1998 CAFR - Laserfiche WebLink

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The second approach is to meet service expectations to improve existing parks. The City has 19 actively used parks. Development of these parks in 1998 ranged from simple landscaping to the complete renovation of Peltzer Park with a $26,000 play structure, wood chip and blacktop paths, and complementing landscaping. The third and final approach, is the development of new parks and trails. In 1998, Alpine Park was added to the City's park and trail system. The first phase of development saw the installation of baseball and soccer fields. This phase will be completed in 1999, with the construction of a shelter, paved trail connections, and tree plantings. Each year the City dedicates some of the interest earnings from the Landfill Trust Fund for park improvements. In 1999, $63,000 was allocated for tennis courts for Central Park, the City's largest community park. Trail construction in 1998 consisted of a one-mile trail from County Road 83 to County Road 56 along County Road 116, a trail from 149th Avenue to County Road 116, and anorth/south segment of trail east of the Regency Ponds subdivision. PUBLIC SAFETY During 1998, the staffing level remained at 15 sworn officers in the Police Department. The Department responded to 7,916 incidents in 1998, compared to 7,721 for 1997. For the two years, this activity is broken down into the following categories: 1998 1997 Traffic/Driving Under Influence/Accidents 1,473 1,090 Burglary 70 84 Domestics/Animal Complaints/ 5,321 5,621 Neighborhood Complaints Motorist Aid/Lockouts/Alarms 904 791 Gun Permits/Other Licenses and Permits 148 135 The Police Department spent its second year in its new building, located directly behind City Hall. The department structure changed slightly during 1998, with one Patrol Officer being promoted to Corporal. The Corporal's assignment in addition to regular patrol duties, is to oversee the care of Public Safety Aide volunteers and their activities. The department formed aten-member Volunteer Safety Aide Unit whose members were trained at the Anoka County Reserve Officer Academy during October and November of 1998. These volunteers are being utilized to assist in organizing the Neighborhood Watch program, assist with youth activities at Ramsey Elementary, and other service functions that do not require a licensed police officer. A Ramsey patrol officer taught the 17-week Drug Awareness and Resistence Education (D.A.R.E.) to 230 Ramsey Elementary students during the 1997-98 school year. More than 400 children participated in the eighth annual Becky Weiss Memorial Bike Road-eo in May. Several major storms in 1998 gave the City's public safety agencies several opportunities to respond to emergency situations. On May 15, 1998, and again on May 29, 1998, hail and high winds damaged property, interrupted utilities and blocked roads with fallen trees. The Police, Fire and Public Works departments assisted with immediate needs and clean up efforts. -viii-