Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/24/2009

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::tt, City Council Work Session Topic Report: Request to Adopt-A-Park and Construct Improvements By: Al Haugen, Management Intern Background: The City received an application, on August 8, 2008 from Andrea Seiberlich and neighboring property owners, to Adopt-A-Spot on City parkland and make certain improvements to construct a memorial. Detailed landscaping/grading plan, project budget and time line were submitted on February 13, 2009. Alternate locations have been proposed on a City-owned parcel legally described as Outlot A, Wood Pond Hills, Anoka County, City of Ramsey, State of Minnesota, and generally located near the intersection of Sunwood Drive and County Rd. 5. Notification: No public hearing is required for parkland- improvements. However a notice was sent to properties surrounding the subject parcel as an informational courtesy. Observations: Adopt-A-Spot is an informal crime prevention program of the City of Ramsey Police Department which allows private individuals or groups to engage in volunteer beatification efforts on City parkland. The applicants applied to Adopt-A-Spot within City-owned parkland, for the purpose of constructing a thematic memorial area with a focus on honoring or remembering all the young lives lost in the City of Ramsey. This memorial proposal is a response to the tragic death of Luke John Crotteau, who died as a result of an automobile and bicycle accident. The proposal for the park improvements includes two alternative sites as requested by staff in preliminary meetings. Site #1 is preferred by the applicants because of its proximity to the site of the accident. Plans for site #2 are intended to provide an alternative memorial site, not abutting any residential parcels, in anticipation of possible objections based on .encroachment is1sues. Alternative layouts options are shown in the grading plans for site #2. The trail shown on the site #2 grading plan would improve a cut-across trail that is already regularly used by younger residents. Landscaping for both sites includes native prairie grass plantings, benches, screening trees, and a memorial tree. Plans for site #] also include pavers and perennials. Most of concerns raised by staff in preliminary meetings have been addressed by the current Adopt-A- Spot project proposal. Staff concerns related to this project are listed below: Silt fencing is needed for any grading changes (addressed in project estimates) Some plants on planting list may be invasive One trail connection to each destination should be ADA compliant. (addressed in grading plans) Benches should be commercial grade. (addressed in project specifications) When will the improvements be completed? (addressed by the timeline) -1-