12-19-06 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING DECEMBER 19 2006 Page 2 4. COUNCIL UPDATE- • The Truth in Taxation Hearing was held • The 2007 Budget was approved with a six percent levy increase. • The naming of the Elmer Andersen Trail was approved. • The Council reviewed the PTRC request for a traffic study at County Road E and Old Snelling. • The site plan was approved for 3433 Lake Johanna Boulevard. • There would be a Council appointed TCAAP Advisory Committee. 5. PARKS,TRAILS,AND RECREATION UPDATE Mr. Hoag provided the committee with the following update: • Public Works staff started flooding rinks again overnight Sunday. Warmer weather was forecasted for the next several days; therefore staff anticipated that rinks probably would not open until Tuesday. Installation of the portable building at Valentine Park was completed. • The Public Works crew responded to a couple of water main breaks in the last week. Ms. Olson provided the committee with the following update: • Ms. Olson was working on the Safe Routes to School Grant and the DNR Grant. • The Friends of the Park tree sale was currently going on. Interested individuals should get orders in soon. • Ms. Olson stated that the application for the County Road E bridge was submitted in October. The City should receive notification early in the year,possibly February. 6. PTRC STRATEGIES PLAN—FUNDING DISCUSSION Ms. Olson stated that the committee needed to come up with funding strategies that could be brought to the Council. The special park fund has dwindled and with limited developable land, there would not be much in park dedication fees to add to the fund. The Committee, after having developed its vision and strategies discussed looking at funding options. Ms. Olson stated that she believed the Council wanted to hear how the committee intended to fund their strategies. The purpose of the funding discussion with the Council was to work with the Council to identify sources to increase funding, perhaps in the form of grants, donations, etc. Council Liaison Larson suggested that perhaps the committee could inquire about funding options with surrounding cities. Chair Henry requested that the funding discussion be brought to the February Council work session. Ms. Olson stated that the City received notice of a statue change that restricted the use of charitable gambling funds for parks and recreation. Currently, parks and recreation received 60% of gambling funds, which translated into $36,000 last year. MOTION Committee Member Williams motioned, seconded by Committee Member Crassweller to expand the Ehlers engagement to include consideration of the sources for future parks, trails and recreation services. Motion carried 6-0, Committee Member McClung abstained.