Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 06/11/2009 - Joint with CC

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CASE # 2 Lawful Gambling Improvement Program Request By: Mark Riverblood, Parks Supervisor Background: For many years, the Park and Recreation Commission has made available (subject to City Council approval) up to $5,000 from the Lawful Gambling Improvement as a match to donated labor or purchased items for Ramsey parks. The program originated out of a desire to address smaller park improvements than are included in the ClP, encourage community participation in meeting needs, and also provide for quick response to these opportunities. The most recent use. of this program was the spring 2008 installation of outfield fencing at Alpine Park. The Anoka Ramsey Youth Athletic Association has applied under this program, for automatic door locks for the Park Center building's restroom at Central Park. This application is attached. For the approximately 16 years this program has been in existence, the Commission has been clear that the matching program should be made available to wide spectrum of park and trail users, and that the intention would be that the same groups should not receive funding in successive years. While this would be the. case with ARAA's application, their proposal also has a benefit to general park patrons like persons visiting Central Park to use the playground - provided that the restrooms would be open for the public outside of evening game period. Observations: The proposal to make the bathrooms more available to the general public and ARAA has great merit. However, there is a certain labor commitment that needs to be made at this same time. The wrong approach would be to move forward with this proposal, and not be able to keep up with the maintenance demand, and have park users have an unpleasant experience in using the city's res~room facilities. This cautionary note is offered solely to call attention to this concern. Staff supports the proposal for improved restroom availability at the park - provided adequate staff time is available - or the youth association can assist with some of the restroom maintenance. Commission Action: Motion to recommend/not recommend to City Council, approval of up to $3,135 in Lawful Gambling Improvement funds to match the installation of automatic locks for the restroom doors at the concession stand building - for the restroom doors at the Park Center building. Reviewed by: Director Public Works/Principal City Engineer Civil Engineer II o P &R: 06/11/09 75