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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, July 13, 2009 Page 12 Councilmember Johnson noted the hundreds of interested residents attending the Imagine Roseville 2025 community visioning meetings, specifically the Parks and Open Space Subcommittee, and their overwhelming and emotional support of parks and recreation planning. Councilmember Johnson also noted that the Com- prehensive Plan Steering Committee had purposely avoided making provisions for parks and open spaces in anticipation of the proposed Master Planning proc- ess. Councilmember Johnson opined that it was imperative for the City to plan responsibly for the future; and spoke in support of the motion. Councilmember Roe expressed his support. of the Master Planning process, noting two key elements: the deliverables in Stage 4 of the process with recommendation for phasing, and identification of capital funding sources. Councilmember Roe opined that these were both key outputs of this, and that the needs assessment was also a critical component. Councilmember Roe recognized current economics; however, opined that this served as a careful use of public monies and made sense, in addition to use of park dedication fees, and sooner than later. Councilmember Ihlan opined that $125,000 was a lot of public money to spend on consultants; and that the study should be done with in-house resources, even if time was tight, especially during this tough economy and during tight budget years. Councilmember Ihlan noted that there were not sufficient funds in the Park Improvement Fund (PIP) to do current and necessary repairs; and opined that it was wrong to spend this money on consultants. Councilmember Ihlan reiterated her interpretation of state law regarding use of the Park Dedication Fund for this. City Manager Malinen advised, along with Mr. Brokke that in-house staff re- sources were unavailable, nor did sufficient expertise indicate that route; along with reminding Councilmembers that the most recent budget reductions had in- cluded reducing the Parks Department Budget by $170,000 and by 1.5 FTE (Full- Time Employee Equivalent). Councilmember Roe noted that, while the money was being used for a consultant, the City was receiving a product in return, providing a plan for long-range park planning, a component that was sorely lacking right now, making decision- making problematic and without a process for involving the community and creat- ing a long-term vision. Councilmember Roe opined that the current lack of plan- ning caused poor decision-making, deferred asset maintenance, and more spend- ing in the long-term. Mayor Klausing noted that the City of Roseville ran an extremely lean operation, making it difficult to have staff resources available for such projects as this, in addition to the extra expertise required. Mayor Klausing opined that this expendi- ture was money well spent at this point in the process to move the City's park sys- tem forward into the future; and that while he had some concern with the expendi- ture, he would support the motion.