HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 19-19 Support of State Bonding Money for Falcon Heights Community ParkCITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
May 22, 2019
No. 19-19
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF STATE BONDING MONEY FOR FALCON HEIGHTS COMMUNITY PARK
WHEREAS, parks are an essential part of our city; and
WHEREAS, parks play a vital role in building healthy communities and in attracting much -needed
younger workers and families and retaining retirees; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation programs and services contribute to the health of children, youth,
adults, and seniors; and
WHEREAS, according to a George Mason University study, local and regional parks in Minnesota
generated an estimated $2.8 billion in direct, indirect and induced economic activity in Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, Falcon Heights Community Park is the largest park in the city, accountable for over 55% of
the city's park space, and is considered a central gathering place for numerous community events in and
around Falcon Heights; and
WHEREAS, a 2014 report entitled Falcon Heights Park Improvement Stud v found, among other needs,
the need to replace the park building, pavement, and basketball court in Community Park along with
upgrading park amenities to make them accessible based on ADA guidelines; and
WHEREAS, the 2014 report recommended potential improvement costs of up to $800,000; and
WHEREAS, the condition of Community Park has steadily deteriorated since the 2014 report; and
WHEREAS, the Trust for Public Land 2017 City Park Facts document states that the median percentage
of parkland as a percentage of adjusted city area regardless of density classification was between 8.1%
and 14.1% and Falcon Heights' parkland percentage of adjusted city area is currently only 2.0% and
slated to drop to 1.3% according to the 2040 Falcon Heights Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, Falcon Heights residents faced an increased tax levy in the past two years of over 20% each
year along with property tax increases for the Roseville Area Schools November 2017 Bond Referendum
of approximately $39 per month; and
WHEREAS, Community Park is the central gathering point for most community functions and a social
gathering point for many in the community and its' adjacent communities; and
WHEREAS, the Falcon Heights community, staff, and leadership are making strides to promote
community cohesion and cultivating a caring community in the wake of the 2016 Philando Castile
shooting; and
WHEREAS, further deterioration of the park and the possible closing of the park building and other
amenities makes cultivating of a caring community and enhancing community cohesion efforts more
difficult; and
WHEREAS, the project cannot be possible without the assistance of state bonding given the costs of the
overall project, the size of our community, recent increases in taxes and levies, and our limited financing
options. The City of Falcon Heights is committed to moving forward.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Falcon Heights hereby requests state bonding in the
amount of $1,000,000 for changes to Falcon Heights Community Park that include but are not limited to
the following: full replacement of the park building, pavement, basketball court, tennis court, and walks
and trails and upgrading the park amenities currently not considered accessible according to ADA
guidelines.
Moved by: I QZy7� Approved by:
•1 andall Gus son
Mayor
Vacant In Favor Attested by:
GUSTAFSON Sack Thongvanh
HARRIS q� Against City Administrator
LEEHY
M IAZGA
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Falcon
Heights City council at a duly authorized meeting held on May 22, 2019.
Sack Thongvanh
City Administrator