10-05-2017 Parks & Rec Commission Minutes

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MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION October 5, 2017 conjunction with the resurfacing, was a now or never situation. The City Administrator reported the culvert would need to be put in one year before the resurfacing meaning the culvert would have to be constructed in 2018 or 2019. He explained the County wanted it to go through a freeze/thaw cycle before the road was resurfaced. Horwath stated this was a top priority for him, and was echoed in the survey. The City Administrator stated respondents from the survey had wanted a connection to the Gateway Trail and he explained the connection was already available through Maplewood. He explained putting the culvert in and constructing a freeway crossing over 35E and one over 694 would connect the whole City. The City Administrator stated the City would need to talk with the Heinel Farm and consider the powerline trail extension because connecting the City and completing the trail would enhance the area. He explained the City would speak with the Heinel Farm about buffering and their concerns as well. Ray and Sullivan agreed this was an important connection and now was the time to make it. Horwath made a motion to pursue the powerline trail connections, Phase I and Phase II, and the culvert. Ray seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. The City Administrator stated at the last meeting the Commission had requested the prioritization list be grouped. He explained this is not usually done, but he attempted to organize the list from an economy of scale standpoint. He noted these projects would ultimately be programmed into the budget as possible. The City Administrator stated TIF district 3-2 was recently closed and the remaining TIF funds could be used to purchase the remaining houses on Round Lake along Little Canada Road because they were within the district. He explained this would free up dollars in the Parkland Acquisition Fund; possibly enabling the City to use those funds to build the culvert. The City Administrator explained there were other ways the TIF money could be used and this was not a final decision, but it was an opportunity the City Council may consider. The City Administrator asked the Commission to prioritize the projects including the new projects that did not yet have a prioritization. He explained numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 14 had not yet been completed and were still on the list. The City Administrator suggested the Commission order the items regardless of cost. Chair Miller explained the Gervais Park Garden has been on the list a long time and should remain at the top. He suggested Spooner Park Playground improvements become number 2, and Pioneer Park Playground improvements become number 3. Chair Miller suggested all sign projects