PRSR AGENDA MEMO 08-02-1989 _c./ -\(
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City of TO: PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
Elk MEMBERS •
River FROM: PAT KLAERS, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: JULY 28, 1989
SUBJECT: AGENDA MEMO
The next Park and Recreation Commission meeting is scheduled for
Wednesday, August 2, 1989, at 7:00 p.m. at the Elk River City
Hall Conference Room.
Attached for your information are the draft July 19, 1989, Park
and Recreation Commission minutes. Open Mike is listed on the
agenda but no citizens are known to be attending this meeting for
this item.
5. The Commission met on 7/19/89 to interview consulting firms for
the development of an Elk River Parks Master Plan. Following
the presentations, the Park and Recreation Commission
eliminated two firms from further consideration. Staff was
instructed to check references on the two remaining firms
which are, Dahlgren, Shardlow and Uban and the Sanders and
Associates, Inc. firms.
The reference checks made by staff are verifying ying the general
feelings indicated by the Park and Recreation Commission
about each of these firms. The Sanders firm received
excellent references from both Little Cananda and Cottage
Grove where similar work to what is needed in Elk River has
been completed. Likewise, the Dahlgren, Shardlow, and Uban
firm has received good recommendations. Additional reference
checks have to be made on this firm, however, most of the
projects listed toward the end of this proposal related to
the cities of Roseville and Bloomington where they have been
associated over ten years. Obviously, these two communities
will be giving good recommendations unless the serviges of
this firm are about to end in these communities.
Additionally, it appears that neither firm has had direct
experience in guiding a community through a Parks Bond
Referendum, however, both firms are knowledgable about the
process but typically have not taken the lead in this type of
endeavor.
It appears that a significant factor in determining which
firm the Commission will recommend to the City Council
relates directly to how many funds the City Council is going
to designate for this project. Input on this issue should be
obtained from the City Council on 7/31/89 when a very
preliminary review of the City budget will be undertaken.
From what was discussed at the 7/19/89 Commission meeting and
720 Dodge Avenue N.W., Elk River, Minnesota 55330 (612) 441-7420
Page 2
Park and Recreation Commission
Agenda Memo
from my discussions ssions during the reference checks, it appears
that the Sanders firm will be able to provide the needed City
services at a lower dollar amount. This cannot be precisely
confirmed because only the Sanders firm provided us with a
base amount for the core Parks Master Plan. During the
interview with Mr. Sanders it was understood that a survey
and individual plans for the larger parks would require
additional expenses by the City. On the other hand, the
Dahlgren, Shardlow and Uban firm never did provide the City
with a firm quote on the cost of completing the desired
project.
6. In an effort to obtain more funds for park improvement
purposes, staff is investigating the appropriateness of
obtaining Park Dedication Fees from commercial and industrial
developments. This is commonly accepted in many communities
but has not been done in Elk River. An existing City
ordinance allows for this fee to be obtained. The City is
not trying to obtain funds for park improvement purposes by
holding "development hostage" , but feels that this may be an
appropriate source of revenue. Attached for your information
is a memo from the Building and Zoning Administrator, Stephen
• Rohlf, regarding this issue and Planning Commission review of
this issue.
7 . Charlie Blesener and Phil Hals are anticipated to attend this
meeting, along with myself, as representatives of the staff.
Updates on activities could include progress being made on
the Handke Pit warming house, status of summer recreation
programs and planned fall recreation programs, status of
authorized park improvements, and 1990 budget updates.