2C, Valentine Park Improvement Update

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL –June 13, 20117 8.A.Valentine Park Improvements (continued) will determinetheexact placement of park featuresas well asproject costs. The next step in the process willbe to authorize Staff to move into plan preparation. Once the plans, specifications and budget are completed,this proposalwill be brought back to the PTRC and neighbors for review and then to the City Council for consideration to authorize Staff to go out for bid. She explained that prices have not been determined for the amenities at this timebut will be determined as part of the plans and specifications. Mayor Grant asked if the retention ponds would have standing water and if it was anticipated there would standing wateryear round. Public Works Director Maurer stated the residents have expressed they do not want to have standing water in the park. It is important to get to the design phase so that the drainage issues can be identified and possible solutions investigated. The idea is to have ponding areas for drainage during heavy rainfalls that would drain off and then begenerally dry. Mayor Grant asked if the trail depicted on the concept plan was included in the budget. Public Works Director Maurer stated theinternaltrail is part of the concept. The trail around the perimeter wasrecommended by the PTRC and is not included in the project budget. Mayor Grant stated the addition of a drinking fountain would requirethatthe park have water service and at this time it does not. He asked how much it would be to run a water line and maintain the drinking fountain. Public Works Director Maurer stated this has not been fully analyzed at this time. It is included in the list of amenities to be priced and looked into further. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated the PTRC had included the drinking fountain because this may be the only opportunity the City has to add this amenity. If the cost is too high the PTRC will evaluate it further. Mayor Grant stated the budget may cover the cost of adding a drinking fountain but he did not see a big enough benefit in it to justify the cost. He suggested that once the project costs have been identified,each item should be evaluated to be sure it makes sense. Councilmember Holden asked if the ball fields had any scheduled leagues that play at this location. She asked if the City had a shortage of baseball fields or soccer fields. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated there are games scheduled for this field but they have been moved due to the current conditions of the park. The City does have enough baseball fields and the open green space in the concept plan can be used as a soccer field if needed.