Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 11/14/2019

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Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood responded that staff is working on a staging and phasing plan for the park improvements in Ramsey's down town. He noted it is important to work on the splash pad, which takes a lot of project development. Another element of the staging plan is identifying funding sources. A lot of development in The COR has provided park development fees that will be re -invested. Private development follows public investment downtown. Commissioner Sis asked about the Mississippi observation deck. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood responded that the land around it is vacant. He does not know the exact zoning around it, though it is some level of residential. Chair Bennett commented this list includes a really good mix of projects and also includes important elements like monuments and wayfinding. The equipment at Ford Brook is definitely needed. He expressed appreciation for the list for the 2020 projects, stating it is a good combination of diverse elements needed in the City. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood thanked Chair Bennet for that observation and responded that the geographical spread and the diversity make this a good plan. Motion by Commissioner Sis, seconded by Commissioner Leistico, to move ahead with the CIP plan as presented. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Bennett; Commissioners Sis, Leistico, Barnes, Barten. Voting No: None. Absent: Bayer, Shoemaker. 5.03: Recommend Cash Contribution Rates for Park Dedication and Trail Fees for 2020 Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood explained how the Park Dedication and Trail Fees are gathered and noted the modest increase that occurred last year. Because there have not been substantial increases in development activity nor substantive changes to the CIP, staff is recommending no change in any park or trail fees for 2020 over and above the 2019 rates. Chair Bennett noted staff has illustrated in the past how the Ramsey fees compare to other communities of similar size. This fee structure allows Ramsey to remain competitive and not stifle appropriate development. Commissioner Sis asked if the current fees would allow all the CIP projects to be built. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood responded that is not possible, as the full CIP would be over $30 million. There are usually $2 or $3 million available in any given year. However, there is a diversity of opinions on the level of development in Ramsey, and the park dedication fee rate attempts to balance out the competing aspects of thoughts on how Ramsey develops. It is a complex topic. The fees allow Ramsey to remain competitive and also attract quality development, while serving the needs of both existing residents and new residents. Park and Recreation Commission/October 10, 2019 Page 3 of 5