Regular 2.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 11/13/2017
- TITLE
- Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan
- PRESENTED BY:
- Mike Whitaker
- Department:
- Parks/Rec/Public Lands
Presentation:
Yes
PROBLEM/ISSUE STATEMENT
In July of 2016, Council approved a contract with PROS Consulting to do a Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan study. This study is an update to the Parks 20/20 Plan which was completed over 17 years ago. This plan will be used to provide specific short and long-term strategies for the next 5 to 10 years and provide an optimal delivery system of parks and recreation services. This plan is also consistent with the City Council Strategic Plan and address several strategies within that plan as they relate to parks and recreation including Comprehensive, Orderly Growth and Quality of Life.
This Plan has taken over a year to develop and has involved numerous stakeholders, user groups, the Planning and Public Works Departments, and the general public. As the Plan has developed there were several updates presented to the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board, the Planning Board, City Council and the public. Also there was a statistically survey mailed out to Billings residents to seek their inputs and perspectives. The plan will be a guiding document for the Parks and Recreation Department to more effectively and efficiently provide high quality parks and recreational services and facilities for the citizens of Billings. See Attachment A Resolution and Exhibit A Plan Document.
The Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board and the City/County Planning Board met jointly on October 18th to review and comment on the plan. Both Boards unanimously recommended to the Council adoption of this plan.
This Plan has taken over a year to develop and has involved numerous stakeholders, user groups, the Planning and Public Works Departments, and the general public. As the Plan has developed there were several updates presented to the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board, the Planning Board, City Council and the public. Also there was a statistically survey mailed out to Billings residents to seek their inputs and perspectives. The plan will be a guiding document for the Parks and Recreation Department to more effectively and efficiently provide high quality parks and recreational services and facilities for the citizens of Billings. See Attachment A Resolution and Exhibit A Plan Document.
The Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board and the City/County Planning Board met jointly on October 18th to review and comment on the plan. Both Boards unanimously recommended to the Council adoption of this plan.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED
City Council may:
- Approve the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan as the guiding document for the Parks and Recreation Department for the next 15 years, or;
- Make modifications to the Plan, or;
- Disapprove the Plan and provide Staff with additional guidance.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This document will be used to guide planning, operations and financial decisions for the Parks and Recreation Department budgets and CIP requests into the future.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff, the Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Board and the City/County Planning Board unanimously recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution approving the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan as the guiding document for the Parks and Recreation Department planning and operations moving into the future.