12-11-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 6, 2017 DRAFT 3 Karen Blaska of Anoka County Parks and Recreation to provide a presentation on the 90 master plan amendment being proposed for the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve. 91 92 Mayor Reinert first mentioned a recent discussion with Anoka County staff about 93 mountain biking trails. There is a sort of covert system of trails in the park now and 94 there’s work underway to make them an official park amenity, and plan some 95 improvements with the involvement of a bike group. 96 97 Ms. Blaska reviewed the master plan amendments, including within the park. There is a 98 master plan in place for Wargo Nature Center and that is appended to the proposed 99 amendment. She reviewed a list of improvements planned for the Wargo area. She 100 reviewed the anticipated cost of improvements ($10.7 million) (The amendment is 101 included in the council packet for the meeting). They are asking for input on the plan 102 from the council and ultimately a resolution of support. 103 104 The council concurred to consider a resolution of general support at the next regular 105 council meeting. 106 107 3. County Lakes Park Remaster Planning Proposal - Public Services Director 108 DeGardner introduced Candace Amberg of WSB & Associates. 109 110 Director DeGardner offered comments on Country Lakes Park, noting that staff has 111 considered it an underutilized park but one with a lot of potential. One issue has been 112 the amount of overgrown vegetation on the 22 acres. Staff has found a service provider 113 that may be able to help with that, including removal of ash trees in lieu of the Emerald 114 Ash Borer problem. 115 116 Ms. Amberg noted a map of the park area included in the packet. An important element 117 of any plan would be communication with area residents on what to expect and the 118 benefits of the work planned. The work will open up the view of the water. The 119 thought was that this is a good time to do a master plan for the park which would also 120 include public input. 121 122 Director DeGardner explained that staff is asking now for authorization to proceed with 123 the overgrowth removal plan. With that authorization, they will start talking with the 124 neighborhood in the spring and looking ahead to more plans for the park. 125 126 Council Member Kusterman received additional information on what the $2,500 127 mobilization fee will cover, how wetland will be considered and the intended benefit of 128 removing overgrowth. 129 130 4. ACE Program Update - Mayor Reinert remarked that the city has a successful ACE 131 program that is popular with the residents but there are some changes occurring at the 132 state level that could impact that program. Public Safety Director Swenson updated the 133 council with current information: in talking with other cities, he finds there is interest in 134