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Home My WebLink About[05] Park Board 5 Council Agenda Item MEETING DATE: February 2, 2015 AGENDA ITEM: Park Board Report – John Anderson SUBMITTED BY: Park Board/Administrator/Finance BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Park Board is requesting utilization of Sales Tax proceeds for the expansion of the Wobegon Trail from St. Joseph to St. Cloud/Waite Park. While Stearns County has raised significant revenue for the extension, they are still short approximately $ 659,322. It is estimated that the portion in the City of St. Joseph is 20%, calculating the shortage that would equate to $ 131,865. The Park Board supports the project and has recommended the Council authorize utilization of Sales Tax proceeds to fund the shortfall. Below is a summary of the Sales Tax fund illustrating what has been designated to date ($ 1,755,341.19) and which category the expended funds are attributed to. It is projected that the current legislation that authorized the tax through 2017 will yield an additional $ 1.6 M for the City. The new legislation that begins thereafter is projected to yield 11M to 13M for St. Joseph. Projects funded (includes estimated remaining): Parks and Rec survey/system plan 43,358.50 Board Stipends 585.80 Parks Boundary Survey 8,272.75 Centennial Park Swingset 33,284.14 CR2/3 Trail Extension Phase I 433,300.04 CR2 Trail Extension Phase II/III 664,917.40 CR133/College Ave Sidewalk Project 193,229.82 Facility Planning 364,506.56 Wobegon Center Upgrades 13,886.18 1,755,341.19 Parks and Trails 1,390,248.83 Transportation - Facilities 364,506.56 Other 585.80 1,755,341.19 The Park Board was also approached by a Rugby league to use Millstream Park as their field on a trial basis. The Park has recommended the Council accept the request. From a staff perspective the only concern is parking and making sure that the participants do not use the upper parking by Millstream Shelter as that is rented out and would be problematic if people paying to rent the shelter did not have parking. BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: Utilization of $ 131,865 in sales tax funds ATTACHMENTS: Request for Council Action Request to receive funding form Sales Tax Proceeds Park Board Extracted Meeting Minutes Lake Wobegon Trail Extension Rugby Proposal and background Information REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Two actions would be required, one determining the use of Sales Tax Proceeds and the other the use of the Park for Rugby and terms associated with. Request to receive funding from Sales Tax Proceeds Applicant: St. Joseph Park Board Date: February 2, 2015 Representing: Stearns County Parks Funding Amount Requested: $ 200,000 Please check which category (ies) you are requesting funding from: Appropriation for the costs of improvements in regional parks and trail systems such as Parks adding bathrooms facilities to all parks, water amenities, expanded shelters, development of the Sauk River Park. (Ballot question included not to exceed 3 million). Appropriation for the costs to pay all or a part of the costs of regional community facilities Facilities such as branch library and community center. (Ballot questions included not to exceed 5 million). Appropriation for the costs of regional transportation projects such as Field Street and the Transportation northern by-pass. (Ballot question included not to exceed 15 million) (Category language extract from the ballot question passed by the voters in 2004) Please describe the project for which you are seeking funding (attach drawings/plans) \[Use additional paper if necessary to fully describe your project\] See attached Based on the three categories eligible for funding, please describe how the project meets the regional criteria: The Wobegon Trail is specifically listed as a regional trail in the ballot question and meets one of the goals of the area cities. For office use only City Council Action: Date: Parks - $ ______________ Transportation - $ _____________ ApprovedFacilities - $ ___________ Reason __________________________________________________________________________ Denied Park Board Extracted Minutes Regarding Park Funding September 29, 2014 Wobegon Trail Information and Discussion (Pete Theismann, Stearns County) Pete described a proposed project for expanding the Wobegon Trail fromSaint Joseph to Waite Park by June of 2016. The project would be a 3.2 mile stretch including 10’ wide paved trail, a 6’ chain link fence that would be appropriate for bike, pedestrian, snowmobile and in-line skate use. He asked if the City would consider financially helping support this. A timeline for a commitment is sometime next year. This item will be on the agenda of our next meeting. October 28, 2014 Wobegon Trail Recommendation: The City’s share in this project would be $200,000. Sales tax money could be used. John made a motion to make a recommendation to the City Council to consider contributing $200,000 from sales tax revenue for this project. The motion was seconded. Extracted Minutes Regarding Rugby Use at Millstream November 24, 2015 Rugby Use at Millstream A request was made to introduce Rugby usage at Millstream Park by the Central MN Rugby Club. They are looking to use the current soccer field. It is a good location for their use. They would practice 2 times a week, with a game every Friday. It would accommodate the youth team (ages 14-19 (part of the St. Cloud Rugby Team). Liability is covered through USA Rugby, coaches have background checks and trainers would attend every game. Bob asked if the field could be used by both soccer and rugby if temporary goal posts were used. The field would be used during Spring (April-June) for Rugby. Troy made a motion to recommend the use of the soccer field for Rugby for the period of 1 year, to be revisited after that period. The