Loading...
071222 CAC Agenda PacketCitizen Advisory Commission Meeting City Hall, 4401 Xylon Avenue North July 12, 2022 7 p.m. 1. Call to Order. 2. Roll Call. 3. Approval of June 14, 2022 minutes. 4. Public Works update with Bernie Weber, Director of Public Works and Nick Macklem, Stormwater Specialist/Project Coordinator. 5. Garage Sale update. 6. Brainstorming — Ideas to bring attention to New Hope. 7. Parks and Recreation project updates. 8. Other business. 9. Adjournment. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Susan Rader at 763-531-5152 or sraderCnewhopemn.gov CAC AGENDA ITEMS FOR 2022 AS OF 7/5/22 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. 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 13 - Commissioner Bus Tour September ? - Liberty Park Clean-up (no regular meeting) September 19 (6:30 p.m.) - Annual Dialogue with Council October 11- Budget Discussion November 8 - No meeting due to General Election December 13 - ?Update from Community Development; ?Discussion with Cooper HS students *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) CITY OF NEW HOPE 4401 XYLON AVENUE NORTH NEW HOPE, MINNESOTA 55428 Citizen Advisory Commission June 14, 2022 Regular Meeting New Hope City Hall, 7 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Wills called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Jeff Harper, Randy Herman, Jill Kaufman, Rick Riley, Bill Wills Absent: Commissioners Scott Kulzer, Carrie Neuburger Staff Present: Susan Rader, Staff Liaison Also Present: Danny McCullough, Three Rivers Park District Alex Koumoutsos, Toole Design Group APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Herman made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2022 meeting as written. Commissioner Kaufman seconded the motion. Voting in favor: Commissioners Harper, Herman, Kaufman, Riley, Wills. Opposed: None. Absent: Commissioners Kulzer, Neuburger. Motion carried. UPDATE ON CP RAIL Danny McCullough, Regional Trail System Manager for Three Rivers Park REGIONAL TRAIL PLAN District, addressed the commissioners. He reviewed that back in February Three Rivers Park District staff had presented a master plan project for a regional trail through the city. He explained that the goal of tonight's meeting would be to view and discuss route options for the regional trail. He stated that those options would then be presented to the city council for approval, followed by a period of public engagement. He added that Three Rivers staff would then return in the fall to present those findings and begin writing the plan. Alex Koumoutsos, a consultant with Toole Design Group, conducted a brief PowerPoint presentation. He displayed a map of existing as well as proposed Three Rivers Park District regional trails and identified the study area. He commented that many of the existing trails traveled from east to west and noted that the addition of a north/south corridor would offer connections to those trails. Mr. Koumoutsos informed the commissioners that he had previously worked with Three Rivers Park District on the development of a regional trail on the southern end, from the Minnesota River to Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail. Mr. Koumoutsos displayed a map of the study area that had identified the potential routes. He explained that staff from the cities of New Hope, Crystal and Golden Valley had previously participated in a driving tour and noted that potential city projects had been identified within the study area. He also pointed out that potential destinations including parks, shops, schools and more had been identified within the study area as well. Mr. McCullough reported that public engagement thus far had included the Vehicle Fair in Crystal and the Bike Rodeo in Golden Valley. He added that broad questions had been asked of the participants including whether the person lived in the study area and where they would like to bike or walk. He noted that many of the respondents had expressed interest in traveling to parks. Mr. Koumoutsos displayed maps identifying all potential trail routes and noted that all routes were located between Winnetka Avenue and Douglas Drive. He briefly summarized each of the routes: • Route A: Begin at Luce Line Trail at Winnetka Avenue, travel north on Winnetka Avenue to 4911' Avenue or jog over to Quebec Avenue and travel north, then travel east on 49th Avenue to Douglas Drive or connect with Corvallis Avenue at 51st Place N to Douglas Drive, travel north on Douglas Drive to Becker Park. • Route B: Start at Luce Line Trail at Douglas Drive, travel to Honeywell site via different options, travel north to Valley Place Park, take Bassett Creek Regional Trail to Winnetka Avenue, then select from the same options as Route A for the remainder of the route. • Route C: Start at Luce Line Trail at Douglas Drive and travel north along Douglas Drive to Becker Park. Mr. Koumoutsos displayed a stock image of a regional trail and described the ideal trail as approximately ten feet wide with a buffer between the curb and the regional trail. Commissioner Kaufman asked for an opinion on whether the trail would be used primarily for recreation or for transportation to local businesses and shops. Mr. McCullough felt that it could accommodate both types of users. Commissioner Riley wondered why the trail was referred to as the CP Rail project. Mr. McCullough stated that at some point the name would be changed and explained that the CP rail line had been designated as the established corridor by the Metropolitan Council. He added that it was preferred that the trail be placed within one-half mile of the rail line in either direction. He also mentioned that the plan would be written to place the trail on the rail bed but noted that it was currently an active rail line with no indication that it might be abandoned in the future. New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission June 14, 2022 Page 2 Commissioner Harper wondered how a trail could be incorporated along Winnetka Avenue or Douglas Drive without abutting the roadway. Mr. McCullough explained that a buffer of three to five feet of green space would typically separate the trail from the roadway. He added that while he would prefer a trail that did not travel close to a roadway, he acknowledged that this was not always possible in a developed area. Commissioner Riley added that it would basically serve as a replacement for sidewalk and would be available to pedestrians and bicyclists. Ms. Rader pointed out that a large portion of the Bassett Creek Regional Trail through New Hope had been placed next to the roadway, except for the portion that traveled through Northwood Park. The commissioners then reviewed the maps and engaged in discussion. Mr. McCullough wondered whether there were any planned improvements for 42nd Avenue. Ms. Rader replied that improvements were planned for the area west of