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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, June 15, 2009 Page 8 Councilmember Roe concurred with Mayor Klausing's suggested Steering Com- mittee process, with the Committee providing regularly scheduled updates back to the City Council to institutionalize it, with the City Council having some partici- pation in the process, however, not as strong of a presence as on the Comprehen- sive Plan Update Committee. Mayor Klausing asked that staff, as an action item from tonight's joint meeting, to alert City Manager Malinen to provide the City Council with more updates on a regular basis during the Parks and Recreation Master Plan process. Mayor Klausing recognized the comprehensive, successful, and active volunteer services already provided in the community; and charged the Commission with making recommendation on how to expand that volunteer network during these challenging budget years. Mayor Klausing spoke in support of a referendum, specific to capital expenditures; opining that bonding would put an obligation on future property owners, and in doing so, those improvements to be covered by the bond should be long-term capital needs. and to put infrastructure in place. Further discussion included capital funding commitments for Harriet Anderson Nature Center (HANG); and concerted volunteer efforts similar to that of Habitat for Humanity. Councilmember Roe opined that playgrounds were capital assets as much as buildings or facilities; and that maintenance was routine (i.e., lawn mowing). Mayor Klausing concurred with Councilmember Roe's observation. Chair Willmus again thanked the City Council for taking time to meet with the Commission; and reiterated the Commissions major concerns for staffing and the PIP Program. Mayor Klausing thanked Commissioners for taking time to attend tonight's joint meeting; and personally apologized if he appeared to come across as negative, when trying to bring people down to realities for maintaining current programs and/or services (i.e., increased user fees, property tax increases, or finding other funding sources). Mayor Klausing opined that the City had squeezed out the ma- jority of efficiencies over the years; and there wasn't much remaining to be found. Mayor Klausing opined that the Commission had great ideas; and encouraged Commissioners, and those citizens observing this discussion, to provide additional input to the City Council. Councilmember Johnson spoke in support of the Commission taking the Master Plan process out into the community.