Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/08/2018

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Mr. Riverblood added that the Lawful Gambling Improvement Fund is established from a small fee off pull tabs in the City. Those funds can be used for primarily recreational or nonprofit uses. This program has been in existence for more than two decades and is intended to address small projects, especially those that have a match of labor or cash. The Girls Scouts project met the terms of the program ideally. It is a neat way to leverage interest in a unique recreation and have a funding source for it. This funding recommendation will go to the City Council this spring. In response to a question by Vice Chair Sis, Mr. Riverblood explained that the program is intended to be capped at $5,000. Thus, $4,500 is still available for 2018. 5.03: Recommend 2018 Parks Capital Improvement Project(s) Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood introduced the Parks Capital Improvement program, which is a 10-year listing of projects in the City. The City Council (2018) come forward individually for project development or construction. Under consideration is a selection of park projects that are ready to move forward for further development. The Commission may choose to advance all of them now, one at a time, or one or two at a time, based upon the individual projects. Once a project is approved by the Park and Rec Commission, it advances to the City Council. Mr. Riverblood provided an overview of five proposed projects: Replace fencing and dugouts (#5-7) at Central Park, at an estimated cost of $75,000 Dugouts, netting, replacing some fencing, and adding a concrete maintenance strip o under the backstops and sideline fences Sunfish Lake Phase 2 Parking Lot at an estimated cost of less than $30,000 Central Park Football Field Enhancements at an estimated cost of $15,000 Drainage and grading modifications to the football field, between ballfields #3 & o 4 Amphitheater Lighting at an estimated cost of $40,000 Lighting enhancements and audio conduits at The Draw o Aeration for Sunfish Lake and The Draw at an estimated cost of $40,000 Two separate aeration systems at The Draw and Sunfish Lake. Elements include o contracted installation, electrical power supply, signing, permitting and public notification Mr. Riverblood added that the funding comes from a fee charged to new developments in Ramsey. The aeration system may qualify for funding from the Lawful Gambling Improvement Fund, which has to be youth-oriented or non-profit. This may fall in that category, as it is used so heavily by youth. Vice Chair Sis commented this is a worthy list of projects. Commissioner Bayer asked about the depth of the ice on the pond at The Draw. Park and Recreation Commission/March 8, 2018 Page 3 of 6