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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/13/1992 Park Board Packet CITY OF LINO LAKES PARK BOARD SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 13, 1992 A special meeting of the Lino Lakes Park Board was brought to order by Chairperson George Lindy at 6: 15 pm on October 13, 1992 at Lino Lakes City Hall. Roll call was taken, members in attendance were Brian Bourassa, Ray Johnson, John Bauman, Jacquelyn Farm, George Lindy and Ken Johnson. Member not in attendance was Candy Toffoli who had a previous work commitment. Staff in attendance were Marty Asleson, Parks, Recreation and Forestry Coordinator, Barry Bernstein, Recreation Program Supervisor and Carole Kohler, Parks Secretary. George Lindy explained that the purpose of this special meeting is to discuss park land acquisition and the spending of monies in the dedicated park fund, and decide on a "comfort level" for the balance, and try to get a consensus of the board on their preferences regarding these issues. Marty Asleson reviewed certain aspects of the comprehensive plan, including criteria for prioritizing acquisition and development, and also reviewed the priority listing of acquisition and future needs. Priority listings for acquisition in the comprehensive plan are as follow: 1. N-8 Cooperative Park with Circle Pines at Hodgson and Lake Drive 2 . N-12 Quail Ridge Development 3 . M-2 Shores of Marshan Lake development 4 . N-14 Baldwin Lake Area 5. A-1 Property by City Hall for general park/picnic area and athletic facility 6 . N-6 Property near Marilyn Drive and Country Lane 7 . A-3 Property near Holly Drive and 12th Avenue for athletic complex 8 . N-11 Property near Aspen Lane and Pheasant Run (Birch Park) 9 . N-10 Birchwood Acres/Pineridge Develpoment Park 10. N-13 Property south of Birch street and White Oak Road (Brandywood Park) He pointed out that A-3 , although not currently listed as high priority, should be looked at more closely and moved up to a higher priority ranking. A-3 is a 50 acre site located on the south side of Holly Drive and north of Holly Court. This site is identified as a location for an athletic complex in the comp plan. There was some discussion about the worth of an athletic complex and a lit ballfield. Barry Bernstein pointed out that there will be a need in the near future for a complex of this type, and explained how it would be used to bring in revenue. Ray Johnson suggested that we 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES PARK BOARD SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 13, 1992 think about developing something along the lines of what the City of Fridley has. All agreed that the acquisition of land for this project is important. George Lindy feels that it's important now to tie up property we will need at todays price. The board engaged in lengthy discussions regarding preferences and priorities and how to best spend the monies in the dedicated park fund. George Lindy asked the board for their input. He wants to assess short term goals and meet them. Marty Asleson expressed that he feels land acquisitions are the most important goals, but not to loose sight of small projects. He would like to see 20% of what would be spent for land be put into smaller projects. George Lindy asked what was a comfort level for the balance in the park fund. He noted the balance in the fund is approximately $190, 000, after the expense for the underground walk-way is deducted, and asked how the board felt about leaving a balance of $25, 000, leaving approximately $165, 000 to spend. A polling of the board showed the following: Jacquelyn Farm would spend all of the remaining fund on land acquisition. Keeping in mind that there will be monies put back in the dedicated park fund as more development progresses. She thinks that it's important to let the residents know what the fund is being spent on. And then let them further pursue the matter with the council. She would buy A-3 and N-14 now. John Bauman feels the same, purchase A-3 and N-14 now, and then if there are any monies left over fix up Leonard and Bradley park. "It really looks bad. " Brian Bourassa would like to see a $25, 000 "buffer" for emergency spending. He would save 20% for development, leaving a balance of $130, 000 for acquisition. He thinks that it would possibly be enough for A-3 and n-14 . Another point would be to look at alternatives in case some of the property suggested for acquisition would be unattainable. One such piece of property might be a spot south of Birch Street, north of Holly Drive and just east of Centerville. He would like to develop an athletic complex first and the thinks it's important to develop C-1 (Country Lakes Park) and N-14 . He also thinks trail development is an important concern. Brian would like to develop some of the trails that go through on the south end, Reshanau Lake area, etc. This is a good reason to leave some part of the funds for development. He also suggested we need a hockey rink on the north end of town. George Lindy's first priority is the trail system. He would spend more funds to pave and inter connect and complete the trail systems. Second, he would recognize that there is a need for attention and improvements on the north end of the city, such as a hockey rink at City Hall Park and improve and upgrade Leonard and Bradley Park, especially since the residents of that area took the time to come to a park board meeting more than a year ago to ask for consideration in improving that small park. He does have some questions regarding N-14 . Is 2 CITY OF LINO LAKES PARK BOARD SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 13, 1992 there a real need for it? He thinks that A-3 acquisition is a high, high priority. Ken Johnson thinks it's critical to show improvements to the north end of the city, a hockey rink at City Hall and improvements to Leonard and Bradley Park. He also would like to see more dollars put into acquisition where it's really needed. Ia also in favor of A-3 (athletic facility) as a high priority. Another matter of discussion was the importance of keeping in contact with residents regarding the parks in their areas. All members feel it is very important for the park board to keep in contact with the neighbors, and look to them for input. It was suggested that meetings such as the one recently attended by Marty Asleson at Birch Park would be very worthwhile. Perhaps board members could take turns going to gatherings with residents and talk to them first hand about their wants and concerns. In summary, George Lindy asked again for the boards final feeling regarding priorities. They are: Jacquelyn Farm - Acquisition John Bauman - Acquisition Brian Bourassa - Acquisition, Country Lakes Park, then A,-*N 20% of acquisition for improvements George Lindy - 1st take care of small commitments, 2nd hockey rink at City Hall, 3rd set a budget and acquire land Ken Johnson - Make small improvements first, then set a budget, and next acquisition Ray Johnson - As Mr.Johnson had to leave the meeting early to honor a previous commitment, his statements regarding priorities are not recorded here. Mr. Lindy reminded the board that there is $5000 in the budget under CIP that could also be considered as available funds. Also to think about for future plans would be bond issues and referendums. For immediate expenditure of funds the board agreed on: $10, 000 for hockey rink with lights at City Hall Park $10, 000 for improvements and equipment at Leonard and Bradley Park $2000 to $4000 for a master plan and design at Country Lakes Park and the costs for a master plan for N-14 . It will be important to seek neighborhood input for this plan. It was also agreed that there should be some expenditures for the paving of existing trails, and was decided that at the next regular park board meeting there will be discussion and a vote to make it mandatory that the City pave all trails at the time they are put in. 3 CITY OF LINO LAKES OOON PARK BOARD SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 13, 1992 To finalize, George Lindy concluded that the board will continue to research and apply for grants for trail systems and look into cooperative cities grants. Also to let Marty Asleson pursue "with enthusiasm" the purchases of N-14 and A-3 (with the approximate balance of $130, 000 in the dedicated fund) . And in addition, look into other alternatives nearby for possible purchase just in case either of these properties are unattainable. As the board will need the cooperation of the council to spend and designate the dedicated park funds, Marty Asleson will set up a meeting with Randy Schumacher and Linda Elliott (council liaison to the park board) for the very near future. ADJOURN: A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9: 15 pm. 4