Participatory Budgeting Committee

Participatory Budget Committee August 15, 2022, 5:30pm Minutes Committee Attendees: Mary Estelle Ryckman (Chair), Norah Brennan (Vice Chair), Douglas Gerhardt, Devin Dal Pos, Danielle Lepper, Jonathan Jeerapaet, and Tim Holmes Not attending: Jeff Altamari Other Attendees: Samantha Clemmey, Heather Crocker Approval of Minutes: Minutes for the August 1 meeting were approved. Discussion of proposals 2022-012 through 2022-019 using the proposed metrics 2022-012: Housing Affordability Study Robust discussion of whether this type of feasibility study should be paid for by the PB process or by the regular city budget process. Most committee members felt this issue, housing, is a fundamental policy issue and, thus, the feasibility study should be funded through the regular city budget function. Doing so would provide an opportunity for a full discussion by elected officials rather than a committee of volunteers. 2022-013: Waterfront Park Bathrooms. Repair and maintenance would need to be part of the overall plan for the park. The city is in preliminary discussions about what to do with the park and will, if they move forward, cover the bathrooms. 2022-014: Congress Park Musical Theatre. Members like this proposal but have questions about Saratoga Arts’ role. That organization is a funding source. More information is needed. 2022-015: Replace Annual Flowers w/ Perennials. Like the idea but clearly need to discuss with DPW and see how this idea fits into their existing plans. 2022-016: Street Outreach Team. Request is for the full allocation to the PB process and would be used to fund salaries. Many members are not favor of one project consuming all of the PB funds and are wary of funding salaries. Maybe something for the Community Development grants. 2022-017: CREATE Community Studios. More information is needed. Funds would be used to implement programs at the Rec Center and the East Side rec area. Need to check with Park & Rec. Members find the program interesting but want to find the best fit for it. 2022-018: Community Garden Vanderbuilt/Jefferson. Members like this idea and are working with submitter to refine the proposal. Team leader on site is key to success, and there is possibly an opportunity to collaborate with Pitney Meadows. 2022-019: Spring Run Trail Renewal. This project has been raised before in other processes, interest was expressed to help the city maintain the trail through the use of volunteers. City is concerned about liability. More information is need about current plans for trail maintenance by DPW and on the possibility of using volunteers. Committee ran out of time so the discussion on possible voting process was deferred to the next meeting. Next meeting is on Monday, August 29, at 5:30 pm Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm -