Park & Recreation Commission

CITY OF VERONA MINUTES PARK, RECREATION & FORESTRY COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 1. The meeting was called to order by chairperson Tyler Powers at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Present: Tyler Powers, Charlotte Jerney, Mark Giesfeldt. Excused: Paul Schmidt, Heather Reekie. Also present: Dave Walker, Parks Director; Casey Dudley, Recreation Director. 3. Moved by Jerney, seconded by Giesfeldt, to approve the minutes of the July 15, 2020 meeting of the Park, Recreation, and Forestry Commission. Motion carried 3-0. 4. The Commission considered the 2021 Parks, Forestry, and Recreation operating budget requests. The Parks budget request included a 1.35% increase over 2020 due primarily to increased personnel costs. The Forestry budget was down sharply due to a projected decrease in new subdivision planting. Recreation revenues and expenses were also both down sharply in 2020 due to program restrictions but hopes for a return to normal in 2021 were reflected in the budget request with a modest increase of 1.6% in both categories. 5. Moved by Giesfeldt, seconded by Jerney, to approve the 2021 Parks, Forestry, and Recreation budgets as presented. Motion carried 3-0. 6. Dave Walker gave the Commission an update on the status of the 2021 capital budget request. The Neff Park playground and the replacement Toolcat were both likely to be cut from the budget but all other projects were likely to get approved. 7. The Commission considered an amendment to Ordinance 6-4-10(a), Damage to Public Trees. A resident had requested that the Commission consider adding private trees to a few of the prohibited tree damages described in the ordinance. Dave Walker reported that he had consulted the City Attorney regarding the proposed changes and his opinion was that individual private tree damage was best addressed through civil litigation and not through municipal ordinances. 8. Moved by Jerney, seconded by Giesfeld, to not recommend amendments to Ordinance 6-4- 10(a), Damage to Public Trees. Motion carried 3-0. 9. Moved by Jerney, seconded by Giesfeld, to adjourn. Motion carried 3-0. Time: 7:40 p.m. Tyler Powers Chairperson