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<br />Board Member Max reported when he spoke with a group of people, including two <br />Councilmembers, about open space that a couple residents suggested a referendum in order to <br />fund this issue. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated that the EPB could either continue to talk about this issue with vigor <br />as they have been, or maybe they need to back away fromthe issue. He stated that people say <br />that they are concerned about open space, but they are not willing to fund it. He stated he could <br />see the frustration from the Council with the statement about having enough parks now, <br />however; he explained open space is so much more than just a park. <br /> <br />Environmental Coordinator Anderson reported Board Member Olds sent an e-mail in regard to <br />this case tonight. Board Member Olds' e-mail stated parks are an essential part of the community <br />and can range from green space and natural areas to playgrounds and baseball fields. The e-mail <br />also stated that it is important to get out the communication that open space is not just about <br />parks, but to preserve natural areas that the public can enjoy. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda reported that the question is not if 40 parks are enough; but are those parks <br />in the right spots, the right sizes, currently open, or even serving their purpose. He explained <br />that once a spot has been dedicated as park land, it is very hard to change that or do anything else <br />with the land, but with an open space referendum that space becomes part of your asset base. <br /> <br />Board Member Max stated people in Minneapolis reacted this same way when Charles Loring <br />began purchasing lands for park space so long ago but now that community is very glad that it <br />was done at that time. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda added, at that time the people of Minneapolis did question the open space <br />idea, as there was a lot of land being deeded back to the City. He explained that after the decade <br />that has passed, people are now looking back thinking it was good to do that when they did, as <br />no one would be able to afford it now. He explained that although the EPB does not have all the <br />answers, the Board and the Council should be thinking about what should be done for future <br />generations. <br /> <br />Board Member Max stated that is all the EPB wants, to find out if the open space idea has legs <br />and if the people really want to do this. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda questioned what the EPB strategy is for open spaces, and how can they <br />help the Council get to a good spot on this issue. He stated going into the work session and just <br />speaking about this with no results is not enough; He explained ifthey don't have better <br />communication with the Council, they may lose the window of getting the open space <br />referendum on the ballot for the next election. <br /> <br />Board Member Max stated that a survey should probably be conducted after the school <br />referendum has been voted on. He stated that they could then adjust the strategy for the open <br />space referendum based on those results. He explained he is not saying to forget about this issue, <br />just to wait until possibly January to start the survey. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda agreed there are a lot of tie-ins to the school referendum, as they are <br />asking for $42 million. He explained if that passes, the pockets shrink up for the open space <br />Environmental Policy Board / October 1, 2007 <br />Page 5 of7 <br />