Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 06/10/2010 - Joint meeting with CC

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Parks Supervisor Riverblood reported that the trail fund is $209,000. He suggested prioritizing the trails that are on the project list. City Administrator Ulrich suggested looking for more partners to contribute to the Community Center to keep it affordable for the community to fund. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that a dome is expensive to heat and air condition. He explained that the dome can be taken down seasonally which costs around $13,000. A discussion took place about using tree auctions to save money. Trees will be used in the future from the site where the church will be built. Mayor Ramsey offered to preauthorize funding to buy trees at an auction with the significant discounts that are offered. Case #3: Consider JPA for Boat Landing and Fishing Pier for Mississippi West Regional Park Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that the purpose of this case is to consider a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with Anoka County to construct a boat landing and fishing pier on the Mississippi River in Mississippi West Regional Park. He stated that recreation and access to recreational resources is a goal. He explained that the one boat landing in Ramsey is at maximum use. He explained that the next closest boat landing is in Elk River, ten miles away. He explained that creating a boat landing at Mississippi West Regional Park will introduce people to the park and would help capture Metro Parks funding by developing this area. As a 2010 strategic goal the fishing peer and boat launch is researched by Council. He stated that a feasibility study is part of the process. He explained that the Anoka County Board will meet to approve their request which will then go before the Metropolitan Council for the amount of $370,000. He reported that this will be for 2012. Councilmember Dehen asked if there is risk in lending the money to Anoka County if the Met. Council will not approve the loan or project. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that ground has not been broken on the project. He asked that the Met. Council requests a guarantee that the money will be paid back. He reviewed a map showing a location of the future boat landing and fishing peer along with road access. Mayor Ramsey stated that he would like to see an arboretum in the area in the future. Commissioner Bennett asked when this will go before Met. Council. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that the date hasn't been announced. Chairperson Shryock asked if a written agreement needs to be made that the money will be paid back. He suggested that an addendum could be added to the Joint Powers Agreement saying that the money needs to be paid back within five years. Park and Recreation Commission/June 10, 2010 Page 5 of 7