Laserfiche WebLink
Parks,Trails&.Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes February 23,2010 <br /> Page 6 <br /> B. Scout Project Discussion <br /> Ms. Olson asked the committee for ideas on possible Eagle Scout Projects. She informed <br /> the committee that Buckthorn is no longer a project that they allow. Some projects that <br /> could be a possibility are: bench projects, wood chipping of trails that tend to get muddy, <br /> mulching and adding wood chips to play structures, or a bird feeder project. <br /> Committee member Garretson suggested working with perennial gardens that need mulch <br /> or refreshing of plants. <br /> Ms. Olson stated there could be a problem with the Scouts determining which is a flower <br /> and which is a weed and also did not feel they should add any more gardens since the <br /> City already has difficulty maintaining our current inventory of gardens. Another idea <br /> was having the Scouts research projects like bat houses, Loon nests or wood duck houses. <br /> Ms. Olson asked the committee to bring forth any other possibilities at the next meeting. <br /> C. Recreation Budget <br /> Ms. Olson indicated the Recreation budget was just presented at the Council Work <br /> session. She stated the recreation budget deficit has totaled between$100,000 and <br /> $130,000 for the past few years. She stated the department brings in around $80,000 to <br /> $90,000 in revenue and the expenditures are just over$200,000. Ms. Olson handed out a <br /> year-end summary of participant numbers which she will include in the Administrator <br /> Update for Council review this week. She stated that municipalities may be facing <br /> significant cuts in the next few years. Budgets are tight and staff will be looking to cut <br /> costs and programs as needed. She will be working on cutting Recreation Guide costs in <br /> the next year. <br /> Committee member Straumann asked whether parks could be reserved online. <br /> Ms. Olson indicated that only the form was online. <br /> Committee member Hilgers suggested having all registrations be done online as a way to <br /> cut costs. <br /> Ms. Olson indicated that Arden Hills has a lot of non-internet users and that only between <br /> 30- 40 percent of the registrations were done online. Ms. Olson indicated she could track <br /> how many people sign up online as opposed to submitting an application in person or b <br /> P Y <br /> mail. Staff is hesitant to move to NO Recreation Guide until some analysis has been <br /> done. <br /> D. Other New Business <br /> There was no other new business. <br /> 5. REPORTS <br /> A. Project Updates <br /> Council Liaison Grant mentioned that the Sand Company, who is proposing to move in <br /> next to Bethel on County Road F,has applied for federal tax credits but did not get them <br />