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<br /> ---- <br /> PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING <br /> JANUARY 24. 2006 Page 7 of9 <br /> . <br /> Chair Henry asked if the PTRC recommended pnontJes would be competing with other <br /> significant funding requests and would departmental/project competition for funding lead to <br /> larger discussions for the Council in order to prioritize projects. <br /> Council Liaison Larson explained the funding process stating that they would first look to the <br /> Parks Fund for special project funding, which brings them back to the same place, the fact that <br /> there is not a sufficient amount of revenue coming in to the Parks Fund from sources the City <br /> was accustomed to receiving, He noted that the fundamental problem is that the source of <br /> revenue from developments is no longer sufficient to cover the projects the PTRC would like to <br /> do. He expressed concerns stating that there is a true need to find other sources of revenue to <br /> fund future projects. He stated that there are several potential funding sources noting that none <br /> of them are certain at this time. He suggested that the Committee ask the Council about potential <br /> funding sources. <br /> Committee Member McClung agreed stating that the Committee should do some research for <br /> potential funding resources adding that the PTRC should also know the priority requests that they <br /> are competing with. He noted that the Fire Department has funding requirements in addition to <br /> the Public Safety projects and Capital Improvement projects that have been identified. <br /> . Committee Member Hames asked if the PTRC has ever gone to the Community in the past to ask <br /> for their support for funding. <br /> Chair Henry stated that the PTRC has discussed this in the past but nothing has ever been <br /> decided. <br /> Council Liaison Larson noted that any projects that would be introduced as part of a referendum <br /> to the Community would have to be clearly defined before presenting this as an option for <br /> Council to consider. <br /> Committee Member McClung suggested approaching Guidant for funding support on some of <br /> the parks and trails projects that would impact and benefit their connections to the City. <br /> Committee Member Hames agreed adding that they should consider approaching all of the <br /> businesses in Arden Hills to ask for their financial support. <br /> Committee Member Williams agreed and suggested giving the business community the option to <br /> support specific projects. He stated that in most cases husinesses would want the assurance from <br /> the City that the funds would be used for the specified purpose. <br /> Chair Henry summarized stating that it is his belief that the PTRC has some fairly clear priorities <br /> with respect to what they want for trails and after this evening's discussion the Committee has <br /> . also identified their priorities for parks. He stated that he would like to come out of this <br /> workshop with the City Council acknowledging or accepting the PTRC's recommendation for <br />