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Regular City Council Minutes - 8/18/03 <br />Page 4 <br />Mr. Brokke then reviewed the projected revenues, <br />advising that staff regularly reviewed fees and keeping <br />them in line with other market rates; the increases in RSC <br />ice costs and additional banquet room rentals over the last <br />several years. Mr. Brokke advised that the Naturalist and <br />volunteers were continuing to encourage increased <br />participation and leadership at the Nature Center, and were <br />anticipating additional revenue from rentals (i.e., home <br />school contracts). <br />Mayor Kysylyczyn requested additional detail on several <br />issues, which was provided by Mr. Brokke, related to fee <br />and non-fee programs; cost-savings for renting space for <br />department operations; contracting out versus employee <br />servicing of the diseased and hazardous trees; the Nature <br />Center and the need for the continued full-time Naturalist <br />position, qualifications and cooperative educational <br />programs utilized by the School District; and continuation <br />of the scholarship program as an equitable service. <br />Mr. Brokke assured Councilmembers and the public that <br />the department's goal was to ensure that everyone who <br />wanted to was able to participate in park and recreation <br />programs, and advised that is the intent in achieving more <br />ties with local businesses. <br />Councilmember Schroeder requested clarification from <br />Mr. Brokke regarding the existing contract for leasing <br />space at the Fairview Community Center and the <br />anticipated time frame, related to completion of the City <br />Hall construction project, with Mr. Brokke anticipating <br />that several months would need to be negotiated on a <br />month-to-month lease for office space. <br />Councilmember Schroeder opined that further review was <br />needed of continuing the wading pool, standard <br />maintenance and current maintenance required. <br />Councilmember Schroeder advised that as a <br />Councilmember, it was necessary to make hard decisions <br />and the need to review all programs and their benefit to the <br />community. <br />