07-15-86 Parks Comm Minutes.1 N
July 15, 1986 PARKS/FINANCE COMMITTEES 4:00 P.M.
• Chairman Manning and Councilmen Palmer, Ruiz and Nystul in attendance.
Mayor Kennedy, DPW Hammer, Parks Director Drent, Ed Gallagher, Gordon Pirrie,
Nick Heron of the Chamber of Commerce, Jean Causey, Jack Truckner, Sim Sidlecki
and Mitch Miller representing the Laker Baseball organization, and Roger Hopkins
of the Daily Interlake also present.
NEW GRIFFIN FIELD - The questions needing answers at this point in time
are: 1) Is the Council willing to support creative financing for all or a
portion of this project? 2) What is needed? Leveling, drain tile, seeding
or sodding this fall, irrigation. Parks Director Drent indicated he could
use City forces to seed. Irrigation must be done by a contractor. 3) Funding:
$52,000 has already been expended on initial improvements and must be returned
to the funds borrowed from. Dennis Carver and Lum Owens have donated a tremen-
dous amount of work to the site. The commitment terms of the land exchange
have been fulfilled except for the platting of the road.
$300,000 was budget for Griffin Field in case of a sale, and this needs
to be re -budgeted in the 1986-87 budget. C. Manning said he was not keen
on registering warrants against Griffin Field. The Committee agreed and
indicated that the City needs to list the Airport Road site and Griffin Field
with the real estate community, and at the same time the Parking Commission
offer to lease Griffin for parking needs to be explored.
Gordon Pirrie, chairman of the Parking Commission, stated that the College
isCommission
have control of the property in order to lease to students. If the Parking
Commission offered a loan to do the initial work on the ballfield, how would
those funds be repaid? Parking is needed. He felt the City should keep control
of Griffin Field until Burlington Northern decides what it is going to do
with the adjoining property because Griffin could turn into some very valuable
property depending on the BN decision.
C. Palmer suggested $150,000 and equity participation for whatever is
realized from the sale over and above that amount. Gordon Pirrie saw no problem
with that. Ed Gallagher stated that he was still checking on the legalities
related to using bond monies, but pointed out that removal of the fence and
stands would enhance the saleablility of the property. C. Manning asked what
was the maximum the Parking Commission could commit to the parking complex
there and Mr. Pirrie responded $200,000.
C. Palmer suggested that the offers for help be combined: Using Tom Kosina's
counsel to leverage funds, the Parking Commission could put up $60,000 down -
payment (which would cover returning the $52,000 to the funds borrowed from),
First Interstate Bank could then buy the contract at a workable rate, and
the City would get the money needed to improve the field.
Gordon Pirrie stated that many businesses were willing to help but he
stressed that this should be a first class operation. It will be an important
facility for the City - for sports and businesses alike. Jim Sidlecki seconded
that by saying that the Lakers are feeling the need right now, but in reality
• the field will be used as a sports and recreation comples by many different
entities throughout the year. He felt that all talk and financing must be
for a multi -use facility rather than just "baseball" or "sports".
PARKS/FINANCE COMMITTEE
• July 15, 1986
Page 2
The suggestion was made to trade the Airport Road property to add parking
space to the complex area. Parks Director Drent said there is 8 acres across
the road and the City owns the property across Airport Road at the WWTP that
could be used for parking if necessary. It was also pointed out that School
District involvement should be checked out.
Gordon Pirrie stated that the Parking Commission needs to have the parking
area ready for the beginning of college. C. Palmer suggested the City set
reasonable limits so that others involved will know and can plan adequately.
He felt the Committee should take the idea with the supposition that it is
legal and go forward.
Possible other funding was suggested: County, American Legion, sale
of Griffin Field (Council committed to all monies from sale going to "baseball").
Parks Director Drent said they need to do the basic things first and the rest
is gravy and can be added later. C. Ruiz felt strongly that the plans be
for a baseball facility and that the size of the field should be professional.
If it could then be used for other things that would be fine.
DPW Hammer pointed out that there was already an ice rink available in
the settling pond and also stated that cost figures will depend on timing.
If the field is seeded this fall it cannot be played on next year so if the
• Parking Commission wants Griffin Field immediately than the new field must
be sodded and the figures will change.
C. Palmer made a motion that the City and the Parking Commission enter
into a tentative agreement to be presented to the City Council at the July 21st
meeting to get things in motion. The Committee agreed. Gordon Pirrie stated
that the Council would also need to help with stronger enforcement to back
up this use of Griffin Field. DPW Hammer agreed to have plans and figures
for the Council meeting. Mayor Kennedy is to have Attorney Neier check on
the legality of the proposal and easements across BN property for access to
the Griffin Field parking lot if that is necessary.
LAWRENCE PARK - Friends of Lawrence Park are ready to entertain the Council
with a proposal. Dr. Downey will present it at Monday's Council.
DEPOT PARK - Parks Director Drent said if there are no more disasters
it will be sodded next Wednesday. The boulevard will be planted with trees
and graveled to match the Mall landscaping because there is no sprinkler system
in the boulevard.
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