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City Council Minutes Page 3 <br /> March 4,2019 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> The steering committee thinks costs could be reduced if they receive donations of <br /> natural materials such as sand, trees,boulders, or other items used to construct the <br /> natural play area. <br /> Councilmember Ovall stated it was an interesting concept but he had questions <br /> about the ongoing expenses and maintenance.Would the proposed water feature be <br /> potentially expensive?What was the useful life of natural materials?Because it is an <br /> alternative playground,would there be greater liability or risk of injury? <br /> Mr. Hecker responded the liability may actually be less because the structures mimic <br /> nature and don't fall under the same standards of playground inspections. Elk River <br /> Park and Recreation has certified playground inspectors on staff and current <br /> playgrounds are inspected more extensively because of manufactured pieces. There <br /> are always risks, but there may be fewer risks than other playgrounds. Staff visited <br /> similar nature playgrounds in Minnesota and found some water feature items require <br /> less maintenance than others. <br /> Ms. Amberg added that natural products are subject to degrading. <br /> Councilmember Westgaard addressed the question of where funding would come <br /> from since the Park and Recreation Commission did not want to use the Park <br /> Improvement Funds for the additional costs accrued due to the change in location. <br /> What is the overall cost to implement this Master Plan? <br /> Mr. Hecker stated they were only dealing with ballpark price estimates currently. <br /> Councilmember Westgaard continued stating he wanted to know all of the costs <br /> associated with the Master Plan before supporting it. He didn't have an issue with <br /> moving it,but stated the city has to live within the budget and timeline. He <br /> recommended structuring the bid so they can later pick and choose alternate and <br /> donated items to keep the project on budget. <br /> Councilmember Wagner added she also wondered where the funds would come <br /> from. She had heard the nature center addition is a very long way in the future, <br /> perhaps more than 10 years, so they may not need to factor it into their decision that <br /> evening. <br /> Mayor Dietz felt if the nature center addition was more than 10 years away there was <br /> time for the council to determine a way to fund it. Hopefully a better revenue source <br /> than liquor store funds could be discovered in the next 10 years. <br /> Councilmember Wagner added that perhaps additional grants could be sourced for <br /> items such as the elevator or other items. <br /> Mayor Dietz asked Mr. Portner if there was any other place the requested $19,000 <br /> could come from besides the Park Improvement Fund. <br /> POWERED 9r <br /> UREJ <br />