Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 10/09/2008

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Mr. Dickinson agreed that the floodplain determination should be pursued to determine if it is something the City would be agreeable to. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated the land that is not buildable has some value and if a dedication could be worked out, an agreement could reached that the rest of the property is absolved of further park dedication requirements. Councilmember Olson stated it is important to keep in mind that there may be a lot of different government entities involved with this property when creating a park along the river. Mr. Dickinson reiterated his invitation to the Commissioners to tour the property. Ms. Michels stated she can coordinate a tour of the property and encouraged the Commissioners to contact her at (612) 309-2362. Motion by Commissioner Shryock, seconded by Commissioner Erickson, to recommend to City Council that a minimum of a 35-foot corridor beginning at Rivlyn Street and ending at an appropriate crossing point to King's Island be retained for trail purposes on an alignment that minimizes tree loss and maintains a grade of less than 5% between Rivlyn Street and King's Island. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Johns, Commissioners Shryock, Erickson, Backous, Barr, and LaMere. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Hansen. Case #2: Community Center Focus Group Process and Status - Case of City of Ramsey Parks Supervisor Riverblood explained that at the April 22, 2008 City Council Work Session, the Council directed staff to host a series of focus groups related to the potential construction of a community center in the City of Ramsey. He stated staff is requesting feedback from the Park and Recreation Commission based on the focus group findings and to provide any additional information regarding a community center facility, services, and/or funding. He added this feedback will be provided to the City Council and the Council will make a determination whether to form a Community Center Task Force. Chairperson Johns stated she was surprised to see how consistent the top three comments were ranked with respect to types of facilities desired (swimming pool, meeting rooms, exercise facility). Commissioner Shryock stated she attended one of the focus group meetings and the results indicate there was a lot of consensus on many things. She stated it is clear the City does not have a lot of services and residents are interested in seeing the City offer more services. She indicated she felt it was important to form a Community Center Task Force to look further into the community center concept; at some point, the City will need to go before the entire community Park and Recreation Commission/September 11, 2008 Page 5 of 10