Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 08/15/2002

Home

Commissioner Olds suggested drafting a resolution for Sunfish Lake Boulevard with regard to the shoulders and pathways. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos agreed stating a joint meeting with adjacent cities would help gain support for this issue if taken to the County. Motion by Commissioner Johns, seconded by Commissioner Shryock, to direct the City Engineer to create a cost feasibility for the construction of a trail along Sunfish Lake Boulevard with the roadways upgrade to connect and/or complete the trail from County Road 5 to County Road 116. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Cook, Commissioners Johns, Shryock, and Olds. Voting No: None. Absent: LaMere, Ostrum, and Rolfe. Commissioner Shryock advised staff to address the resolution and have the Commission address joint meetings at the August meeting. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos noted the master trail plan was approved by the Council sponsored by trail fees from future developments. He indicated the Council also asked that additional grants be sought. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos indicated he did apply for an LCMR grant to assist in land acquisition for future trails. He noted a bill was authored by Senator Price that included the City of Ramsey's project with $2,000,000. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos noted after long discussions and comments our project was approved for $2,000,000. Commissioner Shryock asked if there was still IceTea funding to get trail funds. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos noted he received $118,000 IceTea grant, but noted the funding fell through in the end due to retirement by a MnDot official. He added that there is also Minnesota Livable Communities Act funding available as well, possibly for trail connections. Chair Cook noted on his trip to Chicago he learned the importance of having a single engineering/planning organization for large projects. He noted the reason this is important is because the Town Center project will have future effects on City green space and a possible Community Center. Chair Cook noted the Environmental Task Force group has had several concerns to date with meeting the Councils September deadline. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos indicated this committee knows the deadline and should begin working more efficiently after the first few meetings. Chair Cook stated neighboring cities have workable documents and suggested looking at those documents versus recreating the wheel. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos noted this was an important issue to the Council and noted whatever comes out of this task force would be beneficial. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos suggested that if by August nothing was accomplished to have the task force begin reviewing the City df Blaine's ordinance to have a fall back plan. COMMISSION/STAFF INPUT Park and Recreation Commission/July 11, 2002 Page 8 of 9