Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 01/13/2022

Home

time. He stated that while residential development pays taxes, it does not necessarily pay its fair share for the demand it places on the system. Commissioner Leistico stated that she would recommend that the Commission provide a motion in support of its needs and if the Council does not agree, it can make that choice. Commissioner Walker asked if the fees are paid at the time of development per phase. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood confirmed that respective development fees are paid at the time of final plat. He stated that preliminary plat provides entitlement to development the land and is typically when the purchase agreement is signed for the land. He stated that the final plat is the time the appropriate fees are paid. Commissioner Walker provided a comparison between raising Park Dedication to $4,400 and not increasing trail fees to raising both park and trail fees by 15 percent. He stated that he would like to see the City get the funds that it can. He noted that a proposed development near his home would have 347 lots which would generate $1,500,000 in just park fees. Commissioner Barten stated that if there was a five percent increase per year for the next four years that would be a park fee of $4,254 in the fourth year. He stated that he could see the reasoning in increasing the Park Dedication in a larger amount this year but could also see the reasoning to split that over four years. Commissioner Walker commented that there are pending developments for two properties in his area of the City and was unsure that fees could go up enough to make either one of those developers leave the project. He stated that there are not many areas within Ramsey that have that amount of land available to develop. He noted that a developer will pass the cost onto the new residents that purchase the homes. Commissioner Loss stated that he would support an increase of 10 to 15 percent for Park Dedication. He stated that perhaps $4,000 is the right number. He stated that he would agree to delay any increases to the trail fee if they are increasing the park dedication. Commissioner Walker noted that there is no guarantee that the City Council will approve the increase the Commission recommends. Councilmember Musgrove stated that some of the cities that have higher fees are more built out in order to capture what they can from remaining development. She stated that as Ramsey continues to develop and collect fees, it will reach a similar point. She stated that she was torn because there is a large bank of money available. Acting Chair Sis recognized that there is a healthy balance but there are also large projects on the horizon that will need much more in funding. Commissioner Walker commented that the balance is one sixth of the amount that would be needed to fund the projects within the CIP. Park and Recreation Commission/November 18, 2021 Page 9 of 12