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52 Harold Ristow commented on the significance of including shelter development early in the 53 renewal program so as to involve the community and demonstrate how beneficial this is to 54 the entire community. Along this same thought process, Etten spoke to how significant 55 development of Central Park at Lexington might be early in the project timeline. CP 56 Lexington is a heavily used community park as well as a very visual location that could act 57 as a showcase for the renewal program. Pederson reminded the Commission that work in 58 Central Park can potentially be supplemented by financial support from local foundations and 59 friends organizations. 60 61 5. BUDGET DISCUSSION 62 Brokke reviewed the most recent City Manager budget that included a number of adjusted 63 cuts. The Park Improvement Program (PIP) continues to be identified for reductions in the 64 2012 and 2013 budget. It is very important that all resources remain in the Parks and 65 Recreation Budget and that a thoughtful approach be given to the future Park Improvement 66 Program. Commissioners were reminded that the Park Improvement Program has become 67 more of a maintenance based operation rather than a development or improvement program. 68 The City Council has asked for staff to share a vision for future maintenance needs and how 69 future funding may be structured. 70 o Etten commented on the need to implement both a park improvement program that 71 provides for development and a park enhancement program that provides required 72 maintenance to keep up our extensive park system. 73 o D. Holt recommended renaming the Park Improvement Program to better identify what 74 the funding is for, why it is needed and what the intended purpose of the funding is. Holt 75 also commented on how he sees a large portion of the bonding money going towards 76 maintenance needs that would have been taken care of with appropriate park 77 improvement funding. 78 79 6. DIRECTORS REPORT 80 o Staff will be taking a proposal to the Council on Monday for rebuilding the Lake Bennet 81 fishing pier using DNR funding for the materials and maintenance staff for labor. 82 o Public Tree Master Plan Update—Boulevard tree inventory complete, park tree inventory 83 80%o complete. Staff will present the update to Council in late September and to the 84 Commission in October. 85 o Arboretum Celebration Walk Update—The Central Park Foundation has contributed 86 needed funding to replace the current engraved bricks. Over the years, the older bricks 87 have gotten harder to read. A foundation member researched other brick companies and 88 found one that provides an engraved brick that guarantees it will not fade or wear away. 89 Because this is an out-of-state company the replacement and ordering process is more 90 complicated than in the past and has required scheduling of orders and installment 2 91 times each year—orders placed January 15th and July 15th each year with installation in 92 the spring and fall. 93 o The Geyen Memorial in Bruce Russell Park is planned to be completed in September, the 94 walkways will be poured in the coming weekends and plantings will follow. 95 96 7. OTHER 97 o Etten reminded the Community of upcoming events—Wild Rice Festival on September 98 17, 2011 and the Arboretum Plant Sale on September 15, & 16, 2011.