CC 07/15/2019 Minutes - Special Meeting

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CASSCLBCRRY CITY COMMISSION Minutes of July 15, 2019 - Special Meeting Page 9 of 11 difference between the two amounts at either $22 million or $23 million. It was noted that the tax increase for residents would be approximately $73 annually for a $25 million bond, and $58 for a $20 million bond. Audience Participation: The following individuals came forward to address this item: 1. Ms. Colleen Hufford, 527 Queens Mirror Circle, stated she appreciated the good discussion amongst the Commissioners, but suggested there may be additional creative ways to cut costs and be frugal as far as funding the proposed improvements. 2. Ms. Laurie Sprigg, 226 Normandy Road, expressed appreciation for the work done by the City Commission and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on the proposed projects, adding that she felt a $58 tax increase was affordable for the improvements that would be made. No one else came forward. MOTION: Commissioner Hufford moved to submit a $20 million referendum to the voters for improvements to the six identified parks. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Busch. Motion carried 3-2 by voice vote, Mayor Glancy and Commissioner Meadows dissenting. C. Prioritization of Park Development Resources Mr. Newlon stated that the purpose of this last item was for the City Commission to consider prioritization of the six parks improvement projects being considered for funding through the bond referendum Discussion: A lengthy discussion ensued regarding prioritization of the six projects, which included: recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; whether the prioritization would be in order of beginning of the projects or completion of the projects; effect of prioritization on pending grant funding for Secret Lake Park and Wheel Park East, Phase I, including grant amounts and timing for the grants; reasoning behind the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board's proposed splitting of the Wheel Park project into Phases I and II for prioritization and the impact to the cost of the project; realistic timing outlook for construction of the proposed parks improvements; concerns about being able to deliver the improvements that will be promised to the citizens; feasibility of setting caps on funding for each park; possibility of making improvements to Sunnytown Park outside of the referendum to make it safer and cleaner for those utilizing the park; whether the priority list could be tweaked after approval based on community feedback; possibility that improvements to the Art House could be completed to coincide with the City's 80"' Anniversary in October of 2020; whether multiple projects can be underway at the same time; feasibility or possibility for partial development of one or more of the parks as a cost savings measure; need for clear communication to the public what is happening (i.e. cost numbers, prioritization, timing and completion of projects); importance of all Commissioners and City staff being on the same page as to what is being communicated to the public; concerns about reducing the proposed bond amount to be requested from $24 million to $20 million and the effect that adjustment would have on the projects as currently planned; consideration that construction costs may vary and be lower or higher at the time of actual construction depending on the state of the economy; and the need to keep Wheel Park intact in order to help make up the deficit in park acreage as identified in the Parks, Recreation, Pathways and Open Spaces Master Plan. Each Commissioner shared his or her priority list, the reasoning behind it, and opinions about the final amount which should be submitted to the voters in the bond referendum until a consensus was reached.