Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Unanimously Adopts 2022 Budget, Marking Historic Investments In Youth

Press release from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

December 12, 2021

At their December 8 meeting, the Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a 2022 Budget for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) that marks historic investments in youth, addresses ongoing challenges caused by COVID-19, and protects park assets.

“I am proud of the Board of Commissioners who came together in making good on our promise to substantially invest in the most vulnerable young people in this City. Every commissioner voted for a budget that made youth programs free in areas of concentrated poverty, established 22 new youth-serving positions across the city, and expanded youth facilities investments like futsal courts and the new ‘Spark’d’ creative technology labs. Under the steady, courageous leadership of Superintendent Bangoura, heading into 2022 I could not be more excited and confident about MPRB’s position as a critical community resource for our neighbors who need support the most,” said Jono Cowgill, Board President.

The adopted budget eliminates fees for youth programming and youth sports at locations that are fully within the boundaries of census-designated Areas of Concentrated Poverty (ACP) and Areas of Concentrated Poverty where 50% or more of residents are people of color (ACP50). Locations include Bottineau, Central Gym, East Phillips, Elliott, Farview, Folwell, Harrison, Luxton, North Commons, North Mississippi Nature Center, Painter, Peavey, Phillips, Powderhorn, Stewart, Van Cleve, and Whittier. The Board also identified three Rec Plus sites, Harrison, Webber and Matthews, that will become donation-based sites.

The budget includes a historic $2.6 million increase in youth investments through a combination of gradual increases in property taxes and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocations. Led by Superintendent Al Bangoura with support from Mayor Frey, Council President Bender, and BET members, this investment in youth is provided through a $1.3 million increase in the MPRB property tax levy and a commitment from the Mayor to allocate $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the MPRB in 2022. The Mayor also provided for an ongoing commitment of gradual annual increases ($260,000) to the MPRB property tax levy from 2023 through 2027 to meet the full $2.6 million in youth investment requested by the Board as well as an ongoing commitment of ARPA funding for 2023 and 2024 ($1,092,000 and $875,400, respectively).

“There has been an unprecedented uptick in youth violence. Our youth are in crisis and the time to act is now,” said Superintendent Bangoura. “Since beginning my work as Superintendent in 2019, this has been my priority and I have ensured that we have responded to every request asked of us. We completed the research, identified the need, demonstrated our commitment, collaborated with partners, streamlined and restructured to reduce overhead, and piloted programs to show what was possible. I am grateful that we are able to advance this work forward and thank all staff and elected officials who were integral in making this happen.”

Additional Board-approved amendments include the elimination of the recommended new busker/street performer license, slight increases in the annual parking permit fee, and an increase to commissioner compensation, from $12,438 annually for commissioners and $13,853 annually for the Board president to $17,000 and $18,700 respectively.

The 2022–2027 Capital Improvement Program was amended to increase the 2022 allocation from Park Dedication to be allocated to Clinton Field Park Sport Courts and Painter Park Plan Implementation; increase the 2022 assessment bond and expenditure allocation for private property diseased and infested tree removal; and amend the park improvements description for Central Gym Park to “Wading pool, site improvements, pool building renovation, and skate park.” The Board also amended the 2021 Capital Improvement Program to reallocate Parks and Trails Legacy Funds from Mississippi Gorge Regional Park to Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail for Bridge and Trail Rehabilitation and Replacement.

Bangoura noted that parks are vital to the community and that both 2020 and 2021 required responsiveness and testing of new ways of serving the public. The 2022 budget builds on this work, supports innovation and addresses new pressures.

The 2022 Budget supports the 20 Year Neighborhood Park Plan (NPP20) through the increased allocation amount of $11.5 million and the use of criteria-based systems and a racial equity lens for budget allocations and decisions. Racial equity work continues to be demonstrated in the Superintendent’s Recommended 2022 Budget in five distinct areas: 2022 department budget goals; neighborhood park capital improvement and rehabilitation funding; regional park capital improvement funding; recreation center funding; and 2022 budget adjustments.

The 2022 Budget proposes utilizing the maximum 5.85 percent tax levy approved by the BET. The 5.85 percent property tax increase will result in an estimated annual increase in property taxes of $20 for the owner of a median-value $286,000 house due to growth in the tax base.

The 2022 Budget totals $139.6 million, including $96.2 million for the general operating fund, $17.3 million for the enterprise operating fund, $2.0 million for the special revenue fund and $24.2 million for capital project funding.

