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<br />The need for improved recreational opportunities including development of neighborhood
<br />parks and the construction of trails have been expressed by residents in past surveys and
<br />the 20/20 Vision Community Planning project. Various youth sports associations have
<br />expressed the need for more athletic fields. Many adults and youth have expressed the need
<br />for a skate park facility.
<br />The city has grown to a population of 17,000 and the continued growth allows the community
<br />to be able to support the proposal as a result of an increased tax base of more homes and
<br />businesses. To pay the cost of the proposed projects, the city is asking residents to authorize up
<br />to $8.6 million in 20 year general obligation bonds.
<br />Why is the city holding a special bond election to consider the proposal? The City Council has determined it is the best way to allow
<br />residents to clearly express their opinion on the proposal. It is also a desirable way to finance the proposal by spreading out the cost
<br />over 20 years. It is also the most equitable way of guaranteeing that all residents, present and future, share in the cost as well as the
<br />opportunities of the investment.
<br />Development of a major recreation complex has been a priority for the city since 1991 when the Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan
<br />was developed. The plan indicated that the City's growth and increased number of structured sport participants might necessitate the
<br />EI development of a recreation complex. As a result, over the next 10 years the City evaluated potential sites, authorized negotiations
<br />for acquisition of land and subsequently, with the approval of the Environmental Board, Planning and Zoning Board, Park Board
<br />and citizens of Lino Lakes, purchased 67 acres of land at the southeast corner of Birch Street and Centerville Road for $925,000.
<br />Along the way, City staff worked with a park planning consultant to develop a master plan of the site. This plan, in its current form,
<br />Rincludes the following:
<br />• 5 full size soccer /football fields
<br />• 4 full size softball fields
<br />• 3 Little League/Youth Baseball fields
<br />• 2 girl's softball fields
<br />A• Skate park facility /ice hockey rink
<br />• 2 tennis courts
<br />T• A full size basketball court
<br />• Internal trails
<br />• A large play structure
<br />• A multi purpose building for concessions, restrooms, and storage
<br />O The concept plan depicted on the next page was designed through city staff, a planning consultant, representatives of user groups, a
<br />citizens committee consisting of citizens at large, and members of the Park Board. This plan was approved by the Park Board and
<br />N City Council in February of 2002.
<br />A successful referendum will allow for preparation of planning and construction documents this spring and summer. Construction of
<br />the recreation complex would begin in early fall 2002. We anticipate that the site should be available for use as soon the fall of 2004.
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<br />Frequently Asked Questions:
<br />How do I benefit from parks and trails?
<br />All residents, whether they utilize the new parks or not, will benefit. Parks and trails have a positive impact on health, crime prevention, the envi-
<br />ronment, the economy, our property values and our quality of life.
<br />/thy a referendum, why bonding?
<br />referendum is the appropriate way to allow citizens the opportunity to express their approval or disapproval with large "special" financial initiatives.
<br />Bonding is necessary to allow for all users and beneficiaries of the improvements to the City to share in the cost. Cost will essentially be spread
<br />out over 20 years allowing current and future beneficiaries to share in the costs.
<br />Why now?
<br />In the past 10 years the City has nearly doubled its population. As the population has increased, the demand for recreational facilities has
<br />increased. Our local, neighborhood parks, which are designed to meet the social needs of each respective neighborhood, are currently unable to
<br />meet the substantial demand placed on them by the many structured activities such as youth sports and adult softball. Additionally, school facili-
<br />ties at Centennial Middle School, Lino Elementary and Rice Lake Elementary are at full capacity for baseball, soccer and football activities. As
<br />participation in structured activities continues to grow over the next several years the City, and its residents, are in the position of deciding
<br />between meeting the recreational needs of the Community or restricting future recreational opportunities.
<br />Neighborhood park improvements and park and trail development are needs of the community. As with anything else, costs tend to rise over time.
<br />Property taxes levied by the City do not currently allow for park land acquisition or for development of parks and trails. Park and trail develop-
<br />ment funds are currently generated exclusively through cash dedications related to new developments. However, these allotments fall short of
<br />allowing for the type of park development needed in the City. Pursuing slower residential growth as proposed in the city's new Comprehensive
<br />Plan means fewer park dedication dollars for park and trail development. Realistically, the only way the City accomplishes its parks and trails ini-
<br />tiatives is by this bonding proposal.
<br />How will this recreation complex ease the pressure placed on neighborhood parks and school facilities?
<br />Under its current design, the recreation complex will provide 5 combination soccer /football fields, 4 combination ballfields, 5 youthfields, a com-
<br />bination ice hockey /in -line skate area, 2 tennis courts and a basketball court. Currently, no one park or school facility offers all of these opportu-
<br />nities. The addition of a dedicated recreational complex with more athletic fields also allows the Community to better accommodate current par-
<br />ticipants with more balanced and consistent scheduling.
<br />The land being considered for development is already owned by the City. It sits at the corner of Birch and Centerville Road. Shifting activities
<br />from neighborhood parks and school facilities to this area also takes traffic pressure off neighborhood and school area streets and parking lots.
<br />diunding The Proposal
<br />o pay for the neighborhood park improvements, development of the recreation complex, and the construction of the proposed
<br />trails, the city is asking voters to approve an $8.6 million bond issue. The allocation of the funds for the proposal are identified below:
<br />Allocation of Funds for the Proposal:
<br />Improvements to 16 Neighborhood Parks
<br />Reimburse City for Recreation Complex Land (including interest)
<br />Development of the 67 acre Recreation Complex
<br />Construction of Trails
<br />Total Investment
<br />Homeowner's Cost
<br />The costs to the residential property owner are based on the issuance of
<br />20 year general obligation bonds. The annual payments on the bonds are
<br />covered by an increase in property taxes spread out over the city's entire
<br />tax base. Businesses and rental property pay their share.
<br />The costs shown do not take into account any future growth. The
<br />estimated costs are based on the city's 2001 estimated market value and
<br />do not take into consideration any residential, industrial, and commer-
<br />cial growth in 2002 and beyond. As the tax base increases, the financial
<br />impact to property owners is expected to decrease.
<br />$1,200,000
<br />$1,100,000
<br />$5,900,000
<br />$ 400,000
<br />$8,600,000
<br />Estimated Cost to Residential Property Owner:
<br />Assessor's Estimated
<br />Market Value Annual Cost (Monthlvl
<br />$75,000
<br />$58
<br />($4.81)
<br />($6.42)
<br />$100,000
<br />$77
<br />$ 1 25,000
<br />$96
<br />$116
<br />($8.02)
<br />($9.63)
<br />$150,000
<br />$175,000
<br />$135
<br />($11.23)
<br />$200,000
<br />$154
<br />($12.83)
<br />$250,000
<br />$193
<br />($16.04)
<br />$300,000
<br />$231
<br />($19.25)
<br />$350,000
<br />$270
<br />($22.46)
<br />$400,000
<br />$308
<br />($25.67)
<br />$500,000
<br />$385
<br />($32.08)
<br />ao Ling Information
<br />W. turday, April 27th, 2002 the same polling sites as regular elections will be open from 7:00 am - 8:00 pm. Absentee ballots
<br />may be cast at City Hall 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, M -F, until Friday April 26th, 2002. If you have any questions or need an absentee
<br />ballot, call City Hall at 651- 982 -2400.
<br />* Special Absentee voting Saturday April 20th, 2002 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, at City Hall.
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