Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/10/2013

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Vice Chair Olsen, Commissioners Bennett, Barr, Chubb, and Minke. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson Shryock and Commissioner Fyten. 5. COMMISSION BUSINESS 5.01: Recommend Play Structure for North Commons Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood presented the staff report on the recommended North Commons play structure. He confirmed that the play structure meets all of the requirements that were presented at the neighborhood meeting. He presented slides of the recommended play structure and park. He explained that they are working to create an ADA compliant park. Motion by Commissioner Chubb, seconded by Commissioner Minke to recommend to City Council that a not-to-exceed amount of $48,000 be allocated for the North Commons playground Further discussion: Commissioner Barr asked about using the Lawful Gambling Fund versus the Parks Capitol Improvement Fund for funding. She requested an explanation of each. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood explained that the Lawful Gambling Improvement Fund is collected from a minor percentage collected from lawful gambling pull-tabs. He added that the fund exceeds $100,000 currently. This money can only be used to benefit Ramsey programs and improvements that benefit youth. He reviewed that the Park Trust Fund receives fees for new development which are either residential, commercial or industrial. He reported that building new homes creates a need for recreational outlets. He noted that the Park Trust Fund received new development funds. He explained that the 17 new homes in the COR 3 project will pay into this fund. He advised that this project uses the Lawful Gambling Fund. He reviewed that this is also a restricted funding source. Councilmember Chubb suggested including the wording that the Lawful Gambling Fund is being used for funding in an amended motion. Motion to amend by Commissioner Chubb, seconded by Commissioner Minke to recommend to City Council that a not-to-exceed amount of $48,000 be allocated for the North Commons playground project for 2013 implementation from the Lawful Gambling Fund. Further discussion: Councilmember Minke asked about the balance of over $100,000 in the Lawful Gambling Fund. He questioned what typical uses are for this money. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood explained that the fund balance, which is included in other Capital Improvement Plan monies, is approximately $164,000. He added that interest accrues on this and the fund balance changes as additional money is collected. He noted that this is why it was referred to as being in excess of $100,000. Councilmember Minke inquired if this fund is used exclusively for park capital improvements. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood noted that there is a small Youth First fund and a matching fund in their annual operation funds. Councilmember Bennett questioned if there will be additional discussion on the Park and Recreation Commission/January 10, 2013 Page 2 of 4