Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 08/13/1998

Home

The City Administrator's report of July i7, 1998, contained the Park and Recreation Commission's draft Five-Year CIP. An item in the narrative spoke of a $48,000 expenditure for a community-built playground at Central Park. He noted that a lot of communities have done things like this with community funding, community construction, etc. Mr. Boos believed that the business community may have a definite interest in this concept, thus the idea of displaying it at the Business Appreciation Day. He pointed out that Central Park, which is the most visible, most visited park in Ramsey, has some of the shabbiest play equipment. This new playground could be funded by a $20,000 general fund expenditure, paired with a $4,000 lawful gambling expenditure to provide for a desired match of $24,000 in non-city moneys. Mr. Boos suggested that a goal of this project would not only be to target $24,000 in cash donations, but also to have the majority of the playground installation occur via volunteers. The net effect would be a play structure of about $60,000 in value, for a one-time taxpayer supported contribution of about $12 per household. The Park and Recreation Commission realized that the Business Appreciation Day is to solely appreciate businesses, however, they suggested that during the talk by the Mayor, he could mention the playground and if any businesses are interested, they could ask about it. Councilmember Zimmerman wondered if the donations would be recognized. He added that it is likely the volunteers will be groups like the Ramsey Women of Today, Ramsey Lions, etc. Mr. Boos responded that the donations would, in fact, be recognized. Mayor Gamec did not necessarily agree that it would be the Women of Today group or the Lions group that would do the volunteering. He suggested that lately, it seems there are so few active members in these groups. Councilmember Zimmerman wondered if the business community would resent this idea being presented at the appreciation day - basically asking for donations when the day is supposed to be set aside to show the City's appreciation of them. Mayor Gamec felt that this community-built playground idea is a good one and also that it is a good idea to present it to the businesses for donations, however, he agreed with Councilmember Zimmerman that it may be resented at the Business Appreciation Day. He added that the talk he does at the appreciation day celebration is not really about City business. He suggested that a separate meeting of the business community be planned at which to make this presentation. Councilmember Beahen expressed concern that maybe the business community may not attend a meeting if it is specificall.y to get a presentation on something that may cost them time/money. Councilmember Zimmerman reiterated that businesses will want recognition. Finance Committee~July 28, 1998 Page 2 of 4