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Mounds View City Council March 22, 1999 Regular Meeting Page 21 Mr. Fitzgerald stated Woodcrest Park has been a good weed site during the last two years, and he would rather see cattail with a pond, and ducks, than ground level water, which promotes weeds. He reiterated that two blocks from this area was a very nice park for children to play in, and although it may not be in Mounds View, he did not believe children were particular regarding which city they played in. Mr. Fitzgerald stated he would like to see Woodcrest Park come back to nature, in the sense hat there was nothing wrong with the pond. He stated it was enjoyable to watch children throw stones in a pond, as well as play in a park, and this simply depends upon what the surrounding residents desire to have around their houses. He stated he would like to have moved to lake front property a few years ago. He added that hopefully, with this proposal, he would not have to move out of Mounds View, because this would be in his back yard. Mayor Coughlin closed the Public Hearing at 8:30 p.m. Mayor Coughlin stated, in the interest of time he would move to continue the public hearing process, in order to discuss this matter further at a future Work Session, once staff has gathered the information. He stated he would also indicated that the decision regarding which Agenda this item would be placed on, would be at the discretion of the City Administrator and himself. MOTION/SECOND: Coughlin/Marty. To Continue the Public Hearing Process, in Order To Discuss this Matter Further at a Future Work Session, Once Staff has Gathered the Information, and that the Decision Regarding Which Agenda this Item be Placed On, Be at the Discretion of the City Administrator and Himself. Council Member Stigney stated Director of Public Works Ulrich had earlier mentioned that wetland credits up at Columbus Township not applicable because the Rice Creek Watershed District would no longer approve them. He inquired if there were any alternate sources for wetland credits that could be utilized. Director of Public Works Ulrich stated to his awareness, there were not. He pointed out that he had learned about the Columbus Township site from the Rice Creek Watershed District, at the time this project commenced at the Community Center. Council Member Stigney stated the estimated cost for this project was $174,100. He added that the Rice Creek Watershed District does not want the City to move the mitigation out of the City, and would not approve or allow this. He inquired therefore, if the Watershed District was willing to share in the cost of this project. Director of Public Works Ulrich stated they were not. He indicated he had posed this question to the Watershed District Administrator, in that, if it was to cost the City $174,000 to do this, and part of the permit process was to provide $20,000 to purchase wetland credits, why would the City wish to spend this amount of money. He stated the response was for the same reasons he had earlier stipulated, in that it is by State Statute that the City must do everything within its power and means to mitigate the wetland within the watershed district, and the City. Director of Public Works Ulrich stated many people have comments regarding the pros and cons of wetlands versus playgrounds, however, the matter is regulated by State Statute. He advised that if the City had absolutely no undevelopable land, and no place to mitigate the Community