PRECA 06-02-1982 - Laserfiche WebLink

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"POLICY ].7. -.When regional recreation open space land is owned by one agency, and when that agency, the Metropolitan Council and an implementing agency all agree that transfer of the land to the implementing agency is desirable, the Metropolitan Council shall make a grant to the implementing. agency to reimburse the initial agency for the actual local-fund capital. investment which that agency has made in the land being transferred." The policy language can be interpreted as approving bond interest payments for reimbursement. In the Eden Prairie action, it was not so construed and interest costs were not reimbursed. Thus, a precedent exists for denying the request. When it took action to approve the master plan, New Brighton Council was aware of the $750,000 entry in Recreation Open Space Capital Improvement - Program for the buy out. .That figure originated with the City and must have been in the City Council's mind at the time of their action. Thus no committment to a higher figure has been understood, as none has been made. The. interest costs to New Brighton are less than the amount Metropolitan Council will spend in development in this regional park over the next bienniums, otherwise a cost to New Brighton. CONCLUSION 1. The Long Lake-Rush Lake Regional Park master plan is adequate to review and is' consistent with Council Policies. 2. Despite limitations in certain recreation capacities, the regional park, if developed according to this plan, will be a valuable addition to the Recreation Open Space system. 3. New Brighton and Ramsey County have developed a joint powers agreement which will allow development and operation of the regional park. 4. The petition for preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement and the environmental concerns expressed therein are of concern to the Metropolitan Council because they affect a component of the Recreation Open Space System. Review and approval of the Master Plan and acquisition grant will not interfere with the EIS process, where the accompanying development grant is approved contingent upon completion of the EIS process. Environmental concerns regarding park impact upon Long Lake water qua lity .and preservation of wildlife, vegetation and habitat can be addressed in the Master Plan approval process. 5. New Brighton has incurred expenses in the acquisition of Long Lake park land. The Council has reimbursed Eden Prairie for similar expenses and should do so for New Brighton. h. "Future interest costs" are not eligible for reimbursement. Because of earlier understandings and the Eden Prairie precedent, past interest costs should not be reimbursed. 7. Development proposed for phase one is consistent with the master plan and with Council recreation open space policy.