10-04-2012 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 4, 2012 The Administrator reported that he discussed with the Cities of Maplewood, Roseville, and Shoreview how they address playground equipment upgrades. Shoreview indicated that they do replacements every 15 to 20 years. One city did not respond, and another indicated that they do not do playground equipment replacement noting that the cost of such would be $100,000 for a larger park. Sanders indicated that the City of Shoreview does a park upgrade every two years. The City Administrator also noted that parking lot upgrades at the parks are also programmed into the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Fund, noting that the Council just approved the overlay of the Pioneer Park west parking lot. The Parks & Rec Director reported that the park parking lots take a beating since school buses and garbage trucks use them as stopping points for breaks. It was suggested that City staff looking into signing these lots prohibiting truck and bus usage. Blesener asked if the permit extension has been obtained from the railroad for the trail crossing project. The Administrator was not sure, but did not think the permit extension would be a problem. He pointed out that the Rider Amendment with St. Paul Water for this project will be on the next Council agenda. Blesener pointed out that the City delayed the project to give St. Paul Water an opportunity to finish their well work so that there would be no conflicts when the trail work began. Sanders asked if the City was able to obtain fill from the Metro Transit project. The Administrator reported that the railroad was requiring that the contractor obtain insurance to place the fill at a cost of $4,000 to $6,000; therefore, the fill was not taken for this project. The Administrator felt there would be an opportunity for fill from City street improvements planned in 2013 or other sources. Maida asked if the City has historically funded any park improvements from the General Fund. The Administrator reported that park improvements are programmed in either the General Capital Improvement Fund or the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Fund. The City's General Fund supports day -to -day operations. The Administrator pointed out, however, that the General Fund has contributed to capital expenses based on the City's Cash Reserve Policy. The Administrator explained this policy in detail. He also noted that the General Fund transfer that the City Council will act upon next Wednesday would bring the surplus amount to the low end of the range; however, factoring in the Interfund Loan against reserves provides a cushion. With regard to playground equipment replacement, Blesener asked if the plan was to totally replace equipment in Nadeau, Pioneer, and Spooner Parks or do enhancements to the existing equipment. Blesener reported that he has looked at the equipment and most of it is in very good 3