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<br />~ <br /> <br />CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br /> <br /> <br />Topic Report: Open Space Referendum <br /> <br />By: Chris Anderson, Environmental Coordinator <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />Natural areas and open spaces are thought by many to be one of the factors that contribute to a high <br />quality of life. These areas can provide a myriad of benefits such as recreational/educational <br />opportunities, essential habitat for wildlife, and enhanced scenic views. Ftuthermore,. research has <br />shown that proximity to natural open spaces can increase property values. <br /> <br />One tool that communities have utilized to protect important natural open spaces is an open space <br />referendum. In fact, two (2) metro area communities (Andover and Plymouth), as well as <br />Washington County, had an open space referendum question on their 2006 election ballots. All <br />three initiatives were approved by voters. <br /> <br />In February, the Environmental Policy Board (EPB}amended their 2006/2007 work plan to include <br />researching an open space referendum for Ramsey. Subsequently, the EPBinvited the Trust for <br />Public Land (fPL), whose mission is to conserve land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and <br />natural places, to discuss and review the open space referendum process. According to the TPL, <br />about twelve months or so is an adequate time frame to coordinate a successful referendum <br />campaign. <br /> <br />Having completed a Natural Resources Inventory and a Wetland Functions and Values study puts <br />the city in a good position to identify individual lands that would be ideal for preservation and <br />public benefit. However, fim.ding for these types of land purchases (where there are or may be <br />willing sellers) are lacking. The EPB is interested in gauging the Council's willingness to place an <br />open space referendum question on the 2008 ballot that would provide the fim.ding mechanism <br />necessary to begin preserving important natural open spaces. <br /> <br />Representatives of the EPB will be present at the work session to discuss this matter with City <br />Council. The EPB has also extended an invitation to a representative of the TPL to attend the work <br />. session to help answer any questions that Council may have regarding an open space referendum <br />and/or the associated process. <br /> <br />Funding: <br /> <br />The only direct cost for the city would be for a preliminary survey to determine how much support <br />an open space referendum may have from the residents and how much of a tax increase, if any, they <br />may consider acceptable for this specific purpose. Based on surveys conducted by other <br />