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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Bennett; Commissioners Leistico, Barten, Barnes, Bayer, <br />Shoemaker, Sis.Voting No: None.Absent: None. <br /> <br />5. COMMISSION BUSINESS <br /> <br />5.01: Conduct 'Listening Session' within the neighborhood on proposed renovations for <br />Ford Brook Park <br /> <br />Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the purpose of the listening <br />session is to gather information on any and all of the neighborhoods desires for parks and trails, <br />and specifically for Ford Brook Park. He provided the history behind the park and noted the park <br />has been in the CIP for a number of years. It is currently scheduled for some renovations in <br />approximately 2020. The primary purpose tonight is to hear ideas about the park improvements <br />from the neighborhood so the City does not make presumptuous about the playground. He also <br />noted Rum River Central is a regional park, and is about a mile east from Ford Brook. It has a <br />many amenities, including a shelter and a significant play structure. He noted that the Ford <br />Brook equipment was salvaged from the City of Minneapolis a long time ago. <br /> <br />Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood acknowledged the Mayor <br />LeTourneau is present along with Councilmember Heinrich, along with Nowthen Mayor Jeff <br />Pilon and Nowthen Councilmember Dan Breyen from Nowthen. <br /> <br />An unidentified resident asked whether a proposed budget has been established. <br /> <br />Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood responded there is a planning dollar <br />amount in the CIP. However, anything that moves forward has to be approved by the City <br />Council. The project estimate is shown at $70,000. It has also been suggested that other funding <br />sources may be available due to proximity to Nowthen. Also, there is special program by the <br />MN DNR for park improvements. Traditional playground equipment is exceedingly expensive. <br />llars for basic things. Any time public spaces are improved, <br />they need to become ADA compliant. That means pathways along with parking spaces, for <br />example, and that can add many several thousands of dollars just for the ADA elements. <br /> <br />Chair Bennett asked about Elmcrest, which has newer equipment. It has a good mix of <br />equipment and inquired about the cost. <br /> <br />Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood recalled that the border around the <br />playground as well as the playground itself was $90,000. That did not include any parking. <br /> <br />An unidentified resident asked if the City of Nowthen has been contacted for partnership <br />opportunities. <br /> <br />Nowthen Mayor Pilon introduced himself, along with Councilmember Dan Breyen. <br /> <br />Nowthen Councilmember Breyen stated discussed this a <br />few years ago. <br />Park and Recreation Commission/May 9, 2019 <br />Page 2 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />