08-12-2002 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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r MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 22,2002 6:30 o'clock p.m. (#17) ORONO BASEBALL ASSOCIATION - LEE CARLSON BALLFIELD EXPANSION PROJECT - TRAIL Gappa explained that the Orono Baseball Association was granted a Conditional Use Permit for the construction of an additional baseball field at the Lee Carlson Complex in September 2001. A trail connection is needed across this property to connect the existing dead end trail from the Willow View Subdivision to the Old Ciystal Bay Road trail. Gappa noted that a retaining wall will be needed between the top area at the top of the hill and the county highway. While the original plan reflects the retaining wall and trail as part of the ballfield project, the baseball association has received quotations from contractors for the project, and the cost for the additional trail and wall was approximately $100,000. Gappa stated that the association has raised a little more than $200,000 for the entire ballfield project, money needed for the new field and related improvements construction, so they do not have adequate fimds to complete the trail portion of the project. Gappa reported that several options exist for potential fimding for the construction of the trail portion. First, one source could be Park Dedication Funds, which are available for use in constructmg new park and other recreational facilities. Gappa pointed out that currently there are not sufficient funds to complete the project. Another fimding option is Hennepin County cost sharing fimding for trail construction. Gappa explained that in this program, the County provides fimding for 50% of trail construction costs with the City responsible for the remaining 50% of the cost. Conversations with Hennepin Coimty staff have indicated that this Uail is on the County Trail System Plan and would be a high priority project, and fimds may be available in 2003. Gappa pointed out that a possible fimding option for the City’s share of trail costs would be to use Municipal State Aid Funds, which should be adequate when Countv cost sharing fimds are available. Sansevere asked if Hennepin County is willing to give 50% and state aid dollars provide 50% could they approve the project for OBA (Orono Baseball Association) contingent on receiving these fimds. In addition, OBA would be asked to leave enough dirt for the trail portion as they Moorse stated that the only question that remains is to be sure we get the grant. He reiterated that if the City does not get the grant fimds, they don’t have the retaining wall or trail. Sansevere stated that he would not support holding up the ballfield project contingent on getting the fimds. o © PAGE 32 of 33 It