motion carried. Lake Wobegon Trail Extension (Part 1 of Saintly Seven) Bring 125 mile trail network into Waite Park / St. Cloud Metropolitan Area. A Model of Interagency Cooperation:  Rails with Trails (Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad BNSF)  Five Partnering Jurisdictions (Stearns County & cities of: St. Joseph, St. Cloud, Waite Park and St. Joseph Township) Regional Connections This trail connection helps to create one of the largest interconnected paved pedestrian/bike trail system in the country. With connections to: * Central Lakes Trail (East / West from Osakis to Fergus Falls) * When phase 2 to Mississippi River is complete, there will be additional connections to the Beaver Island Trail and Scenic River Trail. * Soo Line Trail (paved and unpaved sections – North/ South from Brooten to Royalton) History 2003 Completion of Wobegon trail into St. Joseph (125 miles of linked blacktop trail) th 2006 Saintly Seven was named 5 on 2007-2011 Transportation Improvement Plan Priorities List (Top four projects have now been completed.) 2006 Term Saintly Seven coined by Stearns County Park Commission for 7.5 miles left to Mississippi 2006 Stearns County authorizes ‘Rails with Trails’ Feasibility study 2007 Saintly Seven SAFETEA-LU Grant proposed again to APO 2007 Stearns County begins access negotiations with Burlington Northern 2011 Stearns County Commissions Feasibility Study (St. Joseph to Waite Park) 2013 1 Million Legacy earmarked by MN Legislature. Plans for purchase of right of way, engineering and Waite Park segment construction. Popular Support 1997 Stearns County Surveys lists trails as highest outdoor facilities. 2006 54% of citizens supported tax increase for this specific project 2006-13 Letters of support from Stearns County and cities of Sartell, St Cloud, St. Joseph and Waite Park 2012 Saintly Seven Trail Project on top 10 list for St Cloud Area (Initiative Foundation Forum) Contact Info Pete.theismann@co.stearns.mn.us Wobegon Joe WP local 2014 Capital Budget Request FY 2014 Stearns County Parks Construction of Saintly Seven Trail Segment - 3.2 miles of Lake Wobegon Trail from St. Joseph, through St. Joseph Township and St. Cloud into Rivers Edge Park in Waite Park.) Estimated Cost $3,000,000 - Funding Possibilities: Legacy Funds $1,250,000 approved Federal TAP Funds $ 922,678 approved $ 10,000 St. Joseph Township $ 8,000 Community Foundation Federal Rec Tr Grant $ 150,000 approved TOTAL COMMITTED $2,340,678 St. Joseph 20% of project in St. Joseph Waite Park 6% of project and half of bridge is in Waite Park St. Cloud 35% of project is in St. Cloud Stearns County 39% of project is not in a city jurisdiction Amount still needed $659,322 l Wobegon Joe WP local 2014 Proposal- Rezone the current soccer field at Mills Stream Park to a permanent location for a Rugby Pitch for the Steelhead Boys Rugby team. Above are the measurements of potential Rugby Pitch in Mills Stream Park. Saint Cloud Rugby Board - Is a group of members that support Rugby in the Saint Cloud Area. They support all rugby clubs in Central Minnesota. Rugby is played at the Senior Men’s (Feeders), Senior Women’s(Sirens), College Men’s(SJU and SCSU) College Women’s(CSB and SCSU) and High School(Steelhead boys) levels. The primary objectives are to support, develop and grow rugby in the greater Saint Cloud area. Location - A representative from the Saint Cloud Rugby Board has measured the location and enclosed picture represents his measurements. The site for the field would be tight but would work to fit a regulation 100 meter long and 69 meter wide field. This would give great exposure to the field from the highway and would a good field for the club. Steelhead Rugby- Steelhead Rugby is a High School Boys Rugby team between the ages of 14 – 19 years old. The players live in or around Central Minnesota. Unlike other High School sports rugby is a club sport and has open enrollment. Because this is a club sport, kids can play from any High School in the St. Cloud and surrounding area. This is includes but is not limited to St. Cloud Tech, St. Cloud Apollo, St. Cloud Cathedral, Sartell, Saint Joseph, Sauk Rapids, Rice, Rocori, Foley, Kimball, Eden Valley, Watkins, Annandale, Avon, Albany and on and on. What is Rugby- Rugby is a free-flowing game that features a combination of strength, speed and strategy to move a ball into an opponent’s territory. Rugby is a full-contact sport yet players wear little-or no protective gear. How Safe is Rugby- Rugby is as safe as any contact sport out there. Because rugby players don't wear heavy "protective" equipment, rugby players are more aware of their physical position, particularly their head, neck and shoulders. Launching your body at an opponent, as often seen in football, is against the rules. Players are also coached to tackle with their heads away from contact and to protect themselves. By playing for possession of the ball, not yardage, and the rule of no blocking, players are less likely to be injured by other players. Certified athletic trainers are also in attendance at every game. Safety for players is our first priority! Why the switch- The Saint Cloud Rugby Board has several reasons for the change request.  Would give the Steelhead Boy’s Rugby team a permanent home at a neutral location  Will give much needed exposure to a growing sport  Would give boys an opportunity to engage in a recreational activity to promote fitness, social skills and teamwork skills  The boys would also be involved in Saint Joseph fundraisers and work with local volunteer organizations (Saint Joseph Lions) to support the community and promote the sport  Rugby unlike most sports is very social and has a high emphasis on sportsmanship. Having diners and discussing the game afterwards is a common occurrence.  The current field has limited use and the proposed change would add life to the location