Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Roseville, MN - Official WebsitePage 1of 5 <br />10.Presentations <br />a.Joint Meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission <br /> <br />Parks & Recreation Chair Bob Willmus thanked Councilmembers for <br />meeting with the Commission; and asked each Commissioner present to <br />introduce themselves. Those present included: Chair Bob Willmus; and <br />Commissioners Gale Pederson; David Holt; Mary Holt; Harold Ristow; <br />Sarah Brodt Lenz; and Jason Etten were in attendance. <br />Chair Willmus noted that Commissioners James Stark; Matthew Hiber; <br />and Ben Kendall were unable to attend tonight’s meeting. <br />Chair Willmus provided a brief summary of focus areas of major concern <br />to the Commission: Staffing levels and funding for the ParkImprovement <br />Fund (PIP). Chair Willmus expounded on both issues, providinghistorical <br />information, unintended consequences of ongoing budget reductions; and <br />how to rectify those areas of concern in the 2010 Budget process and for <br />the best interest of the City overall, its residents, and their quality of life. <br />Discussion included funding for diseased tree removal coming from Park <br />and Recreation funds, rather than being available for ongoing <br />maintenance/repairs; request for $250,000 for the department in the <br />2010 budget cycle; and requesting that the City Council establish a Park <br />and Recreation Endowment fund, similar to the Pavement Management <br />Plan (PMP) used for streets. <br />Mayor Klausing thanked Commissioners for attending; and noted the <br />difficulties faced by the City Council during these economic times and <br />limited resources available. Mayor Klausing noted considerations given to <br />all departments, each request, and comfort levels in setting the annual <br />levy; in addition to recent legislative actions or inactions and levy <br />increases being capped and tied to the implicit price deflator, in addition <br />to funds previously designated for cities now being unallocated. Mayor <br />Klausing recognized the concerns expressed, opined that he personally <br />shared that concern, and noted that the City Council was open to <br />suggestions to alleviate ongoing budget shortfalls. <br />Further discussion included a comprehensive review of City services to <br />determine those that may no longer be relevant and re-examining <br />financing across departments for City services; expectations of the <br />community that the community’s parks and recreation opportunities are <br />also a core value, similar to the Police, Fire and Public Works functions; <br />and historic funding cuts in the Parks and Recreation Department, rather <br />than city-wide reductions;. <br />Councilmember Johnson noted that this year’s budget process will be <br />http://www.cityofroseville.com/archive.aspx?AMID=&Type=&ADID=6977/27/2009 <br /> <br />