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030822 CAC Agenda PacketIf you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Susan Rader at 763-531-5152 or srader@newhopemn.gov Citizen Advisory Commission Meeting City Hall, 4401 Xylon Avenue North March 8, 2022 7 p.m. 1.Call to Order. 2.Roll Call. 3.Approval of February 8, 2022 minutes. 4.Discussion with Brad Kallio, Community Relations and Crime Prevention Officer. 5.Snowman Contest update. 6.Brainstorming – Ideas to bring attention to New Hope. 7.Parks and Recreation project updates. 8.Other business. 9.Adjournment. CITY OF NEW HOPE 4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428 Citizen Advisory Commission Regular Meeting February 8, 2022 New Hope City Hall, 7 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kulzer called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Staff Present: Also Present: Commissioners Jeff Harper, Randy Herman, Jill Kaufman, Scott Kulzer, Carrie Neuburger, Rick Riley, Bill Wills None Susan Rader, Staff Liaison Danny McCullough, Three Rivers Park District Kelly Grissman, Three Rivers Park District WELCOME NEW COMMISSIONER The commissioners welcomed new member Jeff Harper to the Citizen Advisory Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Herman made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2022 meeting as written. Commissioner Wills seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Commissioners Harper, Herman, Kaufman, Kulzer, Neuburger, Riley, Wills. Opposed: None. Absent: None. Motion carried. CP RAIL REGIONAL TRAIL INTRODUCTION Danny McCullough, Regional Trail System Manager for Three Rivers Park District, and Kelly Grissman, Director of Planning for Three Rivers Park District, introduced themselves and conducted a brief PowerPoint presentation. Ms. Grissman informed the commissioners that she and her team were responsible for overseeing all long-term regional trail and park master planning, including land acquisition, grants and research. Mr. McCullough reported that Three Rivers Park District had begun the process for a north/south regional trail connection through the communities of Crystal, New Hope, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Edina, and Bloomington. He displayed a map indicating the planning area and explained that the north/south line on the map was referred to as the “search corridor”. He noted that the search corridor basically followed the CP rail line but commented that it was probably not a feasible option as it was currently an active freight rail line. Mr. McCullough displayed a map with the corridor divided into segments A through F. He explained that master planning work had been completed for segment A on the south end of the trail through Bloomington and Edina. He stated that segments E and F impacted the city of New Hope and noted that New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission February 8, 2022 Page 2 the trail was projected to start at Becker Park in Crystal. Mr. McCullough explained that as the trail traveled south it was projected to connect with several other regional trails including the Luce Line, Bassett Creek, and North Cedar Lake regional trails. He stated that the Citizen Advisory Commission would have the opportunity to review and approve the preferred routes prior to and following the public engagement. He estimated that the approval process would take around 15 months to complete for the three cities, the park district board and the Metropolitan Council. Mr. McCullough offered five questions for the commissioners to consider. They included: 1. Any concerns with proceeding with master planning at this time? 2. Any local priorities/goals to consider/incorporate into the planning process? 3. Any routes/destinations to consider/avoid? 4. Any projects/opportunities to try to collaborate with? 5. What are the City’s community engagement expectations/ideas? Commissioner Herman wondered how many cities were being asked to approve the project. Mr. McCullough replied that approval for segments E and F was currently being sought from the cities of New Hope, Crystal, and Golden Valley. Commissioner Herman wondered how long the process would take before the entire north/south trail was connected. Ms. Grissman replied that the project had not yet been funded and noted that the master plan would need to be approved by the city councils, the Three Rivers Park District board and the Metropolitan Council prior to seeking funding. She added that the park district would seek federal funding in February for the south section, which had been approved, but commented that the entire trail would most likely be constructed a section at a time due to funding constraints and could take many years. Mr. McCullough displayed examples of regional trail amenities including benches, trash cans and wayfinding stations. He also displayed a tentative schedule and reviewed that the park district would be working to identify routes over the next few months, then meet again with the various city commissions and councils to narrow down options and seek approval to move forward with public engagement in the summer. He added that park district staff would plan to return to the commissions and councils in the fall to present that feedback and seek approval for a preliminary alignment. He explained that once the alignment was approved staff would then begin writing the master plan. He added that the various cities would be asked to review the plan in the fall and staff would seek final approval in the winter of 2022-23. Ms. Grissman added that she and Mr. McCullough planned to return to the New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission February 8, 2022 Page 3 Citizen Advisory