Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 07/09/2015

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Bennett, Commissioners Mobry, Barr, Chubb, Fyten, Trappen, and Troy. Voting No: None. Absent: None. 5. COMMISSION BUSINESS 5.01: Consider Donation for Improvements to Central and Alpine Park Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood presented the purpose of this case is to approve a request from the Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association (ARAA) to implement certain improvements to the ball fields at Central and Alpine Park and recommend that City Council accept this donation. In the case of ball fields 1-4 at Central Park, much of the chain-link fencing and backstops are from the original installation in 1984, with the fencing bowed and misshapen. ARAA's project would consist of replacing the fabric, and posts as necessary. "Dugouts" would also be added to these fields. The dugouts consist of fence panels to separate parents and spectators from the players' benches. A photograph of a similar dugout was presented. As for the proposed improvements to Alpine Park, this is not replacing the fencing, but rather, adding a new electric power supply to the pavilion area, and the two batting cages that were also an ARAA project in 2014. In the case of new, proposed capital improvements, the city must be mindful that the annual operation and maintenance costs are factored and accounted for, in the case of any improvements, donated or funded by the Park Trust Fund. As for the subject of this case, aside from the electric service to the batting cages, the project will not add new infrastructure to maintain. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed another aspect of receiving donations for parks and public space is assuring that the intended project goes as planned, and contractors are insured and licensed to work in the city. A document was provided outlining some of these details. Before Staff would bring this particular case to City Council, the agreement would need to be in place, and all the proverbial "T's crossed and I's dotted". All cash funding shall be provided by ARAA and the estimated amount will be $25,000 - $35,000. There is a demand on staff time, to assist ARAA implement these improvements, however this is accommodated within the 2015 General Fund operating budget. Commissioner Trappen asked about the electrical and Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated ARAA had met with an electrician and was not given complete information about what would be needed. There needs to be adequate power supply for the amenities. This detail needs to be researched. Park and Recreation Commission/July 9, 2015 Page 2 of 6