02-26-87 Parks Comm MinutesCr
PARKS/CITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
February 26, 1987 Conference Room 4:CG P'^
ATTENDING: Mayor Kennedy, Fire Chief Larson, Ted Waggener, Police Chief Stefanic,
Councilmen Louie Ruiz, Wayne Saverud, Chick Manning, Sandy Schindler and Paul
Palmer. PWD Ken Hammer, Parks Superintendent Pieter Brent, Surveyor Fred Zavidny,
Bruce Lutz of Achitiects Design Group, Ed Gallagher and Ross Plambeck of COD
Bud Anderson of Kalispell Lakers Baseball Association and Rick Hull of the Daily
Interlake.
Councilman Manning opened the meeting stating the agenda was the relocation of
Griffin Field, in the city, to Begg Park on Airport Road. The committee has
for some time been trying to figure out a way to get funds to develop the
baseball complex. They recieved a letter from the Lakers with three suggestions;
having the city write warrants, mortgage the property, and selling the property
to the Lakers and then their mortgaging the property. One of the alternatives
Superintendent P. Brent. has suggested is to incorporate it into Community
Development by having that department clean up the blight and relocate the field
to Begg Park then put Griffin Field under the Community Development DepMent for
them or the Parking Commission to utilize for some of their needs. Ed Gallagher
stated that the relocation approach and removal of blight could be a possibility
if it is legal. Glen Neier will have a formal opinion on this for Monday nights
Council meeting. Ed stated he would touch base with other communities to see
what state law dictates.
�• Councilman Schindler asked why the city is responsible for financial support when
the Lakers are a County team. C. Manninq asked if tax increment or Parking
Commission monies were used would Councilman Schindler be supportive. Bud Anderson
of the Lakers Association stated that when the field sells then the funds would be
repaid. If tax increment funds were used the city would retain control of the
property. This have to be taken through the committee and council to see
if it is a feasible option. C. Manning stated that the city has committed it-
self in purchasing the property for Begg Park and thatit's being carried until the
old field is sold and we should now at least get it seeded, fenced and ready for use.
The association has labor waitingto work on this field and has some donated score-
boards etc, what they need now is the cash for materials.
Councilman Schindler asked why the association couldn't buy the property then sell
it to the Parking Commission. C. Manning said the parking commission can't buy
property that the city owns. There is also a possibility that if the old field
were to be leased the proceeds could go to the new field in the future to help
support ongoing costs. Councilman Ruiz feels that the city should keep control
of the property and feels if it can be worked out through relocation it should be
done that way.
Bud Anderson said the city should build the field right to begin with and it would
be advantages to the city in terms of revenue generated in the community. C. Manning
read the motion of the Council on the field which states that the proceeds from the
sale of the city owned property are to be earmarked for new baseball facilities.
It was agreed by all that the relocation with possible tax increment funding is the
<• preferred option.
Mintues
Park s/C':C
Feb. 26. 1987
page 2
Council-rn Palmer asked how much money it would take to get the park ready tc
use, the minimum amount that is needed. He also asked Ed Gallagher if the
tax increment could be used outside the increment area. Ed said no but the
elimination of blight and relocation could be utilized. P. Palmer said he
is in favor of getting $50,000 to relocate the ball field and putting up for
sale signs in the old park. There was discussion on the $50,000 and Pieter
Drent suggested that the council or committee come up with a figure to develop
the field and then everyone would know how much there is to work with. P. Palmer
feels that the association should participate in the cost to some extent, giving
S50,000 to develop now and possibly more when the property sells. B. Anderson
feels the figure should be more like $80,000.
C. Manning asked for a determination from the City Attorney first and then come up
with a definite figure. Ed stated that the tax increment and UDAG funds use are
the same but there has to be a legal opinion. This was agreed upon'.
Councilman Manning asked Pieter Drent if there was going to be anything more to
take to Council concerning Parks Monday night and Pieter said no. With that the
Parks Committee meeting was adjourned.
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