Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/10/2014

Home

1) Park and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes dated March 13, 2014. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Vice Chairperson Bennett, Commissioners Barr, Mobry and Trappen. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson Olsen, Commissioners Chubb, and Fyten 5. COMMISSION BUSINESS 5.01: Acknowledge ThriveMSP 2040 (Metropolitan Council Regional Development Framework) Process Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood presented the purpose of this case, is informational only. The City of Ramsey Planning Commission and Staff are formally beginning the next required municipal Comprehensive Plan Update process by engaging in the public comment process as hosted by the Metropolitan Council. The Park and Recreation Commission will note within the attached "Proposed Response" document, three Regional Trail related comments. While no action is required at this time, the Commission is encouraged to become familiar with Ramsey's existing Comprehensive Plan, the proposed Regional Framework — and to become engaged in the process, as either or both a resident and as a City Official. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood presented information on the three regional trails and indicated their location on a map. He provided a proposed realigned and connected central Anoka county regional trail. The third is the Rum River Regional Trail, which is proposed to go along the County Road to the Regional Park. The Trott Brook Trail would go from the Regional Park to the existing Lake Itasca Trail. Having a regional trail designation offers some opportunities for funding. Vice Chairperson Bennett stated he likes the plan. Commissioner Barr stated she is happy to see the trails would be connected. 5.02: Consider Park and Recreation Commission Outdoor Meeting Schedule Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood presented for many years, the Park and Recreation Commission have held regular meetings outdoors in the months of May through September (weather permitting). This provided the Commission an opportunity to inspect and comment on parks and projects as a group, and it afforded residents' access to the Commission on a neighborhood level. On the occasions of inclement weather, the Commission would hold the regular meetings at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. The purpose of this case is to confirm the Commission's desire for outdoor meetings in 2014 and if so what the locations would be. Staff has prepared a partial proposed schedule with an opportunity noted in brackets as a rationale — if the Commission agrees to continue meeting in parks for the summer. Vice Chairperson stated he is very much in favor of meeting in the parks. Commissioner Mobry stated it is nice to get some resident input. Park and Recreation Commission /April 10, 2014 Page 2 of 4