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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 10, 2009 Page 4 2 Mr. Doug Koehntop, Park Commission Chair, stated his support of the Emerald Park 3 Improvement Project. Ile reported that the Park Commission recommends retaining the splash 4 deck in the improvement project and reported on benefits of the splash deck. 6 Councilmember Roth asked if the Park Commission voted unanimously to include the splash 7 deck in the improvement project. Mr. Koehntop replied the vote in favor of the splash deck was a 8 major majority. One commissioner had concern, but agrees with the fact that it can be a very 9 positive feature. 10 1 I Councilmember Gray stated spending over $1 million at this time is tough, but he recognizes that 12 the park needs to be rehabilitated. The rehabilitation of the park is to the City's advantage 13 overall. Due to the way the finances have been structured the project will not increase taxes, and 14 the City is receiving a good price to do the project at this point. It makes sense to do the project 15 at this time and he is behind it. He stated his opposition to including the splash deck in the 16 project. Ile stated the cost is $196,000 for something that would benefit a fairly small part of the 17 City when there is a splash deck at Central Park. lie pointed out that there is not a splash deck at 18 Silver Point Park, so an argument could be made against including a splash deck on the northern 19 end of the City. He stated he can think of several ways to invest $196,000 into the youth of the 20 community that could be better than a splash deck, which will only benefit a few people. Ile 21 understands that other communities are including splash decks, but he does not think St. Anthony 22 compares itself to other communities. 23 24 Mayor Pro Tem Stille stated he does not think St. Anthony needs to do anything because other 25 communities are doing it; he would like to do things because other communities are not doing 26 them. Ile stressed the vision statement of the City states things tike unique environment, vibrant 27 community, and desirable city to live, work and play. The mission statement of the City states to 28 be progressive, livable, and a walkable village. Ile stated the City Council examines the vision 29 statement and mission statement each year. They are making sure that they reinvest in the 30 community and give children a good place to play. T'he City Council wants to be progressive and 31 that is what they are doing here. This park has been sitting here too long; the splash deck is 32 replacing a water feature that a Council years ago decided was worth having. Ile stated the 33 wading pool at this park was a great gathering place when his kids were young. Ile stated the 34 following reasons for his support of the project including the splash deck. "Che project with the 35 splash deck included came in under budget. This is a great time to invest in the community; they 36 are borrowing at extremely favorable interest rates. The park will be a draw for kids with an ultra 37 kid -friendly amenity, and will be a draw for new families to move into that neighborhood. This 38 will help with the open enrollment issue in the neighborhood. Ile stated in summary, he is for the 39 complete package. Going back to the City's vision and mission statements shows that they 40 should move forward with the park as proposed with the water feature. 41 42 Councilmember Thuesen stated his support of taking care of Emerald Park. Ile stated it is 43 overdue and is not meeting the needs of the community. It is a difficult time to spend the money, 44 but it will be money well spent. Ile stated if they do not include the splash deck the park will still 45 have nice walking paths, benches, very nice landscaping, new, nicer, and safer playground 46 equipment, a ball field, and hockey. So, even without the splash deck they are getting a lot of