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Committee weighs a gifts-acceptance policy after costly park repairs and vandalism; staff proposes cameras and dump station updates
Summary
Officials discussed drafting a gifts-acceptance policy to require budgeting for upkeep (suggestions included setting aside 10–20% or creating a gift fund) after examples of vandalism and an aging splash pad (~$117,000). Staff proposed installing five motion-capable cameras (rough estimate $12,000) and reactivating an RV-waste dump with card access to limit illegal dumping.
Committee members discussed whether the city should adopt a formal gifts-acceptance policy to avoid taking on unbudgeted long-term maintenance costs.
One committee member cited a donated splash pad (about $117,000) and recurring vandalism and plumbing issues; members said the city has sometimes lacked a maintenance budget for gifted amenities. The committee discussed options used by larger Montana cities—requiring a percentage set-aside (for example, 10–20%) or creating a dedicated gift fund that would pay for ongoing upkeep—and asked staff to research models from other cities and draft policy language.
Staff also proposed increasing park surveillance to deter vandalism and protect recent $70,000 bathroom renovations at JC Park and Meyer Park. The staff estimate for five installed cameras was about $12,000 (roughly $2,000 per camera). Staff said they are seeking bids and have tentatively requested budget dollars to install cameras near vulnerable facilities, and they also discussed reactivating an RV-waste dumping station with controlled access and cameras to prevent illegal dumping that could damage the wastewater treatment plant.
The committee agreed to have staff research policy language and cost estimates and to draft a gifts-acceptance policy and related budget requests for future council consideration.
