HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070220 - VIII-C-4Date: February 12, 2007
VIII-C-4
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Hastings
Parks & Recreation
Department
920 W 10th St.
Hastings, MN 55033
Fh: (651)480-6175
Fax: (651) 437-5396
www.ci.hast ings.mn.us
Aquatic Center
901 Maple St.
Hastings, MN 55033
Ph: (651) 480-2392
Fax: (651)437-5396
Civic Arena
2801 Redwing Blvd.
Hastings, MN 55033
Ph: (651) 480-6195
Fax: (651)437-4940
From: Barry Bernstein, Parks & Recreation Director
Subject: Freitag Property
The City of Hastings has been approached by Dakota County regarding the Freitag property.
From conversations and meetings with AI Singer, who is from the Dakota County Farmland
and Natural Areas Division, it seems as if the county has placed a high priority on this
property for conservation purposes.
Mr. Singer has met with the NRRC, the Park & Recreation Committee of Council and has had
a phone meeting with Dave Osberg and myself.
Here is a synopsis of the discussions that have been held:
• The DNR has indicated they would contribute up to $300,000 of the $600,000 -
$800,000 purchase price for this property.
• As part of the DNR's purchase, they would like to see this property open to
hunting and managed as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA.)
• Dakota County also has expressed an interest in contributing to the purchase of
this property, but has no interest in the management or ownership of this property.
• Mr. Singer has asked the City if we would be interested in contributing to this
project in a number of ways, such as contributing to the purchase, management of
the property, and/or trail construction/management
Issues:
through the property.
• Is the City interested in contributing to this project?
• Who retains ownership of the property?
• Generally, a managed WMA property allows hunting as I mentioned previously.
in addition, a managed WMA property allows discharge of firearms.
• A managed WMA property also does not allow for any hard surface trails on or
• Who will manage the property?
Possible Outcomes:
From City discussions with AI Singer, the DNR is willing to modify the proposed
WMA so that no discharge of firearms is allowed within city limits.
There may be a possibility of trails through a portion of the property as long as no
hazd surface trails are constructed. This may be accomplished by making some of
the property a WMA and other portions of the property an Aquatic Management
Area (AMA.)
The City of Hastings may be able to contribute to this project in a variety of
ways -upfront money, maintenance/management contributions and/or trail
construction.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
The City Council is asked to take action. directing Staff to prepare a letter for submittal to
Dakota County indicating the City's support for their efforts to acquire the Freitag property
through the Dakota County Farmland and Natural Areas program, including City
consideration of providing some level of financial support, should the property be acquired.