Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 08/12/1999

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Commissioner Droegemueller suggested taking cash park dedication rather than land and use the money dedication to install the trail. Chairperson Cook stated that he didn't think there was any reason to build a park in the area. Commissioner Rolfe stated that them is a tri-city group looking into building a community center and suggested that the property might be an ideal location for the community center. Chairperson Cook stated that he doesn't think the property would be large enough for the community center. Commissioner Droegemueller stated that he does not think that the City has a need for the land. Chairperson Boos stated that the community center discussion is in such an early stage that it would be hard to spend money to aquire the property. Motion by Commissioner Asfahl, seconded by Commissioner LaMere, that the Park and Recreation Commission does not see fit to amend the Park and Trail Plan map due to the proximity of other park locations at this time. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Cook, Commissioners Asfahl, LaMere, Droegemueller, and Rolfe. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Johns and Ostrum. COMMISSION/STAFF INPUT Councilmember Hendriksen explained that he was reluctant to approve the request for a Master Trail Plan at the earlier council meeting because it would become static document which may be good for applying for grants, but feels a great deal of the master trail plan work has already been done and that it would be better to work with all the sources and documents that exist and then hire someone to format the document. He stated that it was his opinion that the end product would be better if the research was done by the Park and Recreation Commission, and if there are areas of expertise that are needed they can be highlighted and approach residents to see if they would be willing to participate in producing a rough draft format. Chairperson Cook stated that there are 17,000 people in the City so the cost of the master trail plan would work out to be approximately $1.00 per household, and in his opinion to make sure the plan is done correctly it would be in the best interest of the community to have SRF put together the master trail plan. Councilmember Connolly stated that part of the community feel that trails are important, but there are others who are opposed to the trails. Commissioner Rolfe stated that he understood what Councilmember Hendriksen was saying, but questions how long the project would take if it was done in-house and if staff would have available time to assist with the project. Park and Recreation Commission/August 12, 1999 Page 6 of 9