Discuss Request to Mow Portions of an Undeveloped Park - Shawn Acres

Between 2008 and 2010, various undeveloped and underdeveloped municipal lands were removed from mowing, or had reduced areas of mowing in other instances.  This was approved by City Council and due to the reductions in General Fund Budgets, and also recognizing that two regular park maintenance staff resigned with the positions remaining unfilled.

There have been several instances of residents near Shawn Acres Park requesting that the park receive occasional mowing in the front portion (near the street).  Staff would like Public Works Committee and Council concurrence that it is acceptable to resume limited mowing at the park.

The funding source would be the parks' operating budget, a subset of the General Fund for labor, fuel, and ordinary expenses associated with mowing equipment.

Staff recommends resuming mowing on an as-needed basis.

Committee direction or consensus on whether or not to resume mowing Shawn Acres Park at the request of area residents.