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DATE: TO: CC: FROM: SUBJECT: ~ug~st 7, 1992 Budget Committee ~itY'IAdministrator Ryan Schroeder Fina~n~ ce Officer Sandra Ashley Helling ar~ and Recrmtion Commission ~vlar~ Boos, Parks/Utilities Coordinator MEMORANDUM arl~,~ and Recreation Commission Capital Improvements Request for 1993 Ramsey's iner~aseiin residential development has resulted in a greater need for recreational opportunities a~d atwider scope of recreational features. Fortunately, residential development has provided the ~ l?d to meet most of the neighborhood level needs. Momentum fo~; n~ighborhood park development is at its peak. Many of the public, Council and Commission~ ~e~!that neighborhood level improvements should be the focus of the 1993 Capital ImprovemeniS~Pr0~'am (C.I.P.). In recent yeats~ the ICity has made substantial progress in its two diametric community parks. This was not a mis(~ke,lfor the dollar/effort to individuals benefitted was .and is great. However, in some respeets, i~x~nditures at the community park level are easier because we assume that these expenditures ~ a-y~ilable to all residents and therefore, fair and equitable. With smaller stature, or less magn.e, tieiparks, the expenditures benefit specific populations. Clearly fairness and accountabihty ~'eeclme an issue. The City must not react to squeaky wheels but instead develop neighborhoot! [~ark s in an orderly, yet cost effective, manner. With dozens of undeveloped park spaces and hU~e/:s of reasonable improvements to be made, a system is required. THE PLAN One strategy t~ ens are developmental continuity is to measure need. Most agree that park districts (or areas of, b~nefit) are a viable way to compare the overall level of recreation or open space quality of a '~igh! iorhood". Knowing that individual parks will be vying for the same dollars and the proposetli/laprc~Vements may be completely different, we see that a non-biased way of gauging the value of in~ements in each specific park is essential. This resource ~ ss~s~ment will have many defining components and will certainly evolve as unique circumstances flYf~t its purpose and integrity. We can also expect that at least minor changes will occur each ye~ tim! will affect the individual improvements "standings". The following is a iist of definitions and a description of how point values may be assigned to the proposed imPr ~ve~ent or park: An area (' nea~bo~hood") of the City delineated by geographical barriers such as streams, major wetlands or thOroUghfares, or by the distance to access a recreational resource. Reereationall~ ReSource Any substantive so, ce or item that provides benefits of Physical and mental health, entertainment or education ~ the public. Note: ~ stream, for instance, may provide benefits in each of the above areas.