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Erie council signals appetite for parks projects and orders a broad public survey on priorities
Summary
Councilors discussed parks projects (Morgan Hill, Compass, Scofield), a proposed $17.5M aquatic center, and whether to bundle parks projects for a bond; the council directed staff to pursue a comprehensive 2025 community survey and to return with procurement options.
Erie — Councilors and staff spent substantial time on March 13 weighing parks and recreation priorities, feasibility for an aquatic center or performing arts facility, and how to present funding choices to the public.
The ask: Sarah Hancock outlined multiple park projects and said the parks program uses many funding sources — parks impact fees, conservation trust, general fund transfers and competitive grants. Staff flagged Morgan Hill and Compass parks as multi‑million‑dollar projects, Scofield Farm as already appropriated, and the Page property (Village at Cole Creek) as forthcoming. Hancock and Luke estimated a prototype aquatic center at about $17.5 million in today’s dollars with a projected ~62% operating cost recovery; typical feasibility studies are $35,000–$50,000.
Public input and survey: Councilors sought a robust community survey to test priorities and willingness to pay, and to distinguish essential services (police, courts) from optional amenities (performing arts, pools). Mayor Andrew Moore and others supported hiring a pollster; staff reported a Magellan quote in the mid‑$60,000 range for a full household survey but noted a statistically valid sampled survey would be cheaper. Council asked staff to issue a procurement that included options (statistical sample vs. full household contact) and to return with tradeoffs and timing recommendations.
Bond timing and bundling: Some councilors asked whether parks projects could be bundled into one ballot measure. Staff noted other municipalities have bundled projects successfully and that survey work would help test ballot language and appetite. Councilors also discussed equity and geographic distribution of park investments and the role of developer‑built parks versus town‑built parks.
Next steps: Staff will solicit multiple quotes/RFP responses for a comprehensive community survey, refine cost estimates and return with options for bundling, phrasing and timing. Feasibility studies for performing arts or aquatics can be scheduled after survey results or run in parallel if council provides funding direction.
