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City -Owned Property <br />TO: City of Hugo Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission <br />FROM: Shayla Syverson, Parks Planner <br />DATE: January 7, 2015 for the Parks Commission Meeting of January 15, 2014 <br />Introduction <br />The City of Hugo owns 2.34 acres off of Goodview Avenue. The property is currently available for <br />public use but is not promoted as a park and does not have improvements typical of a neighborhood <br />park. The public uses the property for dirt biking and other activities. There have been complaints <br />from nearby property owners about noise, litter, and use during the night. Washington County <br />Sherriff's Office has received calls about the property. The ambulance has also been dispatched for <br />medical emergencies. <br />Staff is recommending discussion on the property and acceptable uses. <br />Property History <br />The 2.34 acres were acquired by the City of Hugo with the Hugo Meadows subdivision. Hugo Meadows <br />included 48 single family dwellings on approximately 27 acres. On June 15, 1987 the City Council <br />discussed the preliminary plat and the proposed park dedication. The developer proposed dedicating <br />land instead of paying a $6,000 fee (based on the fee schedule at that time). The City Administrator <br />cautioned the Council with regard to accepting marginal land for park development resulting in limited <br />access and costly maintenance. He suggested that a park located where it could better serve all of the <br />community might be more prudent from a cost -benefit standpoint. Some Councilmembers felt that an <br />area should be reserved for the children because of the high concentration of housing in the area. The <br />preliminary plat and proposed dedication of land was approved. <br />The property was not expanded to with future development and dedications. Because of access and its <br />limited size, neighborhood park amenities or other improvements were not made. In recent years, <br />Public Works has maintained the property including grading, tree trimming, and shrub removal. <br />Allowed Uses <br />The Public Conduct in Parks ordinance is applicable to the property. Fires are prohibited. Motorized <br />vehicles are prohibited. The property shall not be used between 11:00pm and 6:OOam. Parking is not <br />available on site or on adjacent streets, which limits access. <br />Restrictions <br />There are restrictions on what the City can do with the property. Under Minnesota statues, land that <br />has been donated to the public on a plat that is recorded must be held in trust for its intended <br />purpose. The Attorney General has repeatedly found that land that was dedicated for park purposes <br />may not use the land for other purposes or sell the land. <br />