Recom from Park Bd Regarding Financing/Scheduling Improve Projectsat N
DATE: July 29, 1982
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Hopkins Park Board
BY: Richard Wilson, Recreation and Park Director
THROUGH: William Craig, City Manager 44AI
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION FROM PARK BOARD REGARDING FINANCING AND SCHEDULING
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
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The Park Board and staff have been considering pending capital improvement
needs and how to finance them. This report outlines the background for the
specific projects in consideration, the need for these improvements, and a
recommendation for financing including that they be accomplished in 1982.
Specifically, the Park Board recommends to the City Council that approximately
$7,585 in improvement projects for Hilltop Park, Central Park, Burnes Park,
Downtown Park, and Park Valley Playground be authorized in 1982, to be financed
by the "Park Construction Fund," and that the Shady Oak Park Beach buildings
be connected to the Minnetonka City water system in 1982. The cost of this
connection is estimated at $11,000 and it is recommended to be financed by
the Shady Oak Beach "Concession Fund
I. PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS:
A. Hilltop Park. The Park Board, Mayor and staff met on site with many of
the park's neighbors, on May 24, 1982. There were many concerns expressed
that have resulted in the recommendation submitted to the Mayor and Council.
1. Vehicles currently are able to and do, drive onto the park from
Fourth Street North. It is proposed that following the removal of
the house from the park, that the entire north end be blockaded
with verticle landscape ties, spaced at four foot intervals. The
costs are estimated to be for purchasing ties for $560 and contracted
labor for trenching from the street department at $200. The other
labor can be provided by the park maintenance department if done in
1982.
2. A drinking fountain is desired, in the area the house currently
occupies. Materials to construct a drinking fountain are estimated
at $200 and the labor, if performed in 1982, will be by the park
maintenance department.
3. The neighbors and Park Board agreed that four picnic tables should
be located in the rejuvenated north end of the park. Cost to pur-
chase material for the tables is $600. The park maintenance depart-
ment will provide the labor if performed in 1982.
The total estimate cost for Hilltop Park improvements is $1,560.
B. Central Park. For the past several years, including through the fall
of 1981, the Eisenhower High School soccer teams have used Central Park
for their soccer program. This use included that the teams provided
four soccer goals, for two fields, and the School District was respon-
sible for marking the lines on the field.
Recommendation from Park Board Regarding
Financing and Scheduling Capital improvement Projects
Page 2
B. Central Park (continued)
The Recreation Department benefited from this arrangement by using
the goals and services of the schools.
Beginning in 1982 the City will be expected to provide field marking
and soccer goals.
Purchased soccer goals is estimated at $900 each for a total of $3,600.
C. Burnes Park.
1. Two replacement basketball backboards are needed for the existing
outdoor court. Their cost is estimated at $225 each or $450 total.
2. A new major play structure was installed in this park in 1981,
including a sand surface under and surrounding the play structure.
It is desired to "border" the sand area, and therefore, define the
boundary of the sand, with landscape timbers buried at the turf
level. The estimate cost for purchase of the timber is $530. Labor
will be provided by park maintenance crews, if performed in 1982.
Adults accompanying children have requested benches to set on near
the new play structure. It is proposed to purchase three benches
at $225 each, for a total of $675.
The total estimate cost for Burnes Park improvements is $1,625.
D. Downtown Park. Several trees and bushes died at this park. The first
trees were replaced by the contractor. We are still experiencing a
yearly mortality that should be replaced. Current replacement costs
are estimated to be $600.
E. Park Valley Playground. The former lift station building on this
site has now been removed. It is proposed to install a drinking
fountain in the vicinity where one formerly was located. Materials
to construct a drinking fountain are estimated at $200 and the labor,
if performed in 1982, will be by the park maintenece department.
F. Shady Oak. The beach buildings are currently served with water from
the park's private well. The concern is that if the well quits pro-
ducing or someting else goes wrong, we are at a loss to serve the
public. The Park Board and staff recommends connecting to the City
water system. The cost of this connection is estimated at $11,000.
Construction would be performed by a private contractor under the
City bidding procedures and direction of the City engineer. It is
desired that this be accomplished either in the fall of 1982 or spring
of 1983, prior to the swimming season.
II. PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FINANCING:
Financing of park capital improvement projects may come from various sources.
One such source is the General Fund Taxes. If the Mayor and City Council
do not approve other plans for financing these improvements, the -Park Board
recommends they be considered as 1983 General Fund budget items.
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Recommendation from Park Board Regarding
Financing and Scheduling Capital Improvement Projects
Page 3
The Park Board and staff recommends the improvement projects for Hilltop
Park, Central Park, Burnes Park, Downtown Park, and Park Valley Playground
be financed by the City "Park Construction Fund 301," and that they Shady
Oak Park connection to the Minnetonka City water system be financed by the
Shady Oak "Concession Fund."
The "Park Construction Fund 301" is the same source of financing used for
the Burnes Park play structure in 1981. The current unencumbered balance
is approximately $21,000.
The Shady Oak "Concession Fund" is the surplus accumulated from the opera-
tion of the concession up to and through 1980. The "fund" was retained by
Hopkins to finance future capital improvements.
III. PARK MAINTENANCE MANPOWER:
Circumstances of employment this summer will provide adequate manpower to
provide the labor as noted in this report, at no additional cost, if approval
to purchase the material is approved in early August. The State and Federal
youth employment program has provided three -40 hours per week employees to
the Park Deparment. With this supplement in August, the projects within
Hopkins can be accomplished.
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