Agenda - Council - 06/12/2003 - Joint with Park & Recreation Commission

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CASE # PARKING LOT PLAN FOR ELMCREST PARK By: Mark Boos, Parks/Utilities Supervisor Background: As City Council and the Commission is aware, the 2003 Parks Capital Improvement program proposes $215,000 for the creation of parking lots and the extension of the neighborhood street as a park drive into Elmcrest park. This amount was intended to also provide for l~are root trees as part of this same project. A Park and Recreation Commission work session was held following the Commission's regular April meeting for the purpose of refining various layouts and concepts for Elmcrest Park's parking lots and park drive. Staff has incorporated each of those recommendations into the revised concept plan. Following the Commissions review, Staff met with Bill Casey from Ramsey Youth Athletic Association to gain additional input. His suggestions for parking configurations and number of spaces have been incorporated into the proposed plan. The subsequent draft plan review with the Police Chief also resulted in a valuable change to the final draft of Elmcrest's parking plan. At the Park Commissions May 2003 meeting, the Commission recommended Council approve the final draf~ plan, authorize a portion of the 2003 CIP for design and engineering"as well as proceed to advertise for bids. Observations: As Council and the Commission are aware, a shift in priority has occurred with regard to the access to Elmcrest. Earlier City Council authorized a condemnation action for routing the access east to T.H. #47 to aid in land purchase negotiations. Since then, the City has recognized the economic development value as well as the improved safety of a northerly connection to 167th Avenue in contrast to the T.H.#47 route. Enclosed with the agenda is an 11" x 17" color copy of the proposed concept plan for Elmcrest's parking lot construction project. A detailed review of the proposed plan will be conducted at the meeting. As well as a discussion of expected design costs and timelines. The purpose of this case is to develop a consensus recommendation on E-tmcrest's 2003 improvement project, including staff direction on the proposed public street that would connect the park to 167th Avenue. City Council authorization of plans and specifications and advertisement for bids could then be ratified at Councils next meeting. -1-