PRECA 03-03-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ti ~ ~~ ~ ~ February 17, 1981 • To: John R. Grau, Acting City Manager From: Maurice H. Anderso ~,~irector Park and Recreation Re: Long Lake Park Development ~ have assembled some of the most recent staff memos and Council Resolutions regarding Long Lake Park for the Council to review. Hopefully this will provide some background information and put the problem/opportunity into perspective. I would like to note that the Council can indicate a willingness to fund operations and maintenance of a regional park without giving a specific guarantee as to amount. At this juncture it is also not necessary to commit to any specific level of develop- ment. If the Metropolitan Council should change its policy and allow the City to have implementing ~.gency status, the City would have to prepare, officially adopt, and secure approval from Metro Council of a master plan for development, maintenance and operation of the site. This process gives the City ample oppor- tunity to negotiate on all aspects of the project. • If the City. were to receive implementing agency status, it would be expected to develop, operate and maintain both the Rush Lake and Long Lake portion of the park since there is little possibility that Metro Council would ever allow development of a 109 acre re- gional park. The policy change we would be requesting requires a public hearing in addition to deliberation and discussion by both the Parks and Open Space Commission as well as the Metropolitan Council. This process would take about two months and frankly is not likely to be favorably received. If the Council is serious about the possibility of proceeding with local development either as an alternative to regional development or as a back-up position in the event Metro Council will not change its policy, then staff should be directed to submit a Lawcon grant application for 1982 development. This grant application process could run parallel to our request to Metro Council. The Lawcon grant process would require a $37,500 commitment in the 1982 CIP for Long Lake development. The maximum grant funding is $150,000 of which 25s must be local match. If the Council wishes "regional" development in 1981, or "local" and Lawcon development in 1982, action should be taken by March 10, 1981. The Lawcon grant process makes the time constraints quite • severe.