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• Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,June 15,2015 <br /> Page 9 <br /> operating without fee and allowing athletic organizations complete and priority <br /> use of those fields for the most part). Councilmember McGehee expressed her <br /> wish that the Commission would look toward making those fields available to res- <br /> idents for their personal use versus their potential loss as an amenity. <br /> Commissioner Holt took issue with Councilmember McGehee's misperception <br /> about deferring maintenance of park facilities, referencing the previous dedication <br /> of funds for maintenance through the Parks Improvement Program (PIP). Com- <br /> missioner Holt noted previous City Councils reallocating those funds to other are- <br /> as of city operations; and therefore, the Parks & Recreation Department no longer <br /> had funds available for necessary maintenance. Commissioner Holt clarified that <br /> it was not the Commission's or Department's desire for new or different styled <br /> buildings, but simply to address those deferred maintenance decisions, and grow <br /> the program back. As mentioned in previous meetings, Commissioner Holt re- <br /> stated the Commission's and his personal appreciation of this City Council once <br /> again setting aside funding to maintain assets; and respectfully requested that <br /> those funds remain in place to avoid future issues. <br /> In reference to previous City Council decision-making specifically related to de- <br /> ferred maintenance issues, Mayor Roe suggested that there were no deferrals in- <br /> tended to seek new facilities, but rather not enough information was provided for <br /> them to make informed decisions and with their efforts to keep tax levies low. In <br /> the last few years, Mayor Roe opined that this City Council has made a concerted <br /> effort to keep an eye on community assets; and stated everyone at the table — the <br /> City Council and Commission — were all responsible to move those efforts for- <br /> ward in a positive way. Mayor Roe stated that the goal should be to make it clear <br /> what all was involved in order to make better decisions, including long-term CIP <br /> listings and periodic updates, allowing current information on which playground, <br /> equipment, or items need replacing or repairs at any given time. <br /> Councilmember McGehee expressed her hope that this would actually be accom- <br /> plished, even though she found this City Council majority continuing to dig into <br /> reserves annually rather than fully funding the CIP. Councilmember McGehee <br /> noted that the PIP suffered the same fate and expressed concern that this may oc- <br /> cur with the CIP as well. Councilmember McGehee expressed her interest in sus- <br /> taining assets and not losing any gains already made with the decision-making of <br /> future City Councils. <br /> Councilmember Etten thanked the Commission for their report and the specific <br /> areas addressed, providing a recent anecdotal experience and teaching opportunity <br /> he and his son experienced on the boardwalk. Councilmember Etten also noted <br /> the community service opportunities after renovations he'd participated in and the <br /> favorable comments he'd heard about improved lighting at various facilities in <br /> addition to accessibility and amenities in new bathroom facilities. <br />