2004-05-17 Special - Laserfiche WebLink

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Session 1921 May 17, 2004 was provided. 2. Parks capital - Mr. Sharpe asked for a detailed list of items not included in this year's budget which were recommended by the staff, and then he was provided with a list. 3. Ms. Colquitt had expressed concern that the budget for street resurfacing by contract was cut to the exact amount that was predicted, but deleted the usual contingency amount, which is usually $35,000. It is there for emergencies. This year the contingency has not been used, so Mr. Ollendorff recommended carrying it forward into the next fiscal year. 4. There was a request from Ms. Welsch that inspectors be trained to enforce City Code equally. Monies have been set aside to work on this training. 5. The $50,000 figure for the fitness center is for the lower level roof. This figure is high because the heating and cooling systems are there and must be "worked around" and this necessity increases the price. This was a budget estimate, not a bid, Mr. Ollendorff explained. Ms. Brot said she learned that stoves and hoods must be "extremely up to code" and asked if ones in the community center met these specifications. Mr. Ollendorff said that he doubted it, but would find out. Then she asked about park equipment and how it fits into the budget? Mr. Ollendorff directed the City Council to look under the heading of Parks Capital, where he pointed out that staff would like to install safety surfaces and also how costly it is, at $35,000. He said one or two playgrounds per year are upgraded, on a rotating basis. Each is renewed over an eight or nine year cycle. This year the Eastgate playground will be upgraded. Then Ms. Brot mentioned her experience of the Buffalo Grove skateboard park, and mentioned that it could be a model for University City to follow. Ms. Welsch mentioned that removing the honeysuckle and mulch from Heman Park would open up park space. 6. Planning and Development - in response to Ms. Welsch's request that code enforcement specialists be brought in to train City staff, Mr. Ollendorff reported that $4,000 was budgeted to meet this request. Another request from Ms. Welsch was membership in the RCGA and the Urban Land Institute. The Director of Planning and Development is all ready a member of the ULI, but Ms. Welsch favors using the municipal rate, which allows the municipality a membership and more than one person can benefit from programs and activities. This type of membership cost is not known because RCGA did not ring back with that information. Mr. Ollendorff said there are some reciprocal membership opportunities between the Saint Louis Municipal League and the RCGA, such as meeting notices. Ms. Welsch envisions membership in RCGA as part of economic development, and wants a City representative making a strong presence at their functions. Ms. Brungardt expressed her support for RCGA as an aspect of economic development. Mr. Ollendorff said he left the