Minutes - Council - 03/12/1987 - Special

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Ramsey's urban area, there seems to be a Council feeling to develop certain neighborhoOd parks. Ramsey does not have the resources to do both. Councilmember Cox stated that Council is trying to see that the needs and services of the present and future population are met realizing that a tax revenue source is required to do that. Council's transfer of $50,000 from the landfill fund to the economic development fund rather than to parks was not meant to be an irritation to the Parks Commission; it was intended to create a long term source of tax revenue. Councilmember Cox stated that Parks and Council have to work together and sited an example of where the Council interrupted the County's plan to acquire the Huseby property and expand the County Regional Park and the Park Commission minutes reflected disagreement with that action. Council's reasons were based on the fact that the loss of~the Huseby property for development would impact Ramsey's se and expansion of the park would mean more deer would be getting on Hwy. 10. . ~ _--~- Commissioner Hetland stated that Parks did not know the underlying circumstances regarding the County's plan for the Huseby property. Commissioner Shumway stated that the Huseby property serves as evidence that better communication is needed between the Commission and Council. Mayor Reimann stated that the Park Commission wants to develop parks and City Council's job is to oversee everything and direct everybody's energy in the right direction. The City can't have anything unless the tax base is there to pay for the projects. Mayor Reimann stated that he views parks as a benefit, something over and above some of the basic services like roads, fire departments and utilities. Council has to work with the Park Department to set priorities and develop parks in an orderly manner. The role of the Park Department is to try and get as many of their ideas as possible finalized and to work with City Council to see that those ideas can be afforded. Mayor Reimann noted that a lot of the develo~ent efforts taking place at River's Bend Park were volunteered and did not cost the city much dollar wise. Mayor Reimann stated that he is in favor of developing River's Bend Park as well as Central Park because it is in the tax increment district and enhancing the park will draw more residents to that area and increase Ramsey's tax base. Commission Sh~nway stated that the Park Commission has been looking at the feasibility of developing a trail system through the city that would connect many of the parks. Councilm~mber Cox noted that the City has not lived up to Item #3 of the agreement with Federal Catridge to develop Central Park 100% (expend $72,000/ year). That item also states that the City will seek funding from Metro and State grants, private donations and volunteer work to develop the property; that language is there for a reason. Commissioner Shumway informed Council of possible alignments for a trail system that would begin in River's Bend area, proceed to the stables on 153rd and eventually loop through Northfork. Joint City Council-Park & Recreation/March 12, 1987 Page 2 of 7