Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/09/1999

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notion that over time the recreational needs of those who reside in apartments and those who reside in homes will, at some point in time, be the same. Chair Cook stated he believed these dwellings should be considered equal in this regard. He stated that some communities did not utilize this procedure, however, he could see no reason not to. He stated he did not think the fee should be increased to $1,900 as proposed by Commissioner Rolfe. Commissioner Ostrum stated staff had proposed a sizeable increase, and they did not want the fee to be excessive. Commissioner Droegemueller stated cities that utilize the highest rates, appear to be the cities that support the highest incomes, such as Egan and Eden Prairie. He stated there were some very exclusive homes within the City of Ramsey, however there were also many lower priced homes. Chair Cook stated that Maple Grove is similar to the community of Ramsey in terms of its recreational projects, and they seemed to have good parks, an adequate trail system, and nice houses. He stated their fee is approximately $1,100. He stated he liked the idea of the $1,200 park dedication fee, and the $200 trail fee. Park/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that income potential and class of housing could not be compared as they relate to recreational needs. He stated this may have occurred in some communities because they were aggressive in terms of insuring that any development was more than self-sustaining. Commissioner Ostrum noted that the rates could be amended every year. He stated that a survey could be conducted or reviewed annually, and the rates could be adjusted accordingly. He stated they could also consider an automatic annual increase. Commissioner Droegemueller inquired if the relationship of the percentage of park dedication and trail dedication was an adequate division of monies. Park/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated trail fee was instituted the prior year, because there were a number of trails for which the City had been unable to determine a funding source. He stated this was the basis for increasing the trail fee, which was somewhat higher proportionately. Commissioner Droegemueller suggested they increase the park dedication to $1,200, and the trail fee to $300, to insure that the Critical Trail Links that are necessary to bring people to the parks safely, can be completed in a timely fashion. Chair Cook stated that they were proposing to raise the park dedication fee of $975 by $225, and doubling the newly established fee for trails. He stated this might appear to people that they had just wanted to get their foot in the door, and the following year they would want more. Commissioner Droegemueller stated they were not fully aware of the cost to construct the trails, at the time the new trail fee was instituted. He stated any developer would have to realize the number of trails Park and Recreation Commission/September 9, 1999 Page 7 of 14