Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council discusses parks improvements, tree grants, economic development and community events
Summary
Council members reviewed parks initiatives (including a possible parks passport and natural play elements), asked staff to pursue tree‑planting grant opportunities, discussed membership in a utilities rate review association, and announced community events and retirements.
Council members used their reports section to update colleagues and the public on parks planning, tree grants, economic development and community events.
Parks and recreation: Council members discussed the prospect of a parks passport program to encourage families to visit and rate neighborhood parks, and noted interest in natural play features on underused park parcels. Members said they plan to meet with staff in April to prioritize park improvements and discuss wayfinding signage and scheduling of maintenance.
Trees and grants: A council member asked staff to pursue a Metro regional grant program the city has used in past years to remove ash trees affected by emerald ash borer and to purchase replacement trees for public boulevards and parks.
Utilities and rate review: Council members described membership in the SRA (a joint utility-rate review group of about 30 cities) that helps pay for legal and engineering representation when disputing fee proposals from utilities; the council’s membership fee is paid in two installments and varies by population.
Economic development and events: Council Member McHenry announced community events and fundraising activities, including support for the West Tonka robotics team advancing to a world championship in Houston (April 16), a retirement reception for Paul Falls (March 26) and a West Tonka baseball kickoff fundraiser on April 1. A council member also described a Senate bill being tracked that would exempt municipal construction purchases from sales tax if enacted.
Why it matters: The items relate to long‑range city image, park use and maintenance, public‑tree canopy management, utility costs, and community economic‑development outreach. Several items will require follow-up from staff to pursue grants or return recommendations to council.
Details and next steps: Staff was asked to follow up on the Metro tree‑grant webinar, to continue engagement with the parks commission and public‑works staff on signage and scheduling, and to clarify SRA membership billing. Council members will publicize community events and return with recommendations at future meetings.
