Acknowledge Anoka County's Plans and Specs for the 2011 Construction of a Boat Landing and Fishing Platform.

As Council may recall, a 2010 Strategic Goal was to initiate and cause construction of a boat landing and shore fishing opportunity in the undeveloped Mississippi West Regional Park, immediately south of the COR on the river. This goal is successfully progressing with the County letting bids on this project in the month of July - with an anticipated 'substantial completion' in the Fall of 2011.

The purpose of this case is to acknowledge that the project has been approved by the city and county, but also that respective staff desired to have this item placed on Council's consent agenda as both an informational item - but also as an opportunity to 'approve' the details of the construction documents.

This consent case is also an opportunity to acknowledge that another goal is being met by this project; and that is beginning development of Mississippi West Regional Park. Staff feels that in addition to these important, new recreational improvements, users and residents will 'discover' the park, and momentum will build for more investments in amenities and trail connections funded by Metropolitan Council, and operated by Anoka County Parks.

Council is also reminded that the $380,204 Federal Transportation Enhancement grant awarded earlier will provide the trail connections from Anoka, through Ramsey to connect with this project, again meeting another goal of increasing connectivity.

The following attachments include a myriad of details relating to this project:

• City of Ramsey Resolution approving the funding for the project.
• Approved Joint Powers Agreement (which includes the parks' Master Plan)
• JPA 'terms' (described in detail for the County Board)
• Site Plan (bid doc)
• Grading Plan (bid doc)
• Dimensional Plan (bid doc)
• Project Estimate
  
  
  The approved JPA includes under part II B, the clause; "The County shall not go out for bids until such time as the City has approved, in writing the plans and specifications for the Project". Therefore this case's actionable item is addressed below, under Council Action.

The details of the funding are included in the attached resolution and Joint Powers Agreement; the essence of which is that, the city will pay $18,000 in Lawful Gambling Fund monies, together with $2,000 in Park Trust Funds to Anoka County, and loan for a brief period of time an estimated $370,000.

It is anticipated that the county will receive the appropriation from Metropolitan Council for the improvements late in 2011, for the county to refund the estimated $370,000 'loan' back to the city.

Approve Anoka County's Plans and Specs for the 2011 Construction of a Boat Landing and Fishing Platform