08-07-2017 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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