2014-06-03_PR Comm Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks and Recreation Commission 1 Discussion regarding the legislative action to change from a commission to a board 2 May 6, 2014 3 4 Discussion Point 5 6Should the current Roseville Parks and Recreation Commission members adopt a resolution 7declaring support to change the commission’s current status as a commission to become a Park 8Board and undertake the necessary steps to persuade the City Council and local legislators to 9author and sponsor and enact a special law to create a fully-empowered Roseville Park Board. Strengths 10 11The current Commission acts more like a Board than a Commission 12Under Minnesota law, a fully empowered Park Board would possess “full absolute and 13exclusive control” over all property set aside for park purposes including: 14Budget development and management; o 15Employ personnel; o 16Undertake construction projects; o 17Generally maintain and care for park property. o 18A Board would provide regular and constant attention and oversight to Parks and 19Recreation activities. Might not need it now, but might be useful in future years as city 20staff turns over. 21The City Council has limited capacity to review all details from all areas of the City, a 22Board would be able to review things and act in place of the Council. Shoulder a bit of 23the load in response to park and recreation issues. 24A Board structure would assure a strong and benevolent advocacy for Parks and 25Recreation into the future 26May create increased staff efficiencies. 27The Board would help prevent the deferred maintenance issues that resulted in having to 28go out for bonding 29Parks and Recreation needs to be viewed as an essential service. People expect police 30and fire, but they choose to live in Cities based on Parks and Recreation and Schools. A 31Board would give focused attention to this important service. 32 Weaknesses 33 34Roseville is a Plan B city-it has a City Manager form of government that makes it ineligible to 35have a park board without special legislative action. 36The Roseville City Council cannot relinquish their authority over Parks and Recreation 37functions and activities to another group—even the Parks and Recreation Commission. 38HOWEVER, as a Plan B city the only other option is to function jointly with another can 39political subdivision i.e. another City, School District, or County. So the City create a 40Park Board if it joins the function with another political subdivision. 41To create a fully–empowered Park Board is a lot of work… the City would need a special 42law enacted: 1