Decommission One Tennis Court, and Refurbish Three Other Courts

 One of the city's first improved parks was Titterud Park, named after the family that platted the adjoining land and dedicated the space there for the park that is still in use today. In the late 1970's several improvements occurred in the park, including the installation of a two-court tennis court (with lights being added later).

The courts have been color-coated several times over the decades, and in 2007 Staff routed the significant vertical cracks in the court and patched with bituminous in an attempt to extend the courts useful life. While this did extend the time the courts could be used for play a short while, thereafter the color-coating began to spall off in increasingly larger pieces. In the spring of 2012 Staff inspected the courts and deemed they were no longer safe for play and did not install the nets.

Attached are photos of the last attempt to extend the useful life of the tennis courts 5 + years ago.

Removal of Tennis Courts - and relocation of lights

Shortly after the Titterud courts were deemed unsafe for play, Staff posted a notice at the entrance to courts asking potential patrons to contact Staff if they had questions or concerns with the court's closure. Two inquiries were made in 2012 by residents regarding the courts, and in both cases the individuals were asked to consider playing elsewhere, and informed that the courts were likely to be recommended for removal - with a concurrent evaluation as to the feasibility of relocating the lighting system to Central Park's courts.

In that only two parties made inquiries on the status of the courts in the spring of 2012, (and none known of since that time), coupled with the fact that there have been no known complaints registered about the proposal to eliminate the tennis courts - Staff and the Park and Recreation Commission are recommending their removal.

Replacement of the courts (as they would need complete removal to provide for soil corrections) would be a minimum of $60,000 (estimated). The City also has 4 courts at Rivers' Bend Park, 4 at Central Park, and a single court each at Riverdale and Fox Parks.

The removal of the courts and recycling of the materials can be performed in-house with Public Works Staff as time permits. The lighting relocation from Titterud to Central Park would consist of the following detail as outlined by Connexus Energy.

1) Disconnect lights at current location, 
2) Disconnect service panel for move and reconnect at new
3) Move Light Poles and fixtures to Central Park
4) City of Ramsey Park's staff will need to fill the holes at Titterud immediately after the poles are removed.
5) Plow/trench 400’ of conduit and wire at Central Park
6) City of Ramsey will be responsible for final turf restoration.
7) Remove light control button, and reinstall at new location.
8) Make all electrical connections required for service
9) City of Ramsey will need to apply for metered electric service at the new feed point at Central Park
10) No allowance for repair work on fixtures

The Total cost for the above is anticipated to not exceed $8,000 (not including staff and equipment time).

Refurbish Three Tennis Courts

At the same time as the Titterud tennis courts are proposed for removal from Ramsey's park system (with the benefit of adding lights to the courts at Central Park); staff is recommending reconditioning and color-coating three other courts.

These courts are at the following locations, with the estimated cost of refurbishment:

• Fox Park $7,500
• Riverdale Park $6,500
• Central Park $30,000

Total $44,000

It should be mentioned that as part of the color coating of the courts, 'Pickle Ball' striping will also be added to two of the four courts at Central, adding another recreational opportunity for residents.

Staff recommends the removal of the two courts and fencing at Titterud Park in-house, with the relocation of the lights to Central Park by contractor.

-And-

That, Staff be authorized to obtain quotes from the appropriate trades to refurbish the three tennis courts at the parks mentioned above; and the removal and installation of Titterud Park's lighting system at Central Park at a not-to-exceed cost of $52,000, from the Park Maintenance Fund.

No supplemental funding is required at this time for the court removal, as the equipment and trucking time to remove the courts would be accommodated by the Public Works operating budget.  Additionally, there may be a few hundred dollars in salvage or scrap value from the posts and fencing at Titterud's court.

As for the tennis court refurbishment and relocation of the lighting, the recommended funding source is the Park Maintenance Fund #810 which has a present balance of $142,000.

Motion to authorize staff to decommission the tennis court at Titterud Park, relocate the lighting system to Central Park; and refurbish the tennis courts at Central, Fox, and Riverdale Parks' to be funded from the Park Maintenance Fund at a not-to-exceed cost of $52,000.