PRECA 08-13-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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be approved by the County Board. Subsequently, .Bernie Edmonds from Ramsey County, Jim Fornell, Arlyn Gunderman and myself prepared a letter of Understanding to be approved by City and County staff. This letter-(see attached) was intended to address the. concerns of the Park Board and to further define contents of the master plan. The-Park Board .held a special meeting on July 15th and after extensive discussion and testimor~y, (see attached) recommended the Joint Powers Agreement as prepared by Ramsey County... - ' The City has also been presented with a petition requesting the city postpone decisions on approvals, allocation of-funds and suspend other matters related to Long Lake Park until: 1. More people have had an opportunity to be heard. 2. Scientifically documented studies of bird habitat, wildlife_and-natural vegetation have been made and presented. 3. Ari Environment~.l Impact Sts~enent has been prepared; and ~_. ~-. A preliminary master plan and management plan have been. devised respectful of the green acres concept. The petition request has been addressed to some extent already. and will be adequately addressed as the city and county proceed through .the master planning process. The public input process has been in operation since 1977 when-the Park Board and _Council began work on the concept plan for the site. The other. requests fall logically within the master planning process which can only begin after approval of the .joint powers agreement. The potential budgetary impact of this development on the city is relatively modest when-compared with the potential recreational benefits to area residents. This budget assumes a high quality facility .designed for-low maintenance and highly effigy ient-operation. -It is imperative that if the-city is responsible for operation and maintenance of a facility the city carefully review final development plans of the site with operation and maintenance costs being given careful consideration.. This budget also assumes a beach attendance of about 70,000 per year. If the site is designed for lesser attendance, revenues --would- be reduced-accordingly- and- opera_t-ional expens_as_would _ _ remain nearly the .same. A major source of concern with the proposed agreement as expressed by the Long Lake Improvement Association and~some members of the-Park Board is the potential loss -of City control over the facility if it is sold to Ramsey County. It does appear that there are no legal impediments to City sale of the land to Ramsey County as long as its original purpose of .parks and open