Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/13/2014

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5 (Nowthen Blvd) and Krypton Street where the trail abruptly ends approximately 100 feet west of Krypton Street. Staff has always intended to connect this gap, and the opportunity now exists to cost-effectively connect this gap with this project. Staff recommends providing Anoka County with the requested drainage easement over the City's 0.57 acre parcel in Alpine Acres for the County's use as a stormwater ponding facility. This will then be in exchange for Anoka County preparing the plans and specifications and procuring the necessary right-of-way and temporary construction easements to construct the trail connection, which is approximately 700 feet in length. Anoka County staff soon plans to meet with the abutting property owners to discuss associated tree removals and right-of-way/temporary construction easement needs, including potential compensation for these items. The estimated construction cost for the trail connection is $17,000. There will also likely be additional costs for securing the necessary right-of-way and construction easements (+/- 2 feet of right-of-way and temporary construction easements) and compensating for tree removals, though these costs are still unknown. Anoka County has designed the trail connection and incorporated it into their construction plans, and they would bid and inspect the trail during construction, all of which provides additional benefits to the City. The County proposes the following cost sharing methodology related to the stormwater ponding and trail connection. The City will provide the necessary drainage easement over out 0.57 acre planned parkland property to allow the County to use the land for stormwater pending, in exchange for which the County will pay to secure the necessary right-of-way and temporary easements to construct the trail connection, as well as provide compensation for tree removals as needed. The City will then pay all costs to construct the trail, although the County has also agreed to apply federal funds to the trail (federal funds are currently covering about 60% of construction costs) instead of requiring the City to pay 100% of construction costs per standard practice for work not required for their project. This will result in an estimated total cost to the city of $6,800 to construct the trail connection with this project, thereby saving the City about $10,200. Funding Source — The funding for the trail (over and above the value of the easement granted in favor of Anoka County for storm water purposes), would be from the Park Trust Fund which has a beginning year balance in excess of $1.1 million. This fund also is the recipient of Trail Fees from new development, for trail construction like this one proposed for Alpine Drive. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated staff recommends that a not - to -exceed amount of $10,000 be allocated for the proposed Alpine D River Trail, and that an easement be allowed on existing park land for storm water purposes; if it results in a lessor cost for the proposed trail. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated some residents have expressed concern about a trail being so close to their homes and driveways. Staff is working to address those concerns. Motion by Commissioner Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Fyten, to recommend to the City Council that a not -to -exceed amount of $10,000 from the Park Trust Fund be directed to construct the Alpine Drive Trail 'Gap' and that a storm water easement be granted over the existing park land if it results in reduced new trail construction costs. Park and Recreation Commission / January 9, 2014 Page 3 of 7