peck 1245 W. Highway 96 Committee Members. EN HILLS Arden Hills, MN 55112 Lanny Baumann 651.792.7800 Cindy Garretson www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us Jody Hilgers Parks, Trails, and Larry Jones Don Messerly Recreation Committee Nancy O'Malley June 16, 2009 Harold Petersen Steve Scott 6:30 p.m. Rich Straumann Council Liaison: Arden Hills City Hall Fran Holmes City Vision A strong community that values our unique environment, our fiscal soundness, and our tradition as a desirable city in which to live, work, and play. Agenda Regular Committee Meeting Convenes 6:30 PM **All members should bring their P & R Facility Inventory Manual for reference and their VALENTINE PARK DRAINAGE STUDY** Call to Order 1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 12. MINUTES A. May 19, 2009 Regular Meeting 3. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS A. Project Updates 1. Elmer L. Andersen Memorial Trail Connections—ARRA Funding Update a. Safe Routes to School b. DNR Perry Park Trail 2. County Road E Bridge B. Valentine Park Drainage Discussion—Todd Hubmer from WSB &Associates will have a presentation. Kris Giga, Civil Engineer will also be in attendance. C. TCAAP Discussion D. Trail Signage Discussion E. New Brighton Trail Committee Joint Meeting Discussion Follow up F. Park Tour Date 4. REPORTS A. City Council Report B. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Report 5. NEXT MEETING A. July 21, 2009 6:00 p.m. —Annual all Committee BBQ—Cummings Park 6. ADJOURNMENT A quorum of the City Council may be present at this meeting. EN HILLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS,TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2009 6:30 PM ARDEN MILLS CITY HALL 1• CALL MEETING TO ORDER Park and Recreation Manager Olson called the May 19 2009 meeting of the Parks y � � g , Trails and Recreation Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Committee Members CindyGarretson Don Mess erI y, Nancy O'Malley, Harold Peterson, and Steve Scott. OTHERS PRESENT: Council Liaison Fran Holmes and Park and Recreation Manager Michelle Olson. MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Committee Chair Peck Committee Members Lan ny Baumann, Jody Hilgers, Larry Jones and Rich Straumann. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Committee Member Messerl motioned to approve the agenda as presented.' y pp g p nted. The motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES--APRIL 21 2009 Council Liaison Holmes made a correction on the bottom of Page 6 she asked g that the word "extremely" be removed from reference to the County g Road E Bridge. MOTION: Committee Member Scott motioned to approve the April 21 20 pp p , 09 minutes as presented, seconded by Committee Member O'Malley. The motion carried unanimously. 4. UNFINISHED AND NEW BUISINESS A. Project Updates 1. Elmer L. Andersf4n Memorial Trail Connections —AEZRA Funding Update a. Safe Routes to School b. DNR Perry Park Trail Ms. Olson stated the City's ARRA rant was fourth out of 50 projects,g p � s, and explained that the state was funding ten protects. She noted the City would be receiving approximately $288 000 from this funding for the Safe Routes to School, including the Perry Park connection. Ms. Olson PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 19, 2009 Page 2 of b was very pleased with the accomplishment and for the financial assistance it would. provide the City for these trail connections. Ms. Olson reviewed the design plan of the projects that would be recommended for approval. She explained that this project would now be referred to as the Elmer L. Anders& Memorial Frail Connections, as written within the grant. Ms. Olson stated the environmental was completed for both projects, which helped the City to score highly on the grant. She explained that the plans and specifications for the Perry Park trail still needed to be completed. Ms. Olson reported that June IOth would be the final approval date and that she would p pp report back to the Committee after that time. She noted the school was very happy to hear about the grant. Ms. Olson explained that if all went well, this project would begin next spring/early summer of 2010. 2. CP Rail Ms. Olson discussed that she brought the Committee's recommendation of bike lanes on both sides of the bridge to Council. She explained that the Council is waiting on County Road E estimates at this time. Ms. Olson noted the City has spoken with Ramsey County and explained they were open to working with the City on a bike lane or additional shoulder. She indicated the biggest challenge will be the costs if completed independently of a maintenance project, as some portions of the roadway would be challenging than others. Council Liaison Holmes added that the Council would also like to see how the west side proceeds; before addressing a trail on both sides of the bridge. Ms. Olson reported that staff has been in communication with the railroad and that they were open to having a trail on either one or more sides. Ms. Olson explained that they were not giving any final approval until they have reviewed the plans. 