City of
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
STUDY SESSION
MINUTES
April 11, 2006
Present: Commissioners D. Amarotico, Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis, Rosenthal; Director Robertson; Superintendent Gies; Superintendent Teige
Absent: City Council Liaison A. Amarotico
Rosenthal called the study session to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Parks Office,
BUDGET DISCUSSION—FY 2006-2007
Robertson outlined the evening’s agenda and urged the commissioners to continue their budget discussion—based on where it was left at the conclusion of the previous meeting—and to consider both the general operations budget and the proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners reviewed resources as well as proposed CIP project expenditures, including development of two new park sites and repairs to—or replacement of—ice rink materials and structures. Commissioners discussed, in detail, the specific projects and proposed funding amounts identified for FY 06-07. Items and their associated costs included:
§ Ice rink repair $242,000
§ Lower pond waterfall $20,000
§ Park development $100,000
§ Softball lights $30,000
§ Upper duck pond $50,000
§ Sherwood park restroom $40,000
§ Miscellaneous playground equipment $35,000
§ Cart paths at golf course $250,000
§ Driving range lot $20,000
§ Riverwalk “park” request $7,500
§ Extra golf expenses $20,000
Public Input
Terry Adams,
John Sousa,
Further Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners asked Adams and Sousa a number of questions including: the length of the softball season [five months]; the number of players per level [30 at high school level; 50-90 at ASA level]; whether teams—other than those at HS and ASA levels—would be allowed to play on the lighted softball fields [yes]; and how long it would take to raise the matching funds [approximately 60 days]. Commissioners expressed support for the project and moved into discussing the remainder of the items within the budget.
Extensive discussion ensued about funds earmarked for ice rink and golf course improvements. In the case of the ice rink, commissioners suggested reducing the proposed budget amount and making minimal improvements to the mats in order to eek out one additional year with the existing equipment, with the possibility of seeking support from the local community for additional [more extensive] improvements in the future. In terms of the golf course, commissioners debated whether to make improvements in an effort to increase the number of rounds played and thereby generate more revenue or to cease subsidizing golf for the community.
Commissioners agreed to the majority of the items on the CIP list and asked that specific figures not be included in the budget presentation to the Budget Committee on May 10, allowing for more flexibility in moving funds around and/or eliminating or postponing projects in the upcoming fiscal year.
Commissioners directed staff to continue preparations for the budget presentation and agreed to conclude budget discussions and plan to vote on a final budget recommendation at the April 24 regular meeting.
SCHOOL MAINTENANCE—BRISCOE / LINCOLN OPTIONS
Robertson reviewed the three options proposed by Parks for school ground maintenance [Apple, Banana, Cantaloupe] and expressed the need for an official proposal from the School Board before moving forward with any decisions. He stated that, should Parks resume maintenance of the two school grounds, associated costs would be estimated at $126,174, which would include one full-time employee and some additional assistance from Parks staff.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Eggers talked about the Youth Activities Levy and expressed an interest in seeing that the funds—which she stated had grown 2.5 times in size—be spread out to finance more programs within the community.
GREENWAY MANAGEMENT PLAN DISCUSSION
Robertson asked, in the interest of time and in light of the fact that the topic had been included in the evening’s discussion, that the commission move toward adjournment.
ADJOURNMENT – By consensus, with no further business, Rosenthal adjourned the meeting at 9:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard,