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City Council Study Session Meeting Minutes May 8, 2001 Page 5 1 Mayor Cavanaugh stated that they cannot afford$2,200,000, and that they should discuss 2 rejecting the bids. Councilmember Horst indicated that he did not want to seem like he was not 3 in favor of the project at all, but was concerned about the extreme increase in cost. 4 Councilmember Thuesen stated that the Council should determine a dollar amount that they will 5 put into this project, as well as give the Parks Commission a firm date. 6 Mr. Kost stated that he agreed with Councilmember Thuesen that a specific budget needed to be 7 determined now that they have all of the necessary information. 8 Councilmember Horst indicated that he would be comfortable with the initial budget for the 9 project of$1,600,000. He added that, if obstacles came along, that a changes order be submitted 10 and discussed, as they have done with passed projects. 11 Councilmember Thuesen indicated that he would be comfortable with Roger Larson's 12 recommendation of$2,300,000, which included the buildings. Councilmember Horst stated that 13 if they go with that budget, they are in the position to spend every penny, which he was not 14 comfortable with. 15 Councilmember Hodson stated that it has been indicated that they have the funds to do a lot of the discussed plans, and that they discuss those things. He stated that they have not done *17 anything to Central Park for forty-five years, and that it is time to make it a place for multi- 18 generational use. 19 Councilmember Horst stated that, while the park may not be functioning to their liking, it is 20 functioning. He asked why they do not put some more money into the infrastructure of the city, 21 such as the Public Works Fire Station. 22 Councilmember Sparks interjected that the park improvements are critical. She referred to some 23 research that she had done which indicated that city parks increase real-estate values 24 substantially, and ensure a safer living environment through lighting. Councilmember Sparks 25 stated that the improvements to Central Park are not a luxury, and are as important as all of the 26 other projects in the city. 27 Councilmember Horst stated that he agreed with the information that Councilmember Sparks 28 reviewed, but that things needed to be prioritized. Councilmember Sparks stated that all of the 29 projects mentioned tonight were important, including the Central Park project. 30 Parks Commission Chair Jindra stated that she attended a City Council meeting back in April of 31 1997 that was filled with residents, and the decision was made to improve the parks in the area. 32 She asked the Council when that promise would be fulfilled. 33 0 Councilmember Horst stated that he was not opposed to the Central Park Project, but that he did 35 not support pouring all of the possible funds into the project.