Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 08/13/1998

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Commissioner Asfahl asked whether there are any restrictions that the Commission should be aware of. Mr. Norman stated it is too early to know if there are or would be restrictions. He said there could be a potential for it, but there are many steps to go through first. Chair Cook said there may be a public referendum on this issue. Mr. Norman answered that many of these referendums fail. Commissioner Droegemueller suggested the Commission put the bonding issue on hold and proceed instead with the CIP. Chair Cook asked if the CIP could be approached and then modified at a later date. Mr. Boos replied that there is time to sort out CIP issues. He said the CIP should be discussed at each meeting. Mr. Norman stated he would have more information by the September meeting. Chair Cook stated that the CIP should be pursued and could be amended if necessary. Mr. Norman added that the Central Park land owner may want to work out financing. Mr. Boos requested an amended CIP in time for the September meeting. Chair Cook replied that this could be done. He added that the parcels should be retained in case the bonding process doesn't work out. He then said there should be no action taken at this time, other than for Mr. Boos to proceed as planned. Case #3: Approve Critical Trail Link Map It was noted that, during 1997 and 1998, the Commission used Economic Development Authority (EDA) money for constructing "Critical Trail Links." City Council (acting as the EDA) will be asked to continue utilizing this funding resource later this year for additional projects, perhaps for 1998, and certainly 1999. Mr. Boos reviewed that the purpose of this case is to prioritize these links and to discuss the trail opportunities in general within Ramsey's urbanized area. He then presented a map to the Commission depicting ongoing projects. He added that trail construction is different than land acquisition, but the estimated costs are reasonable. Several areas mentioned which could become trail links were Sunfish to Garnet, Fox Knoll, 153ra west to County Road 5, Sunwood Drive, High School to Highway 47, and County Road 83 to 153fa. Mr. Norman stated that revenue sources need not be identified at this time, and that the EDA may not be the only source available. He added that park development fees may be used, and that general fund levies are possible, as well as bonding. He stated that EDA funding is a slow process, and that trail development needs to be accelerated. He then said that at Council level there is interest in developing several projects in 1999, including the 153ra to 155th road project. Park and Recreation Commission/August 13, 1998 Page 4 of 8