City Council Minutes 2015 02 03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes February 3, 2015 Page 14 of 16 Council member Leh was concerned the policy is driven by the list of candidate properties and the City is inappropriately delegating this decision to the Open Space Advisory Board. City Manager Fleming explained the Open Space Advisory Board is an advisory board, who makes recommendations to the City Council. Ultimately it is the City Council decision. The City is reserving money through the budget process until the candidate properties become available. He stated there is a perception that too much money is being spent on parks and maintenance and not enough on acquisition. Mayor Muckle stated the Council typically approves the Open Space Advisory Boards recommendations on the consent agenda. He explained every year Boulder County asks each municipality to provide a list of desired properties and that is what drives the list. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton stated no property can be purchased without City Council approval and noted this would be further discussed during the budget process. Council member Leh stated his understanding that the policy is intended to provide guidance to staff on how to allocate funds for open space acquisitions, based on a prioritized list. He wanted to ensure the staff is empowered to allocate funds in the manner described in the policy, but wanted to be clear on what he was voting on. Council member Stolzmann stated her understanding that this was a discussion item and a vote was not required. It was confirmed this was a discussion item. Mayor Muckle stressed this is just one component of the budget process. He felt this is what the citizens expect and noted the City does have the funds for acquisition when those properties become available. He stated during the recession in 2008, the budget was reduced to reflect declining revenues and pursuant to the ballot language, funds were taken out of the Conservation Trust Fund to pay for operations. He supported the policy to build back the reserves in the Open Space and Parks Fund and the transfers from the General and the Capital Projects Funds. Council member Stolzmann stated there is so little public trust in America today, it is important to be as obvious as possible on what money is being spent. She stressed the importance of choosing the correct option and suggested moving the cost of the parks operations and administration back into the cost center in the General Fund (at least the amount funded before 2007) and delaying some of the capital projects. By moving the cost center back to the General Fund, the reserves will be rebuilt very quickly. Council member Loo stated it would depend on what projects are delayed. PUBLIC COMMENTS Michael Menaker, 1827 W. Choke Cherry Street, Louisville, CO addressed the viable six candidate properties and stated his recollection that the number is closer to 30. He stressed the importance of realigning the list with reality and getting the deadwood off the list. He would also be comfortable knowing when the process ends and the revenue from this tax will maintain the City's open space properties. He felt there are huge risks