PRCAgenda_04Jan12 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

project prefer a six foot wide ag lime trail, similaz to the path at Community Park. Neighbors aze very supportive of the efforts to get rid of invasive species of vegetation such as buckthorn and box elder. Maertz reported that for $1,000 - $2,000, a landscape architect will put together the ideas for the project on three display boards to present to the University Grove Association. Deen suggested that the city hold one more trolley path meeting with the University Grove neighbors to solidify the plans, and then present the three boards to the executive committee of the Grove Association. Maertz feels that if Sue Weinberg and the executive committee agree on a plan, the project will move forwazd. c. Community Park Playground -Maertz and Commission Chair Long recently presented the Commission's plans for a new play structure at Community Pazk to the Falcon Heights/Lauderdale Lions Club. It is believed that this new play structure will appeal to a wider age range than the existing structure. The Lions Club voted to donate $3,000 to the project but must take a second vote to confirm the expenditure. $15,000 was budgeted for the project, but the total cost will be $21,500. However, there is $6,000 left over from the University Grove playground; $3,500 of that can be spent for installation of a rubberized surface for the Community Park play structure. Long moved and Deen seconded a motion to approve spending the money for the new play structure at Community Park. Maertz recommended that the city purchase the structure this year and store it until it can be installed next spring to save money on projected price increases. The old structure will be removed this fall with in-house labor. d. Purchase of Community Park -Maertz explained that to begin the process of the city potentially purchasing Community Park from the University of Minnesota, an appraisal of the value of the park must be obtained. Maertz and Heather Worthington feel that purchase of the pazk is a fmancially sound investment for the city because it will improve the property values of the homes in the neighborhoods near the park. Everyone in Falcon Heights lives within two miles of the pazk so it is a very usable park for Falcon Heights residents. The city currently leases the pazk for $1 a year from the University, with the lease set to expire in 2008. However, the University is only required to give a one year notice of its intent to cancel the lease. The land has been a park for 48 years. 6. Other Business Deen brought up the issue of the expiration of several Commission member's terms. She suggested that terms be staggered so that we don't have a completely new Commission every three years. Kuettel pointed out that most commissioners are reappointed to a second year term. 7. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. •