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CASE # <br /> <br />AUTHORIZE STAFF TO RESEARCH COMMUNITY PARK SITES <br />By: Mark Boos, Parks/Utilities Supervisor and <br /> Dean Kapler, Director of Public Works <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />Recent discussions by City Council and the Park and 'Recreation Commission, have noted that <br />there is near term need for more athletic field space than is presently available. The Park and <br />Recreation Commission's park and trail plan also calls for a fifth community park in the vicinity <br />of T.H. #47 in east-central Ramsey (currently shown north of 160th Lane and south of 167th <br />Avenue). T',e attached Park and Recreation Commission case from April provides additional <br />detail and si~: location maps of the proposed fifth community park and a possible Central Park <br />expansion. <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />At April's meeting, the Commission recommended that City Council authorize City staff to <br />pursue both properties in terms of availability and potential acquisition costs. The consensus of <br />the Commission was as follows: <br /> <br />· Both sites will be needed by the community. <br /> <br />The 83-acre site, if available, will be of higher value for its larger space and proximity; <br />however, without knowing the parcel's availability or purchase expense, the Commission <br />didn't feel comfortable rating one over the other. <br /> <br />For the above reason, staff is requesting authorization to contact both land owners to ascertain <br />this information. When the land availability and costs are known, staff can bring the issue before <br />the Park and Recreation Commission and City Council for direction. This will probably coincide <br />with the Park and Recreation Commission's five-year capital improvement program discussion <br />beginning in June, and culminating with the public hearing in August. Paralleling the CIP <br />timeline, is the Comprehensive Plan process which will have specific recommendations on long <br />term community needs for parks and open space. The Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. is <br />scheduled to meet with the Park and Recreation Commission on June 11, 1998, on this issue. <br /> <br />Council Action: <br /> <br />Motion to authorize staff to contact landowners to determine potential park acquisition <br />availability and costs. <br /> <br />Reviewed by: <br /> <br />Copies also distributed to: <br /> <br />Parks/Utilities Supervisor <br />Director of Public Works <br />City .Administrator <br />Acting Finance Officer <br /> <br />Park and Recreation Commission <br /> <br />CC: 05/12/98 <br /> <br />jmt/CommPark.doc <br /> <br /> <br />