Commission in April for a work session. Mr. McCullough discussed public engagement methods that had been used for other master plan projects. They included: • Project website with interactive map • Online survey • Virtual and/or in-person open houses • Pop-up engagements at community events • Direct mailing/newsletters • Listening sessions and activities with underrepresented groups Commissioner Wills mentioned that REI published a calendar of various outdoor events and thought it might be possible to advertise public engagements through them. Chair Kulzer suggested a pop-up event at the aquatic park or perhaps at a restaurant. He also suggested a pop-up event at the annual softball tournament at Northwood Park in July. Mr. McCullough addressed several questions Park District staff typically received when discussing a trail master plan. 1. When will it be built? The commissioners were reminded that a master plan must be completed before the park district could seek funding, and construction could not proceed without funding. 2. Who will pay for design, construction, and maintenance? Mr. McCullough stated that the park district was responsible for funding the construction of the trail as well as operations and maintenance. He added that the park district partnered with local cities to plow their trails during the winter months. 3. Will Three Rivers use eminent domain? Ms. Grissman stated that while it was one of many options, it would require city council approval and was used as little as possible. 4. How will Three Rivers minimize impacts on private property? Mr. McCullough replied that the park district preferred to avoid constructing trails next to property lines wherever possible. He added that trail projects sometimes included funding for fencing or vegetation to serve as buffers to private property. 5. Who has the decision-making authority? Ms. Grissman replied that city commissions and councils ultimately provided decision-making authority for trail projects. Commissioner Wills expressed his support for the trail and commented that he would prefer a trail through natural areas versus adjacent to busy roads. Commissioner Kaufman wondered whether the trail would be constructed of aggregate or asphalt and whether the railroad might be able to usurp jurisdiction of this trail in the future. Mr. McCullough replied that it would be paved. New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission February 8, 2022 Page 4 Ms. Grissman added that it was unlikely that railroad property would be utilized for this project. Commissioner Kaufman also wondered whether the delay in the light rail project would have an impact on this project. Ms. Grissman replied no. Commissioner Kaufman commented that she would prefer an option that provided a streamlined trail with minimal stops. She also suggested contacting the Major Taylor Bicycling Club as well as the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota. Ms. Rader mentioned that she and a few other representatives from the city of New Hope had we met with Three Rivers Park District Commissioner Marge Beard and Superintendent Boe Carlson to discuss the Parks to People initiative. She wondered whether Three Rivers planned to offer any joint engagements through that initiative. Ms. Grissman thought so and explained that the Parks to People master plan was designed to bring more of the Three Rivers experience through programming within the first-tier communities. The commissioners thanked Mr. McCullough and Ms. Grissman for their presentation. They excused themselves from the meeting at 8 p.m. PARK ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2022 Ms. Rader reviewed that each commissioner would be asked to visit a few of the city’s parks during the warmer months and report back on their condition or any areas of concern. Parks were reassigned for 2022. 2022 AGENDA TOPICS Ms. Rader reviewed that the Emerald Ash Borer update had been moved to the June agenda to accommodate Three Rivers Park District on this evening’s agenda. She added that discussion of the trail project would continue at the April meeting and would include a work session format. She also noted that the discussion of Ice Arena operations that had previously been scheduled for April had been postponed. Commissioner Wills suggested that the December agenda topic remain open at this time. BRAINSTORMING – IDEAS TO BRING ATTENTION TO NEW HOPE Ms. Rader reported that staff had received three entries for the Snowman/Snow Sculpture Contest thus far. The contest would remain open through March 31. Chair Kulzer inquired about an update on a potential car show at Frankie’s. Ms. Rader replied that she had not received any new information. New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission February 8, 2022 Page 5 Commissioner Kaufman wondered whether Duk Duk Daze or some other type of summer event would be held in the future. Ms. Rader reviewed that the New Hope Lions had previously organized Duk Duk Daze in cooperation with the city and had been considering a one-day event called Hey Day. She reported that an event had been tentatively planned for last summer but did not occur. She added that she had not yet heard whether there were any plans for an event in the summer of 2022. Commissioner Riley wondered whether the annual softball tournament was organized by the parks and recreation department or the New Hope Lions. Ms. Rader replied that it was organized by the New Hope Lions and was typically held the third weekend in July. PARKS AND RECREATION PROJECT UPDATES Ms. Rader reported that the first meeting of the Hidden Valley Park playground planning committee would be held on February 23. She stated that around 20 residents had expressed