2014-03-04_PR Comm Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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46 47 Park Board Characteristics 48 49 As included in the August 16, 2011 letter from the City Attorney, MN Statues § 412.271, Subd. 6 50 gives the City the power to give an independent board or commission the right to disburse funds 51 without council approval. Currently, only the City's Housing and Redevelopment Authority 52 (HRA) has this power. According to MN Statutes § 412.501, the council of any city of more 53 than 1,000 population may by ordinance establish a park board. 54 55 The main powers of a park board, as included in MN Statutes § 412.521, are as follows: 56 • Acquire and control land for park purposes. 57 • Employ necessary personnel and fix their compensation. 58 • Construct recreation facilities and make contracts and leases for their construction and 59 operation. 60 • Purchase all necessary materials, supplies, equipment, and services. 61 • Maintain, beautify, and care for park property. 62 63 In order to carry out the powers of the Park Board, the City is required to set up a park fund. The 64 Council may transfer money to the park fund for park purposes. Each budget year the Park 65 Board submits a budget request to the City Council for approval. Most Park Board members are 66 appointed by the Mayor and then they elect a Chairperson; the Board can also set term lengths 67 and limits. 68 69 Communities in Minnesota with Park Boards include Brainerd, Maple Grove, and Rochester. 70 Each has their own structure and powers contained in the local ordinance and can be reviewed in 71 further detail to determine potential options in Roseville. 72 73 Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board 74 75 Parks and Recreation Director Brokke and Commissioner Wall had the opportunity to meet with 76 the Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Director Terry Just, a former City of Roseville employee, 77 and the Park Board Chair Tim Phenow, prior to attending the March Board meeting. The Parks 78 and Recreation Board manage approximately 1,488 acres of parkland and 998 recreation 79 programs. In addition, the Board manages the Community Center, which includes an indoor and 80 outdoor pool, gym, two ice rinks, teen and senior centers, indoor and outdoor playground, skate 81 park, and meeting and banquet rooms. The Board employs 44 full -time and 423 seasonal 82 employees and had an operating budget of $5.4M in 2012. 83 84 In addition to touring the Community Center, the powers and duties of the Parks and Recreation 85 staff and Park Board members were discussed as well as a number of specific questions 86 regarding their interaction with the City Council and other City staff. Their current Park Board 87 is well- respected and appreciated among the community members and various user groups that 88 utilize the facilities and should be considered as a model for a potential future Roseville Park 89 Board. 90 91 92