Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/08/2004

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to address some of the parking and safety concerns. In addition they have met with the Finance Department to discuss the long-term maintenance funding issues. Tim Engen, Ramsey Town Center, LLC, thanked the Park Commission for working on the project with them. He also acknowledged ali the time staff had put into the presentation. He thanked the City Council for attending the meeting and for taking such a big interest in the development of the park area because parks is one of the key aspects of creating a successful Town Center. Mr. Engen stated that he was very excited to be able to show pictures of things that they believe will be built within the Town Center parks. He explained that when the development agreement was finalized there were some issues pertaining to park left un- addressed. One of those issues was that Ramsey Town Center, LLC agreed to initiate an aggressive park planning process within 90 days of signing the development agreement. Tonight they hope to show the City Council that significant work has been done with planning the parks. Secondly as part of the development agreement they as a development group agreed to contribute $250,000 to the maintenance of parks. They want to present parks that can be built and be used, but also come up with a way, along with the City of Ramsey, to maintain and operate the parks. Ramsey Town Center, LLC is committed to work with City staff to determine a way to finance the parks. Mr. Engen presented a list of groups they want to audience for the park project and have direct conversations with. One of the other things they want to make sure is that they are not duplicating what other programs surrounding communities are providing. After those meetings are held they want to be able to come back to the Council and Park Commission with all those comments. The difficulty is putting the entire package together with budgeting. The Town Center has 57 acres of green space, but certain portions of the park, based on City standards, does not qualify for park because they are a platform for easements or storm drainage. Because of that they are faced with the possibility of having to pay park dedication fees. They know to make it work they want to build the parks and they want to design parks that work. They are hoping that using precedent'they can get enough credit for the dollars they are putting into parks so that they will not have to pay park dedication in addition to developing the parks. They will show some of the dollars they are willing to spend which meet or exceed what park dedication they would have to pay to the City. Bruce Jacobson, Ramsey Town Center, LLC, presented a slide show presentation of what they envision for parks within the Town Center. Commissioner Shyr~ck stated that she was overly pleased with everything that has been happening. She stated that Ramsey Town Center, LLC has been very receptive to the Park Commission ideas. Chairperson Johns stated that she felt that Ramsey Town Center, LLC had captured all of their discussions very well noting that it has been a very good process. Commissioner Olds stated that the whole concept of having a variety of park areas that the City currently does not have is great. City Council/December 4, 2003 Page 2 of 7