12-02-2020 Park Board Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Park Board December 2, 2020 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director, stated that the playground equipment at Brandywood Park was installed in 2000. He went on to state that there are about 16 playgrounds in the City of Lino Lakes that are 20+ years old. The Park Board continues to try to address this issue along with the City Council. He stated that the funds for these improvements primarily come out of the Park & Trails fund. He stated that the City Council has been very supportive working to update and replace the parks and trails. The Park Board will be working tonight towards their recommendations to present to the Council and then funds will need to be secured for the projects. DeGardner stated he will keep Stacy updated on any developments going on at her park. 6. DETERMINE 2021 RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL Chair Pat Huelman started by giving a bit of background. He stated that when a new development comes in the City receives funds that go into the Park Dedication Fund. The funds are then used to help build or upkeep a park and trail system that serves the community (it might not be in that neighborhood but close to where residents of the neighborhood can access it). As the park system grew the City ended up with a park and trail system that they did not have on going funds dedicated for replacement and maintenance in the City budget for a “Capital Type” project. In 2018 the Park Board was asked to develop an assessment as a guide for projects that needed to be done and the City Council worked to help dedicate some funds to go towards those projects. There are a few things left on the list that they haven’t been able to do due to time and funding. For instance Lino Park needs a new playground and shelter which is on the agenda tonight. The Apollo drive trail became more expensive and complicated due to land acquisition and the fact the road needs to be redone. Due to all of that the Apollo Drive Trail will need to be tabled for now. He stated that the Park Board recognizes that the city needs more hard surfaces such as pickle ball, 4-square, etc. The Park Board has identified some parks where this could work (parking, space, etc.) so that is something the Park Board is looking into. Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director, gave a quick introduction to the Park Board regarding the Park Board Packet that was sent to them and the items included in it. He stated that each year the Park Board recommends parks and trails to the City Council for their consideration. Funding is usually provided through the Dedicated Parks Fund or the Park and Trail Improvement Fund which the City Council established back in 2018. The Park Board was asked to review previous meeting packets as an attempt to prioritize the various park and trail opportunities. The agreement tonight was that the Park Board would continue the discussion and allow me, Rick DeGardner, to make recommendations. In the packet is the Park and Trail Improvement Fund Summary. In 2018 the City Council dedicated half a million dollars to the Park and Trail Improvement Fund. Since that time, the City Council has allocated an additional 90,000 in both 2019 and 2020 which has allowed the Park Board, staff, and City Council to make some significant improvements. These improvements are listed at the bottom of the handout and you can also see the interest earnings that were generated and price info about projects are also listed on the information form. What is left in the Park and Trail Improvement Fund is the primary funding source and what the Park Board will be