Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 08/10/2017

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Commissioner Bayer asked for clarification regarding the letter received by City Staff from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. He asked if City Staff have re-applied for funding for the project. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated funding for these types of projects is usually granted to communities that have more opportunities for ensuring regional trail connectivity. Motion by Commissioner Bayer, seconded by Commissioner Leistico, to forward the following recommendations to the City Council: 1.Recommend City Council approval of the Trott Brook Boardwalk Trail Project at a cost not to exceed $300,000. 2.Recommend that the City Council direct City Staff to issue notification to benefitting neighborhoods of a potential trail connection at the northwest corner of the COR. Further discussion: Chair Bennett asked whether the use of funding for the Trott Brook Boardwalk trail project will reduce available funding for future projects. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated funding requirements for future projects are difficult to estimate. He added this expenditure should be viewed as a positive step toward regional trail connectivity and the benefits it will bring to the whole community, rather than a potential cause for lack of funding for future projects. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Bennett, Commissioners Bayer, Leistico, Sis, and Trappen. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioners Fyten and Tchuinkwa. 6. COMMISSION/STAFF INPUT 6.01: Mayors for Monarchs Pledge Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the City of Ramsey has which cities and communities take steps to restore habitat for monarch butterflies and pollinators, and provide information for residents about the Monarch butterfly. The location for the project is the Lake Itasca Trailhead, where this meeting is taking place. The project plans include wildflower and native plant restoration, made possible by a funding grant of approximately $5,000 from the Minnesota Fish and Wildlife division of the Department of Natural Resources. 6.02: Commission Representation at Happy Days Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the Cit Happy Days, will be held Saturday, September 9, 2017. He added Happy Days will be a great opportunity for the Park and Recreation Commissioners to interact with residents and get feedback and comments on what aspects of parks and trails are important to them. Park and Recreation Commission/August 10, 2017 Page 11 of 12