Minnetrista reviews park-dedication budget, considers splash pad and used aerial lift truck

Minnetrista City Council reviewed the city’s park-dedication fund and tree-replacement budget, heard a neighborhood request for a splash pad, and discussed equipment and trail-planning options that could affect the 2025 fund balance.

Staff opened the discussion by calling attention to the park-dedication fund trend and a potential downward shift in 2025 if the city pursues a large-scale project at Lisle Park pending a grant decision. Staff told council the grant outcome is expected in the coming month or two and that decisions about capital work would depend on that result.

The mayor read a letter from local children asking the city to “consider adding a public pool,” framing the request as similar to a splash pad connected to a playground. The mayor said she had asked staff to check whether a Hennepin County playground grant — the grant the city recently applied for — would allow a splash pad to be included. A neighborhood partnership was also suggested as a potential funding source: "Maybe Hunter's Crest HOA would be willing to partner with us," the mayor said when raising the idea.

Public works staff cautioned that a splash pad designed to recycle water would impose ongoing regulatory and staffing costs. A public works staff member advised, “do not make it a recycle system,” noting that a recycle system would require twice-daily water testing, including weekends, and would increase staffing and testing costs; a drain-away design, the staff member said, avoids those recurring costs though it uses more water.

On other park-related capital needs, council discussed incorporating trail improvements into road projects so trail work could be part of assessments rather than paid from park-dedication dollars. The council also noted planned roof replacements at Perennial Park and Linden Park as items to keep in the budget for cost estimating.

Staff reviewed the tree-replacement fund (about $350,000) and proposed acquiring an aerial lift truck for tree trimming (budgeted up to $75,000). Public works recommended seeking a quality used unit that reaches roughly 30 feet — greater capacity than current equipment that reaches about 15–16 feet — to expand in-house trimming capacity.

The budget conversation flowed into a review of the preliminary levy, which staff presented as 9.44% with an estimated net impact of about 6.75% for existing residents after growth factors. Council members discussed smoothing levy changes over multiple years and the potential need to adjust CIP contributions to avoid sharp spikes in future years.

Next steps: staff will confirm grant eligibility for a splash pad or playground combination and provide cost estimates for the identified park projects and roof replacements. Final levy action is scheduled for the December 2 council meeting; no formal spending decisions were made at this work session.