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Consensus of the Committee was to direct staff to get further information and bring the issue back to the next Finance Committee meeting. Case#2: Receive Park and Recreation Commissions Proposed 5-Year Capital Improvement Programming (C.I.P.) Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that each year the Park and Recreation Commission begins its review of the 5-year C.I.P. in June. The plan is modified to reflect opportunities for development as well as priorities of the Commission and City Council. After final revisions at a special workshop in September 2000, the Commission conducted a public hearing at its regular scheduled October meeting. There were two projects specifically requested this year for consideration by the public either in writing or at a Commission meeting. Both the Elmcrest Park project in 2001, and the 164th Lane NW to the Lake Itasca Trail connection (2002) are included in the proposed C.I.P..The 2001 Parks Capital Improvements are expected to be adopted in December 2000, as part of the whole C.I.Pi plan and corresponding budget. The Commission requested acknowledgment of the C.I.P. now for two reasons: 1. The City will need to accept or decline the Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning grant of $100,000 for Elmcrest Park this fall which is included in the C.I.P. 2. If there is concerns or priorities not yet discussed as part of the Commission's C.I.P., there is time to address them as part of the public process before the December 2000 budget hearing, and subsequent adoption of 2001 C.I.P. plan. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos reviewed the Central Park East 35-acre acquisition. He stated that the purpose of this project, is to expand the existing 45-acre park to the east to Variolite Street NW. This 35-acre expansion has been on the Park and Trail Plan for many years and is intended to ultimately provide the land needed to make Central Park the largest developed park in the City's system of community parks. For 2001, there is no funding designated for the land purchase, unless it becomes available, in later years. It was intended as a general fund contribution of approximately $32,000. The intent is to enter into an approximate ten-year contract for deed which would allow for park development to occur while the property was being paid for or begin banking dollars so if it becomes for sale, or the owner considers development, the City may have the funds necessary to secure the land. Councilmember Zimmerman inquired if the City were to purchase the 35 acres, would the park be developed right away. He expressed concern that if the park were to be developed in the near future there would be a lot of complaints with the gun club being so close to the park and he is afraid that the complaints would cause the gun club to be shut down. Mayor Gamec stated that the land is not going anywhere and if and when the land goes up for sale then the City can acquire the land. In the meantime, he thought it would be more beneficial to spend the money on upgrading the existing parks and developing Elmcrest Park. Finance Committee/October 24, 2000 Page 3 of 7