Centerville Tidbits
No Fishing At Hidden Spring Park, For Now
At its June 27 meeting, the Centerville City Council approved the Parks and Recreation Committee's recommendation to purchase signage for Hidden Spring Park.
The city is now authorized to purchase four signs that read "Private Property, No Trespassing," to mark the line between the park and neighboring private property, and four signs that read "No Fishing, Wading or Swimming." No dollar amount was specified.
Council Member Tom Lee expressed concern about the fact that residents won't be able to fish at the nearly $300,000 park.
"While I agree that we don't want the shoreline restoration to be trampled, it's really hard to spend this much money on a park where you can only look at the water," he said.
Council eventually agreed that while no fishing will be allowed initially, once the shoreline restoration takes hold, the issue will be revisited.
In other action, the council:
. Approved by a 4-1 vote a loan in the amount of $260,000 from the sanitary sewer fund to the general fund to help pay for the improvements at Hidden Spring Park. The loan has an interest rate of 6 percent, and will be paid off by 2012. Council Member Jeff Paar voted against.
. Moved to accept ABDO, Eick & Meyers' annual city audit report for 2006.
. Approved the North Metro Telecommunication Commission's 2008 budget, which totals $1,181,104. The budget includes franchise fees that go back to NMTC member cit- ies, which include Centerville, Lino Lakes and Circle Pines, among others. An increase in subscriber's fees from $2.73/ month to $2.82/month was also approved.
. Approved Dead Broke Saddle Club's request for a gambling permit, which includes authorization for a paddlewheel, barbingo, and pull-tabs.
. Authorized an amendment to city code that will relax parking requirements for manufacturing and industrial areas.
. Approved the purchase of four picnic tables for Hidden Spring Park, in an amount not to exceed $4,000.
. Approved the replacement of aging city park monument signs, in an amount not to exceed $3,500.
. Approved the Parks & Recreation Committee's recommendation to purchase pieces for the checkerboard to be located at Hidden Spring Park, in an amount not to exceed $100.
. Clarified that the Eagle Scout Project to install a new park sign and flower bed at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park will be completely funded by the city, for a dollar amount not to exceed $500.
. Authorized city staff to apply for $20,000 in grant funds from the Met Council for the purpose of helping the city complete its 2008 Comprehensive Plan revision.
. Authorized city staff to submit a grant application to "The Livable Communities Local Housing Incentive," to help fund its downtown redevelopment.
. Authorized city staff to request state bonding funds to pay for its share of reconstructing County State Aid Highway 14/ Main Street.