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I I. I I I I I I I Ie I I I I I I I I- I ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - MARCE 13. 1995 6 Councilmember Hicks inquired what amount of the $450,000 estimated cost the Parks and Recreation Department was attempting to raise. Ms. Ricke indicated they intend to raise as much funding as possible. Councilmember Hicks asked if the Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Grant would provide additional funds in another calendar year. Ms. Walsh indicated that the grant money is project specific and they are allowed three years in which to allocate the funds. Councilmember Keim asked Ms. Walsh to describe the two phases of the project. Ms. Walsh stated that phase I will complete the redevelopment of the fields so as not to lose a season of play. This will include the regrading of the area, seeding/sodding, insta1lation of fences, and other items necessary to make the fields playable. Phases II and III will include the addition of lighting on the two south fields and the installation of playground equipment. The playground would be near the entrance and needs to be installed within three years. Mayor Probst indicated he continued to support the project going forward. He felt the budget should be checked in the interim, before proceeding with the final planning, as he questioned the initial estimate. Councilmember Malone indicated he felt it was necessary to look at all options. He stated the Council had not yet debated the alternatives and options for this project He felt the project was contingent upon the funds being available. He stated the Council had made no commitments. Councilmember Keim expressed her concern for a commitment from the Council. She stated they needed to have the Council's consent to go forward. She stressed the Park and Recreation Department cannot approach companies asking for funding and then not do the project. She asserted this would make the City look bad. Mayor Probst stated he thought that when the Council examined this project earlier, it was agreed to do the project if the contingent funds were obtained. Ms. Maureen Bodene, Parks and Recreation Department, stated she has participated in presentations to obtain funding for this project and does not want to misrepresent the commitment the City has for this project. She thought there was a commitment with the State of Minnesota Grant and a commitment to spend a certain amount of the Park Dedication Funds. She indicated if this was misrepresentation, she did not want to continue. She asked what type of options the Council wanted the Park and Recreation Department to investigate. She stated the condition of the park was a dangerous situation. She stated there were men playing in the fields adjacent to the little league. She indicated Perry Park had four of the six softball fields in the City. She stated the Park and Recreation Department had looked at other facilities to improve or find alternatives but there were no other solutions.