3. County Road E Bridge Ms. Olson explained that the County Road E Bridge has gotten quite complicated. She passed out a memo from the recent Council meeting for the Committee to review. Ms. Olson noted the cantilever option was no longer viable as MnDOT was not in favor of this proposal as it would require structural implications to the bridge. Ms. Olson stated the engineers have identified two alternatives, one being to modify the existing bridge deck providing a five foot walkway, two foot offset with two twelve foot lanes for traffic. She indicated a structural analysis would need to be completed for this option. Ms. Olson indicated the second option would be a stand-alone pedestrian bridge to the north side of the existing bridge. PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 19, 2009 Page 3 of b Ms. Olson explained the first option is workable but that the expenses need to be further explored and should be less than the $4001,000 estimated for the cantilever. After the structural analysis these numbers will be more concrete. She indicated a stand-alone pedestrian bridge has P g been estimated at roughly$1 million, which may be written into a federal ant to assist the City Y with this expense. Ms. Olson reviewed the various federal grants available to the City, noting they would be very competitive. Ms. Olson stated the Council discussed the options at length on Monday night ht and have directed staff to do engineering for both options to greater compare the pricing. She noted this P P g information would be passed along to the Council at their next meeting for further review. Council Liaison Holmes questioned how the Committee felt this item should proceed. The Committee agreed that the 5 foot walkway would be better than the current walkway and create greater safety for crossing pedestrians. Ms. Olson added that the federal grant would not be funding j projects until 2013 and that the County Road E Bridge was not slated for replacement for at least 20 more years. She stressed the need for an improved pedestrian path before the bridge was replaced. The Committee was in agreement that the pedestrian path was needed stating the five foot path was better than the -current situation. B. TCAAP Discussion Council Liaison Holmes reviewed the latest TCAAP information with the Committee. She stated the City was going to have a negotiated sale with the Arm but that. Ryan ComP anies was requesting a reduced purchase price at this time due to the economy. The Army was not willing to lower the purchase price, which rescinded the entire agreement. Council Liaison Holmes stated another option would be a public sale of theproperty. She _ P indicated this would be an option the Council was not in favor of, as it would create access concerns and questionable uses on the site. Council Liaison Holmes explained that the new encourage plan was to e the site to become a P g county regional park, with band shells, a library, gardens, etc. She noted the Council was going g to pursue this option with Betty McCollum. Council Liaison Holmes indicated another option would be a public conveyance, which means it would be conveyed for public use. She noted the City was looking at special legislation on this issue. Council Liaison Holmes asked the Committee their thoughts on this site becoming parkland and what would be best for the City of Arden Hills, without becoming a burden to the taxpayers. Committee Member Peterson indicated the parkland would be �eat for the City but that the City would miss out on a great deal of property taxes if not developed into housing. He stated the PARKS,TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 19, 2009 Page 4 of 6 City would benefit from taxes eventually if TIE were used. Committee Member Peterson explained he liked the look and feel of the New Brighton Town Square. Committee Member Scott expressed concern for the developments along Highway 10 and if there could be light development along this corridor. Council Liaison Holmes stated this was a possibility and that the entire site would be cleaned by the Army to a commercial grade. Council Liaison Holmes noted that wind turbines or wind energy have been suggested for the site to fund some of the park expenses. Committee Member Scott stated he was in favor of keeping as much park land as possible while foregoing additional strip malls. Committee Member Messerly suggested the site become a park over 20 years ago, which was not well received. He explained he would love to see the land become a park or even a nature preserve. Committee Member Scott questioned if a change to this site would alter the 10/96 construction. Council Liaison Holmes explained that the overpass would continue but that the local access - points would be changed. She indicated that the local access points would be further reviewed. Committee Member Garretson stated she was in favor of the park idea leaving much of the site natural. Council Liaison Holmes