Budget Meeting Minutes 05/11/05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Medlin reviewed open space acquisition, another example of what was included in the comprehensive plan. He said it was largely comprised of natural areas, such as the acquisitions that had been made to help connect the Ridgeline Trail. He noted that, within the comprehensive plan process, there had been conversations on what could be done to protect the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. He stated that several neighborhoods were as yet unserved by the parks system and the division was looking for parcels of land in those areas to remedy this. He related that open space acquisition had a varied investment, depending on the level ofservices-available to a parcel of land or whether there were physical assets on a property that the City would have to buy and then remove.. He said as the City encouraged access to a property through development of amenities, it incurred more maintenance and operations costs. Mr. Medlin outlined the capital and non-capital project-related program expansions recommended in the comprehensive plan, such as increases in operating hours and the consequent staffmg increases for a facility. He said one major thrust coming out of the plan was a public desire for more access to outdoor .recreation and outdoor programs. He noted that there were over 2,000 acres of undeveloped properties in the land inventory and invasive species control presented a challenge on these properties. Ms. Grebe stated that, like cultural services, the PROS division was attempting to do more with less. She said the volunteer program had been aggressively expanded with nearly 30,000 hours of volunteerism in 2004. She related that flexible staffmg programs were being implemented and staff was being cross- trained wherever possible. She reported that the PROS division continued to develop strong partnerships with the University of Oregon, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and others, including private and non profit service providers. Management plans were being developed for each park. She noted that a number of fee increases had been implemented. Ms. Grebe shared that. the City had, on a limited basis, pursued grants. She said the City had been successful in its most recent grant: a partnership with the School District 4J that provided $250,000 fore physical education activities within the schools after school hours. Continuing, Ms. Grebe outlined some of the creative funding strategies: • A maintenance and operation serial levy; • Special district formation; • Entertainment taxes or utility taxes; • A municipal livability fee; • General Fund and Stormwater Fund monies. Ms. Grebe stated that an increase in infrastructure without identification of new funding would decrease accessibility to services. significantly. She stressed the importance of affordable services, a point emphasized repeatedly in public input. She said as fees increased the City paid the price in not being able to serve those who could not afford them. Ms. Grebe anticipated that deferred maintenance would increase as the major maintenance dollars were more thinly spread. She also anticipated a decrease in services levels, such •as less garbage pickup in the parks and less landscape services. She stated that staff heard repeatedly from members of the public in its comprehensive planning process how important the quality of life was to.citizens of the community. She stressed that parks, recreation, and open spaces played a key role, not only in the economic health of the community but the livability of it, which brought business and made the community a place that people wanted to live in, work in, and visit. She left the- committee with the following message: if the City MINLJ'fES-Eugene Budget Committee February 22, 2005 Page 15