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Mr. Riverblood reviewed the current Community Park system within Ramsey. He indicated their <br />locations on a map. He reviewed the parcels being considered for development on a map. Staff <br />requests Commission consensus that staff with Council direction secure additional property for <br />Lake Itasca Park keeping in consideration the current trail—and expanding the existing <br />designated park area, south to Alpine Drive. <br />Commissioner Troy asked about the outstanding obligation, and Park Dedication structure. Mr. <br />Riverblood stated for every new lot that is created there is Park Dedication fees due ($2600) per <br />dwelling unit, if not land. If a new subdivision is completed within the community, additional <br />demand for park resources is needed—and this is the nexus between demand and park and trail <br />development costs. Accordingly, the trail fee is $700 for each developed residential dwelling <br />unit. The need for park land and trail infrastructure is very high. Since Northfork has developed <br />over 20 years, and a private park was developed, two acres of park land was deferred and `owed' <br />for Park Dedication. <br />Commissioner Trappen asked who maintains the private park, and Mr. Riverblood replied it is <br />owned and maintained by the Homeowner's Association. <br />Motion by Commissioner Chubb, seconded by Commissioner Troy, to recommend to City <br />Council that, negotiations occur between Northfork Inc. and the City on solutions and <br />alternatives for satisfying existing Park Dedication obligations (land dedication) and future Park <br />Dedication (land or cash), together with Trail Fee satisfaction – with the goal being to arrive on a <br />public land configuration suitable for a community park southeast of Lake Itasca and that no <br />future plat be approved for areas presently owned by Northfork Inc. until the existing Park <br />Dedication obligation are reconciled with the proposed community park southeast of Lake Itasca <br />shown conceptually by the City's Zoning Map. <br />Further discussion: Mr. Bill Kingston, President of Homeowner's Association, asked to see a <br />map of the Lake Itasca area. He showed the golf course and the private park along with the city - <br />owned parkland. He showed the 37 acres that borders the city -owned parkland. The developer's <br />requirement for park dedication is 5 acres. The residents of the City of Ramsey would still not <br />have access to the lake. He is concerned who will pay for 37 acres and he as a taxpayer does not <br />want to buy 37 acres of land. <br />Mr. Riverblood stated the motion this evening is not to decide what land to purchase specifically. <br />This would be subject to negotiation. The current city -owned parkland is only accessible by the <br />trail. Commissioner Trappen asked if a goal would be to have access to the lake. Mr. Riverblood <br />stated one point is that the trail is in place, and additional land to access the lake may be viewed <br />as unnecessary unless there were to be activities on the lake. If you are standing on the lakeshore, <br />you cannot see the water due to the dense vegetation. Lake access could ultimately be part of <br />what is required. This motion is just to allow investigation of all the options and alternatives. <br />Mr. Riverblood stated the acquisition of the land would not be paid by the general fund in terms <br />of property taxes. <br />Park and Recreation Commission/October 15, 2015 <br />Page 4of5 <br />