07-28-88 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Keeping Up page 3 A Unique Perspective ring needed capital rehabilitation can be provides a stable source of funding that achieved with usually minimal effect. addresses annual needs and along with a on Park However, example after example clearly fund balance that is available for unexpected illustrates regular maintenance and periodic rehabilitation expenditures and Rehabilitation replacement are required to avoid huge emergencies. costs. Capital rehabilitation is an annual Adopted by Hennepin Parks John W.Christian,Director of Operations practice that should not be deferred,even Board of Commissioners Hennepin Parks in the face of stem pressures to get by May 19,1988 modestly. Of all the pressing challenges facing park Recently, Hennepin Parks' Board of Since 1985,the Board of Commissioners and recreation managers during the coming Commissioners reaffirmed its commitment has been contributing to a special Park years, replacement of badly deteriorating to address future park rehabilitation needs. Rehabilitation Fund. The Board's recent infrastructure(buildings,irrigation systems, Specifically, the following resolution was action also established a financing goal for parking lots and roads,etc.)is among the enacted: the Rehabilitation Program that would most pressing. It is, perhaps, the most Resolution Amending Park District Policy maintain a minimum rehabilitation fund formidable to address.Awareness of infra- Statement Reaffirming Park Rehabilitation balance of $250,000 for unexpected or structure deterioration has received priority Program. emergency rehabilitation expenditures. attention of governmental agendas WHEREAS,the goal of Hennepin Parks is Hennepin Parks' 1988 Rehabilitation throughout the country. to maintain facilities and equipment so that Program, totaling $301,000, includes Rehabilitation of existing facilities is park Guests experience safe and enjoyable expenditures for repair of interpretive essential to assure present and future park visits; employees and volunteers have a boardwalk at Lowry Nature Center and users a quality recreational experience. safe working environment;and Hennepin replacement of its fumace at the Nature Neglect of short-term investments in park Parks' capital investment in facilities and Center, rebuilding a portion of entrance rehabilitation will produce needs for large equipment is protected;and road at Elm Creek and Baker Park Reserves, expenditures to accomplish essential WHEREAS,the Hennepin Parks Board of sealcoating and striping of park roads and renovation and redevelopment. Many Commissioners has established a Public parking lots at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, examples of park and recreation systems Fund for Park Rehabilitation intended to sealcoating bike/hike trails at Hyland Park throughout the country illustrate the mag- maintain a stable source of funding to Reserve and North Hennepin Trail Corridor, nitude of rehabilitation needs.At the same assure a program of park rehabilitation that and replacement and repair of roofs and time,they demonstrate severe limitations protects District's capital investments. concrete slabs at latrine buildings within of adequate fiscal resources in addressing NOW,THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Baker Park Reserve. those needs. In addition, municipal and the Hennepin Parks Board of Commission- Significance of Hennepin Parks Board of county literature have increasingly reported ers reaffirms its commitment to a quality Commissioners action is not the current the high cost of repairing and renovating park and recreation system that is visually expenditure of rehabilitation funding(even public infrastructures. appealing,safe for park Guests,and main- though,yes,important in its own right)but Even though public awareness is preva- tained in the highest standards; rather its significance is increased awareness lent and costs justify immediate actions, FURTHERMORE,and in support of such a and recognition of a public board to commit the pragmatic nature of local governments system of parks, the Board reaffirms its itself and address on an annual and sys- often contribute to inattention. For the commitment to investment annually in a tematic basis the needs and funding for most part, immediate needs and existing Park Rehabilitation Program including park rehabilitation.The Board's action has financial problems command more atten- review and budgeting of a plan for system- also provided positive impetus that the tion than longer-term needs. An often- atic renovation and replacement of existing Board is committed not only to short-term used and accepted solution to the cost of structures and facilities; needs but also to long-term upkeep and rehabilitation is simply to defer capital repair FURTHERMORE,that a Park Rehabilitation capital rehabilitation of the Park District's and replacement.In any given year,defer- Fund be administered in a manner that basic infrastructure as well. •