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PLANNING In 2002, the City Council approved thirteen residential plats creating 285 urban single - family lots, 480 townhome lots, and nine rural, single- family lots. Additional activity, for 2003 Council consideration, is currently in process. With a stable economy, 2003 should prove to be another busy year. Each year the City Council approves a Capital Improvement Program. This document projects the priority and construction schedule for the completion of public improvements over the next five years. Most of these improvements are funded through dedicated funds that are set aside specifically for the noted project. It is this document that gives the community the best picture of projected new roads, utilities and parks over the next several years. TRANSPORTATION Ramsey currently owns and maintains 143.70 miles of paved roadways after the addition of 3.99 miles of new street construction in 2002. We also maintain 6.40 miles of dirt and gravel roadways and Anoka County and the State control another 39.51 miles of paved arterial highway corridors. A major effort over the past few years has been toward the ongoing maintenance of these roadways. Annually, the City completes sealcoating or overlays on approximately 15 miles of existing City streets. In 1993, the Council created the Public Improvement Revolving Fund (PIR) to provide the dollars necessary to pay for half of the cost of this maintenance program. Without the PIR Fund, either the property owner would pay for all of the necessary costs, or a tax increase would be required for the City portion. The PIR is self - supporting through its interest earnings. UTILITIES Major improvements were also made to the City's utility system in 2002. A total of $3,878,564 worth of water and sewer lines were installed in new subdivisions or to interconnect (loop) lines within the urban section of the community. To alleviate persistent drainage problems throughout the City, a storm water utility fund was created in 2000. A total of $1,515,999 of storm sewer lines were installed in 2002. During 2002, more than 411 million gallons of water was pumped from the City's five municipal wells, which is a two percent increase over the preceeding year. A third pumphouse, which had the City's first automated backup power supply, was constructed in 2002. PARKS Ramsey is fortunate in being the home to 565 acres of State, County, and City park space. Included in the City inventory is almost thirty miles of trails, sidewalks, and over 200 acres of active park spaces. The balance of the system is either yet to be developed or dedicated as nature preserves. A major accomplishment during 2002, was the development of the first phase of Elmcrest Park. The City received a $100,000 grant from the State of Minnesota to assist in the construction of the Park. In 2002, the City began the Master Trail Plan which outlines the existing and proposed trails throughout the City. Also in 2002, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources awarded the City a $17,000 Metro Greenways grant to help in the study of identifying the major environmental corridors throughout the City. viii