05-05-2014 Park Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Monday,May 5,2014 7:00 o'clock p.m. 5. PARK COMMISSIONER RECRUITING Meyers noted he did ask one individual to attend tonight's meeting if they were interested but they are not in attendance. Meyers stated he would encourage everyone to try to recruit someone to be on the Park Commission and that it would be ideal if there could be seven commissioners. Gaffron noted the vacant positions are still listed on the City's website and that the advertisement in the newspaper did not result in anyone applying. Meyers asked if any interested candidates would need to be approved by the City Council. Gaffron indicated they would need to fill out an application and then be approved by the City Council. NEW BUSINESS 6. REVIEW PARK DEDICATION PROCESS,FEES AND USE OF FUNDS Meyers stated he would like the Park Commissioners to be aware of the City's park dedication process, fees and use of funds. Meyers stated the information is available online and that a working knowledge of the City's Comprehensive Plan and survey would be very helpful. Meyers noted some information was provided to the Park Commissioners as part of their packet for tonight's meeting. Meyers requested Gaffron explain how the park dedication fees are determined. Gaffron stated the City is able to collect park dedication fees at the time a property is subdivided, which is technically the only time the City can collect a fee. The fee is in lieu of dedication of land and is based on the fair market value of the land prior to the subdivision. If Council chooses to have the developer pay a fee rather than donating land, the park fee would be equivalent to eight percent of the value of the land. Gaffron noted the fee is established at a minimum of$3,250 per lot up to a maximum of$5,550 per lot. Gaffron indicated the City is able to use the park fees for acquisition of park land but not for maintenance per state statute. Gaffron stated the City has done an analysis of how the fee dollar amounts were arrived at per lot, and by statute the City has to demonstrate a connection between the amount that is being charged and the reasons that amount is being charged. The original analysis was done approximately 13 to 14 years ago and assumes that the new development will pay for future park needs because the past or existing development paid for what is already in place. Gaffron stated there are a number of properties listed on the City's wish list that may or may not ever become part of the city-owned park system, but that the list helps define what the needs are for the future. There is also a listing in the Park Commission's packet of all current city-owned park land, how much was paid for the land, and when the properties were acquired. Gaffron noted the City currently has approximately $33 million worth of park land based on current valuations and that a significant amount of that land was donated. Meyers asked if there is a process where people can contest the park dedication fee being charged by the City. Page 4 of 10