Agenda - Council - 07/23/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Bennett; Commissioners Leistico, Barten, Barnes, Bayer, Shoemaker, Sis. Voting No: None. Absent: None. 5. COMMISSION BUSINESS 5.01: Conduct 'Listening Session' within the neighborhood on proposed renovations for Ford Brook Park Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the purpose of the listening session is to gather information on any and all of the neighborhood's desires for parks and trails, and specifically for Ford Brook Park. He provided the history behind the park and noted the park has been in the CIP for a number of years. It is currently scheduled for some renovations in approximately 2020. The primary purpose tonight is to hear ideas about the park improvements from the neighborhood so the City does not make presumptuous about the playground. He also noted Rum River Central is a regional park, and is about a mile east from Ford Brook. It has a many amenities, including a shelter and a significant play structure. He noted that the Ford Brook equipment was salvaged from the City of Minneapolis a long time ago. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood acknowledged the presence of Ramsey Councilmember Heinrich, along with Nowthen Mayor Jeff Pilon and Nowthen Councilmember Dan Breyen. An unidentified resident asked whether a proposed budget has been established. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood responded there is a planning dollar amount in the CIP. However, anything that moves forward has to be approved by the City Council. The project estimate is shown at $70,000. It has also been suggested that other funding sources may be available due to proximity to Nowthen. Also, there is special program by the MN DNR for park improvements. Traditional playground equipment is exceedingly expensive. It's many tens of thousands of dollars for basic things. Any time public spaces are improved, they need to become ADA compliant. That means pathways along with parking spaces, for example, and that can add many several thousands of dollars just for the ADA elements. Chair Bennett asked about Elmcrest, which has newer equipment. It has a good mix of equipment and inquired about the cost. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood recalled that the border around the playground as well as the playground itself was $90,000. That did not include any parking. An unidentified resident asked if the City of Nowthen has been contacted for partnership opportunities. Nowthen Mayor Pilon introduced himself, along with Councilmember Dan Breyen. Nowthen Councilmember Breyen stated Nowthen's Park and Rec Committee discussed this a few years ago. Park and Recreation Commission/1VIay 9, 2019 Page 2 of 6