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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, June 7, 2010 Page 10 Councilmember Pust concurred, with one caveat that the Master Plan needed to be a relevant and living document and not outdated prematurely. Mayor Klausing clarified that the City Council maybe 100% behind the concept, but was tasked with the realities of other obligations and needing to reconcile eve- rything based on that reality and impact to its citizens and taxpayers. Additional discussion included trending in staff of the Parks and Recreation De- partment, consistently eroded since 1993, while the responsibilities of programs and facilities continued to increase; and how to increase volunteerism while ade- quately supervised by staff. Commissioners noted the availability of volunteers within the community; how- ever, recognized the need for staff to guide them; and recommended that a Volun- teer Coordinator be provided to facilitate volunteers. Discussion included development of a database of volunteers through this paid Volunteer Coordinator position's organization and supervision; partnerships with schools (i.e., service learning days, scouting); involvement with other agencies (i.e., Northwest Youth and Family Services); sharing of the database among other communities and/or organizations; and opportunities to maximize volunteers. Mayor Klausing suggested that Mr. Brokke and City Manager Malinen coordinate follow-up on such an objective and recommendation to the City Council for con- sideration; and whether such a position could be for all departments, not specific to the Parks and Recreation Department. Councilmember Johnson enthusiastically supported such an objective and con- curred that this would be a win-win situation for all parties; and noted that the current volunteer base was aging, and needed to be resuscitated and nurtured to make it vibrant. Further discussion included the potential far a local sales tax levy, authorized by the legislature, and requirements of such a levy and use of those funds for region- al uses; and whether another option would be to affect legislation that such uses not be restricted to regional, but community capital uses. Additional discussion included proactive actions on the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) concerns and receipt of a grant to inventory all Ash trees; impacts to the City's aesthetics and property values; replacement of those trees; current staffing and funds available to treat the problem; and actions of the U of MN and other ci- ties to-date. Councilmember Pust noted her recent attendance at a session in the City of New Brighton and options for regional cost-sharing and plans for a shared Forester and