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City Council Regular Meeting — 47/10/06 <br />Draft Minutes ' Page 5 <br />find a balance in new amenities and maintaining existing <br />inventory. Councilmember Maschka noted that Speaker <br />Sviggum encouraged the City to consider an objective next <br />year to enact a local sales tax initiative. Councilmember <br />Maschka noted that past budget decisions had diminished <br />the Park and Recreation Department, and opined that it was <br />now time to get that departmentrestored. <br />Chair Johnson noted that Roseville City parks were <br />becoming a destination, as well as the City's retail <br />shopping centers. <br />Councilmember Pust sought specific advice from the <br />Commission on the Harriet Alexander Nature Center <br />(HANC) and their recommendations for prioritizing <br />recreational and educational amenities, as part of the 2007 <br />budget discussions. <br />Chair Johnson concurred with comments that the HANC <br />needed to be much more utilized by the School Districts. <br />Chair Johnson summarized discussion between the <br />Commission and Park Maintenance staff, noting that they <br />were stretched very thin and noted that while talk centered <br />on "park improvements," it actually was "maintenance" <br />representing stewardship of facilities needing serious <br />attention. <br />Mayor Klausing reiterated that the Parks and Recreation <br />Department wasn't the only department impacted by losses <br />of money from the State. Mayor Klausing opined that his <br />goal was to increase funding, but he didn't want to leave <br />any misconceptions that there was money available and <br />that the same budget structure was still in place. <br />Commissioner Ristow noted the need to maintain the City's <br />wonderful park system. <br />Chair Johnson expressed confidence in the City Council <br />that they would do what they could to restore funding for <br />the department. <br />