Winnetka Avenue but commented that she was not aware of any projects planned for the roadway east of Winnetka Avenue. Commissioner Kaufman wondered whether e-bikes would be allowed on the trails. Mr. McCullough replied that e-bikes are allowed wherever bicycles are allowed. Mr. McCullough commented that there appeared to be some interest in a route along Quebec Avenue and wondered whether there were any improvement plans for Sunnyside Park. Ms. Rader replied no but added that staff could consider a loop through the park. Vice Chair Wills wondered whether an alternate route could be considered that would avoid Winnetka Avenue altogether and perhaps travel down Maryland Avenue. Ms. Rader expressed concern that it might be difficult for trail users to cross 36f Avenue at Maryland Avenue, as this was not a controlled intersection. The commissioners concluded their discussion regarding potential trail routes. Mr. McCullough thanked the commissioners for providing feedback and stated that he would return in the fall to discuss further revisions to the potential routes. New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission June 14, 2022 Page 3 The commissioners thanked Mr. McCullough and Mr. Koumoutsos for the opportunity to provide input. They excused themselves from the meeting at 8 p.m. GARAGE SALE UPDATE Ms. Rader reported that 69 residents had signed up to participate in the city- wide garage sale. She stated that staff would be posting signs throughout the city this week advertising the upcoming sale. BRAINSTORMING - IDEAS No new ideas were brought forward. TO BRING ATTENTION TO NEW HOPE PARKS AND RECREATION Ms. Rader referred to the playground project at Hidden Valley Park and PROJECT UPDATES reported that separate contracts for the site work and equipment had been awarded at the council meeting in May. She stated that removal of equipment would occur within the next few weeks. She informed the commissioners that there would be a gap between the completion of the site work and the installation of the equipment, as there had been a manufacturing delay on the equipment. She added that installation was expected to take place in September. A project update would be sent to approximately 450 homes in the neighborhood within the next few weeks. Vice Chair Wills wondered whether the equipment supplier would guarantee the September installation. Ms. Rader replied that staff had not been given a guarantee but noted that the company had not communicated any additional delays. Ms. Rader reported that court improvements would include crack repair at the Begin Park tennis courts and filling a large crack on the basketball court at Liberty Park. She noted that this court was on the list for a full replacement in 2023. She also mentioned that the basketball court at Lions Park would be crack -filled and resurfaced. Ms. Rader reported that engineered wood fiber would be added to some of the playground containers and noted that fiber was typically added to approximately one-third to one-half of the playgrounds each year. Ms. Rader reminded the commissioners that Aaron Thelen, Recreation Supervisor, had worked on a grant project for additional signage at Sunnyside Park disc golf course that would be placed at each hole. She stated that installation should occur within the next few weeks. She added that replacement of the dasher boards at the ice arena had been completed. Vice Chair Wills wondered whether any new trees would be planted at Liberty Park this year. Ms. Rader stated that the city forester had recently met with a tree company to select locations for future trees and anticipated that most planting should New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission June 14, 2022 Page 4 occur this fall. She also mentioned that the removal of diseased Ash trees within the parks would continue over the next five years. She informed the commissioners that there were approximately 850 Ash trees within New Hope's parks and noted that many were located within the natural areas of Northwood and Dorothy Mary parks. Commissioner Riley mentioned that the tennis courts at Lions Park had been removed approximately five years ago and wondered if there were any plans for that space. Ms. Rader replied no and noted that the budget for additional park improvements will be limited due to costs associated with Ash tree removal. She informed the commissioners that the park infrastructure fund would be transferring $100,000 annually to the forestry budget over the next several years to assist with removal costs. OTHER BUSINESS Vice Chair Wills mentioned the RAVE award program and encouraged the commissioners to make a nomination. He added that nominations were due by July 22. Ms. Rader thanked the commissioners for planting flowers in the containers along 42nd Avenue. Ms. Rader also thanked Commissioner Herman for volunteering at the Young Mudder event. Ms. Rader made the following announcements: • Food Truck Fridays began on June 10. • Farmer's Market would open for the season on June 18. • Music in the Park would include "The Jolly Pops' on June 15 at 10 a.m.; "Mitchell Hall and the Tennessee Trio" on June 22 at 7 p.m.; and "Sawyer's Dream" on July 6 at 7 p.m. • "The Lego Movie" would be shown on a jumbo screen at the performance center on June 16 at 9:15 p.m. She added that the movie was sponsored by the West Metro Fire Rescue Auxiliary. Commissioner Riley wondered whether community development staff could attend the December 13 meeting to discuss new Curb Appeal Program. Commissioner Kaufman reminded the commissioners that student representatives from Cooper High School might also attend the December 13 meeting. She added that she would follow up in the fall, once their student council was in place. Commissioner Harper expressed appreciation for the update on the Emerald Ash Borer program that had been given at the April meeting. He admitted that he, as well as many of his neighbors, had been unaware of the problem and wondered if that information could be better communicated. New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission June 14, 2022 Page 5 Vice Chair Wills stated that information had been published in multiple city publications as well as the website over the years but acknowledged that it could be challenging to get residents to take notice. Ms. Rader also felt that people sometimes set information aside, intending to read it later. She stated that she would share those comments with the city forester and communications coordinator. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Kaufman made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting of the Citizen Advisory Commission. Commissioner Harper seconded the motion. All present voted in favor. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Penny Spitzer Recording Secretary New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission June 14, 2022 Page 6