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. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - FEBRUARY 8,1999 6 Mayor Probst asked how much t1exibility there would be in terms of design. He asked if there is a belief that the number of fields currently shown in the proposal would be the minimum required and this number could change during the final phase of the project. Mr. Hjelle stated that there would have to be some flexibility with the project, primarily due to the wetlands and the size of the property. He indicated that Bethel College intends to work closely with the City Staff in order to match up the needs of the City with the needs of the College. Mr. Hjelle confirmed that the primary needs of the City would be for soccer and softball. The strongest need for the College would be the tennis courts. He noted that the College had initially hoped to add more softball fields to the site. Mayor Probst asked if the softball and soccer seasons for the College overlap. Mr. Hjelle stated that softball is a spring sport and soccer is not. Mayor Probst asked if it would be possible to overlay a softball field over the soccer field. Mr. Hjelle stated that this option had been considered and it did not appear to be feasible. Mayor Probst opened the meeting up to public comments. He noted that the action being taken by the City Council would not be to approve the concept plan. It would be to authorize Staffto continue discussions with Bethel College and for the Parks and Recreation Commission to initiate more extensive neighborhood meetings. StatY would also be directed to continue working with Bethel College to resolve the final layout and mix of facilities. Mayor Probst noted that the City of Arden Hills has a limited number of park facilities. He stated tbat there is a need for community facilities for use by Arden Hills and the surrounding communities, particularly in the area of soccer fields. He expressed his belief that this may be a positive way tor the City to gain significant park facilities. Mr. Corbin Kristufek, 1640 Chatham A venue, expressed a concern for the effects the proposal may have on the existing park land and trail system. He expressed an additional concern for the amount of space available for soccer, softball and tennis within the community. He noted that the TCAAP area becomes the property of the National Guard in March. He suggested the City consider the use of some of this land for additional recreational facilities. Mr. Kristufek referred to the proposed cost of the project and noted there are regulations and laws which need to be complied with. He asked how much money would have to be spent by the City in order to perform a practical analysis and other actions needed to be taken prior to building near a wetland. With regard to the TCAAP area, Mayor Probst stated that the transfer taking place on March 15, 1999 primarily involves park preserve space which would be controlled by the National Guard. The Comprehensive Plan did identify a joint use athletic facility for all communities at the north side of the facility. At this point it is unknown when the area would be cleaned up, however the hope is to have the area available within five years.