01-26-15 Joint Meeting Community Investment & PARC

Home Browse Search

JOINT MEETING COMMUNITY INVESTMENT & PARC JANUARY 26, 2015 3:25 P.M. Committee Members Present: Dr. Fred Ferlic, Henry Davis, Derek Dieter, Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Valerie Schey (EAB), Oliver Davis (EAB), Karen White Other Present: John Murphy, Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Erin Blasko, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Kathryn Roos, Phil St. Clair, Rahman Johnson, Denise Barkdull, Sarah Riordan Agenda: Bill 01 -15 EDIT Bonds for 2015 Park Upgrades Gavin Ferlic chaired this joint committee, Community Investment and PARC, meeting to consider the proposal for an EDIT funded park bond found in Bill 01 -15. City Controller John Murphy made the initial presentation. John said the $5.8 bond would be funded with Economic Development Income Tax Dollars (EDIT) to the tune of $425 thousand dollars debt service annually. He added that if everything bond related continued apace, funds could be available as soon as March 3rd The Mayor took the floor acknowledging funds for park maintenance and enhancement were long overdue. He referred to the recently developed 5 -year Park Plan saying deferred maintenance would come first. He said he recognized the Council's appetite for line item detail of project costs listed in the Plan. These costs would be better determined after engineering estimates. Gavin asking for Council comment started with Derek Dieter who had none at this point as did Karen White. Dr. Ferlic asked if the Council would get a chance to weigh in on plan proposals. The Mayor responded saying once project costs are detailed meetings would ensure with the Council and Park Board. Henry Davis wondered if the Council would have input in putting a list of project priorities. The Mayor said he welcomed input at any time; but was reluctant to make commitments until costs were detailed. Dr. Varner asked that beyond maintenance were there any new and exciting projects. The Mayor said he saw the possibility of more splash pads and gyms in the neighborhoods. Councilmembers White and Dieter both spoke to the need for ongoing communication with the Mayor. Both also urged Councilmembers to develop their own priority preferences. Tim Scott, referring to the Mayor's suggestion for bond proposal staging, expressed support so that the tax rate not be boosted all at once.