Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/12/2009

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CASE #1 CONSIDER POLICY FOR ACCEPTING PARK DONATIONS, MONUMENTS, MEMORIALS, AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS By: Al Haugen, Management Intern Background: The City of Ramsey Police Department currently administers the Adopt-A-Spot program which is an informal crime prevention program which allows individuals or groups to engage in volunteer park beautification projects and maintenance. The Adopt-A-Spot program has only been used in the past for litter removal in City parks, trails, and in one cemetery. This program does not include a policy for considering more permanent park beautification proposals including monuments and memorials. Because of a recent proposal for such a park beautification project, a formal policy may be needed to guide the consideration of such proposed donations. Notification: No notification was made for consideration of this new policy. External Policy Scan: Research on policies used by local units of government for accommodating and regulating private memorials on public property, and other park donations is attached. Several cities have formal policies to accommodate the demand for memorials on public properties. Most memorial policies studied require donated improvements to be consistent with an existing parks plan or previously identified needs. Some cities will consider proposals for donated memorial improvements not already identified as needs, but require that they don't detract from the primary purpose of the park. Policies differ on the types of memorials allowed, forms of recognition, donation levels, focus of memorials, funding sources, and responsibility for maintenance and installation. Commission Action: Recommend adoption of a policy for accepting park donations, monuments, memorials, and other improvements. Funding Sources: Preparing research and creating new policies is handled through normal staff duties Reviewed by: Parks Supervisor Public Works Director/Principal City Engineer Community Development Director P&R: 03/12/2009 Copies to: City Administrator City Attorney Attachments: Attachment A: External policy scan on memorials and donations. Attachment B: Draft policy for accepting park donations, monuments, memorials, and other improvements. Attachment C: Memorial policy examples from other cities.