Progress 2012 Parks' Capital Improvements

The primary discussion at the June 14, 2012 joint meeting hosted by Park and Recreation Commission with City Council was the Parks' Capital Improvement Plan and also recommending Park Dedication for the COR Three plat which includes the park space known as North Commons.  The preponderance of the CIP discussion included the proposed building and playground for Elmcrest Park - with the North Commons item including a discussion on the priority of the playground for that new neighborhood.

The consensus of the Commission relative to the aforementioned analysis on the CIP, was that all three projects have a demonstrated need within the community, and each (the park building at Elmcrest, the playstructure there as well, and the play equipment for North Commons), are the subject of some expectation by residents - either at the neighborhood level or in the case of Northern Lights Soccer (NLS), by a large cross-section of Ramsey.

The discussion in June also concluded that it was difficult to 'rank' the priority of these projects, as they are different in their nature and need, or they are interrelated as in the case of the proposed park building and adjoining playstructure at Elmcrest Park.

Using the above 'obstacle' as an opportunity, staff investigated the proposition of purchasing two playstructures at the same time for two different parks. The findings reveal that perhaps as much as 8 to 13 percent may be saved by this approach.  If the price point for the play equipment at Elmcrest were $75k and the proposed playstructure at North Commons were $40k - the savings may be approximately $15,000.

Another aspect of the discussion included the acknowledgment that the Park and Recreation Commission and Northern Lights Soccer need to work together closely throughout the planning process for Elmcrest's park building - and establish a realistic goal of cash contributions by the club, and also what NLS would be responsible for in terms day-to-day maintenance during the soccer season.  A well-attended meeting occurred on June 24th, 2012 between NLS, Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association (ARAA) officials and members of the Park and Recreation Commission.  The outcome appeared to yield general consensus on a funding plan and amount, and recognition that a formal maintenance commitment would need to organized for submittal to City Council to credibly move the park building project forward.  At the July 14th, 2012 Park and Recreation Commission meeting, NLS representatives were in attendance and offered a letter committing to the City, $40,000 toward the proposed park building.

One portion of the cash contribution by NLS may be to reimburse the City for the plans and specs after the building is completed.  Advancing the plans and specs as a first step has the value of assuring the club has 'skin in the game' but moreover addresses many important questions like identifying the estimated building construction cost, annual operational expenses and most importantly, building design and utility.  It is understood that representatives from NLS will be at the July 31st work session to more fully describe the maintenance commitment (and affirm their $40,000 cash contribution).

Attached is a proposal (most notably Scope of Services) that addresses the process of developing the plans and specifications for the Elmcrest Park building, as well as related attachments.

The next step may be to formalize the above referenced funding and maintenance commitment - perhaps as a Joint Powers Agreement between City Council and ARAA.  This activity, together with organizing play equipment options for North Commons and Elmcrest could occur this late summer into fall, with plans and specs perhaps completed before winter.

None required at this time - however, the Park Trust Fund (present balance of approximately $1.9 million) is expected to be a funding source, together with a contribution by NLS for a portion of the park building.

Council Action:

Based upon discussion, provide consensus direction for staff to develop a formal agreement between ARAA and the City for the financial and maintenance contributions from the club for Elmcrest's park building, and acknowledge that the Park and Recreation Commission will be investigating play equipment purchases for North Commons and Elmcrest Park - for subsequent City Council approval.