thanked the Committee for their comments and stated the Council would be having a Community meeting to further discuss future of the TCAAP site. She noted this would be discussed more in the future and encouraged the Committee Members to continue to think about the site. Ms. Olson noted that she would bring this item back for further discussion. C. Trail Si znage Discussion Ms. Olson explained she would like to discuss this in greater detail with the entire Committee to plot out where signs should be placed throughout the City. She indicated that she would bring this item back at the June meeting for further discussion. Ms. Olson explained that Derrek Hames would be brought in as well to assist in the design of the plexi-glass sign. D. Park and Trail Priorities Ms. Olson stated she has listed all future trails for the City. She reviewed which were to be completed by the County along with the pending Elmer L. Anderson Trail Connection through the ARRA grant. Ms. Olson felt it would be a good idea for the Committee to budget for future trails along with prioritizing which trails should be completed first. B' 1 PARKS,TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May I9, 2009 Page 5 of 6 Ms. Olson asked that the Committee Members review this information and be ready to discuss the trail goals and priorities for 2010 at a future meeting. She noted that park improvements would also need to be considered by this group. Ms. Olson suggested a group tour of the arks to allow for an inventor and listing p y of the current condition of the City parks. The Committee was in favor of the park tour for June. Discussion ensued regarding Crepeau Nature Preserve- E. New Bri hton Trail Committee Joint Meetin Discussion Ms. y Olson indicated she has not heard back from the City of New Bn* ton t� t gh O date. She stated June 4�or June I0hwere the suggested dates. Ms. Olson noted she would forward the final date to the members via email once decided. 5. REPORTS A. Report from the City Council Council Liaison Holmes gave an update on the Council actions from p the past few months. Discussion ensued regarding the Walgreens and she reported that it was expected to come before - - p the Planning Commission in June. Council Liaison Holmes explained that Northwestern was going to be building . g g a student center and green area In the middle of their campus, near the Nazareth Hall_ She noted this was discussed by the Council and was not set to begin construction for several, y curs. Council Liaison Holmes added that the Council discussed a rental registration g stration ordnance at last night's meeting. She stated the Council would continue this process with hopes of having p p the program in place by yet this summer. B. Parks and Recreation/Public Works Update Ms. Olson explained that the PMP project would be going to assessment s and approved after the plans return. She indicated there would be a rain garden with a minimal impact on Linde 's Park. p y Ms. Olson stated the Public Works six seasonal maintenance staff have begun their work for the City. She noted this week two play structures, Floral Park and Arden Oaks, have been wood chipped. Ms. Olson indicated additional ,parks would be wood chipped throughout the summer as well. g PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 19, 2009 Page 6 of 6 C. Parks,Trails and Recreation Committee Comments and Requests Committee Member Peterson questioned if the street light near his home and Royal Hills Park could be looked at as it has not worked for the past three months. He questioned if he should speak with Xcel Energy or the City about this concern. Ms. Olson stated she would pass this information along to the Public Works Director. Committee Member Messerly presented the group with an informational sheet regarding g g Valentine Park. He indicated the lake level was extremely high at this time due to the beaver dam, which was causing a flooding concern. Committee Member Messerly suggested ested Bethel be contacted and asked to remove the dam before the flooding were to worsen. He added that the culverts near Bethel were 50-75% blocked by sediment reducing the water flow from the area to the adjacent marsh, and reducing the lake level overall. Committee Member Messerly questioned if the City has heard from Rice Creek Watershed_ Ms. Olson stated she had not heard from them to date. Committee Member Messerly indicated he would be willing to contribute financially to assist in reducing the water level by having the culverts cleaned. He explained that the cleaning of these culverts would reduce the flooding at Valentine Park after large rainfalls. Ms. Olson agreed this would contribute to reducing the lake level concerns but ultimately this was a Rice Creek Watershed concern. 6. NEXT MEETING—Tuesday,June 16 2009 The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. 7. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Committee Member Messerly motioned to adjourn and Committee Member O'Malley seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.