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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 25, 2006 Page 8 1 residential area so the amount of day -to -day usage from those residents could be quite a bit 2 higher due to the setting. 3 4 Mayor Faust stated it was indicated that 100,000 individuals would be attending Silverwood Park 5 on an annual basis and that is about 300 a day. He noted this attendance will probably not occur 6 through the winter months so that means there may be 600 on other days. He asked how long 7 someone uses the park, noting a nearby resident may not stay very long. Mr. McDowell 8 explained 100,000 is the user occasions and that number may be indicative for someone 9 attending a program for three to four hours and another individual who stops by for five minutes 10 at the water fountain. 11 12 Boe Carlson, Governmental Relations Administrator, explained the Park District uses an 13 accounting system for visitation that was established by the Metropolitan Council. It does not 14 count them as visitors but visitor occasions. If they walk a dog three times in the park that is 15 three visitor occasions. At this site, while it will have programs to extend the visitor duration, 16 most will be smaller visitor durations. It was clarified by Mr. McDowell that the Three Rivers 17 Park Board of Commissioners adopted a dog management plan that identifies dog walking areas 18 in some parks. However, Silverwood Park will be a dog free park. 19 20 Councilmember Thuesen read a statement from page 24 of the Master Plan related to Silver Lake 21 being identified as "impaired waters" and the need for a total maximum daily load analysis 22 (TMDL). He asked who will be responsible for that reporting. Mr. Barten stated that in this case 23 the Rice Creek Water Management would be the responsible agency for implementing TMDL. 24 25 Councilmember Thuesen asked whether any testing is being done by the City and what is the 26 cost. City Manager Morrison stated he will need to get that answer from Todd Hubmer. 27 28 Mayor Faust advised that Ramsey County has done some work on Silver Lake and now the 29 Middle Mississippi Water Management Organization is doing some work with TMDL. 30 31 Councilmember Thuesen asked about the timeframe if there are only limited dollars available. 32 Mr. Bryant noted the Park District expended $8 million to acquire the property and to date have 33 received reimbursements of only $2 million. He stated a significant amount of money is needed 34 for this project and they are hoping to get grants for 5 -10 years to reimburse the Park District for 35 acquisition and Phase 1 development. Because of the magnitude of projects addressed each year, 36 he does not think the Board will consider Phase 2 until all or a majority of the funding advanced 37 has been reimbursed. Mr. Bryant noted that Phase 1 development is the majority of the 38 amenities in the park. He advised that the Board of Commissioners is committed to this project 39 and elected to go ahead with Phase 1 planning and implementation even though reimbursement 40 for acquisitions costs have not yet been received. That demonstrates support for the project and 41 as soon as dollars are available he believes the Board will consider Phase 2. 42 43 Councilmember Thuesen asked whether the park will be open for families and residents to enjoy 44 the area and paths if there is limited funding. Mr. Bryant stated the only time they have talked 45 about closing the facility is during construction because it may not be safe for park guests. If all 46 funding is lost, then he can not speak to that period of time and the Park District may not be able 47 to operate any parks. Mr. Bryant stated he does not contemplate that and sees no reason why,