06/01/1998 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES MARCH 30, 1998 noted that the senior citizens felt they should not have to pay high school taxes and park improvement taxes because they do not use these facilities. After further discussion Kim said it sounds like the Council would like to go for a million dollars for the park complex and maybe one and a half million for the Y. John asked if the City bonds for land acquisition how long does the City have to purchase the land. Jerry explained that the City would have to hold a referendum on this type of a bond. John asked if the City holds a referendum for approval of bonds for the purchase of land, how long does the City have to spend the money. Jerry said once the City has the authority the authority does not go away. However, once the City has issued bonds, the City has three(3)years to pay. Mary suggested that the City bond for the early childhood center and borrow money from the Area and Unit Fund for park land acquisition. This would relieve some pressure to acquire the land in the immediate future. Chris suggested that staff offer$500,000 and free land to the Y. Andy asked how many City ballfields are used by Lino Lakes children and adults. Rick explained that over 1,800 Lino Lakes kids have registered for summer youth programs. Andy suggested eliminating ballfields for softball tournaments. This would leave more ,—� ballfields for the kids. Mary noted that eliminating tournaments would have the affect of eliminating kids programs since the City charges fees for ballfield tournaments and this money is used to fund kids programs. Randy explained that the City entered into an agreement with the Centennial School District allowing the City to use ballfields at the Rice Lake Elementary School and the Centennial Middle School.The School District built the fields and the City maintains them. Kim noted that the citizens like the idea of both the Y(recreation center) and the athletic complex. She suggested that the City poll the citizens to see if they will support these facilities by raising their taxes"X"number of dollars. John said that there probably is not enough time to do another City survey. He felt the Council should make the decision about the Y on their own. Kim noted that residents were not polled on an athletic complex during the 20/20 Vision project but they were polled on a recreation center. Chris explained that he is in favor of the Lake Drive improvement project only if it benefits persons who need it. However, he did not support additional "roof tops". He asked if the Council could agree on this idea. John said that the Council should set goals for commercial and industrial development and challenged Brian and Mary Alice to help deliver these goals. He felt that this is not an either/or situation. In addition,the Council should set limits on residential growth. It was agreed that Lino Lakes needs to continue "full speed ahead"on commercial development. PAGE 7