BROOKINGS – The Brookings City Council will discuss the Park Master Plan and view a presentation on the 2022 outside agency applications during a meeting that starts at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the City & County Government Center.

The agenda, with all attachments and memos, is available on the city’s website.

Park Master Plan

Pros Consulting Inc. will present a summary of findings and recommendations contained within the final version of the Parks Master Plan.

“In August of 2020, Pros Consulting Inc. was selected to conduct a Parks and Recreation Master Plan for the City of Brookings. This process included the development of a comprehensive inventory, analysis of operational and financial practices, engaging public input to identify forecasted needs and the creation of implementation strategies,” according to a memo by Dusty Rodiek, director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry.

Specific items included in the study, but not limited to, are:
• Needs assessment
• Assets inventory and level of services analysis
• Management and operations analysis
• Services assessment
• Cost recovery policy

• Programming plan
• Partnership policy
• Maintenance standards plan

“To achieve these objectives, the consultant collected and analyzed data to develop a clear set of goals for the City’s park system, open space, recreation facilities and program development for the next ten years,” according to Rodiek’s memo.

Outside agencies

“In 2021, a new process assisted in determining proper funding for agencies that addressed community needs. The city council’s direction is desired for the development of the 2023 funding rubric,” according to an attachment to the agenda.

“Once approved, the United Way will receive applications this fall and provide council with a recommendation. The city council will make the final determination of funding for 2022 in January/February,” according to the attachment.

The city council grants funds to Brookings social service agencies every year, determining available funds through the traditional budget process.

“Last year, the city council approved a new procedure. Council augmented the original $226,500 budget with an additional $40,000 returned from non-profit agencies. The United Way recommended $266,500 in funding for 2021, and council approved,” according to the memo by City Manager Paul Briseno.

The schedule for allocations is:
• October/November: Council set priorities for rubric

• December/January: United Way receive and evaluate applications
• January: United Way submits community impact report
• January/February: United Way recommends and council determines allocations

“The United Way has asked the city council to give direction for prioritization. The direction will assist in determining if a new rubric is needed and clarification for city funding recommendations to the committee,” according to Briseno’s memo.

The United Way utilizes a rubric that prioritizes the three areas:
• Health – Individuals and families are healthy and safe.
• Education – Individuals and families are equipped for success throughout every life stage.
• Self sufficiency – Individuals and families are independent and stable.

“The 2022 recommended budget contains $240,000 for social service agencies. This is an increase from the 2021 budget. Last year council prioritized: affordable housing; youth development; diversity; government stewardship; health; safety; transportation/transit,” according to Briseno’s memo.

“Staff assumes a second pool of funding may occur from the American Recovery Plan (ARPA). In December or January, a recommendation for social service agency allocations from this funding source will be made. These dollars should be targeted for COVID-related impacts,” the memo added.

Contact Jodelle Greiner at jgreiner@brookingsregister.com.