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Councilmember Elvig replied that he thought the only inflationary factor they would need to be <br />concerned about is capital equipment items. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook questioned what leverage the City had to require that the developer <br />construct the two retail parks. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman explained that the City may choose to not put their focus on some of <br />the signature parks, but rather focus on the retail parks. One other issue is that staff just recently <br />became aware of is that Ramsey Town Center, LLC is proposing that the two retail parks be <br />private owned and paid for by the commercial entities. That initially may sound like a good idea, <br />but if the maintenance of the park declines the City will be the first to hear the complaints. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman inquired if any city in the metro area has ever had an organization <br />fund private parks. <br /> <br />Assistant Director of Public Works Olson replied Edina's Centennial Lakes Park. <br /> <br />Councihnember Cook replied that it is possible, but they have to have the right commitment and <br />have appropriate language in place that if it does not work the City has the ability to take the park <br />over. <br /> <br />Assistant Director of Public Works Olson stated that the bottom line is that the City needs some <br />assurance that the retail parks will be constructed and that they will not be requesting a large <br />amount of fiuancial assistance from the City to develop those parks. <br /> <br />Councihnember Elvig suggested that they pull some of the money planned for north park and <br />have it put into the retail parks. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen inquired if the City was going to own any of the parks. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman explained that the four signature parks would be dedicated to the <br />City and they are still discussing what is going to happen with the downtown commons and civic <br />square parks. <br /> <br />Assistant Director of Public Works Olson noted that it has always been staff's position that all of <br />the parks should be City parks. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen inquired if Ramsey Town Center, LLC received credit for storm <br />water management areas as they had requested. <br /> <br />Assistant Director of Public Works Olson replied no. He explained the City's past practice and <br />the reasoning for not giving credit for the storm water management areas. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated that she would prefer that they stay with the standard and not <br />set precedent for other developments. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session/March 1, 2004 <br /> Page 9 of 12 <br /> <br /> <br />