Minutes - Council Work Session - 02/05/2013

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Councilmember Elvig indicated support to move forward with the McKinley Street Trail Connection that is tied to funding from the City of Anoka. Councilmember Tossey arrived at 6:14 p.m. Councilmember Elvig noted extraordinary fountain apparatus is available and could be an attraction to The Draw. He stated support for the Parks & Recreation Commission to consider types of fountains and what it could bring to The Draw. Councilmember Kuzma noted many residents do not know where The Draw is located so a fountain would bring attention to that location. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood recommended maintaining a fund balance of $1 million to $1.5 million to allow the ability for the City to react to grant opportunities to fund the City's park and trail system. Development Services Manager Gladhill stated the Draw Entrance Monument does not need to be Kasota Stone and the price estimate of $20,000 could be brought down. Councilmember Tossey noted the City has already spent a lot of money on signs so he wonders why people cannot find The Draw. He felt this was a lot of money to again spend on signs when the City already has signs. Park & Recreation Commission Vice -Chair Olsen stated when she is at events, she has found that people have no clue where The Draw is because, from a distance, it is not apparent unless an event is going on. She stated she thought there would be formal signage when it was completed. Park & Recreation Commission Chair Shryock stated she was driving with a friend who had noticed the signs but thought "The Draw" was an architectural firm. She supported having an identifier, such as the fountain, that can be seen from a main road to direct people into the area. Park & Recreation Commission Chair Shryock suggested the City needed to be mindful of that need until residents become more familiar with the area. Councilmember Tossey agreed that when driving down Highway 10 none of the signage explains what The Draw is so unless an event is occurring, you would not know what it is. However, if you are going to the event there are good HRA- funded signs to get you there. Councilmember Tossey stated he felt that $20,000 was too much for signage. Councilmember Backous stated he has no problems with signs, but $20,000 or $60,000 is high. He noted the main issue is that this is not for lack of trying because there has been programming and events at The Draw so the people who pay attention know where it is located and those who do not pay attention do not know and a sign will not get them there. Councilmember LeTourneau stated he thinks signage is important and appreciates the mobile /temporary type of signage that provides direction for farmer's markets. He stated consensus may be reached for signage to The Draw but the consideration tonight is for an City Council Work Session / February 5, 2013 Page 6 of 18