04-09-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 9, 2014 that this is an additional request for City funding given that the trail work was always planned for this area. Keis asked if the trail work was included in the Parks & Recreation portion of the budget. He also noted that historically Park Land Acquisition Funds have not been used for improvements of this nature, but rather for the purchase of park land. The Director noted that given the healthy fund balance, the Commission felt that some of those funds could be used for this purchase. There are not land acquisitions planned for the near future. There was discussion of the City's desire to acquire additional properties along Round Lake as they become available. The Administrator noted that given 56 Little Canada Road was just offered for sale, there was discussion of the acquisition of that property although it was not in the original plan to acquire. It appears that property has been sold. There are two remaining properties in the middle of the stretch along Round Lake that the City would be interested in acquiring if they become available. McGraw asked if there was any specific policy relative to how the Park Land Acquisition Fund could be used. The City Administrator reported that the use of the Fund has been limited by the City Council and that there are no statutory requirements for how this fund can be used. He noted that revenue into the Fund comes from park charges collected via building permit fees for new development. Keis was concerned that if the Fund is used for other than park land acquisition, that the door is then opened for continuing requests. The Director felt that use of the Fund for anything other than park land acquisition should be the exception to the rule. The Administrator indicated that the suggestion was made at the most recent Veterans Memorial Committee meeting given the Committee is dealing with a substantial increase in the project budget. 13lesener noted that the City had committed to the parking and street improvements which are estimated at $16,700. The estimate for the sidewalk improvements is $34,800, and that is the recommendation for the use of Park Land Acquisition Funds before the Council this evening. It is anticipated that the $16,700 would come from street funds. Keis asked about the recommendation that up to $10,000 from Park Land Acquisition Funds be dedicated toward Fire Barns -Skate Park Warming House Project. The Director reported that the architect is taking bids for the project at this time and it appears that the bids will come be $7,000 to $10,000 over budget. He is hoping to get the concrete contractor to drop his bid by $2,500. The Park Commission discussed this project and again 8