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Parks and Recreation
Commission Minutes
MAY 4, 2010
PRESENT:
Azer, Doneen, Etten, D. Holt, M. Holt, Pederson, Ristow, Stark, Willmus
ABSENT:
Jacobson
STAFF:
Brokke, Schultz
1.
INTRODUCTIONS/ROLL CALL/PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES-APRIL 6, 2010
Commission Recommendation: Minutes
of the April 6th meeting were approved unanimously.
3.
PREPARATION FOR JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL
Brokke indicated that there was
information in the Commission packet on past Council/Commission meetings on
possible topics. Since the meeting is only 30-40 minutes it would be good to
choose a few topics for discussion. Stark suggested agreeing on 3-4 topics by
the end of the meeting, with each commissioner asking the Council 1-2
questions. Willmus suggested discussion on funding and implementation of
steps to follow the Master Plan.
Etten said he thought it was
important to encourage the Council to be a part of the upcoming Master Plan
meetings and that residents have shown a lot of interest in the meetings and
support has been overwhelming. Stark indicated that the Commission will
be able to take the Master Plan draft, get feedback from the CAT team and
then meet with the Council later on future steps. Pederson commented that the
Council has received many updates on the Master Plan process. After
discussion, these topics were agreed upon for the joint meeting:
1.
Master Plan
2.
Budget
3.
Staffing
4.
Forestry
5.
Local Sales Tax Option
Stark will email members
information on the joint meeting.
4.
FORESTRY ORDINACE DISCUSSION
Commission members discussed the
information on the tree ordinance and emerald ash borer that was sent in
their packet. The ordinance is now being revised from 1991. Commissioners
indicated more money will be needed to address the ash tree situation. Brokke
said the department had received a small grant from the Department of
Agriculture to update the tree inventory. As part of the grant, the
department needs to update the ordinance by next year and have a public
hearing. Commissioners were shown a tree inventory map of the trees
throughout the city. The grant should allow for the city to identify the most
susceptible trees and to take down and replace up to 30 trees. Brokke noted
that he had received an alert that no ash trees should be taken down between
the months of May 15th-August 31st. The ash trees at
Cedarholm will be treated. Overall in the city, a combination of treatment
and removal is anticipated.
Brokke indicated Excel Energy
had wanted to take down a number of trees in Central Park by the power lines
but staff was able to convince them to only take one, others will be trimmed.
Brokke said many of the trees are memorials and have been donated by
residents. The crab trees have been especially beautiful this spring. A large
Cottonwood tree will be taken down in Owasso Hills Park.
Brokke explained we have a
part-time seasonal Forestry Technician from March–October who will be very
involved in the tree ordinance and emerald ash borer. Brokke asked
Commissioners to read over the current ordinance and make recommendations on
changes. Stark asked how residents can be involved. Brokke said it has been
publicized and there will be public meetings. Willmus noted the Commission is
on the Tree Board and that it may be time to examine the role of the board.
Stark said a possibility for the Board would be to have some Commissioners
combined with general public members.
5.
MASTER PLAN UPDATE
Brokke indicated the next couple
of months will be very busy with many Master Plan meetings scheduled. Three
maps were included with the Commission packet indicating the park
constellation concept. May 19th and June 2nd are park
concept plan meetings. Mailings and emails have been sent out. The concept
plan will include 6 park areas plus the Nature Center and the Southwest
corner of Roseville. Brokke said staff met with representatives of Falcon
Heights, Lauderdale and St. Anthony in regard to the Master Plan and possible
cooperative ventures. Falcon Heights and Lauderdale were most interested in
future discussions.
The April 21st
Master Plan meeting had about 100 people in attendance and focused on
Programs, Policies and Priorities. There were lots of good ideas and
discussion. Azer said that since some people might not feel comfortable
expressing their ideas in a group having other ways of expressing their ideas
is important. Brokke said they can email staff or fill out the outline
questionnaires and that staff welcome individual ideas. There will be a
new questionnaire soon. Brokke said the RAHS Survey was very well done,
coordinated by Julia Jacobson of the Commission. All students will complete
the survey on-site. Commissioners talked about the possibility of expanding the
student survey to the Mounds View district but decided against it since a lot
of their students don’t live in Roseville.
Etten said he would like to see
the Council and Commission invited to the June 17th CAT meeting.
Stark said the CAT team has done an amazing job. Pederson commented that the
consulting team has done a great job and that you want to be engaged.
