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Councilmember Strommen stated that because the parks are so critical she wanted to make sure <br />that the parks are there to be used when development starts. <br /> <br />Mr. Engen replied that as part of the commitment to the City, they plan on starting the <br />construction of the parks as soon as possible, which would most likely be the spring of 2004, and <br />completed in 2005. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that he thought the special service district provided the City a pretty <br />good "hook", but the 90-day requirement did concern him somewhat because it is a monumental <br />task. That being said he believed that the City would probably relax the 90 days if they seem to <br />be moving forward with a plan. He noted that he appreciated the comments made by Mr. Engen <br />because it emphasizes how great the plan really is. <br /> <br />Mr. Engen stated that they would like as much citizen comment as possible as it relates to the <br />parks. <br /> <br />Councilmember Pearson stated that once the project starts to move forward and they start grading <br />the site they will probably see the green area emerge, which will give them a pretty good idea as <br />to how big of an area the park space will be. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec inquired if it was the general consensus of the Council for the developer to <br />proceed with a more passive park concept. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook stated that he thought that would be an issue that should go back to the <br />Park Commission. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec replied that he thought the Council should be providing the Park Commission with <br />some direction as to what they would like to see. <br /> <br />Assistant Director of Public Works Olson stated that there will be 8,000 new residents in the area <br />and they have to have some place to go and do some recreational activities. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that when he spent the time on the Town Center Task Force he <br />heard some of what the developer was planning for the park area and they have excellent <br />professionals working on the issue. He would like to have the developer take the swing on a plan <br />instead of having the City develop park. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen recommended that the City Council hold a joint meeting with the <br />Park Commission and the developer to discuss the park plans. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich noted that in section 4.7, language was included that would prohibit the <br />City from amending ordinances relating to the Town Center for a period of 12 years unless both <br />parties agree with the change as allowed by State Statute. Tom Bray, the City's lead attorney for <br />the development agreement, has indicted that was a common standard. <br /> <br />City Council Special Meeting/September 16, 2003 <br /> Page 9 of 11 <br /> <br /> <br />