PRECA 12-10-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Energy conservation improvements are desirable to preserve our limited energy resources and save money. Most proposed improvements have a short, under five year, payback. Equipment purchases are important to be able to maintain services, especially in the maintenance of City parks and public work facilities. Urban parks are an important resource to provide recreational outlets for people. New Brighton has a fine, well-developed. system which is approaching final development. The issue is, in part,-what level of park development does the community want/need and what can he community .afford: The expansion of the liquor operation to a third store is needed only if: profits are reasonable and the return from two stores is inadequate to fund capital mproveme~.t needs. My report further recommended that 1982 park improvements be delayed "until the other improvements are defined and financing is specified". At the Council worksession on November 5, 1981 the following action was taken with respect to the 1982 parks improvement program: "Motion by Blomquist, seconded by Schmidt to delay consideration of 1982 park improvements except for the development of Meadow Wood Park until other Capital Improvement Projects are defined and financing is specified. 5 ayes - 0 nayes - motion carried" As you are aware, the future financing of local government is very uncertain-due to the state's fiscal problems. It is likely that the City may see a 10-20% reduction in aid or credit payments, amounting to up to about $300,000 or almost 13% of the General Fund budget, out of which the Park and Recreation Department is supported. Cuts in Federal Revenue sharing, used for park improvements in the past, appears likely. In my opinion New Brighton is staffed lean with an employee per 1,.000 resident ratio of about 3. This compares to a suburban norm of about 4-5 and Minneapolis'12. A large portion of the budget-up to 80%, is for personnel expenses. The City may need the flexibility of deferring some or most capital improvements to use the funds for operating expenses. In my opinion, for the reasons cited above, it is .imperative that the City work out a reasonable plan for the development and operation of Long .Lake Park and receive reimbursement of our local share costs amounting to about $750,0.00. We need to do that soon before the funds are gone.- possibly forever. Many other cities, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, may be very interested in this funding as they look to alternate revenue sources.. -2-