This budget supports the MPRB’s commitment to strategic long-term planning. It signifies the final budget year under the guidance of the 2018-2022 Strategic Directions and Performance Goals adopted by the Board of Commissioners in April 2018 and 2019, respectively. The Strategic Direction guides system-wide operations and initiatives through 2022 through the identification of four priorities: invest in youth; be financially sustainable; protect the environment; and engage communities’ power.

Invest in Youth

The MPRB sought the opportunity to truly serve the youth of Minneapolis with quality, innovative programs, regardless of the youth’s ability to pay for services. The budget includes $2.6 million in youth investment and meets the youth employment goals set forth in the strategic directions. The funding provides for the addition of 22 full-time employees who will provide consistent, dedicated engagement of youth in safe environments and expose them to experiences that can enhance and enrich their lives. The funding will be directed to youth programming, creation spaces, youth employment, nature-based programming, and intergenerational programming.

Financial Sustainability

The MPRB and City of Minneapolis mutually agreed to an adjustment to the NPP20 guaranteed minimum amount for the years 2022 through 2026. Through the concurrent MPRB and City ordinances the MPRB has received $10.5 million for neighborhood park rehabilitation and capital infrastructure since the program began in 2017. At five-year increments the MPRB and City must pass concurrent resolutions and mutually agree to an increase in this amount based on inflation and other salient factors. This adjustment was adopted by the Board and City Council in 2021 and has set the progressively increased annual amounts for years 2022 through 2026 from $11.5 million to $13.1 million. The MPRB 2022 – 2027 Capital Improvement Program NPP20 allocations reflect these adjusted amounts. The budget also includes increases in established fees and charges in areas that don’t impact youth; the addition of new fees and charges in areas that don’t impact youth; and other line-item reductions. It continues to improve the financial condition of the Enterprise and Internal Services Funds, maintains funding for the Park Land Acquisition Fund and Operations Facilities Rehabilitation Fund, and utilizes General Fund excess fund balance to provide funding for the Bde Maka Ska building improvements and Creation Spaces building modifications.

Protect the Environment

The MPRB is committed to strategic and focused efforts to enhance open spaces and natural areas management, decrease the MPRB carbon footprint, increase usage of electric vehicles, and reduce pesticide usage. The budget continues these efforts by the further reduction of greenhouse gas emissions using priorities and recommendations from the first completed carbon footprint analysis, and the implementation of formal criteria for evaluating new equipment purchases and replacements to reduce fuel consumption, minimize pollution and emissions, and improve operations. This budget also supports the addition of the Forestry Outreach Coordinator, implementation of algae toxin surveillance program at all 13 public beaches, and utilization of General Fund excess fund balance to provide funding for a Cedar Lake and Lake Nokomis blue-green algae reduction diagnostic study and plan development.

Engage Communities’ Power

Engaging communities’ power continues to be at the forefront with MPRB communication and engagement taking place in the time of a pandemic. Virtual board meetings offered email and call-in public remarks during Open Time, and the Parks for All comprehensive plan work was extended to ensure all who wanted to participate had the opportunity to do so. The need to utilize technology challenged staff to overcome barriers to access. The MPRB acknowledges those barriers and continues to strive to engage the people of Minneapolis to perpetuate Minneapolis’ great parks through the insights and support we gain from every conversation we have with Minneapolis residents. The budget supports the roll-out of the next comprehensive plan, the development of the next Board adopted strategic directions, and completion of community engagement and concept approval of the North Commons Park Revitalization Plan.

“The last two years have re-shaped our lives,” said Bangoura. “Our employees have amazed me with their ability to persevere, adjust, transform, innovate and support this organization, doing great work, while executing our mission and maintaining our values. I remain extremely proud of our park system.”

The budget and related documents are available for viewing at www.minneapolisparks.org/budget.

Financial and Service Challenges

There are multiple financial and services challenges impacting the MPRB:

Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) impacts

The MPRB is more than a year into operating through the pandemic. From implementing service delivery changes, understanding financial impacts, and researching and acquiring COVID-19 relief funds, the MPRB has remained innovative, responsive, and flexible. The MPRB has responded to the pandemic with a focused priority on the health and safety of its park visitors and employees.

System growth, expansion, and service levels

The MPRB’s system is experiencing growth in both the regional and neighborhood systems. Parks and amenities are being added to new residential areas that were traditionally non-residential, in support of the City’s growth patterns and other development. As improvements and expansion occur within the park system, service delivery models will need to be analyzed, adjusted, or changed to support the needs of these areas. Consideration needs to be given to how current service levels associated with this growth is built into the annual budget process and communicated and supported by the City, BET, and the public.

