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City Council Minutes July 26, 1995 Page 2 POLICY AGENDA FALCON HEIGHTS PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ll~. N V Park and Recreation Director Kriegler reviewed proposed improvements to the playground at Falcon Heights Elementary School. The school's playground is the only park area north of Larpenteur and east of Snelling in the city, so the city and school have been working on joint improvements for the benefit of all. The park and recreation commission and a school lot task force have been working for some time to determine the most appropriate improvements to pursue at this location. Their final recommendations include children's play equipment, improved baseball fields, a new hardcourt surface, re-installation of an "old" swingset, and miscellaneous amenities, landscaping, and signs. Kriegler also commented that input had been solicited from property owners near the school property. Of those that responded, the largest concern was over playground rules and who would enforce them. While the city can work with the school to draft appropriate rules for play, the school ultimately governs the use of its property and would be responsible for rules enforcement. The neighboring property owners would also like to see some landscaping on the site, although they do not want trees blocking their view of the school grounds. Councilmember Gehrz asked about whether maintenance arrangements had been discussed with the school. Kriegler responded that this had not yet been discussed in detail, but that such arrangements would be part of the final contract between the city and the school. Councilmember Hustad inquired as to whether provisions had been made for outdoor restrooms at the school. Kriegler answered that the school generally has restrooms available during the day and that to date, there has been no problem with this issue at the school site. The following motions were made by Councilmember Hustad: 1) to approve the Falcon Heights school playground improvement schematic plan; 2) to authorize a contract with MSA Consulting Engineers for services relating to the development of plans and specifications, engineering, and field construction of the hardcourt surface; 3) to authorize negotiations with school district personnel for the purpose of reaching an agreement on issues such as site maintenance and inspections and site use policies, rules, and regulations; and 4) to authorize the issuance of proposal requests from play equipment vendors in an amount not to exceed 525,000. Motion passed unanimously.