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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />AUGUST 10, 2011 <br />PLAYGROUND <br />EQUIPMENT <br />REPLACEMENT <br />PROGRAM <br />Bleneser suggested that the Parks & Recreation Commission work with <br />Canadian Days on this issue and bring back a recommendation to the <br />Council. <br />The City Administrator noted that the City's recent Community Survey <br />gauged the support for City services, including the community's <br />willingness to pay more for services in order to maintain them at current <br />levels. For those services where there is strong support, the Administrator <br />noted that residents would be willing to pay up to 2% more to maintain <br />them. These included maintenance and upkeep of parks and trails as well <br />as recreation programs for children. That is a very limited tax increase <br />given the needs supported. <br />The Administrator also noted that additionally residents were asked if they <br />would support completion of trail connections, replacement of aging yet <br />functional playground equipment, re- opening the Demont skating rink, <br />and lighting along hike and pedestrian trails. There was support for all <br />four of these items. The Administrator noted that the replacement of <br />aging playground equipment would be an expensive undertaking, and <br />suggested that it should be added to the City's Capital Improvement Plan <br />so that it can be prioritized with the City's other needs. He also noted that <br />the funding sources for capital improvement items have been decreasing, <br />i.e. charitable gambling revenues, interest earnings, building permit <br />revenues, etc. <br />The Director indicated that the City should start planning for these <br />replacements, and indicated that in some cases retrofitting existing <br />equipment may be the answer. <br />McGraw indicated that it would be good to know the demographics of the <br />areas so that equipment that is appropriate for that demographic is chosen. <br />The City Clerk noted that 2010 Census information should provide <br />demographic information for areas around neighborhood parks. <br />Sullivan suggested that there is a need for adult equipment at the various <br />parks so that parents watching their children play would have some <br />opportunities for exercise. <br />Blesener suggested that the Parks & Recreation Commission put together <br />a playground equipment replacement schedule as well as some cost <br />estimates. These improvements should also be added to the capital <br />improvement planning process. <br />5 <br />