COMMISSION_MINUTES_1979-10-25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Funds for aequfsition and development of regional parks are ?rovided to the �� implementing ageneies through the �etropolitan Council from che state leg�islature.�� But operation and maintenance or regional parks are finanee^_ h the implemeneing '. agencies. �� : In 1g78, the lt implementing agencies spe near�l4 million for o' eration and maintenanee of regional parks. Their princi �source of revenue, a out 70 � percmt, is lacal properiy tax revenues. The ress-,af the rtroney co s from fees paid by people using che ?arks, and `rom grants,��r „ ederal Comprebensive Emplaymene and Training Ae[ (CETA) and the state Outch Elm Disease � abatement pragram. � The Council is comnitted to report to the legislature in 1481 regarding operation . and maintenanca of Che regional park systam. This report should�address current. .�� funding Invels,�eeeded funding inereases, and appropriace funding sources to � finance ch� future sysiem. Tt+ese funding sources could include user fees,� � spncial taxes, or geneni nx revenue available eiiher on ehe macropoli2an or . state level. Naising and sharing regional or state revenues for park opnrations �� wou:d esiablish a ne�. praeedenc io this siate. It would also prompt discussion �. � on the structvre of ehe government to deliver the serviees repuired. RESICNAL PARK OISTRIBUTION -` �. : - � -- ---�-�-'�'--naturarr_sources w�tnin cne :�rear _... _.. . . The reaional�recreation open space system is 6ased on two�ah}ectives. The first is to p�oviEe reyional parks ior needed oucdoor recraation co che people of �the Necropolitan Area, particularly Chrouyh usa or cne oues:andicg Nater rasourcea �avaiYabla.. The second is to create park reserves co protect the�zeven significanx Iandscaae types in ehe Region (e.g• prei�ie, flccd piain, big woods). Tfie current poliay plan gives top priariry to acquisieion and development of tand in or near the fully developed part o� Che Region for recreation. It p�aces � a laver priority oe park reserves. � The relativeimportanca of aceessibility Co a regional pa�k versas the quality�_��-� of the park has br_n and continues to be an issue in creatin5 a regional recreati.a syscem. Preiiminary results oi the Council's regional �ark demand/user scudy�`��- indi.caCe.Chat citizans. strongly prerer picnic and swimming faeilities together . with boattng on large lakes �Nith good water quality. Nosi survey reapandenes �. � said ttiey eravel to ehe regionai park ehey rp efer, not necessarily to th��one Iocated nearest their residence. r!osc get there by car, even when bus servica to�the park is availao4e. The Couneil and Commission shoufd aonsider [hese � � faceon', aad�other.resaonses to tFe survey, in setting priorities For futurc�:� reg.ionrl park invest:nenes. . �