Minutes - Council Work Session - 03/09/2010

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the City put out an RFP to sedf there are other companies who could provide this service at a cheaper rate. Councilmember Elvig asked whether the City should consider purchasing its own buses. Public Works Director Olson stated the buses used for this service are commuter-type coaches, which are more comfortable, and the buses are not like standard MTC-type buses. He stated it was his understanding that renovating a standard MTC-type bus would be in the range of $150,000 to $200,000. He added the County administers the contract for this service for $10,000 per year, which includes a daily computation of ridership and weekly inspections of the vehicles. He agreed to research additional advertising for the bus service in adjacent community newsletters, as well as putting together a ridership survey. It was the consensus of the City Council to move ahead with a six month -extension of the contract for the Ramsey Star Express, to research additional advertising for the bus service, and to prepare an RFP for bus service after the six month extension. 4) Boat Landing and Fishing Pier for Mississippi River Parks Supervisor Riverblood presented an overview of the action and implementation plan for the proposed boat landing and fishing pier within the Mississippi West Regional Park. He reported that staff has developed an understanding with Anoka County for a Joint Powers Agreement that may occur as soon as spring 2011 for this project. He stated that staff has learned that the National Park Service has been charged with organizing recreational needs for river access through the National Park Service Corridor and the City and Anoka County parks may need $350,000 for this; staff is analyzing this access to determine its cost. He indicated that this would include, for example, whether to allow use of the existing Traprock Street to access the concrete boat landing. Public Works Director Olson indicated that in talking with Anoka County's Parks Supervisor, the County is willing to support the capital investment to support this and get it started, but the County is struggling with the operational expense to maintain the infrastructure. Councilmeinber Elvig asked if it was worthwhile for the City to extend its involvement as far as maintenance of the road in that area in lieu of getting more capital investment at the outset. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that one option may be for the City to front end the cost of it with park trust funds, with a firm understanding that when the Met Council provides money to the County for park space in the future, that the City gets paid back. Councilmember Look stated that Councilmember Dehen asked him to bring up the timeframe for the project and to express his concern about water levels, i.e., whether it makes more sense to preempt the pouring of concrete in 2010 for the landing portion, when water levels are low, and then to complete the project in 2011. City Council Work Session I March 9, .2010 Page 5 of 7