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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdvisory Board Retreat Key Outcomes 10-20-2007Jefferson County Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Retreat October 20, 2007 KEY OUTCOMES Raise Public Awareness The public needs to know about what we do at Parks & Rec. and our financial situation. All of us need to be able to articulate a clear message... "We can't keep up... Demand is growing, costs are rising, revenue is flat because we don't have a dedicated tax source. We're at a tipping point for what we can handle. Parks & Rec. maintains our quality of life. We need to be able to serve everyone in the community, not just those who can pay for it." Involve the media in telling our story. Need an attention -grabbing headline that threatens to take away what people value. Then, the courage to follow through if the public doesn't come to attention and help solve the problem. Take Action on our Financial Situation We need to earn more revenue and/or cut cost. We cannot continue to operate as "business as usual." Options might be: • Create a dedicated tax source... become a junior tax district • Close Memorial Field • Re -design Memorial Field • Create a new, recreation/aquatics center • Sell or lease county property currently overseen by Parks & Rec. Identify win/win partnership opportunities for cities, agencies, and businesses to share in the cost and the success of the park system Involve the Public We want to make a decision about what to do based on public input. We recommend Matt be freed up so he can dedicate half time to conducting focus groups/public forums in the following communities: • Brinnon • Gardiner • Quilcene • 2 in Port Townsend • Port Ludlow • Cape George • Tri Area • Kala Point Invite people to participate in these focus groups through the media, direct mail, and attending public meetings of other stakeholders. The effort will be concluded with Matt preparing a report for the advisory board outlining what people want, recommendations for making it happen, etc. Rationale for getting the Commission to approve this can be tied into the comp plan that Parks & Rec. is required by law to create. Remember our Mission We value having the parks be accessible to all. Being keepers of the commons is an important part of our mission. Crisis as an Oonortunit This is an opportunity to form new models of partnership. Find allies and invite them to co - create a solution that will work for all. Forming a "metropolitan park district", or inter -agency agreement among the city, schools, and Parks & Rec. to maintain Memorial Field can be a model for other parks and a long-term solution to our financial crisis. If the city and schools don't respond to the opportunity, we'll feel more comfortable about suggesting closing Memorial Field to the Commission. Next Steps... Judith is drafting a letter for council members to read at meetings of city council, school boards, and other agencies that might take an interest in becoming a part of an inter- agency agreement to cooperatively maintain Memorial Field. Letter outline is as follows: a. This could be an exciting model for what's possible when we work together b. Field will close, unless you partner with us to form a metropolitan park district c. We need an inter -agency agreement to keep the field open d. Here are the costs of Memorial Field e. These costs do not realize our mission as an agency 2. Council members will figure out who will attend these meetings to read the letter and invite participation. 3. Judith is drafting a second letter to the Commission explaining the gravity of the situation, what the council is planning, and requesting that Matt be able to dedicate half time to the focus group effort. 4. Liz will attend the next Make Waves meeting to learn more and explore possibility of partnering with them.