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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />OCTOBER 14, 2015 <br />stated that he is passionate about parks and recreation. He noted that it is <br />not unusual to call into a city and get a recorded message that games have <br />been cancelled due to weather, as an example. The Parks & Recreation <br />Director indicated that he initiated such a system a couple of years ago. <br />The Director felt that the City would provide citizens with less service if <br />the Director position were cut to part-time. The Director suggested that <br />the general public would not want lesser service and may be willing to pay <br />more to maintain the level of service currently provided. <br />Keis indicated that whether or not service delivery will be less with a part- <br />time Director is not known. Keis suggested that the task is to determine <br />what the Department should be going forward, how does the City get <br />there, what is the vision and mission and goals. Keis asked if that <br />planning process was possible in a committee of this size. <br />Fischer suggested that the planning process could be done in a group this <br />size, but suggested that a smaller group would be preferable. Fischer <br />stated that he would be willing to facilitate the process. That process <br />would help identify the City's goals well into the future for the Parks & <br />Recreation Department, identify core strengths as well as weaknesses, <br />what the City wants this department to be, and map a course for getting <br />there. <br />Fahey pointed out that the City's park system is essentially fully <br />developed. There are some trail connections that are needed. Fahey <br />agreed that the Parks & Recreation Commission could have a stronger tie <br />to LCRA and the City council. Fahey noted her own family's positive <br />experiences with City recreation programs, and pointed out the community <br />pride factor that should be considered. <br />Horwath thanked the Council for including the Commission in this <br />discussion. His concern was that in times of tight budgets, parks and <br />recreation seemed to be low hanging fruit. Horwath felt that when cuts are <br />made of this nature, it becomes more difficult to grow programs in the <br />future. <br />There was discussion that a sub -committee of the group should be formed <br />to take on the planning task, bringing a report to the full committee. The <br />consensus was that the sub -committee should consist of two members of <br />the Council, representation from the Commission and LCRA, as well as <br />City staff. <br />The City Administrator pointed out previous community surveys that have <br />been done as well as the cost of those surveys. The Administrator <br />suggested that whether or not another community survey should be <br />9 <br />