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C. <br />In 2015, the Parks and Open Space and Recreation Services divisions launched a <br />process to establish a plan for the future of the parks and recreation system. During the past three <br />years over 12,000 individuals contributed their voice to this planning effort. The three-year <br />community engagement process has resulted in a vision that builds on Eugene’s rich legacy and <br />promises a robust, exciting and equitable parks and recreation system for future generations. The <br />funding of parks and recreation security, operations and maintenance has been a part of the Parks <br />and Recreation Systems Plan discussions with the community. <br />D. <br />Currently, there is an operations and maintenance gap of more than $2.4million <br />dollars. The need for additional operations and maintenance funding has been driven by the <br />combination of: 1) A doubling of parkland in twentyyears associated with the 1998 and 2006 park <br />bonds; 2) Reductions in general fund revenues for parks and recreation facility maintenance during <br />the economic recession; 3) A significant increase in the need to mitigate the impacts to parks from <br />illegal camping and other illicit activities; and 4) The deferred maintenance of an aging park and <br />recreation infrastructure. <br />E. <br />Polling of Eugene voters in October 2017 revealedthe community’s strong level of <br />interest in addressing budget challenges through increased funding. The survey found: <br />Eugene Parks and Recreation has a strong 79% approval rating. <br />· <br />51% of respondents said they use the facilities weekly and 74% use them <br />· <br />monthly. <br />74% are willing to support maintenance and security funding and 63% are <br />· <br />willing to support additional capital investment. <br />F. <br />To address the shortfall in operations and maintenance funding the City Council <br />developed a proposal for parks and recreation levy funding. The proposed levy to address the <br />operations and maintenance funding shortfall is intended to result in park users seeing an <br />improvement in the cleanliness, safety and general condition of Eugene’s parks. <br />G. <br />Specifically, the levy funds would be directed to the following types of activities: <br />· <br />Park safety and security <br />Two dedicated Police Officers <br />o <br />Two Park Ambassadors <br />o <br />· <br />Illicit activity response <br />Illegal camp clean-up <br />o <br />Graffiti removal <br />o <br />Vandalism response <br />o <br />· <br />General park maintenance <br />Reopen restrooms <br />o <br />Litter and trash pick-up <br />o <br />Turf mowing <br />o <br />Landscape bed and tree maintenance <br />o <br />Resolution - Page 2of 4 <br /> <br />