A draft for staff. I need to <br />(W about where this is going. My <br />the range of possibilties. If <br />suggestions are welcome. I'd <br />respond to Bobby, Nancy, NEDCO and City Planning <br />second scenario below is only included to show <br />you can build on the first or third, such <br />like to send this onto Bobby and Nancy by 3/9. <br />MEMORANDUM <br />March 4, 1994 <br />TO: Bobby Green. Nancy Nathanson, City Councilors <br />FROM: John Etter, Public Works Maintenance - -Parks Planning <br />SUBJECT: Field of Dreams / Gilbert Park / Irwin Park <br />On February 18 I mailed out the letter describing the proposal to have the <br />City accept the Field of Dreams park, The feedback I've received against the <br />proposed sale of Gilbert Park has been substantial if you consider a 51 <br />signature petition I received two days ago. My feeling is that if we are <br />serious about disposing of Gilbert that we would need to face a substantial <br />battle. <br />Looking at new ways of doing business, I h <br />wherein this neighborhood, and in fact an y <br />assume more ownership or stewardship. If <br />Field of Dreams, we would be exceeding ou r <br />standards. Where the residents want that <br />could pay for it? Ideas that come to min <br />d ave been thinking of scenariosa <br />neighborhood around a park, could <br />we were to keep Gilbert and add <br />normal level of service and <br />increased level, are there ways they <br />at this point include: <br />1. A limited maintenance district wherein the people receiving the greatest <br />benefit pay into a fund that covers the extra maintenance; call it a tax based <br />on comparitive benefits. This could be a financial burden initially, but as <br />property sales take place over time, the financial burden of a limited <br />maintenance district should be acknowledged in the selling prices, which in <br />turn should be acknowledged by the county assessor. Ultimately the remainder <br />of the general fund might by deprived of some tax revenue because a local park <br />was syphoning off a little extra for its benefit <br />2. Sell the park to people in the neighborhood that value the space. The <br />main disadvantage here is that it becomes a private park, and therefore <br />subject to exclusive use or control by the participating owners. An <br />association with shares or memberships might be the means around which the <br />owners could organize. Development, maintenance, taxes, means to keep it <br />exclusive, and sell it if it became an unbearable burden would be their <br />prerogative. <br />3. Challenge neighbors to perform maintenance operations. There might need <br />to be a little incentive to sustain such efforts, such as funding small <br />improvements each year that they demonstrate their ability to provide such <br />maintenance. We could actually start that incentive at Gilbert with a bench <br />or two that were built with ABC efforts for siting in ABC area parks. Over <br />time they might "earn" play equipment, paved paths for wheel toy riding, and <br />