Capital investment needs

The MPRB has many capital needs throughout the system including security and alarm upgrades, parkway paving and parkway lighting, RiverFirst development and acquisition, reinvesting in operation facilities, underground infrastructure and utilities, Enterprise Fund capital investment, support for the Land acquisition fund, and investment in historic and iconic homes.

Water quality and lake monitoring

Algae blooms are not limited to Minneapolis but are regional and national issues. Some Minneapolis lakes have impairments designated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that need to be addressed. Specifically, Powderhorn Lake is designated impaired for nutrients and has frequent blue green algae blooms. MPRB water resources staff and the City of Minneapolis are planning a diagnostic study to determine how best to address nutrients and algae in this lake and plan to execute restoration projects based on the study. Lake Nokomis is also designated impaired for nutrients and has an Environmental Protection Agency-approved plan that requires nutrient reduction; in addition, MPRB staff believe managing internal loading sources of nutrients will be needed to restore this lake. The scale of both projects requires staff time and funding to implement. While Powderhorn Lake and Lake Nokomis are designated as impaired due to nutrient levels, Cedar Lake is not. Nokomis, Cedar and Powderhorn have all been experiencing recent harmful algal blooms. MPRB staff prioritize projects based on impairment status, the equity matrix, staffing levels and available funding. Additional funding for a diagnostic study of Minneapolis lakes that addresses the need for management of blue green algae blooms is necessary.

Other key financial challenges include union negotiated settlements, minimum wage increases, inflationary increases especially in construction costs, and the continued work to stabilize the Enterprise Fund.

Departmental initiatives and changes for 2022 include:

• Asset Management – addition of a Crewleader, two Parkkeepers and one part-time seasonal Parkkeeper; slight increase in State of Minnesota Operations and Maintenance funding; and slight reductions in fuel, supply and contractual services.
• Athletic Programs, Aquatics, Golf & Ice Arenas – increases in lifeguard pay rates and adult sports officials’ compensation with an offsetting adult sports fee increase and a slight increase in adult sports revenue due to revenue trends; increase in golf fees based on market rates; and addition of one Auto Mechanic position.
• Communications and Marketing – transfer of hours for Media Relations and Social Media Manager from enterprise fund to general fund to reflect current work being done.
• Community Connections and Violence Prevention – reduction in contractual services as the department is utilizing full and part-time staffing rather than contractual services.
• Customer Service – addition of a Recreation Supervisor, part-time Front Desk position and operating funds to support system expansion for The Commons, North Loop, Eighth Avenue, and Market Square Parks; addition of 1.5 Event Coordinators for Water Works and The Commons; increase in canoe rack storage fee and use of a portion of The Commons park operating reserve; increase in revenue for additional metered parking, slight increases in annual parking fees, activation of new parks, and farmer’s market booth fee.
• Deputy Superintendent’s Office – establishment of micro-enterprise for Water Works site; revenue estimates and costs associated with the activation and maintenance of the site and implementation of the new concession agreement; addition of two full-time Parkkeepers and additional hours for Crewleader, seasonal Gardener, Recreation Supervisor, and Event Coordinator.
• Design and Project Management and Strategic Planning – reduction in part-time Urban Scholar.
• Environmental Management – supports youth investment in Nature-based Programming, including addition of two Senior Naturalists and part-time Naturalist, and the Youth Employment and Training Program, including additional part-time youth workers and part-time adult supervisors and mentors; supports an algae toxin surveillance program at 13 public beaches and the use of one-time funding for a Cedar Lake and Lake Nokomis blue-green algae reduction diagnostic study and plan development; revenue adjustments from partner jurisdictions; and reduction in supply and contractual services.
• Finance – reduction in materials and supplies.
• Forestry – addition of the Forestry Outreach Coordinator position; reduction in supply and contractual services.
• Human Resources – reduction in food and beverage for interviewer due to increase in virtual interviews.
• Information Technology Services – supports technology and support needs of Creation Spaces and Technology Hubs located in recreation centers, including the addition of a support position and the conversion of a certified part-time IT support position to a full-time position; increase in internet upload speeds at several sites to accommodate new camera and security systems; and addition of a virtual desktop test environment to evaluate the enhanced security and manageability of a virtual desktop environment.
• Youth and Recreation Center Programs – supports historic youth investment in Youth and Intergenerational Programming, with addition of five youth program positions and eight Youth Program Specialists, and Creation Spaces, with addition of two additional creations spaces, Creation Space Manager, six Creation Space Program Specialists, and supply and contractual services; reduction in youth program and youth sports revenue; and reduction in contractual services as management of computer labs transitions to MPRB staff.

The budget and related documents are available for viewing at www.minneapolisparks.org/budget.

This press release was produced by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. The views expressed here are the author’s own.