03-07-1994 Park Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 7, 1994 (#6) PARK BUDGETING PROCESS Chair Flint stated the City Administer had been invited to explain the process of park budgeting. A reason for this was precipitated by the monitoring of the skating rinks by the Park Commission. The ice condition of the rinks are not satisfactory due to the low priority given to them by the City. Moorse explained that up to a year ago there were no park dedication funds because of lack of development. There is a budget for park maintenance that includes salaries for regular and seasonal maintenance people. The money that is set aside for park maintenance comes from tax levies which is part of the general fund. Presently we are in the process of examining the skating rink issue to determine the level of service needed to satisfy residents and the Park Commission. Some things to consider are scheduling and possible increases of money for the program. Perhaps there is something internally we can do to solve the problem rather than spend more dollars. We plan to have this information ready to include in the 1995 budget process. Chair Flint referred to McMillan's suggestion that it would be better to have only two skating rinks and do a good job maintaining them rather than four rinks and do a lousy job with them. Moorse suggested examining the total hours needed to do a good job of maintaining the skating rinks. Often snowfalls are the cause for rinks not getting plowed, etc. If it snows on a Monday, it gives the City more time to get them ready for the weekend when they are used more often. We need to find a way to improve. Also it should be determined what really is the need within the City regarding the number of rinks and suggested using the survey method to find out what residents would prefer. Howells added the recent Park monitoring reflected a dissatisfaction with the present level of service. There is a need for better maintenance and suggested more be done on the weekends. Gerhardson added there had been several Thursday snowfalls this past winter which caused problems. McMillan asked that an annual or semi-annual summary of park funds be distributed to the Park Commission. Moorse said it would not be a problem. Ilse commented the information would be helpful to the Park Commission in making future spending recommendations. Also it would be a good idea to open the club house during the winter when the golf course is used for cross country skiing. 6