interest in attending and noted that Commissioner Riley would also participate. She explained that Flagship Recreation/Landscape Structures, who would be working on this project, had received the survey results and would prepare a few draft options based on those results. She also mentioned that the hill and retaining wall presented a challenge on the northwest side of the container but thought that expansion of the container probably would not occur as survey respondents did not want trees removed. Ms. Rader noted that a second meeting would be held a few weeks later to finalize a plan. She added that staff anticipated presenting the final plan to the city council around the end of March. Ms. Rader reported that ice arena dasher boards had been ordered with installation planned for the spring. She noted that a change order for additional gates would go before the city council on February 14. She also reported that camera installations continued at the ice arena and golf course and turf restoration at Civic Center Park would continue in the spring. Final restoration projects at Corner Park and Little Acre Park basketball court would also be completed in the spring. Commissioner Kaufman wondered whether any instructors from Sonnesyn Elementary had utilized Hidden Valley Park for classroom instruction. Ms. Rader thought so. She also mentioned that the school district was aware of the playground project and a representative would be serving on the committee. Commissioner Riley mentioned that a section of the trail at Northwood Park had been blocked off for a few days and wondered why. Ms. Rader thought that it might be due to buckthorn removal. Commissioner Riley commented that the cattails appeared to be taking over New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission February 8, 2022 Page 6 between the bridge and Boone Avenue on the east side of Northwood Park. He wondered if there were any plans to dredge that area in the future. Ms. Rader replied that she was unsure but suggested that Public Works staff address that at the July meeting. Ms. Rader informed the commissioners that the softball fields at Northwood Park would be renamed this summer in honor of former New Hope resident Art Field, who had been an active member of the New Hope Lions Club and had worked as a seasonal employee for several years in his retirement. She also reported that one of the bridges at Northwood Park would be dedicated to Harvey Feldman, the city’s first Parks and Recreation director. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Kaufman reported that she had contacted the Activities Director at Cooper High School to discuss student governance within the community as well as the potential for student involvement in the Citizen Advisory Commission. She stated that she had heard back from staff advisors for the student council and the National Honor Society, who had both expressed interest and noted that they were considering some type of collaboration at the December meeting. Ms. Rader reminded the commissioners that the State of the City presentation had been held the previous week. She noted that a link to the presentation had been provided in the Friday Update and on the city’s website. She also mentioned that the summer recreation brochure “In Motion” should arrive in the homes in early March. Commissioner Neuburger inquired about the date of the commissioner bus tour. Ms. Rader replied that it had not yet been set. Chair Kulzer mentioned the city manager’s upcoming retirement on June 1 and wondered about the hiring process. Ms. Rader stated that the city council would be discussing the process at the February work session. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wills made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the Citizen Advisory Commission. Commissioner Neuburger seconded the motion. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Penny Spitzer Recording Secretary CAC AGENDA ITEMS FOR 2022 AS OF 3/1/22 The following is a tentative listing of major agenda items that have either been assigned to the CAC, a CAC member has asked that the item be discussed, or city staff has asked that the item be discussed by the CAC. March 8 – Discussion with Officer Brad Kallio, Community Relations and Crime Prevention Officer April 12 – Canadian Pacific Rail Regional Trail additional discussion with Three Rivers Park District staff May 10 – No meeting May 17 (?) – Liberty Park Clean-up; pick up plants for 42nd Avenue pots June 14 – Emerald Ash Borer update with Shawn Markham, Contract Manager/Forester July 12 – Public Works Update w/Bernie Weber, PW Director and Nick Macklem, Stormwater Specialist/Project Coordinator August 9 – No meeting due to Primary Election September xx – Commissioner Bus Tour? September 13 – Liberty Park Clean-up (no regular meeting) September 19 – Annual Dialogue with Council October 11 – Budget Discussion November 8 – No meeting due to General Election December 13 – *Note: A meeting may be cancelled if there are no agenda items. On-going • Continue to sponsor Snowman Contest, City-wide Garage Sale • Ideas to bring attention to New Hope • Promotion of existing City programs: In Focus, RAVE, Outstanding Business • Volunteering at P&R/City events Updates • Park/Facility Projects Possible Future Topics • Ice Arena Operations Discussion w/ Mark Severson, Recreation Facilities Manager & Tour • CD Projects including St. Therese Renovation • Organics and HRG Reimbursements, Curbside Cleanup and Load Limits • Police Department – Joint Community Police Partnership • P&R Update • Discussion with Cooper High School students • Follow-up discussion with Three Rivers Park District re: CP Rail Regional Trail (later in 2022 or early 2023)