The May 19th Concept Plan Meeting is from 6:30-9:30pm at the
Skating Center. The June 2nd meeting will show the design
ideas from the May 19th meeting. June 23rd is the
sharing the draft plan meeting and will probably be an open house format.
The Master Plan Technical
Advisory Team (TAT) met April 22nd and the discussion focused on
land use and project discussion. Brokke said different facilities of the city
were discussed in regard to the Master Plan. The Fire Department has
indicated they would like to consolidate their buildings in the future and
have one location. Brokke said the needs of the other city departments and
school district properties will be kept in mind during the process and then
it will need to be determined how do they fit or not fit with the Master
Plan. The goal will be to find the best solution looking into the future–5,
10, 15, and 20 years or more. We will also have to maintain what we have.
Ristow said he thinks the city
should look at park land as a possible site for a community center, since the
land is already owned by the city and it wouldn’t be affecting any property
taxes. The commissioners had a map of potential sites in their packet. Stark
asked if future demographics are being considered in the plan. Brokke said
yes, the planning teams are looking at demographics. It was noted the
demographics of the city and school district has changed a lot and now there
is an increasing percentage of minorities living in the area. The school
district has demographic data.
Brokke said Jeff Evenson and
Michael from LHB went to 3 classes at RAHS and the students were very
involved and engaged. Willmus said it’s been good to get input from all the
different age groups. Brokke said farther along in the process there may be
surveys and needs assessment done to identify priorities and help in
planning.
Azer said it’s important for the
city to be competitive in terms of comparisons with other cities. Parks are
an important reason why people have chosen Roseville to live, over other
cities. She said in planning it’s important to keep in mind “What will
attract new residents?”
The TAT team has also discussed
other properties: the Public Works Garage, Ramsey County Kent Street site,
the Recycling area at HANC and private property at County Road C and Dale St,
ands Easements/Right of Ways. They had a meeting last week with local
business representatives with about 30-40 people in attendance. There was
good discussion and the representatives said they are also trying to
incorporate green spaces into their business properties.
6.
COMMISSION RETREAT DATE
Commissioners agreed they wanted
to focus on the Master Plan now and that September would be a good time for
the retreat. Saturday, September 18th was chosen as the date,
combining it with the park tour. The scheduled time is 9am–2 p.m.
Pederson suggested possibly touring the areas where the park charettes will
be done.
7.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Brokke explained differences in
the department’s Staff Charts from 2007, compared to 2009. He said there has
been a great deal of teamwork to accommodate these changes. David Holt
asked if technology has helped meet the demands of the department with having
less staff. Brokke said the geothermal project is an example of technology
that will help now and in the future. Brokke said plans are moving forward on
the Reservoir project. The trail will stay open and the project should be
complete by the end of June. David Holt said the fence installed is short and
is concerned about if there would be any liability issues to the city. Brokke
said he would check that out.
Brokke gave an overview of
upcoming programs:
· The
brochure is out and we’re getting lots of registrations.
· There
is a new Youth Gardening class beginning in May at the Arboretum.
· Pottery
in The Park is at the Arboretum May 15th.
· Summer
Entertainment begins June 1st with an intergenerational concert
with RAHS and the North Suburban Choir.
· Volunteers
are needed to help with the concerts.
· The
Rosefest Parade is June 21st and sponsors are still needed.
· The
Run and Roll for the Roses will be June 26.
· The
Arboretum Green team is looking for new volunteers. There are many other
volunteer opportunities also available.
· Reservations
are being taken for picnic shelters.
· The
Skate Park at the OVAL is free and opened early this year due to the nice
weather.
Doneen asked if the idea of
mini-skate parks in neighborhood parks has been discussed at Master Plan
meetings. Brokke said it could be part of the neighborhood park concept
plans. The Puppet Wagon begins in June and the first Discover Your Parks
(DYP) is June 9th at Rosebrook. Commissioners asked that the
schedule for DYP be sent out.
May 20th is the Park
and Recreation Roseville U night at the Nature Center and Arboretum.
8.
OTHER
Etten said the April 18th
Villa Park clean-up went very well. Neighbors, Commissioners and 30 members
of the National Guard participated.
Doneen reported that the
Roseville Area School District, Baseball Association, and community residents
had worked out an agreement on the Fairview Community Center Fields so
that the outdoor space will be reconfigured to 3 ball fields-2 for fast
pitch softball and one for baseball. Ristow commented he’s looking
forward to the music in the parks this summer. Stark showed Commissioners the
new Rosefest button and Brokke said they would be available for purchase at
$2 soon.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Rick Schultz, Recreation
Coordinator
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