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Arden Hills Park and Recreation Committee Meeting <br /> November 27,2001 3 <br /> • COUNCIL UPDATE <br /> Council Member Larson provided an update to the Committee. He stated that December is a <br /> major decision month regarding the budget. He explained that they are required to hold a <br /> hearing prior to setting the final budget and stated that a Truth in Taxation meeting is <br /> scheduled for December 10, 2001. He noted the 8.7% increase stating that the changes made <br /> in the Legislature has changed the formula for distribution of the money. He explained the <br /> changes and the effects to the budget noting that the City taxes would go up and school <br /> district taxes would go down. <br /> Council Member Larson reviewed items that were addressed by the Council stating that the <br /> City has adopted a new sign ordinance. He stated that the Council approved the agreement <br /> with Trinity Lutheran Church that would allow them to share parking for the park and ride in <br /> exchange for plowing, sweeping and general maintenance. He stated that there was <br /> considerable discussion around the apartment building to be used primarily for Bethel <br /> College. He explained that the Council denied the PUD and the request for rezoning and <br /> referenced the master plan for Bethel. He stated that there should be further discussion if <br /> Bethel is planning to expand. <br /> Council Member Larson stated they discussed funding for parks and recreation noting that <br /> revenues have been decreasing. He said that they want to determine how this could be <br /> changed. He stated that one of the recommendations is to have the Parks and Recreation <br /> • Committee meet, discuss the issues, determine the programs offered, prioritize and present <br /> their findings to the Council. He acknowledged that in order to maintain current programs <br /> and provide more in the future would require finding a better way to finance the department. <br /> He clarified that the Council has not come up with a solution yet and that the Council would <br /> like input from the Parks and Recreation Committee. <br /> Committee Member Crassweller asked for clarification on how they determined the funding <br /> process. He stated that at the time they initially determined the funding process charitable <br /> gambling revenues was sufficient noting that this has now changed. <br /> Council Liaison Larson noted that they are operating under levy limits and fire and police <br /> protection eat up much of this funding. He doesn't see that they would have the flexibility to <br /> increase the levy noting the political issues that could affect that type of increase. <br /> Committee Member Crassweller asked if dedications and special events have been <br /> considered as a form of funding. Council Liaison Larson stated that this has been given <br /> consideration as a possible avenue for funding. He referenced various community functions <br /> that could be utilized to raise money for funding programs and noted the school district as an <br /> example. He explained that the schools are creating their own fund raising programs to help <br /> add funding. He stated that he would prefer to find a more permanent source of funding and <br /> referenced the information put together by Ms. Olson that shows the programs are bringing in <br /> funds. <br /> • Parks and Recreation Supervisor Olson noted that though the analysis the trend shows that <br /> the department is growing and yet they still have scaled back. She stated that they might be <br />