For example, the wireless discussion for parks which I and Phyllis Kahn
initiated is certainly not dead! We spend approx. $75,000 per year on web
service hookup to each of the recreation centers at the Park Board. An
ultimate wireless agreement would likely eliminate or certainly reduce this
cost and provide a web hotspot in each neighborhood for residents. The
potential savings at most is more than double the revenue from the Crown
Hydro project with no risk to the falls! Also, since much phone service is
going to be over the web, can we ultimately reduce our phone service costs
by using voice over web technology?
By this do you mean the park board spends $3,675,000.00 per year on internet access ($75,000 x 49 recreation centers) or they are spending $127.55 per month per center ($75,000 / 49 recreation centers / 12 months)? If it is the former, you guys should be brought on charges of fiduciary irresponsibility. Does this figure ($75,000.00 per year) include the headquarters and wherever else an internet connection might be necessary (perhaps some of the interpretive centers)? What is the speed of the connection they receive for this money? What would it cost to put this new system in, and more importantly how much would the Park Board be charged for the study required to implement this new technology? Is it going to cost us a years worth of service to determine whether this service is actually going to save us money or not? And what is the cost of the equipment to create the wireless hot spot in each neighborhood, and why in the world is it that the Park Board is contemplating entering the telecommunications industry? How does creating wireless hot spots remotely relate to the business of operating and maintaining this city's parks?
Also, recently Annie, Walter Dziedzic, and I initiated a comprehensive look
at how we could bring more solar powered energy into parks. Can we put
solar panels on lights to help light dog parks in remote areas? Can we put
solar panels on parkway lights to reduce energy costs? Can we put solar on
recreation centers to provide more security lighting and reduce electrical
costs for each center? This discussion is happening with the Green
Institute to see how we might be able to partner to get some grants to
support this.
Great idea -- but there is a capital outlay that would probably have to take place. Unless the break even point is within the first year, lets try keeping our beaches open first. And harvesting the milfoil that makes the lakes look and smell horrible such that people are not as interested in coming to see them to begin with. As an aside, why is it that this park board is willing to accept as a gift a milfoil harvester from neighborhood NRP money, yet they still put such a low priority on the actual harvesting? Shameful.
Frankly, I think we could have additional greater revenue if we do a better
job of enforcing speed limits on parkways better and whether people using
dog parks do, in fact, have paid licenses! I bet you, this in itself would
provide significant revenue!
Which brings us to the elephant in the middle of the living room everyone seems to be ignoring: why is it that the Park Board has its own police force? What does it do? Why is it we have a duplicate police force in the City of Minneapolis? If you really are looking at ways to increase efficiencies, that seems to be a big one. You cannot get me to believe that there would not be huge cost benefits to all involved by consolidating these police forces plus the added benefit of getting more police on the street at the times we need them there.
As far as the discussion of basketball net removal. . . . .I think it is
ridiculous that any nets are removed because kids are using them!!! Crazy!
We have them there to be used! If there is activity that is occurring that
is unlawful, then that is a separate issue and involves our Park police and
ultimately increased surveillance.
I agree. I find it kind of crazy that Jordan does not have hoops in its park. But again, this seems to be a place where the Park Board has lost its focus and is not providing the basic services for its constituents, yet continues to look at ways to spend more money elsewhere.
Andrew Reineman Linden Hills
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