CC_Minutes_2013_0610 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,June 10,2013 Page 11 funds were mixed with the overall City budget, Commissioner Doneen opined that they were more difficult for the public to track. At the request of Councilmember Willmus, Councilmember Etten clarified his concerns along legal lines and functions, authority, property acquisition and how much responsibility is held by a Park Board versus the City Council. However, Councilmember Etten stated that he found the information contained in the report had alleviated some of his concerns versus his original concerns when the issue first came up for discussion with three (3) available options. Councilmember Willmus expressed his interest in continuing to explore the op- tion of Park Board; and suggested that it would be beneficial for Commissioners Nolan and Simbeck present during that continued discussion. Mayor Roe noted that this discussion was very preliminary and only a portion of items being covered in this meeting. Further discussion included the City of Minneapolis Park Board model; current State Statute language and any potential legislative revisions beyond City ordi- nance; how this fit with the Commission Subcommittee work being done by Councilmembers Laliberte and McGehee; clarification (line 110 of the report)that the City Council had apparently at one time directed investigation of a Park Board versus Commission. Additional discussion ensued regarding current shared re- sponsibility, personnel and equipment, for trails and pathways and natural re- source management between the Parks & Recreation and Public Works Depart- ments, and whether separating those areas could lead to additional expenses. Councilmember Willmus spoke in support of a more detailed future discussion; opining that this had become a large scale community issue based on the City not taking care of its assets; and opined that if there had been Park Board, he didn't think the issue would have been deferred for so long, and would have provided greater oversight and accountability for those assets, proving more beneficial for the community. Councilmember McGehee opined that she would have an issue with the Mayor making appointments to a Park Board versus selection by the full City Council, since the Board would have taxing authority. Mayor Roe and Councilmember Willmus clarified that a Park Board functioned similar to the City's HRA, with appointments selected by the Mayor and ratified by the full body; and approval by the body of an annual budget. Councilmember Laliberte opined that she had not initially been inclined to favor a Park Board; however, the information provided was good and needed her further review.