Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/13/2008

Home

property owners said that they would keep an open mind and did want to know what the residents wanted. He stated that they have done research with trails and have talked to police and there is not a lot of crime related to trails. He advised that for every person that would not want to buy a home on a trail there are two others that would want the home because it is on a trail. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that when they come back with the concept planning choices they should be able to show some examples where homeowners have bought homes on trails. Jeff advised that they know what works and what does not work. Jason advised that they have been through processes where people crucified them and then a year later those same people have written them letters to thank them. Commissioner Shryock asked Parks Supervisor Riverblood to share with the group how they fund development in the parks. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that this park project has been included in the capital improvements program, which is a five-year program approved by the council. He advised that storm sewers, water utilities, and park improvements are included in that plan. He advised that the funding comes from the park trust fund, which gets funding solely from developers in the form of park dedication fees. Chairperson Johns clarified that all park development comes out of that fund. One resident stated that the idea of a trail going up sunfish should be a real priority as a lot of people who use it. He stated that the traffic on that road is going 55 miles and hour and if you are walking or biking on the shoulder you do not feel safe. He stated that if they could connect that to another trail it would be great. Jeff advised that the next meeting is on April 10th and stated that he would really like to see the same faces come back so that they know if they heard the resident comments correctly. He advised that he also had handouts on the other future meeting dates. Case #2: Consider Selection of a Park and Recreation Commissioner for the Ramsey3 Working Group Civil Engineer Linton advised that the Ramsey3 working group looks at the issues of the City. He stated that they have requested that a Park Commissioner join their group and advised that they are currently working on OTSC. He advised that the working group has 24 members. He stated that there would be five meetings of three hours each. He advised that the OTSC meetings were open format meetings and each meeting centered on a different topic. He stated that people would then break into different groups and talk about the concerns that were most important to them. He stated that they have asked for representatives from the following groups: the Park Commission, EPB, Park and Recreation Board, and the Economic Authority. He stated that if someone wanted to volunteer, they could then make a motion to appoint him or her and would then forward the recommendation to the Council. Park and Recreation Commission/March 13, 2008 Page 7 of 11