HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-20 PACKET 04.G.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM #
DATE 7/20/11
PREPARED BY Parks and Recreation Zac Dockter
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD
COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Consider authorizing staff to proceed with replacing lost recreational facilities from fire at
Woodridge Park at an estimated cost of $59,000.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Authorize staff to proceed with replacing lost recreational facilities from fire at Woodridge Park
at an estimated cost of $59,000.
BUDGET IMPLICATION
BUDGETED AMOUNT
ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION
❑ PLANNING
❑ PUBLIC SAFETY
❑ PUBLIC WORKS
❑ PARKS AND RECREATION
❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS
❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
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REVIEWED
El
El
$59,000
ACTUAL AMOUNT
APPROVED
DENIED
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® MEMO /LETTER:
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
❑ OTHER:
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
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HAWoodridge \Picnic Shelter Burning July 11\Council Action Form -Woodridge Shelter Burning 71411.doc
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator
From: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director
Date: 7/14/11
Subject: Woodridge Park Shelter Vandalism
Introduction
During the afternoon of July 3, 2011, the Woodridge Park picnic shelter became enflamed
causing significant damage to the shelter, its components and surrounding amenities. Fire and
police department investigations are not complete. Ultimately the recycled plastic picnic
table(s) under the shelter became enflamed and eventually consumed the entire wood
laminate style shelter. Heat from the flames also damaged nearby playground structures and
trees. The fire was safely extinguished by the Cottage Grove Fire Department with no injuries
reported.
Background
Shortly after the fire, the city filed an insurance claim with its current policy holder the League
of MN Cities and demolished the shelter for the safety of the public. Staff has submitted the
following summary of replacement costs to the LMC:
Shelter Demolition $ 1,489
Playground Equipment $ 7,474
Shelter $37,151
Picnic Tables $ 6,594
Trash Barrels $ 26
Tree Removal /Install $ 2,400
TOTAL $55,134
These numbers reflect actual replacement costs for similar materials /products. The tree loss is
unknown at this point as the Forester has suggested each tree should remain until the loss is
confirmed. Staff would recommend that the wood shelter be replaced with a steel structure
similar to Hamlet Park to eliminate the potential for fire in the future. It is further proposed that
the picnic tables be replaced with steel vandal resistant tables.
Staff would intend to review the park facilities throughout the system for similar fire risk issues
for future budget discussion.
The city's current insurance policy includes a $50,000 deductable per occurrence. As such,
the city is likely to receive $5,134 from the insurance claim as the difference between the
deductable and the replacement cost value. However, that number is not currently known until
the insurance company is able to evaluate the claim in its entirety. Such considerations as
depreciation of assets and reimbursable in -house services (such as fire, police and public
works response) will likely have an impact on the net reimbursement from the insurance
company.
In consideration of an effort to replace those lost amenities in a timely fashion, staff is
proposing that the project expense of $59,000 be derived from the city's self- insurance fund.
Should cash be reimbursed to the city from either the insurance or court settlements, those
funds would be placed back into the self- insurance fund.
Staff Recommendation
Authorize staff to proceed with replacing lost recreational facilities from fire at Woodridge Park
at an estimated cost of $59,000.
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