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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Council Worksession <br />November 26, 2019 <br />5:00 pm <br /> <br />Present: Mayor Valerie Johnson <br /> Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Mary Burg <br /> Councilmember Emily Dunsworth <br />Absent: Councilmember Paul Jacobsen <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Dean Lotter, Devin Massopust, Jennifer Fink, Jason Hicks, Brenda Davitt <br /> <br />Guests in Attendance: Candace Amber <br /> <br />Parks Comprehensive Plan, Initial Findings <br />Lotter stated reported the Parks Department had a presentation for the Council with the initial findings from <br />the Parks Comprehensive Plan. He commented further on the vast number of New Brighton residents that <br />utilize the park system and that now was a great time for the City to consider reinvesting in its parks. He <br />encouraged the Council to compartmentalize the financial part of the plan as this would be tackled at a later <br />date. <br /> <br />Fink introduced the Parks Comprehensive Plan to the Council. She thanked HCM for assisting the City with <br />this plan and stated Candace Amber would be making a presentation to the Council. <br /> <br />Candace Amber, Project Manager with WSB, reviewed the findings within the Park and Trail System Master <br />Plan with the Council. She reported this plan was strategic and comprehensive and was meant to create an <br />overall vision for parks, trails and recreation for the City for the next 20 years. She indicated this plan would be <br />used to guide the City while also assisting with setting priorities for parks. She discussed the planning process <br />that was followed and described the community engagement that occurred. The demographics of the <br />community were reviewed and staff noted the location of the underserved communities in New Brighton. <br /> <br />Ms. Amber commented on the park service areas and noted where there were gaps in the park system. <br />Evaluations for each park in the City were discussed, along with current athletic programs. She thanked the <br />members on the Steering Committee for their valuable input and service to the community. She explained <br />common themes that were expressed by the public were the need for improved connectivity and safety. In <br />addition, there was a call for more senior activities, a dog park, a teen/challenge course and a splash pad. There <br />was also a need for parks to be inclusive, flexible, and unique spaces. She reported the next steps for the City <br />would be to evaluate the funding opportunities based on the City’s priorities within the 2040 Community <br />Visions and Goals. She reiterated that the plan before the Council this evening was a draft plan. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson questioned how old the City’s park shelters were. Hicks estimated the park shelters were <br />installed in the early 2000’s. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson asked staff was excited them about this plan. Fink stated the possibility of how to better serve <br />the public was exciting to her. In addition, she was excited to see what new activities the City could offer to <br />residents and seniors, while also making all parks more accessible and easier to maintain.