Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/09/2009

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Parks Supervisor Riverblood thought that this project would be okay, as it is very low maintenance with naturalized plantings, and short growing grass that does not need intensive watering or mowing, Chairperson Johns questioned if the canoes and lockers were included in the bid. Parks Supervisor Riverblood advised that everything had been included, except for the canoes, which he thought could be donated by businesses or gained through a grant. Chairperson Johns commented that was a lot of park for the money. Commissioner Barr thought it looked great. She felt that some members of the community would provide their own canoes for their personal use. Parks Supervisor Riverblood advised that both options would be available. Chairperson Johns questioned if kayaks had been looked into as another option to the canoe. She thought it was a great project. Parks Supervisor Riverblood advised that this item had not been awarded yet and references were still being checked with positive feedback. Motion by Commissioner Erickson, seconded by Commissioner Barr, to recommend approval of the park and trail construction. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Johns, Commissioners Erickson, Backous, Barr, Hansen, and LaMere. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Shryock. Case #4: Consider Resolution for Anoka County Parks to Proceed with a Boat Landing and Pier for Mississippi West Regional Park Parks Supervisor Riverblood reported that this item was in part a follow - up to the 2008 Parks CIP plan that showed a fishing pier on the Mississippi River. He explained that while the project was moving forward, the funds from the DNR had been reallocated. He did not anticipate that this project would be included in the funding for the DNR any time soon. He felt that this provided an opportunity to reach out to the County, which also preferred a pier on the River, He advised that the best spot appeared to be where the County had proposed. He advised that the recommendation would be to use those funds to bring the project further up on the list for the County improvements. He stated that the resolution goes into further detail on how to do that. He advised that both the City of Ramsey and the County have spent some time working on a grant for park and trail planning specifically in this area. He thought that this aligned with the desire for the community to have a fishing pier and boat landing on the Mississippi River, Chairperson Johns questioned how big the need would be. Park and Recreation Commission/March 12, 2009 Page 7 of 15