01-12-2002 PR MIN - SPECIAL - Laserfiche WebLink

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Park & Recreation Commission January 12,2002 Page 2 . 3. Develop an inventory of critical natural resources and identify what needs to be protected and what should be enhanced. Once completed, this should be reviewed annually. 4. Develop long-term master plans and budgets for Orono Park! Athletic Complex, Woodland Trails Park, and Hillside City Park. 5. Re-evaluate the park development focus and project priority list. 6. Continue to develop the Park and Recreation Department and help out with City Recreation by better understanding programming areas such as the Ice Arena and the Senior Center. 7. Develop a better understanding regarding the issues surrounding the development of a community center; for example, programming needs, meeting space requirements, etc. 8. Continue to explore alternative forms of recreation. 4. Review 2002 CIP Including Land Acquisition The commission discussed at length the proposal submitted by Richard LeFavor for 70 acres of land located in the northeast corner of the city. The appraisal prepared by Jerry Smith indicated that the value of the land was $546,000. Staff suggested paying $500,000 on a similar payment schedule as proposed by Mr. LeFavor. . Several commissioners felt that the land was primarily swamp and that there were other parcels in the area that were worth more environmentally than the LeFavor property. Discussion regarding the need to act versus delaying a decision was weighed by each of the commission members. Several commissioners felt that adjacent lands eligible for development should be analyzed to determined how much land could be obtained via park dedication and added to the subject property. A majority of the commissioners felt that the land offered by Mr. LeFavor would eventually remain open as the land was essentially undevelopable. Chair Kuester pointed out that there were several reasons for purchasing the property; (1) an area wide park in the northeast corner of the city has been talked about for several years; (2) there are future expansion opportunities; (3) there is a willing seller; (4) there is cash in the park dedication fund; and (5) this is within a developing area of the city. Commissioner Dave Anderson indicated that the offer would be more palatable if funds could be leveraged for a natural and scenic area park grant from the Department of Natural Resources. After much discussion, the Commission, by consensus agreed to make a counter offer to Mr. LeFavor for $300,000 for 70 acres, half down at 5 percent interest over 5 years. The commission also directed staff to prepare a number of development scenarios for the adjacent properties. The Commission then considered the following Capital Improvement budget for 2002: . Baldwin Park Barrington Park Y AC Improvements Playground - Mississippi Oaks Deerfield - hill, fence, landscaping $15,700 600 23,200 30,000 9,650