Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/08/2004

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Principal City Engiaeer Olson adde,! ir, North Park only grading and trails were shown, with the swim pond inchided, which, was imFortant to keep in the proposal. Commissioner PoTttius asked if th::r-e was nothing in North Park except the space that was waiting l'br thc swimming pond. Chairperson Johns responded the hill would be there and the perimeter trail would be graded to accommodate impr,)vcments; in the ~ utu re. Commissioner I,ehman asked ifthal would accommodate the residents in the area. Principal City b, nginecr Olson resp reded there would not be residences in the area for three to five years. When :staff completed hc .final plat recording, they noticed it was an outlet bigger than the park itself' without easen~ents and separate recordable easements were required for streets on each side of the park. Ini':ialiy, the land would be dedicated as a vacant park; however, if plans changed in the fim,'e, the Cry would be allowed flexibility regarding its use. Mr..lacobson noted part of the imp co vcment for the whole site involved some mitigation on the North Park properly adjacent to an existing wetland. If the City did some grading work in the area and fund in.g al lowed, it might t e ti mely to establish some of the tree canopy. Commissioner Old:-; asked ii' thc gra :iing for lhe entire site would take place at the same time. Mr. Jacobsen rcsNmded he thoughi th;~t was; true, as "cuts and fills" were being calculated, with areas being idcnti f',cd for use of th: extra material, and the sledding hill might be one of those opportunities. Chairperson .lohns stated opportuni ies would be available that would allow the City to designate some dollars lo set aside as seed money for those items high on the priority list. Commissione~- I.aMere asked rcgar~ lin?, the funds accumulated for each house sold. Principal City En~.;incer Olson respcmded it would be controlled by RTC and used towards improvements within the two retaiii pa~'ks. It was not a gift to the City but would help it define the improvements. There would i>e certain expectations as staff and the Parks Commission reviewed the dew, loping concept t~lans and contributions might be requested in the future, as well. Commissioner Shrs, ock asked regm din:4 pla:>, structures, as she had only seen them listed in North Park and South Park. She asked if;tdditional funding would need to be found later. Principal City Engineer Olson resl,onded that was correct, as play structures had not made the current list ofpt'io~ flies, and he had only seen a few pictures of climbable structures. He believed a fair amount of priority would be [ laced on this area fi'om Council within the next few years. Commissioner Shryock slated she x :,amed to make sure space was kept open for play structures. Park and 1~ ecreation Commission/April 8, 2004 Page 4 of 21