5.a) Chair ReportPRC Chair report — for May 6, 2019
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Committee
On April 11, I attended the first meeting of the Capital Improvement Plan for 2020-2024. This bi-annual
exercise identifies large capital expenditures for roads, fire department, sewer, park, and other
improvements for the city. The committee will gather requirements, review, prioritize, and complete
their recommendations in time for the 2020 budget submissions (fall of 2019).
Capital items for park planning will be discussed at the May 6 meeting, with a preliminary list submitted
for the May 15 CIP meeting.
City Council Meeting—April 16, 2019
The council approved the SHIP grant requested by Cycling Scandia. Next step is to complete a cost
analysis to keep the warming house open during the summer months. That item is on the May 6 PRC
agenda, with an expected outcome to approve using that building for summer use.
The council also approved the additional capital to purchase new skateboard equipment, per PW
Director Hawkinson's recommendations. The total cost for the new equipment is $23,678.21.
With help from the Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails and from Bolton and Menk, the city received a
grant for $38,270 for habitat restoration at Lilleskogen. The council also formally accepted this grant.
The grant money must be used in three years.
Tourism Assessment
I attended the April 24 EDA meeting, where a representative from the U of M presented the results of
the tourism study. There are many opportunities to improve tourism in the area, many of which will
have impact on parks and park planning. The presentation by the'U' and the complete assessment is
posted on the city website.
Park Tour
On April 26, City Council rep Patti Ray, Carol Schwinghammer and I walked Lilleskogen to review
locations for the proposed story boards, as well as to gather ideas and locations for other improvements
at the park. We then moved to the Bone Lake Park property to meet with members of the Bone Lake
Association to review ideas to create more defined trails and possible wetlands boardwalks.