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<br /> <br />Councilmember Heineman requested clarification regarding Shawn Acres Park and Autumn <br />Heights Park, which are not listed as part of the replacement policy. He added this was discussed <br />by the Parks & Recreation Commission. <br /> <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the proposed plan corresponds <br />with the Capital Improvement Plan budget, and assumes $100,000 for each park, for planning <br />purposes. He added this is an interim policy, and it is likely that there will be modifications. He <br />noted Shawn Acres does not have much density of homes nearby and the park is not used very <br />much, so an investment would be better used elsewhere. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove stated she supports the plan, and she is glad the City is doing it. She <br />asked why there is a need for an interim plan. She asked what other parks have been renovated in <br />the past 5 years. <br /> <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated no other parks have been <br />completed in the past 5 years except one. He added he is fine with removing the word “interim”. <br />He noted he thought it would signal to the City Council that there will likely be some amendments <br />to the plan. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove stated the amendments could be made without using the word <br />“interim”. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove asked why only one park per year will be completed, when there are <br />multiple parks that really need replacement. <br /> <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood the logical funding source suggests <br />that one park be done at a time to balance funding and workload. He added the funding source to <br />be considered is the lawful gambling fund, which is a small tax on charitable gambling. He noted <br />moneys from gambling are required by State statute to benefit youth in the community. <br /> <br />Councilmember Musgrove stated she would like to see more than one park completed per year, <br />especially some of the older parks. <br /> <br />Councilmember Riley agreed. He added he appreciates this plan as it shows the public that the <br />City Council acknowledges that existing parks need improvements, and older parks should be <br />maintained before new ones are created and expanded. <br /> <br />Councilmember Woestehoff asked whether the sports fields at Autumn Heights will be maintained. <br /> <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the policy does not inform <br />any other aspects of the park. He added the sports fields are a flat grassy space, which could be <br />enhanced back to native landscapes to add more value to the neighborhood and could reduce <br />maintenance costs. <br /> <br />City Council / September 14, 2021 <br />Page 13 of 19 <br /> <br />