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• FALCON HEIGHTS I C TY COUNCIL MINUTES _4_ July 23, 2003 Authorize Final Plan Preparation for Curtiss Field Improvements (continued) Director Maertz said that after the design concepts were completed, all residents of the Northome neighborhood were mailed notice of a public meeting to discuss these potential improvements. This meeting was held in May, 2002. Comments from this meeting were used to further refine the design concepts. In July, 2003, another mailing was sent out and an open house was held at City Hall. This open house featured all of the design options and had informational booths with the landscape architect, hydrologist, and engineer from SEH there to answer questions and solicit feedback. Based on the residents' comments, the Parks and Recreation Commission voted to recommend the option that provided the most relief from flooding. The Council is being asked to contract with the HR Green Company for engineering services related to final plan preparation of the preferred alternative, at a cost not to exceed $19,500. Additional public meetings will be held as the planning goes forward. Staff will be contacting residents adjacent to Curtiss Field and soliciting comments and concerns before plans are finalized and brought forward for Council approval. • Council member Lamb asked if there will still be flooding. Director Maertz said the northwest corner of the building still floods, but that has been reduced quite dramatically. This area drains 14 acres of land and there will be 20% less water coming in with the new development. The final plan phase should be completed within the next two months. Council member Talbot said that he would like to see quality materials used at Curtiss Field, the only park that the City owns. Council member Lindstrom asked if the developer for the SE Corner would be contributing to the Curtiss Field improvements. Administrator Worthington said that in the development agreement there is a $150,000 park dedication fee that will go directly to this project and will cover more than 75% of the total cost. The City has a 5-year CIP for this project and funds will come from the Parks and Public Works portion. Director Maertz said there will be a pedestrian link between the new development and the park. Part of the project cost will be for deepening the pond. Plantings will be smaller and more ornamental. He has talked to MN DOT about planting pine trees along Snelling Avenue. Mayor Gehrz asked why Xcel Energy would be burying their electrical lines at no cost to the City. Council member Lamb said that Xcel lost the lawsuit in downtown Minneapolis and is now absorbing the costs for burying electrical lines in public rights-of--way. Lindstrom moved that staff be authorized to contract with HR Green Company to provide • engineering services related to the final plan preparation of Curtiss Field improvements, at a cost not to exceed $19,500. The motion was unanimously approved.