06/19/1984 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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B. Parks System e Mr. Drapela said equity in the park system was one of the purposes of the Parks Master Plan. He pointed out that parks must change because people in the neighborhood change. For example, elderly people do not use playgrounds. He reviewed needed park acquisitions and development in each section of the city. He distributed a report dated May 15, 1984, prepared by the Aquatic Resources Study Committee. A balanced approach to acquisitions and development is needed. The City cannot ignore the future. The City is developing maintenance techniques which are not labor-intensive. Answering questions, Mr. Drapela said Alton Baker Park is not included in the Parks Master Plan, although it and Armitage Park may some day be within the City system. He did not have a definite plan for financing the parks. The public would probably respond best to atheletic facilities, completion of the ridgeline trail, and a swimming facility. The proposed Emerald Canal was not included in the Parks Master Plan. The 1976 bond issue is the only one the city is paying back related to parks. C. Other Capital Requirements Mr. Smith reviewed the City's buildings and equipment and said a comprehensive program for their maintenance is needed. Answering questions, he said the City leases 35,000 square feet of office e space for $227,000 annually. The FFA and revenue bonds may finance the expansion of the airport. II. COUNCIL DISCUSSION Ms. Wooten was not interested in working with the Springfield Council on a gas tax this year. She was not interested in funding new capital projects or a $3 million street overlay maintenance program this year, but she was willing to discuss an alternative revenue source to fund existing items in the budgets, such as the Hult Center. She might be willing to discuss a gas tax for the street maintenance program next year. Services that have been cut cannot be restored for two or three years. The council should wait for the economy to get better and to see what happens in the November elections. Mr. Hanson suggested the council tell the public what a two or three cent gas tax would buy in the next ten years and then get feedback from the public. Roads are a neccessity and they are in terrible shape. The capital projects budget had been robbed to pay operational costs in the past and operational costs would continue to go up. The council could probably not go to the voters for an increase in the operational costs but the voters might want to approve special funds for roads. e MINUTES--City Council Revenue Work Session June 19, 1984 Page 2