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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, June 15, 2009 Page 6 personally shared that concern, and noted that the City Council was open to sug- gestions to alleviate ongoing budget shortfalls. Further discussion included a comprehensive review of City services to determine those that may no longer be relevant and re-examining financing across depart- ments for City services; expectations of the community that the community's parks and recreation opportunities are also a core value, similar to the Police, Fire and Public Works functions; and historic funding cuts in the Parks and Recreation Department, rather than city-wide reductions;. Councilmember Johnson noted that this year's budget process will be somewhat different as the City Council moves toward budgeting for outcomes; and all items would be reviewed from that perspective. Councilmember Johnson concurred that the Parks and Recreation Department had taken the hit over the years; how- ever, he opined that even though these are tough times, he thought expenditures for the department were a wise expenditure for the City, and a good place to put money now. Councilmember Johnson reiterated that this budget process would be difficult and different; but that it would allow the City Council to identify what projects and services the City could provide and their actual value to the commu- nity; with citizens needing to understand the situation facing cities at this time. Councilmember Roe opined that it made sense to better position the City finan- cially; noting funding gaps for all capital needs had already been identified; and noted the suggestion of the Commission to discuss a referendum following the Park Master Planning process to seek citizen support and to endow some of the future costs for the Department. Councilmember Roe offered his support of a ref- erendum to allow for endowing capital improvements for the park system. Councilmember Ihlan suggested that the bond issue serve to create endowments for parks, park maintenance and to allow acquisition of key natural areas when they became available. Councilmember Roe noted that it was a lot easier to do acquisition when the City was still growing; however, now that the City was fully developed, he supported involving citizens to seek their support for moving forward. Further discussion included allocation of funds for park improvements pulled to address diseased and hazardous tree removal; and whether the City Council was supportive of a Tree Replacement Program and Ordinance. Councilmember Ihlan spoke in support of a Tree Replacement Program that would be incorporated in the City's land use process for tree preservation on pri- vate property as well as public property.