Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 07/13/2000

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labor with City Staff vs. contracting, the City may be able to pave the entire .6 mile of trail for less than the estimate for the eastern 1,029 feet. Staff therefore recommended using the existing trail fees as well as $5,490 (or less than 5%) of Mallard Ponds park dedication contribution to complete this important project. Since 1992, about 7% of park project cost has been scheduled for landscaping. Staff also proposed tree establishment with the trail project. These would primarily be adjacent to County Road #116 and the new path in Rivers Bend Park. By establishing a $2,660 tree budget the total project cost equates to $50,000. Based upon discussions with Mr. Chris Bulow, developer for Mallard Ponds, staff believes the trail project could be completed by the time Anoka Senior high School opens for the school year. Tree installation would be fall of 2000 or spring of 2001. Motion by Commissioner Ostrum, seconded by Commissioner Rolfe, to recommend City Council transfer $41,850 in available trail fees and $8,150 in Mallard Ponds park dedication fees to the Rivers Bend Park fund for the construction of the County Road #116 trail. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Cook, Commissioners Ostrum, Rolfe, Asfahl, Johns, LaMere. Voting No: None. Case #3: Receive Request for Personal Communication Tower in Shawn Acres Park Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos advised that the applicant has waived the 60 day rule so as to allow the City's tower consultant to make siting recommendations and therefore he is suggesting that this item be tabled. Motion by Commissioner Rolfe, seconded by Commissioner Asfahl, to table this item. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Cook, Commissioners Rolfe, Asfahl, Johns, LaMere, and Ostrum. Voting No: None. Case #4: Recommend Construction of Cottonwood Trail Bridge Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that s part of Connexus Energy's facility construction and development of the Business Park, the City received the 27 acre Cottonwood Park. The open space is intended to benefit the Commercial/Industrial business in the area as well as the expected residential uses. In 1997 staff removed brush and graded the site for the bituminous trail. Approximately 90 feet of wetland remained between the two ends of the 4,130' loop of path. The plan called for a bridge at this location. Staff has explored cost sharing the purchase and installation of a bridge with Connexus Energy similar in design to the one at Emerald Pond Park. The estimated cost including concrete abutments is between 15 and 20 thousand dollars. In part for this reason, the bridge has not been constructed to date. With concern for cost, staff has designed a bridge that can be built on site for less than $4,000 in materials - provided Connexus Energy can provide and install the power pole supports. Connexus has agreed to the above and is willing to contribute additional labor. The Cottonwood Parks development was funded by the Economic Development Fund (EDA). As part of the original project, $4,000 earmarked for the bridge was unspent. Park and Recreation Commission/July 13, 2000 Page 5 of 6