CC_Minutes_2013_0610 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,June 10, 2013 Page 12 Mayor Roe opined that he remained skeptical at this point; however, suggested that he could be swayed. Mayor Roe expressed concern with park operations be- ing integral in the City organization, would they become too independent; as well as separating a huge taxing authority losing integration with overall City opera- tions. Mayor Roe noted that, while, similar to the HRA levy, a Park Board levy may not be separate on property tax statements, the current Ramsey County statement lumped all taxing districts together and did not provide that separation. Mayor Roe suggested there may be a way to accomplish that; however, he also recognized that the levy would remain part of the City levy, simply managed out- side of the direct control of the City Manager. Mayor Roe suggested that there may be different models that would provide additional information; and opined that he needed to have a better understanding before coming to a clear decision. At the request of Councilmember Willmus, Mayor Roe confirmed that he was cu- rious enough to bring the issue back for more informal discussion by staff and the City Council. At the opportunity for further discussion, Councilmember Laliberte suggested fur- ther consideration of areas available under the City Council and staff's responsi- bility and under the current Commission model that would provide the same level of transparency versus creation of a separate organization. Mayor Roe concurred with that point. Councilmember McGehee expressed her willingness to have further discussions. Commissioner Azer referenced interaction and interconnection among depart- ments in lines 153-155 of the report based on the Maple Grove model and clari- fied that the intent in a Park Board was not in recreating the Commission, but simply retooling and reorganizing current efforts. Councilmember Laliberte expressed her appreciation of the Commission, opining that they "set the bar" for other advisory commissions. Mayor Roe noted that Council consensus was to continue this discussion with more details and specifics in the future. Regarding a volunteer coordinator position, the Commission's research was pro- vided in Attachment C; with the Commission making a strong recommendation for the City Council's wholehearted support, as outlined by Commissioners Councilmember Willmus concurred with their recommendation. Councilmember Laliberte noted that the City Council, during budget discussions, had discussed such a position, and whether the position fell into more than one ar-