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Session 1723, Budget Study Minutes May 13, 1998 35.10 PARK MAINTENANCE: Mr. Ollendorff said that there were no changes in personnel. Under 721.10, Outside Personal Services, the past budget was increased approximately $15,000 for a tree inventory, which has been completed, therefore, the new budget reflects a figure back to its normal level. Under 732.01, Agricultural Supplies, the figure reflected is for trees. This current year, this line item was reduced because the City had received several grants. The City is not expected to receive as much in grants this next year, but will receive some. Grant money and plus the amount budgeted will reflect a 30% increase. Mr. Sharpe asked the City Manager to prepare a report on where the Forestry department is in its tree trimming schedule. Responding to Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Ollendorff said that there were about 30,000 public trees in the City. Responding to Mr. Munkel's question about 729.12, Dumping Fees, Mr. Ollendorff said that this is trash that is collected by the Park crews in City parks and then taken to the landfill, by way of the transfer station and charged to Parks. Mr. Lieberman asked Mr. Ollendorff to explain the leaf collection piles that is turned for compost. Mr. Ollendorff said that leaves are taken to Ruth Park by Street Maintenance and then turned by Street Maintenance. Park crews haul the material to a place where it can be picked up by citizens. Responding to Mr. Wagner, Mr. Rose said that the climbing apparatus and merry-go-round at Lewis Park is being paid for from the current year's funds. Mr. Rose said that Lewis park is scheduled for an overall update of its equipment next year. Mr. Ollendorff directed Council's attention to 743.12, Recreation Equipment, under the Capital Outlay summary and said that the Playground Equipment line item includes new playground equipment for Rabe and Metcalf parks. The Park Board received a request from neighbor's of Lewis park to do theirs next and money was found to do part of it now, but the rest of it will be in the next year's budget. Responding to Mr. Munkel, Mr. Ollendorff said that not too long ago, they checked each park's playground equipment for any flaking lead paint. The plan has been to replace one playground a year, but it is being sped up some and two are being replaced this year. Responding to Ms. Colquitt, Mr. Ollendorff said that the Basketball Courts listed under 742.10, Miscellaneous Improvements, on page C-59 is for basketball courts at Fogerty or Greensfelder, they believe Fogerty would be the better site. An alternative that they are considering is building basketball courts on top of the unused tennis courts, which would save money and then they would not need to use the $15,000 budgeted. Responding further to Ms. Colquitt, Mr. Ollendorff said that in the early eighties, each park was redesigned and had neighborhood meetings, and basketball was proposed in virtually every park. The neighbors said in a few areas, that they did not want it or the noise, or like Rabe Park,