Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/14/2014

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Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood explained there are a lot of material and construction needs with a pedestrian overpass and soil testing has not yet been done. He stated $3.7 million is a working number. The overpass is a span of 900 feet and has to be constructed to federal standards. Councilmember LeTourneau stated City Administrator Ulrich mentioned there are other local priorities and asked whether there would be a true conflict for the funds. City Administrator Ulrich stated it is a matter of priorities because if entirely funded locally then the City's road improvement project and contribution for the Armstrong Boulevard project could not occur. But, if the City is only meeting a funding gap, it may be more justifiable. He asked the Council whether this project would meet the vision of infrastructure investment to encourage private sector development, stating he thinks it would. Councilmember LeTourneau stated he appreciates it is a regional facility with regional benefit and the City would be partnering with regional agencies for funding. However, he wants to be careful about not being in a position of having to make a decision between this project and a local street project. Mayor Strommen stated a number of the improvements are unique to trails, which would avoid a conflict and show a need for regional funding support. Councilmember Kuzma asked if the City's Park Fund could be used. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated it would be appropriate to use the Park Trust Fund to fund the City's share. He described park uses that will be discussed at a meeting with the National Park Service, Anoka County Parks, and DNR, and finding that this pedestrian overpass will be an element of that park use. He stated concurrence that this is a regional piece of infrastructure. Mayor Strommen commented on the proliferation of kayaks being transported on top of cars, showing that recreational activity has become more popular and there is need for a water trail venue. Councilmember Riley stated his support for the project because it connects Federal, Regional, State, and local resources and funding. The consensus of the Council was to authorize staff to take the next step and contact potential funding partners. 2.02: Consider Permanent Protection for Park Purposes: Case of Rivers Bend Park Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed the staff report and explained that the 60 acre River's Bend Park was deeded to the City to fulfill park dedication needs. However, it was not dedicated in a fashion that provides protection into perpetuity that platting a park would provide. He stated that when a previous City Council considered selling City Council Work Session / October 14, 2014 Page 3 of 10