HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 08-23 PRC Minutes PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting Minutes
August 23, 2010
APPROVED
Members Present: Maureen Bartz,Jason Eisold,Mike Eliason,Barb Farrell
Members Absent Kevin Strayton
Staff Present Dan Schultz,Director of Parks and Recreation and Sonja Honl,Recording
Secretary
Student Volunteer. Stephen Sawyer
Others Present: None
1. CALL TO ORDER: Eliason called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None
3. APPROVAL OF THE JULY 26,2010 MEETING MINiJTES: MOTION by Bartz to approve the
minutes of the July 26,2010 meeting. SECOND by Farrell. Ayes: 3 Nays:0 Motion passed.
Eisold arrived.
4. AUDIENCE INPUT: None
5. DISCUSSION(Response to Audience Input): None
6. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Park Dedication—Fee Study—Based on the recently completed market value analysis conducted
by Dennis Kelsall,staff is recommending decreasing low density residential fees from
$85,000/$3,400 per unit to$70,000/$2,800 per unit. The Commission pointed out that this is a 17%
decrease,and asked whether our costs to build parks (for grading,asphalt,playground equipment,
etc.) had decreased 17%. Per Schultz,our costs may have decreased,but most likely not 17%.
Schultz also added that we do not set our parks dedication fees based on the cost of building parks
but rather the value of land.They thought that the analysis did not provide comparable land sales
and that it did not provide enough information on which to base the final results. Fliason thought
that a 5%to 7%decrease might have been reasonable,but 17%was a large decrease. Bartz thought
a 17% decrease was reasonable based on current home sales,but she did not want to leave money on
the table by having the park dedication stay at the$70,000/$2,800 rate if sales start to increase.
Schultz explained that we review the park dedication fees annually,if not twice a year,and fees can
be adjusted based on what the market does. 'The Commission thought that the City Council should
be made aware that if we lower park dedication fees and don't have enough funds to build new
parks,they'll need to include money in the City's budget for new parks. Farrell thought that if we
use the study to decrease residential dedication fees,we may also need to increase the commercial
and industrial dedication fees,which are currendy too low based on the study. Bartz agreed that if a
recommendation is eventually sent to the Ciry Council,it should follow all of the study results,which
would mean increasing commercial and industrial fees if we lower residential fees.
T'he Commission asked if Schultz could survey other cities and find out what they are currently charging
for park dedication fees,what they have charged over the last five years,and whether any cities are
looking at decreasing park dedication fees. It was also mentioned that the City Council might want to
look at how funding for parks is handled in mature cities.MOTION by Bartz to defer any change in
park dedication fees until the Commission gets further information. SECOND by Eisold Ayes: 4
Nays: 0 Motion passed.
7. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Family Resource Center—Playground RFP—The City of Rosemount is being awarded a Community
Development Block Grant(CDBG) to replace the existing pla.yground equipment at the Family Resource
Center Park(FRC Park). Damage such as carvings on the decks,slides and roofs,and multiple cases of
vandalism have led to the deterioration of this playground equipment. Staff is recommending spending
$8,000 to replace the border around the playground area and$45,000 for new equipment. 'The project
includes slightly changing the location of the playground to allow for possible future egpansion of the
FRC. 'I'he RFI'includes one play structure for children ages 2 to 12,earth-tone equipment(burgundy,tan,
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PARKS � RECREATION COMMISSION
Regular Meeting Minutes
August 23, 2010
green),a separate swing structure,age-appropriate signage for the play equipment,and two in-ground
benches. 'I'he RFI'requests minimal use of roofs and wall panels,which lend themselves to graffiti,and
minimal use of ropes,which can be cut. We plan to send out the RFI'within the next few days and hope
to have the project completed in October. Shira Rabinowicz,Neighborhood Service Volunteer
Coordinator for the FRC,will be involved in the process and provide input regarding the new playground.
The Commission wanted to make sure the new equipment at FRC Park is as nice as that at other parks,
such as Brockway. They also asked about lighting/motion sensors to deter vandalism. Per Schultz the
City is looking into some type of increased security measures,and we are planning a playground design
where kids can't hide(no tubes,climbing walls,etc.). Schultz also mentioned that the Rosemount Police
Dept.has had fewer issues at this park in the last few months. Schultz told the Commission that a
company called Kids Around the World could dismantle the current playground equipment at no cost.
They refurbish playground equipment and install it in other countries where there is a need for it. T'he
Commission liked the idea of Kids Around the World reusing the equipment. Schultz will check with the
City Attorney and City Council to get their approval on this. MOTION Farrell to approve the attached
Request for Proposal. SECOND by Bartz. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion passed. MOTION by Eisold to
recommend that the City Council declare the playground equipment at the Family Resource Center
surplus equipment and allow the Kids Around the World program to salvage the equipment. SECOND
by Farrell. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion passed.
b. Capital Improvement Budget(CIP)—Schultz reviewed a list of projects and asked the Commission if
there were any other projects that should be considered priorities. He mentioned looking at a shelter for
Bloomfield Park again,and also informed the Commission that there have been some parking issues at
Bloomfield Park related to lacrosse doubling up on games. Eliason asked about possibly expanding the
Schwarz Pond Park shelter. Fa.rrell asked about funds for alternative areas,such as natural areas
(McMenomy Woods,signs at Carroll's Woods)and alternative parks such as the skate park. Per Schultz,
we have also been approached to add nine holes to the disc golf course. Schultz also mentioned that the
UMore project is ready to move forward,pending City Council approval,and we may be able to do some
grading this fall. Dakota County Technical College's baseball field is graded and they would like to
partner with the City on the scheduling and maintenance in exchange for shared use by RAAA,etc.
Schultz reviewed the CIP budget and mentioned that the Public Works budget includes funds that are set
aside for maintenance at parks,such as repa.iring boards in the rinks,repairing trails,etc. The
Commission asked if they could review the Public Works replacement budget. Per Schultz,he will get a
copy of the replacement budget. Sawyer asked about the Hwy. 3 underpass project Per Schultz,it is
part of the Bike and Trail Plan which is still being revised. The underpass would be very expensive and it
could be funded through a number of sources. Schultz will bring the Bike and Trail Plan back to the
Commission when it is complete.
c. Director's Report—The park improvement fund balance as of July 31,2010 was$1,448,127.38. No
park dedication fees were received in Ju1y. A Family Resource Center grant of$3,192.87 was received.
There was interest of$147.58. No donations were received. There were expenditures of$3,788.52 for
the final inspecrion of the Charlie's Park tennis courts,the plans for the Family Resource Center
improvements,and for the park dedication fee study.
Schultz informed the Commission that the Rosemount Comtnunity Center gym floor was refinished this
week and we may move some backboards from the old St.Joseph's School to the Community Center gym.
8. a�Jouxx�Errr
MOTION by Farrell to adjourn the meeting. SECOND by Bartz. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion
passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Sonja Honl,
Recording Secretary
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