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Page 9 UNAPPROVED <br /> November 9, 1998 <br /> Mounds View City Council <br /> Mr. Sonterre expressed his concern that this process of the proposed dismantling of the Parks <br /> and Recreation Department was the beginning of"out sourcing" for City services. He stated he <br /> was not opposed to the YMCA proposal but he is concerned at the speed that the process is going <br /> at. The City has a successful quality service (Parks and Recreation) and yet they are considering <br /> turning over the management responsibilities of that Department to an organization that has no <br /> past experience in running a parks and recreation department. <br /> Mary Saarion, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Mounds View, gave a brief <br /> overview of the services that the City's Parks and Recreation Department provides. These <br /> include parks facilities,recreation programs, obtaining grants for facility and program <br /> improvements, training of citizen volunteers to help in operating the facilities and programs, and <br /> employing and training youth in park and recreation programs. The Park and Recreation budget <br /> has been reduced from $800,000 in 1988 to $500,000 in 1998. This has been done with study <br /> into more efficient operations and scheduling, with service evaluation, and with hard work. The <br /> current budget cannot be cut any more without cutting either services or staff. Ms. Saarion <br /> encouraged the YMCA to take over the operation of the Parks and Recreation Department if they <br /> thought they could furnish the same quality and level of services that are now being offered. She <br /> stated of the 104 recreation program areas, only 14 of those areas are to be held at the <br /> Community Center. The remaining 90 programs are held out in the community, in the schools, <br /> churches and parks. "Who is going to manage this remaining 87 percent of the programming?" <br /> she asked. Ms. Saarion urged the staff and Council to make sure that the service delivery would <br /> meet the communities expectations. <br /> Mike Sapanski, 2485 Oak Court Drive, expressed his concern that the City built a Community <br /> Center and doesn't know what they are going to use it for. He also expressed his concern that the <br /> City's "vague proposal" to the YMCA, would yield dollar savings that are just as vague. Mr. <br /> Sapanski expressed his concern with "outsourcing" of the City's labor. <br /> Scott Denz, Park and Recreation Commission, Commissioner, agreed with all of the previous <br /> comments made by Parks and Recreation Commissioners. He asked staff to provide to the <br /> Commission a detailed YMCA proposal and any specifications that were provided to the YMCA <br /> to make their proposal on. Mr. Denz asked staff who would be handling grant applications if the <br /> YMCA was to take over the operation of the City's Parks and Recreation Department. He sated <br /> his opposition to hiring the YMCA to manage the City's Parks and Recreation Department. <br /> Whiting stated grant applications would have to be a joint effort between the YMCA and the <br /> City. He added a meeting would be held with the current Parks and Recreation Commission <br /> before any final decision is made. <br /> John Craiger, 8280 Pleasant View Drive, said his biggest concern, and what the communities <br />