Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/11/2019

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Parks & Assistant Public Works SuperintendentRiverblood indicated that later in the meeting, capital improvements will be discussed. One capital improvement is canoe/kayak system for Lake Itasca. Sunfish is so well used for canoes and kayaking, and there about 1,700 people with proximity cards who have access to the system today. It is so well used that last fall, the existing parking lot was expanded to accommodate residents. Conceivably, more kayaks and canoes could be added to the 36 acres lake, though caution should be exercised not to crowd it. He noted that an investment would be better applied to lake Itasca, which does not have parking or a canoe/kayak system. Those factors are Chair Bennett stated the Commission has not had discussion around this and does not have plans to do something different from the stated goals and priorities of the park and trail system. Additionally, this parcel would probably have to be acquired out of the park trust fund. If $300,000 to $400,000 is invested out of the park trust, that can impact the ability to execute on other projects that are much higher priority that the Commission already has plans for. He likes the idea of the land being developed, with possibly some fees coming back to the park and trails fund. He would rather move forward with other pre-planned projects. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood added that he has talked to the Realtor of the property, and so the seller is fully aware the Commission is considering this tonight. The opportunity certainly exists for the landowner exploring its use for park. Commissioner Leistico stated this purchase would be a lot of money for something that Commission has not previously considered a priority. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood also noted that the Environmental Policy Board is keeping its eyes on the park and trail system, because it is such an important part of the natural resource preservation. He acknowledged the Board for thinking about the park system. Motion by Commissioner Sis, seconded by Commissioner Bayer, to take no action at this time, but to keep the land in question on . Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Bennett; Commissioners Sis, Bayer, Barnes, Barten, Leistico, Shoemaker. Voting No: None. Absent: None. 6. COMMISSION/STAFF INPUT Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reported on the recreation programs for the spring and summer, noting the marketing materials and website are continually being updated. He noted the skating statistics have slowly declined over the years, and those numbers will continue to be monitored. He also provided an update on the Capital Improvement Plan for the park and trail system, including the improvements at Pearson Park, where the Commission is scheduled to meet in July. He also noted that staff met with a sound engineer for the purposes of adding speakers to the Amphitheatre. Permanently mounted speakers would tremendously help with sound quality during park events. Park and Recreation Commission/April 11, 2019 Page 3 of 4