2001 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

February IS, 200 I Council Meeting Minutes Mr. March noted it would not make sense for the City to have invested a half million dollars in the purchase of the property and improvements to the park if the City did not intend to make good use of the park by continued improvement. What this boils down to is the next logical step for the park, which seems to be installing electricity to make the park more functional for a variety of uses. The problem IS the city wiH spend aimoSt $70,000 for electricity, which is not something that looks glamorous or is noticeable when completed. Mr. March recommended a workshop to discuss how to fund the electrical installation and time frame for other improvements. Mr. March stated he anticipates all of these items will happen in the park over time but Council needs to determine timeframes. Mr. March stated that the 1987 street bond and the City Hall building will be paid for in a couple of years and there will be more money available for park improvements. Council Member Broussard Vickers asked Mr. March if it were possible to take the funds out of the general account this year. Mr. March stated it was possible, but Council should discuss the issues involved with same in a workshop setting. Mayor Swedberg questioned when the softball tournament was scheduled to take place. Mr. Bisek said the tournament was in August. Mayor Swedberg then asked if the tournament could be run without lights. Mr. Bisek stated if there were 32 teams with the tournament starting on Friday night it is possible to host all the games at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park, provided there were lights. If there were 64 teams or if there is no electricity, then some of the games would be held in Lino Lakes at lighted fields. The Festival Committee would need to pay $16.00 per hour to use the fields. Council Member Capra questioned whether the City would be charging residents to park for the Festival. Mr. Bisek stated it has been discussed. The income generated from charging for parking could be used to help fund the parade. Council Member Broussard Vickers stated Council would set a workshop date to discuss funding for the electrical installation. Once funding is determined, there would be discussion of the bids. Mayor Swedberg stated Council was not prepared to make a decision at this meeting on funding for the electrical installation, as it needs further discussion and consideration. Ms. DeVine questioned why Council could not decide to authorize the bid process. Council Member Capra explained Council needs to further discuss funding sources for the electricity and the time frame for improvements to the park prior to soliciting bids for same. Council Member Capra stated she believes it is possible to have an answer on whether and when electricity will be installed in Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park sometime within the next two (2) or three (3) weeks. Mr. Peterson stated that electrical installation is a smaller project and would not take long to complete.