04-05-1989 CC MIN - JOINT - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 e Recreation Board Minutes April 5. 1989 ~ Chairman O'Brien stated that the Recreation Board has determined acquisition of land to be the most important consideration in providing park and recreation opportunities to a fully developed community. The most immediate concern of the Recreation Board is additional flat open land. which may include flood plain property. for the future development of an athletic area. Currently there is a demand for open athletic fields and this demand will only increase in the future. Additionally. the softball complex may have to be relocated when sewer and water is extended to this site. The City Council concurred that obtaining additional land is a high priority and that the Recreation Board should explore all available sites for such an athletic area. However. the City Council stated that contact has been made with Mr. Bud Houlton and that the Houlton Farm located in the flood plain of the Mississippi River is not available at this time. Therefore. the Recreation Board should not concentrate its efforts on the purchase of this property but should look at other sites. e Chairman O'Brien stated that the Recreation Board desired to be consulted when new plats are being considered by the City. The Recreation Board is requesting input into this process so that appropriately located parkland can be obtained through the platting process rather than an outright purchase by the City. The City Administrator reviewed with the City Council and the Recreation Board the development process for approval of a plat. It was noted that between Planning Commission action on a preliminary plat and Council action on a preliminary plat. the Recreation Board holds its monthly meeting. Therefore. no delay in the development process is required in order for the Recreation Board to provide input to the City Council on park related needs associated with various plats. It was the consensus of the City Council that the Recreation Board should review all preliminary plats so that it can provide input to the City Council on park and recreation needs associated with development projects. e The City Council stated that the Recreation Board should concentrate some of its efforts on the development of Hillside Park and Woodland Trails Park. The Recreation Board agreed that the development of these two parks are a high priority but that they have limited funds to work with in terms of development activities at these two parks. The Recreation Board restated its position that the highest priority should be the purchase of additional land and specifically the purchase of flat properties that could accommodate an athletic area. Regarding finances for the purchase of property and development of parks. the City Council indicated that it would be willing to accept donations from non profit organizations such as the Legion Club for these type of expenditures.