Workshop Item - Joe Huss, Finance Director/Asst. City Manager
Title
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Proposed 2022 Parks Capital Improvements Budget and Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan
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Background
In a change of process from previous years, staff will present the Proposed 2022-26 Parks Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to the City Council for the Council’s review and input before seeking a recommendation on the plan from the Park Board and Natural Resources Conservation Board.
This year’s process is taking a broader approach, and consolidate all Parks projects, rather than make separate presentations based on the three major funding sources. It is hoped that this approach will encourage more effective discussion and assessment of the needs of the Parks infrastructure system as a whole.
Revenues
Revenue for the capital improvement plan comes from four major funding sources: park dedication fees, general tax levies, billboard rental income, and income from wetland credit sales. Park dedication fees are required and are paid as follows: new residential ($4,449/unit), new commercial ($8,704/acre), and industrial ($6,702/acre). The residential fee is split, with 65% going to parks development and 35% of the fee going to open space development, while commercial and industrial park dedication fees are exclusively used to fund parks development. A general tax levy is assessed annually to fund neighborhood park improvements and can also be assessed at Council discretion to fund specific projects as in the case of the Aquatore band shell in 2022. Revenues generated from billboard rentals are also earmarked for neighborhood park improvement projects. Wetland credit sales are allocated for open space and trail improvement projects. Other revenue sources may include donations from outside sources and interest earned on accumulated fund balances.
Project Expenses
There are three categories under which parks projects can be classified: neighborhood park improvements, development and improvements to regional/community park facilities, and improvements/maintenance of city open spaces and trail system.
Neighborhood parks are generally smaller parks set in or near residential areas. These parks typically include a playground structure, some type of sport court area (e.g. basketball, tennis, pickleball courts), an area of green space, and a picnic pavilion or shelter. Projects include replacing playground equipment, resurfacing or replacing sport court surfaces, and repairs or improvements to parking lots.
Regional/community parks are larger in size and include a wider variety of park amenities. The Blaine Baseball Complex (BBC), Jim Peterson Park, Lexington Athletic Complex, Happy Acres, and Aquatore Park are examples of these parks.
The city maintains a number of designated open spaces, including the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary (BWS) and Pioneer Park. In addition to projects in the BWS, as referenced above, projects in this category involve the clearing of invasive species from open spaces, and restoration of native flowers, grasses and other flora.
The Program
The summary table on the attachment lays out the combined parks capital improvement program. The projects listed in 2022, totaling $5.25 million, will be next year’s Parks Capital Budget upon Council authorization. Projects in the out years, which total nearly $8 million, are proposed based on Parks department assessment of facilities and infrastructure, as well as the Parks Master plan. Additional information follows, which should serve to provide detail and context on the department’s plans. As always, do not hesitate to contact Finance staff should you have any questions or concerns.
Project Summaries
Project summaries for proposed park improvements projects are summarized on the attached report. Projects proposed for inclusion in the 2022 Parks Capital Budget and 2022-26 Parks CIP include:
- Aquatore Park Improvements
o Bandshell
o Restrooms
o Picnic shelters
o Lighting and trail improvements
- Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Improvements
o Continued site development and preservation
o Pavilion and restroom
- Happy Acres Park
o Parking expansion
o Pedestrian bridge
- Open Space Development trails development
- Jim Peterson Park skate park
- Lexington Waters Park - new park development
- Neighborhood Park Improvement Program
o Territorial Park
o Centennial Green
o Carrara East
o Eastside Park
Staff Recommendation
Staff is seeking Council’s input regarding the 2022 Parks Capital Budget and 2022-26 CIP
Attachment List
Parks Capital Program summary and project budgets