PRCMinutes-20100720 Special Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Finance committee. After more discussion regarding the need to support the HHB training facility and the reorganization plan, the PRC felt that closing the Arena for 3 months could be a detriment in the long run as customers might choose to go to other year-round arena facilities. MOTION : Commissioner Schommer motioned to recommend not reducing the Arena season to 9 months at this time. Seconded by Commissioner Vandehoef. Passed unanimously.  Joint Powers: Staff would like to recommend eliminating the City’s financial obligations to the Joint Powers Agreement with the School District. This would mean eliminating the payment of all Adult League Fees and the 50% funding commitment for Joint Powers sponsored Community Ed programs. This would save the City approximately $64,000. MOTION : Commissioner Miller motioned to recommend eliminating the City’s financial contributions to the Joint Powers Agreement for Adult League Fees and Joint Powers sponsored Community Ed programs. Seconded by Commissioner Rohloff. Passed unanimously.  Youth First: The funding for the Youth First program has dried up. An option is to discontinue the Youth First Coordinator position and transition the program duties over to other department staff. This would save the City approximately $22,000. MOTION : Commissioner Rohloff motioned to recommend discontinuing the Youth First Coordinator position. Seconded by Commissioner Miller. Passed unanimously.  City Reforestation Program: The City’s reforestation program is already fairly minimal, with about $6,500 budgeted for tree removal/replacement. Staff is concerned about what we will do if a boulevard tree needs to be removed or Emerald Ash Borer hits the City. Staff feels there is still a need for funding of the City reforestation program. The PRC agreed with staff’s recommendation.  Youth Participation Fees: Other communities have started charging a fee for each participant in youth athletic groups. This revenue would help to offset the cost of seasonal personnel needed to maintain the fields. If youth participation fees are incorporated into the City’s plan, the development of such fees would be brought to the PRC for input.  Charge for Disc Golf Course: South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights have started charging for use of their disc golf courses. In South St. Paul, this is handled by having a contracted attendant who receives a portion of the admission fees and is allowed to sell other disc golf paraphernalia at the course. Hastings could use any revenue generated to assist in improvements to the disc golf course and CP Adams Park.  Additional Tournaments at Veterans Park: There are eight tournaments scheduled at Veterans Park for 2010. These tournaments not only bring in revenue for the City, but also for the local businesses. Staff is working on increasing the number of tournaments held at Veterans Park for 2011 to twelve.  Increase Fees All Services: Staff is looking at increasing fees across the board – for park/party wagon rentals, HFAC fees, Arena fees, athletic fees, etc. Caution needs to be exercised in raising fees in that there is a saturation point where people will just stop using the facilities. Director Bernstein’s approach has been to try and keep our fees in the middle of surrounding communities. Staff is also looking at implementing new fees for certain services. For instance, coin-operated lights at the tennis courts or parking meters down by the river.  Increase Advertising Revenue at all Facilities: Staff would like to create advertising packages including all of our facilities that would be controlled by the City. Currently, some advertising revenue in our facilities goes to other organizations. Staff would like to capture that revenue for the City. Capital Improvement Plan: 3) Director Bernstein informed the PRC that staff is currently working on a Capital Improvement Plan for 2011-2017. Some of the items on the list at this point are: - New 580 Mower: The current 580 mower is old and is breaking down frequently. This not only disrupts our mowing schedule in the parks and takes an operator out of commission to make the repairs. Repairs to the current 580 mower have cost approximately $8,000 so far for 2010. - Cari Park Playground: The play equipment has never been replaced since it was destroyed by a fire. Staff would like to use Park Dedication funds for this replacement. A neighborhood meeting would be held to determine the desires of the residents before purchasing any equipment.