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

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remaining 50 percent, as well as the combined interest earnings, would go into an "eighteenth district" to fund any or all projects. Commissioner Ostrum stated it should be stipulated that this money be put specifically towards community parks, as everyone can use these parks, and therefore, everyone should contribute to them. Commissioner Johns stated these monies were also required in some of the older, more established areas, in which no development was occurring. Park/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated there were three matters to be considered. He stated that if the Commission did not act, the Recreation Districts would most assuredly be lost. He stated by identifying only community parks for the funds, areas such as Sunfish Lake, which is not a community park, but really a neighborhood park, would not see a benefit. He stated this would bring into question the definition of the community parks, which would result in some inflexibility in spending, and it would not address the trails, which are a larger need and clearly a community benefit. He stated the third consideration is an area such as Emerald Pond Park, whose budget will be exhausted prior to its completion. He stated if additional funds were required to complete some sort of project at this park, it would not fit within the definition of a community park. Commissioner Droegemueller noted Commissioner Rolfe's suggestion to redefine the districts around the five community parks within the City. He stated the city of Anoka has no park districts, and only one fund to apply to all areas, and they do not have money to redo their playground equipment in all their parks. He explained, in light of this, he understands the concept of the 17 park districts in the City of Ramsey, as it allows them to guarantee that the smaller parks can have play equipment. He stated Commissioner Rolfe's ideas should be considered, however, he was in favor of maintaining the existing districts. Commissioner Droegemueller stated he was not in favor of the 50/50 percent division of funds, because there are smaller areas where there is little or no development, and if they were to utilize this percentage, there would be even less funding available for the parks in these areas. He stated they should protect the smaller parks by indicating a 75/25 percent division, with 75 percent to the district, and 25 percent to the general district, which could be utilized at the Park and Recreation Commission's discretion. He stated he would not want other bodies of the City determining where these funds should be spent. He stated these determinations were within the Commission's purview, and they should have the final word. Motion by Commissioner Droegemueller to recommend to the City Council that park dedication be divided with 75 percent going to park dedication for the districts, and 25 percent put into a fund only to be designated for community parks. Motion failed for lack of a second. Motion by Chair Cook to recommend to the City Council that park dedication be divided with 70 percent going into the recreational districts to be used by the district from which it is collected, 30 percent into a general fund to be used for Park and Recreation use, and the accrued interest of 100 percent of the fund going into a general district for park use. Park and Recreation Commission/September 9, 1999 Page 9 of 14