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the rationale behind gradual increasing the fees. Also factoring into the increase is the <br />construction increases of all infrastructure improvements. <br />Chair Bennett noted the Commission has discussed this in the past. He noted the City has been <br />pretty market competitive in terms of the fees. He asked whether the staff has surveyed <br />neighboring cities. <br />Mr. Riverblood responded that other cities' fees cannot be the basis for setting the City of <br />Ramsey's fees, but the City does tend to be in the middle or a little lower. The exception is some <br />cities do not have stand-alone trail fees. The fact that the City has so many subdivisions before <br />the Commission is a testimony to the park fees not being a detriment to responsible and <br />reasonable growth. Developers are looking at Ramsey because of the developing park and trail <br />system. That is also borne out when looking at Parkview, next to the Amphitheater. Another <br />new apartment system being built is called Greenway Terrace, and that location has been chosen <br />because of the Greenway approved by the Park and Rec Commission and the City Council. <br />Commissioner Sis asked whether the increased fees will be adequate enough to meet the <br />demands for trails and amenities. He also inquired whether there is a potential appetite to be <br />more aggressive with the fee increase. <br />Mr. Riverblood responded the answer is no, the increases proposed will adequately meet some of <br />the pent-up demand for trails and amenities. The response to the second question is a policy <br />matter for the City Council that takes input on all the issues and sentiment of the community. <br />How to position Ramsey on development fees falls more in the purview of Council. They are an <br />elected body. The Commission's recommendation is important, but the fee -setting policy is in <br />the Council's realm. The park system plan will provide better guidance for this question as staff <br />looks at future needs and attempts to cost out long-term needs and maintenance demands and <br />costs. That is another question as it relates to property taxes, because that funds maintenance. <br />Commissioner Sis asked what governing body came up with the actual percentage increase as <br />recommended by staff. <br />Mr. Riverblood responded this is staff's recommendation put forward to the Commission. The <br />City Council will then look at the rates and charges across the City at a work session on <br />November 14m. Then on November 24m, there will be a public hearing, where comment will be <br />provided on the rate and fee structure. <br />Commissioner Sis asked what the Park and Rec Commission is being asked to recommend or <br />approve tonight. <br />Mr. Riverblood responded that this is the time, the Park and Rec Commission should make either <br />general recommendations to the City Council for park and trail fees rates and the cash <br />contributions, or a combination whereby the Commission recommends certain fee rates with a <br />part 2 with a suggestion to the Council look at the fee rates. It would be appropriate to have a <br />more specific recommendation, considering Council will be looking at rates, charges and <br />development fees on November 14m. <br />Park and Recreation Commission/November 9, 2017 <br />Page 10 of 12 <br />