12-17-2024 PTRC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – November 19, 2024 Page 2 directed the JDA representatives to discuss the additions with the developer. We have added several hundred residential units to the southwest corner that were previously zoned for light industrial. The original Parks Memo of Understanding (MOU) listed three parks. Four feels more appropriate now after the addition of those residential units. Council Liaison Rousseau said there is a cluster of large cottonwoods that will be removed from Freeway Park sometime next year. Council Liaison Rousseau share that the budget was discussed at the November 11 Council Work Session. There will be a 15.5% Levy increase which will still under fund us. Council Liaison Rousseau said that one councilmember requested that we remove the Parks Master Plan from 2025 and push it to 2026. That has a budget of $75,000. She is not in favor of putting this off until 2026. She thinks if we wait until 2026 we will need to implement funding that will compete with any trails projects. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said Staff would appreciate having a plan because residents are passionate about our parks. Having a document that points to why the City makes certain decisions, will help with resident relationships. Council Liaison Rousseau said Rotary Club reached out to say they were interested in piloting the Adopt-A-Park program. They are interested in Floral Park. They saw a lot of acres with lots of opportunities with that location. Council has approved having some PTRC Members and Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen meet with the members of Rotary Club to discuss what special projects they would like to work on. She isn’t sure what PTRC role will be. She thinks the PTRC members will serve as a liaison. She said this process is still developing. The hope is to pilot the program this year. At the end of the season, which is May-October, they can discuss what worked and where the gaps may be. Committee Member Jacobson asked if delaying the Park Master Plan is just to save money for this year’s budget. Council Liaison Rousseau said that was the thought from one Councilmember. Eliminating that budget item will not even things out. Chair Anderson asked if it would be beneficial for the PTRC to discuss and make a recommendation to Council to proceed with the Park Master Plan. Council Liaison Rousseau asked if the committee thinks having the Park Master Plan in the budget for 2025 would be more beneficial than waiting until 2026. Chair Anderson thinks the Park Master Plan would give the PTRC a road map. It would be essential to maximize the effectiveness of this group. We could get things done without it, but she thinks it would be helpful to have it. Especially for TCAAP. Council Liaison Rousseau said TCAAP is not in the scope for this but it would be helpful to have a road map. Committee Member Olson asked if a Park Master Plan doesn’t happen, TCAAP wouldn’t be in there.