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City Council Minutes <br />October 19, 2015 <br />Page 8 <br />Councilmember Wagner indicated at a recent meeting the parks and recreation <br />commission chose to keep a $25,000 placeholder in their budget for sign <br />replacement, but they are hesitant to spend that much until they know how much the <br />entire plan will cost. She stated her concern was ensuring the commission, council <br />and staff all have the same intent. <br />Councilmember Westgaard stated signage is an important part of operating a city <br />park but shouldn't burden a limited budget without having budget plans in place. <br />Mayor Dietz asked that other funding sources be considered to pay for signage and <br />didn't feel the parks and streets budgets should pay for all of it when signage is a <br />benefit to the entire city. <br />Mr. Portner stated further discussion can be had regarding funding options. <br />Dave Anderson stated the Parks and Recreation Commission discussed this and <br />noted $25,000 is 8-9% of their annual budget. He stated he has serious concerns <br />about the cost of implementing this plan. He asked Mr. Hecker to allow the <br />commission to review the concepts to provide their input, stating a very creative <br />group volunteers their time and energy on the commission and as park stewards. He <br />stated they would like the opportunity to say what their `front door' would look like. <br />Councilmember Olsen asked about the four gateway signs and expressed how <br />important it was to give a strong first impression when entering the city. <br />Councilmember Burandt asked if there was any problem with delaying the approval <br />of the plan so the park and recreation commission could review it. <br />Mr. Portner and Ms. Gardner indicated any further work would require an additional <br />payment to Visual Communications but the current plan could be shared with the <br />commission. <br />Mayor Dietz asked if this could be added to the November Park and Recreation <br />Commission meeting. <br />It was the consensus of the council to allow the Parks and Recreation Commission <br />to review the wayfinding sign plan and their feedback provided to council. <br />Mayor Dietz indicated he's heard ridiculous rumors about the Elk River Municipal <br />Utilities (ERMU) increasing utility rates because of the recent incorporation of 300 <br />new commercial and residential customers from Connexus Energy. He stated the <br />rumors are false, rates are not increasing, and ERMU will continue to communicate <br />the correct utility rates to their customers. <br />P/®f1f1 11 <br />NATURE <br />