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City Council Minutes Page 9 <br /> August 7,2017 <br /> ----------------------------- <br /> Councilmember Wagner expressed concerns with some kids not being able to <br /> participate in programming if the city cuts the duplicated ones because community <br /> education may not be able to take on more to handle the capacity. She stated this <br /> could create other community issues when kids don't have something constructive to <br /> do. She stated she agrees with thinking entrepreneurial about what the city can <br /> accomplish. <br /> Mr. Portner stated he thinks the city can work together with the school district. He <br /> stated the goal is to maximize and enhance what is currently in place. <br /> Councilmember Ovall questioned what the city does for outside reviews, networking <br /> groups, and 360 reviews. He stated he would like to hear from the parks and <br /> recreation department on what they do well at and what needs improvement. He <br /> questioned the qualitative analysis and marketing and asked what the data is <br /> conveying. He noted community education is a marketing machine and has a good <br /> penetrate rate. <br /> It was noted community education can promote within the schools, but school <br /> district policy does not allow for outside promotions/marketing to students. <br /> Councilmember Westgaard stated it is getting more difficult to meet everyone's <br /> needs/requests,yet the city and school district are taxing the same group of people. <br /> He stated we need to find solutions to work together and not compete,but <br /> supplement,which takes coordination and communication. <br /> Councilmember Olsen stated it would be impossible to completely eliminate <br /> competition but we can try to minimize it. <br /> Council consensus is to work with the school district to discuss programming and <br /> how we can work together to provide community needs/wants. <br /> 10.3 Park Improvement Planning/Funding <br /> Mr. Portner presented the staff report. He stated the city should have a replacement <br /> schedule to spread costs out more evenly throughout the years and provide the Parks <br /> and Recreation Commission and Council with a systematic plan of expectations. He <br /> discussed athletic complexes and noted they are a competitive business and <br /> teams/tournaments will go to communities with better facilities. He noted when <br /> teams come to town and see Elk River facilities;it paints a certain image of the <br /> community. He noted the city requires others to pave their parking lots but doesn't <br /> pave their own. He stated all the parks facilities require ongoing funding once they <br /> are acquired/created and there are timing and funding issues with them. <br /> Mr. Portner discussed the draft replacement plan and stated an investment is needed <br /> for park improvements/maintenance because the only current funding source is 45% <br /> of liquor store profits. He stated most cities have other funding sources such as a <br /> steadily increasing levy. He stated the city has missed 25 years'worth of funding so <br /> Elk River residents are currently not ready for this expense. He discussed the overall <br /> -4AURE <br />