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Councilmember Haas Steffen reasoned she came out to Ramsey because she could get more for her <br />money. She added that she does not want to stop development but she would like planning to <br />preserve some of what we have. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated that we have comprehensive parks planning. <br /> <br />Councilmember Haas Steffen stated her dream is for Ramsey to have an arboretum on the Huseby <br />property. She hoped she would be able to persuade the Park and Recreation Commission and the <br />City Council to go after the County and the Metro Regional Parks Board to talk about an arboretum <br />in Ramsey. <br /> <br />Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos stated that, as it relates to the Mississippi West Park, the Park and <br />Recreation Commission just looked at that plan. The Park and Recreation Commission <br />recommends that City Council pass a resolution supporting development of this park in the next <br />five years, based upon these concept plans they did. As it relates to visioning, he felt that the Park <br />and Recreation Commission have tried to keep this in mind. The park and trail plan is visionary to <br />an extent but probably a minimum of what Ramsey needs when it builds out. We recognize the <br />value of open space. <br /> <br />Planning Commissioner Thorud stated he really enjoys the trail that goes around the north side of <br />Lake Itasca. He would like to see more of these kinds of trails around the City. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec commented on the amount of use these trails receive. <br /> <br />Mr. Boos reported that the Park and Recreation Commission participated in a survey - about 77% <br />of the respondents wanted more of that kind of thing but it's difficult to convince developers to <br />take land of value for that. We would look to the Planning Commission and the City Council for <br />support of these kinds of things. He noted 160th and T.H. #47 as an area for a major park. <br /> <br />It was asked what the Commission was looking more at - major parks or neighborhood parks. <br /> <br />Mr. Boos responded that community parks are emphasized. Neighborhood parks are being <br />developed with park dedication dollars. The five-year plan was a result of the City Council and the <br />Park and Recreation Commission to build a consensus on what the next five years should look <br />like. <br /> <br />Planning Commission Thorud inquired if there are any plans for Central Park. <br /> <br />Mr. Boos answered that the City is trying to acquire that 35 acres but Federal has no desire to sell. <br /> <br />Park and Recreation Commissioner Droegemueller stated his biggest concern with park <br />development is how to share frustration. We have bold ideas and lots of area and no money to do <br />what we want. Development of new parks is woefully way behind. There is not enough money to <br />keep up with what we need. We have had the same 14 ball fields for 20 years and the population <br />has exploded. We service about 10 percent of the Ramsey children. The other 90 percent want to <br />use parks in a different way - playgrounds, trails, etc. We do not seem to plan to have money for <br />that kind of development. He added that he sits on the Park and Recreation Commission and we <br />see all kinds of neat plans and no money to do it. We are only allowed money from the landfill <br />fund. We have had to cut back $40,000. He continued about the shortage of ball fields and the <br />shortage of lit fields. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec asked if there is a proposal for lights in River's Bend. <br /> <br />City Council/Planning and <br /> <br />Park and Recreation <br />February 5, 1997 <br />Page 5 of 7 <br /> <br />Commission <br /> <br />Joint Meeting <br /> <br /> <br />