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<br />Case #13: <br /> <br />Authorize Plans and Specifications for Park Building and Playground for <br />Elmcrest Park <br /> <br />Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated there is no shelter at Elmcrest Park, which is a prominent <br />community park in the City of Ramsey. He explained this case proposes moving forward with <br />planning for two elements of Elmcrest Park: a full service park building and an accompanying <br />playground. Mr. Riverblood provided an overview of the work plan for the planning process of <br />the park building and playground at Elmcrest Park. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig commented on the great improvements this will bring to Elmcrest Park. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Strommen, to approve a not-to- <br />exceed amount of $15,000 in Park Trust Funds to initiate the Elmcrest Park playground and park <br />building project. . <br /> <br />Further discussion: Councilmember Dehen requested further information regarding the other <br />project elements that could be included in the $15,000 cap on architectural design costs. Parks <br />Supervisor Riverblood indicated there could be a number of points, including soil borings to <br />design a septic system until they can hook up to the septic system. He explained a landform <br />engineer has committed to providing some donated services. He does not know what those <br />services look like yet. That contact was made through the youth association. <br /> <br />Motion carried. V oting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Elvig, Strommen, Dehen, and <br />Look. Voting No: None. Absent: Councilmembers Jeffrey and Olson. <br /> <br />Case #14: <br /> <br />Approve the Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ramsey and <br />County of Anoka for Assessment of Property for Assessment Years 2009 - <br />2013, Taxes Payable 2010 through 2014 (Consent Agenda Item No.5) <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated he has confidence with the County in regards to Northstar, but is not <br />sure about this area. He recently had an appraisal done on his property that crone in <br />approximately 12% lower than the previous appraisal. According to the County their property <br />values have gone up 5.69%. This is a margin of error of 17% that the County Assessing <br />Department has made an error on. He questioned what type of guarantee the City will have if <br />they enter into a Joint Powers Agreement with the County that there will be realistic assessment <br />of properties, and not over assessments. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding the assessment process. It was noted that property owners have the <br />right to attest assessments. It was also noted that the City no longer has certification to conduct <br />Board of Review meetings. The other option to a JP A with the County would be to contract with <br />a private company or another city to conduct assessments for the City or Ramsey. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated he is not advocating hiring additional staff to conduct assessments. <br />He stated the County and City depend on taxes to operate, which is a major conflict of interest. <br />He stated he would advocate for independent agencies to conduct assessments for the County. <br /> <br />P78 <br /> <br />City Council / January 22,2008 <br />Page 20 of 22 <br />