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Park Board <br />October 7, 2020 <br />Page 3 <br />neighborhood or directly within the neighborhood. He clarified these are an alternative <br />set of available funds, however, they are more restricted. Undesignated funds do not <br />have restrictions on how the funds are to be spent. <br /> <br /> Mr. DeGardner further explained this is the park and trail improvement fund and its sole <br />revenue source is general fund dollars via City Council authorization. The other fund is <br />the dedicated parks fund and these are dollars the city receives from residential, <br />commercial, and industrial development. At this time, there is not an undesignated fund <br />balance for the board to utilize for any discretionary projects. <br /> <br /> Chair Huelman wondered if the reason there are no dollars allocated for the 2021 budget <br />was because of COVID-19 and tax revenues. <br /> <br />Mr. DeGardner stated there have been a few budget work sessions and as of right now, <br />th <br />October 7, there is not any allocation in the 2021 budget for contributions to the Park <br />and Trail Fund. <br /> <br /> Mr. Kusterman shared, he reviewed the initial 2021 budget and he said $70,000 was <br />originally dedicated to the park and trail improvement fund. He asked why were the <br />funds removed and who made the decision to eliminate the funds. <br /> <br />Mr. DeGardner clarified the $70,000 was originally included at the first budget meeting, <br />however, the City Council identifyied potential funding cuts and the Park andTtrail <br />Improvement Fund was chosen. <br /> <br /> Mr. Kusterman explained, when he was on the City Council, he and his fellow members <br />worked hard to ensure the parks received funding. He shared, prior to 2017, the <br />Dedicated Parks Fund had not received General Fund dollars for approximately 16 years. <br />He expressed concern with not receiving any 2021 funds for the Park and Trail <br />Improvement Fund. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gooder agreed with Mr. Kusterman. He explained Lino Lakes residents are outside <br />biking, hiking, jogging, and walking now more than ever before due to COVID-19 and <br />therefore it is important for the Park Board to have a solid plan for the improvements of <br />the City’s parks and trails. He recommended the board prioritize the park and trail <br />projects and ask City Council for the funds to complete the projects. He stated the Park <br />Board’s job is to fight for the residents of Lino Lakes and for the funding of the City’s <br />parks and trails. <br /> <br /> Mr. DeGardner asked the Park Board to provide a list of recommendations by next month <br />so he could go to the City Council in December for consideration and then staff would <br />have the winder months to prepare plans and specs and go out for bid. <br /> <br /> Chair Huelman recommended the board reconvene next month and list their priorities for <br />park and trail projects. He commented the $90,000 or $100,000 annual allocation is a <br />small investment towards the parks system. He offered to communicate with the City <br />APPROVED MINUTES <br /> <br /> <br />