03/26/96 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Background: As you may recall, the approved Capital Improvement Program for 1995 designated $57,000 from the Landfill Trust Fund for the development of Lake Itasca Park. These funds have been set aside since that time pending Park Commission approval of a development plan. This has now been completed, therefore, this portion of the case proposes construction of the Lake Itasca Park wail head parking and connection of the trail system as recommended by the Commission. The land for the proposed trail head parking has already been acquired and has been determined to be suitable for the stated purpose. The trail head will serve as a northern access point to the park as well as an access to the trail system, reducing the size and cost of future parking area in the park's interior. More importantly, the trail head would allow for an approved access to the Lake Itasca wail system. The estimate for this portion of the project is $26,175. The recently approved Itasca Shores Subdivision allowed for the completion of the trail system from 153rd Avenue north to the completed trail up to 167th Avenue. Approximately 5,100 feet of trail is contemplated at an estimated cost of $7.25/ln ft or $36,975 (see attached budget). The budget estimates assume that grading and some labor costs involved in the construction of the trail head and parking area would most likely be performed by City employees, both seasonal and full time. To minimize operational costs, the landscaping of the trail head and parking area has been designed to be low maintenance. Open surfaces would be covered with native prairie vegetation which would require only occasional mowing for nutrient and weed management. All of the vegetation at, or to be introduced at, the site is native to Minnesota (except the Eastern Red Cedar which was introduced to the area in the 1840's and now proliferates) and thus, fully hardy. Only occasional pruning of this vegetation would be required, mainly for sight line consideration reasons, but also to ensure the maximum health and vigor of the trees. Attached for your information are the following: Ramsey Recreation District Map Lake Itasca Recreation District Map Lake Itasca Park, Trail Head and Okapi Trail Highlighted Proposed Lake Itasca Budget with components Plan View of Lake Itasca Trail Head Council Action: Motion to authorize the project amendment to the Solstice Park development budget not to exceed $9,000. Motion to authorize the project amendment to the Itasca development budget in an amount not to exceed $57,000 and direct Staff to advertise for bids to complete the Okapi trail head parking and Itasca Park trail improvements. Reviewed by: Also distributed to: City Administrator Finance Officer City Engineer Parks/Utilities Supervisor Community Development Intern Park and Recreation Commission FC: 3/26/96 /kas