Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/12/2015

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Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Date: 03/12/2015 By: Mark Riverblood, Engineering/Public Works Information Title: Recommend Certain 2015 Parks Capital Improvements Purpose/Background: 5.1. On a annual basis, the Park and Recreation Commission makes recommendations to City Council for park and trail projects, based upon community need. For 2015 there are 9 potential projects identified within the Capital Improvement Program, with a wide scope - ranging from grates to secure stormwater pipes at The Draw, to the playground for Elmcrest Park, to a shared trail project with the City of Anoka. Three 2015 projects are ready to move forward for purchase, project development, and in one instance as a proposal for grant funding. These are listed below with the funding source andestimated project cost: Selected 2015 Parks Capital Improvements Monuments for The Draw and Elmcrest Park Park Trust Fund $80,000 Drinking Fountain with Pet Station and Mister for Woodland Green IParkTrustFund $7,000 Trail Connection - Trott Brook (Variolite St to Brookfield) MN DNR & Park Trust Fund $400,000 Attached for your information is the larger, 2015 Parks Capital Improvement Plan. Notification: Observations /Alternatives: As alluded to, staff is in various stages of project development for the nine park and trail related projects. For the three that are ready for Commission recommendation to City Council, the following is a summary of the work plan. Monuments for The Draw and Elmcrest Park The design work for the Kasota Stone monument for The Draw was completed in 2012, and is being investigated to 'upgrade' the proposed poster -type display panel element to an electronic display for advertising the concerts and other community events. The intention would be to have the monument and sign in place for the beginning of The Draw Summer Event Series in June of 2015. A proposed apartment building immediately south of the amphitheater is anticipated to move forward for approval and subsequent construction as soon as the spring of 2015. The Park Dedication due for this project in essence would be directed to fund The Draw's monument that is estimated at this time (with electronic display) at $ 50,000.00. Additionally, staff will investigate if there is any revenue opportunities (concert sponsorships as an example), associated with the display element of the park sign and monument for The Draw. As for a monument/sign for Elmcrest Park, this design work may occur as part of the planning for the playground project to occur in March and April of 2015. Drinking Fountain for Woodland Green Park This small scale project is fairly straight - forward with the purchase of the components, with staff installation as time permits during the spring or early summer. Trott Brook Trail Connection As the Commission will recall, the recommendation to satisfy Park Dedication for the Brookfield 4th Addition, was to accept approximately $46,000 in cash, with the intention to construct a boardwalk connection from the existing trail in Brookfield to Variolite Street - if additional funding could be secured by a grant. (Details are included in the Park and Recreation Commission's October 2013 case, on the city's website.) The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Local Trail Connections Program is accepting proposals in March 2015, for projects like the Trott Brook trail connection referenced herein. The DNR competitive grant program matches 50% of project costs up to $150,000. If staff can dedicate enough time to develop