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Commissioner Ostrum stated that Ramsey Town Center, LLC has been very cooperative in <br />providing some ideas to the Commission as well as listening to the Commission's ideas. He felt <br />that what was presented was a refinement of all the discussions they have had. <br />Commissioner Lehman stated that he really wanted to see open space unique to the City of <br />Ramsey and he thought what was being proposed captured that. <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that he was delighted with what was presented. That being said he <br />tends to lean on the practicality side of things, so the hard issue is how to pay for the parks. <br />What is being presented is great and he wants to make sure they don't come up short. He stated <br />that they have to be careful not to create too much expectation until they know they can pay for <br />it. The Council has discussed the creation of a park maintenance endowment fund and if they are <br />able to do that along with a foundation they may be able to get whole very quickly. <br />Councilmember Cook stated that he thinks the money for the parks will come. The thing he likes <br />about the plan is the fluidness of it. He really liked the linear trails and parkways and could see <br />that the park amenities would draw people to the area to spend a weekend. <br />Councilmember Kurak stated that they do need to discuss how they are going to fund the parks. <br />She wants to be innovative on achieving the funding by working with the developer rather than <br />against the developer. She is very excited about the Town Center project and felt that the more <br />people see what is being proposed for the parks the more actively involved they will become. <br />Bob Clause, Ramsey Town Center, LLC, if the parks are developed as it is being proposed it will <br />be very unique to the area. <br />Councilmember Kurak stated that there needs to be more meetings like this one with the City <br />Council and Commission members as well as other members of the community. <br />Mr. Engen explained that the intent of the special meetings is that at least one representative <br />from the City Council, Park Commission and staff be part of the future user meetings. <br />Councilmember Pearson stated that he has worked on the land for the past 35 years and what he <br />likes is that they are maintaining the natural flow through the land. He loved the idea of the mix <br />of the parks and providing more of a natural look. <br />Councilmember Zimmerman stated that anytime they have a lot of concrete, bituminous, and <br />brick they want to counter that with some natural area and he thought Ramsey Town Center, <br />LLC had done a good job with that. He was somewhat concerned if the ball field area will be <br />large enough to be functional. <br />Mayor Gamec stated that the one thing they really have to look at is the maintenance cost and <br />upkeep. The problem is not the building of the park, but the on -going maintenance. There has <br />been some discussion about creating an association within the Town Center to help with <br />maintenance and upkeep of the parks. He did feel that what was presented would fit into the <br />City Council/December 4, 2003 <br />Page 3 of 7 <br />