Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 11/18/2021

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Commissioner Loss stated that it appears that Ramsey is lower than some communities, and also higher than some communities. He stated that given that the fees have not been increased in the past four years and the rate of inflation, he believed that an increase would not scare off potential developers. He stated that perhaps raising the fees by 10 or 15 percent would be appropriate. Commissioner Leistico stated that she agrees that fees should increase because of inflation but questioned the reasoning for ten percent. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that he would not want to provide a recommendation on the fee rate. He stated that a five percent increase would equate to $175 to the existing $3,500 rate. He stated that perhaps the justification would be that a five percent increase would be reasonable. He stated that the last increase was in 2018 and therefore a five percent increase after four years may seem reasonable, and the increase would help to better fund the new projects within the CIP. Commissioner Walker referenced the trail fee of $1,000 and asked how that rates to other communities. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that each community handles that differently. He noted that some communities have separate trail fees, while others include that in Park Dedication as a whole. He noted that some cities build their own trails and sidewalks with road reconstructs and many require them to be built with the development. He provided examples where the City required the trail construction as part of a development. Commissioner Walker stated that with $30,000,000 in potential projects, he would like to see $4,200 to$4,400 for Park Dedication and leave Trail Fees at the current rate. He stated that perhaps Trail Fees are raised the following year. Acting Chair Sis stated that he was unsure why there would be a need to stager the increases. Commissioner Walker commented that he is attempting to negotiate support for $4,400. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that one rationale to that proposal would be that certain large landowners have deals with developers based on the anticipated development fees. He noted that raising the fees in a reasonable manner would not impact those pending sales. Commissioner Loss asked if there is a reason there has not been an increase since 2018. He also asked if this recommendation would then go before the Council, that may or may not agree with the increase. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood replied that the Council has the discretion to set the fees where it wants. He stated that the Council appreciates the work the Commission does in making a recommendation that reflects the community it represents. He stated that staff did not recommend any increase in attempt to continue to welcome new, quality development. He stated that raising development fees can slow development and therefore an increase has not been recommended for industrial or commercial park and trail fees for quite some Park and Recreation Commission/November 18, 2021 Page 8 of 12