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Lino Lakes Park and Recreation Advisory Board <br /> Recommendations for 2018 Parks and Trails Capital Projects 4/29/18 <br /> 1 . Intro/Context <br /> The Lino Lakes Park and Recreation Advisory Board has been tasked by the City Council to develop a <br /> proposal for the allocation of up to $ 500 , 000 of capital funding intended for the repair, rehabilitation, and <br /> upgrade of current recreational assets , including trails and park amenities . <br /> 2 . Background on Park/Rec/Trail Funding Model <br /> a. Past Funding Model : For the past two decades the Park and Recreation Board has relied solely on <br /> fees derived from new developments to fund new trails and park amenities . In a growing community <br /> where the prominent demand was to meet the needs of our new residents, this model made some sense or <br /> at least was temporarily workable . However, as the community and its park and trail assets continued to <br /> mature and legislation more tightly bound new development funding onto the needs of those paying the <br /> fee, limited funds were available to meet a growing need for the repair, rehabilitation, and enhancement <br /> of the existing parks and trail system . This funding model simply wasn ' t sustainable . <br /> b . City Council Response : The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is so grateful that the City <br /> Council finally recognized this ticking time bomb . Our park and trail infrastructure was aging and <br /> beginning to show heavy wear and tear and there wasn ' t a funding model to reinvest in these highly <br /> desired and utilized assets . The only existing park and trail funding mechanism was dedicated park fees <br /> that were required to support adjacent development and simply couldn ' t be used to sustain broader <br /> existing facilities . So the Council allocated funding for 2018 was extremely timely and greatly <br /> appreciated . Furthermore, this Advisory Board takes this opportunity very seriously and has worked hard <br /> to prepare a comprehensive plan that will maximize the use of these funds for the recreational enjoyment <br /> of the entire Lino Lakes community . <br /> c. General Funding Needs : Below are listed the categories of funding needs and sources for the <br /> development, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and enhancement of our parks and trail system . <br /> - Day-to-Day Operations : Most day to day needs are currently supported within the Public Works . <br /> - Minor Repairs : For the past two decades, minor repairs to trails and park facilities went unfunded, <br /> unless there was a significant safety concern . At that point it would be addressed with a special <br /> request to the Council . In the future, it would be ideal to have a recurring budget for this purpose . <br /> - Small Capital Expenditures : Previously there were no available funds for major repairs, <br /> rehabilitation, and upgrades to existing trails or park features . The Park Board views this category as <br /> a very high priority for this one-time funding opportunity . <br /> - Medium Capital Expenditures : In the past, major replacement, renovation , or addition of new trails <br /> or park features were simply not possible as there was no funding mechanism to support them . This <br /> category is also considered a high priority for these one-time funds . <br /> - Large Capital Expenditures : This category would include a major investment in an existing or new <br /> park without dedicated park fees . A good example would be the clearing, master planning, and <br /> development of Country Lakes Park. Though tempting, we believe the high front-end costs of land <br /> preparation and a masterplan would simply use a large fraction of the available funding with limited <br /> immediate benefit to the community . <br /> - Very Large Capital Expenditures : A category that would require a very significant capital <br /> undertaking such as the Athletic Complex remasterplan and development . Again , the sizeable pre- <br />