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- . _ _ _ . _ -- <br /> February 15, 2001 <br /> CounciI Meeting Minutes <br /> Mr. Bisek stated a good park and recreation program would support itself. One (1) <br /> tournament will not pay for the costs to improve the park but over the course of several <br /> years it will generate income and become profitable. <br /> Mayor Swedberg clarified Council had asked Mr. Peterson for a cursory estimate of what <br /> ; the various aspects of improvements would cost prior to considering installation of <br /> electricity or agreeing to undertake any of the other parts of the estimate. <br /> Mr. Bisek stated that the Parks and Recreation Committee is simply requesting a <br /> solicitation for bids for installation electricity at the park. <br /> Council Member Broussard Vickers explained before Council can request bids, it needs <br /> to know if it can pay the general amount. Council has requested estimates to ascertain <br /> the funding needed if improvements are desired. <br /> Mr. Bisek rerninded Council there was electricity at the park but it was totally destroyed <br /> and Council needs to decide if it wants to fund electricity to make it a functional park or � <br /> not. If Council waits too long to improve the park, surrounding communities will �� <br /> improve their parks and draw `residents away from the City. Mr. Bisek request that I <br /> Council not to cloud the picture for the park by adding all the various things discussed, j <br /> simply consider adding the electricity to make the park functional. . <br /> Council Member Capra stated she agrees the City has a need for recreation but stated i <br /> there are some nice, functional parks in the City that do not have ball fields. She then I <br /> clarified Council is simply looking at approving electricity at the park at this point, but <br /> wanted an idea as to what the other costs would be. <br /> Council Member Capra questioned whether the 64-team regional softball tournament is a I <br /> sure thing if electricity is installed in the park I <br /> I <br /> Mr. Bisek explained he was asked to set up a softball tournament for the Fete des Lacs �� <br /> Festival again this year. The Festival was moved to a date one (1) week later than last , <br /> year and the plan was to draw a state-qualifying tournament. It was discovered that the � <br /> Festival was on the same weekend as a regional tournament. Mr. Bisek contacted the <br /> head of USSSA for clarification on the qualifications and found out that the league had ' <br /> an opening for a regional tournament, which is 100% paid for by the state. The City <br /> would get 100% of the revenues from parking and concessions. Last year there were 64 <br /> teams in the Region 1 tournament, which adds up to approximately 640 players. Since <br /> then, Mr. Bisek has found out that the City will be hosting a Region 5 tournament, which <br /> has 36 teams. Mr. Bisek estimates the softball tournament wili draw approximately 1,000 <br /> people into the City. The City has been named host of the tournament and it is possible <br /> to host the tournament without Council support if needed. <br /> Mr. March noted it would not make sense for the City to have invested a half million <br /> dollars in the purchase of the property and improvements to the park if the City did not <br /> , intend to make good use of the park by continued improvement. What this boils down to <br /> � is the next logical step for the park, which seems to be installing electricity to make the <br /> park more functional for a variety of uses. The problem is the City will spend almost <br /> $70,000 for electricity, which is nat something that looks glamorous or is noticeable <br /> ' when completed. Mr. March recommended a workshop to discuss how to fund the <br /> ' Page 9 of 18 <br />