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City C®uncil Study ~essit~n I~I~nday, July ~6, 2007 Page 12 Specific discussion included establishment of Joint Powers Agree- ments (JPA's) for engineering services with the Cities of Arden Hills and Falcon Heights; unfunded mandates and regulatory changes in water, sewer, and stormwater areas and added infrastructure increas- ing maintenance needs; delayed replacement of equipment increasing repair and maintenance costs; flattening and reorganization of the or- ganizational chart in 2002/2003 and impacts to provide for manage- ment and analytical level staffing needs; consideration to contract residential water meter reading to free up staff time for higher skilled maintenance activities; potential funding for pathways in conjunction with bonding and/or endowments for the Parks and Recreation De- partment; stormwater management and monitoring of underground systems and initial flow regulation and volume reduction projections; and options for and technological advances in remote meter reading. Parks and Recreation Department Parks and Recreation Department Director Lonnie Brokke noted that the operating divisions included Administration, Park Maintenance, Park Improvements, Recreation (fee and non-fee), Nature Center, Golf Course, Skating Center, and Activity Centers (Brimhall, com- munity gymnasiums, and Fairview), along with the City Hall com- plex. Specific discussion included increasing use of the City Hall campus by community groups for meeting space; consistent staff retention; in- creased competition for sponsorships and contributions; development and initiation of a Park and Recreation System Master Plan and proc- ess; expansion of department marketing strategies; development of an overall system and business plan; and alternative energy source op- tions. Community Development Department Community Development Director John Stark noted that the entire department was an Enterprise Fund, with no funding provided by the General Fund Levy. Mr. Stark noted that operating divisions included Planning, Economic Development, Geological Information Services (GIS), and Code Enforcement, with the department primarily funded (95%) by building permits, land use application and license fees.