Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 05/08/2008

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should be used for programming, and $21,300 has already been used for programming this year. He realized that it is a great program and they do want to give them something but was aware that they just do not have the fund available to give them what they are asking for. Commissioner Backous commented that with the free rent, Ramsey already contributes a lot to that organization and should get credit for that as well. Chairperson Johns stated that she tried to get the point across that there are other mechanisms for funding other than the City. Parks Supervisor Riverblood advised that if they zero out the fund they would not have anything available to help with projects that the youth associations are doing throughout the City and thought that would be unfortunate. Public Works Director Olson thought maybe they could compromise and give the group some money this year and then next year stick to the rule that only 30 percent of the funds in that account could be used for programming. Chairperson Johns thought that the requests for programming would be a City decision and not a parks decision, she was not prepared to have everyone come in front of the Commission and request funding from them. Commissioner Shryock advised that it is a great program but did have a problem with the City fully funding that program. She thought that a compromise would be good, as she could see paying for activities, special presentations, and special events but could not see paying for staffing. She stated that the City should not get into the habit of staffing outside agencies with funds from the lawful gambling fund. Chairperson Johns stated that by her calculations she thought that they could contribute $5,900 to $6,900 to the organization. She did not want to zero out the account though as she thought that with today's economy they might get more requests for the matching program. Commissioner Barr thought that the organization should qualify for the other tax status, which would make them eligible for many more grant opportunities. Commissioner LaMere advised that sometimes groups plan the budget for the next year with these contributions and plan on having them the next year also. He did not feel that the Commission should slate this money for more than one-year, he just thought that they should be prepared to see the group again. Chairperson Johns thought that along with the matching grant program, groups were not allowed to come back every year to ask for funds. She thought that two years had to pass before the group could come back for funding from this account. Commissioner Shryock thought that maybe they should make the amount easy to work with. She advised that since they had already committed to $5,000, maybe they should contribute another Park and Recreation Commission/May 8, 2008 Page 9 of 13