Agenda - Council - 04/28/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASE # {p Background: Consider Community Garden for Water Tower #1 By: Mark Riverblood, Parks Supervisor In 1990, the City acquired an approximate 200' x 200' foot parcel for the first water tower at the intersection of County Road #5 and Dysprosium Street. Since then, some basic landscape has occurred in the form of trees and shrubs. Recently, the 63-unit apartment to the south of the tower was completed. Each of the adjoining uses, the apartment and townhomes to the immediate west of the tower have irrigation, as well as the seniors' building across the street. Irrigation for the City's water tower site was planned for and included in the utility fund budget for 2009 at $12,000. The location is highly visible, and is quite prominent with the City's name .. emboldened on two sides. It is felt that an improved landscape may be warranted, and also that the one-acre parcel can serve an additional use to city residents. Observations: Coinciding with the desire to improve the landscape around the tower, has been inquiries for community garden space in Ramsey. Many communities provide gardening space for residents (for a small fee) managed by a self-run volunteer board or committee. These community gardens are very popular and usually have a several year waiting list with which to get space. The purpose of this case is to request authorization to proceed with improvements to the water tower site in the form of developing it as a coriununity garden site. The first step would be forming a volunteer committee or board to oversee this process and ultimately the 'day to day' operations. Because the Ramsey Foundation has expressed a desire to take the organizational lead on the proposed community garden project, the following garden board make-up could be as follows: Ramsey Foundation member - (during the start-up period, then transitioning to a resident) Parks Supervisor - (during the start-up period, then transitioning to a resident) Resident Resident Resident It is believed that the garden may be a phased project, beginning with the spring 2009 growing season - with a more full-scale development and availability in the spring 2010. Once the program is 'up and running', it is projected to generate up to of $1,800 per year in plot rental, which can be put back into the site and operations. Presently, the mowing, trimming and related maintenance of the landscape on the tower site is a cost input without a significant return. If the space were to be converted to community gardening, the City may see a small annual savings by reduced mowing - with an interesting, improved aesthetic as one result. The other value would be addressing a need in the community, providing focal point for neighborhood socialization and -203-