Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 06/09/2011

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Motion by Commissioner Barr, seconded by Vice Chair Olsen, to approve the following Park and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes: 1) Park and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes dated May 12, 2011. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Shryock, Commissioners Barr, Chubb, Fyten, Minke, and Olsen. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Bennett. COMMISSION BUSINESS Case #5.2: Discuss Trott Brook Greenway Parks Supervisor Riverblood reviewed the staff report and noted that for many years, as part of park and trail planning, the Trott Brook Greenway was conceived as an ecologically rich wetland and wooded corridor with trails for exploration and recreational opportunities, as well as to connect neighborhoods and the community. This greenway would be the significant west to east segment of a larger circuitous loop in the center of the City, with Trott Brook representing the upper part of the loop. The east portion of the circle would be the TH #47 trail, extending south to the Bunker Lake Boulevard trail, or the Mississippi River Trail once completed. The Lake Itasca Trail then would pick up at the west end of the above - mentioned trail(s) and loop back around to the north, or point of beginning. The project has been coming together foremost as part of subdivision platting in the 1990s and the subsequent decade. The purpose of this case is twofold: to give everyone a little history on the Trott Brook Greenway. In the future we could be looking at additional grant opportunities and the one big one is the Legacy money. The other element of this is we like to encourage working on Trott Brook Greenway City Council is looking at any and all City land for proper use and utilization which could include disbursement that is sale of them and also park space. We have a property owner that would like to convey some land to the City and staff would like authorization to negotiate with that landowner. Mayor Ramsey stated the consensus of the Council is to look at the unutilized parks and the stuff that is never going to be park. That is what they are looking at to see if there is any value to sell. Another goal is to connect the two regional county parks. Chairperson Shryock stated on behalf of the Park and Recreation Commission they are excited to have land available on the north side of the creek and they have had proposed trails up there for some time now. Councilmember Wise stated that he would not want a trail in his backyard. Consensus of the Commission is to move forward and to negotiate with the property owners. Park and Recreation Commission /June 9, 2011 Page 2 of 5