Park Legacy Citizens Advisory Committee set to host public hearing tonight

The Loyal Heights Community Center Advisory Council (LHCCAC) emailed in to let us know that the Parks Legacy Citizens Advisory Committee (PLPCAC) will be hosting a public hearing tonight at Miller Community Center (330 19th Ave E) starting at 6 p.m. The PLPCAC has been appointed to consider Seattle Parks and Recreation’s future funding options.

“This is a great opportunity to give feedback to the Seattle Parks Legacy Plan Citizen Committee on their funding recommendations and the future park funding ballot measure,” writes Rachel Koller from the LHCCAC.

There are 37 Investment Initiatives (funding recommendations) that are currently proposed for inclusion in a future park funding ballot measure. At this stage, an initial prioritization of the 37 proposed initiatives has occurred within three subcommittees: Existing Programs and Services, New Programs and Services and Partnerships.

The PLPCAC are looking for local community feedback and ask attendees to consider the following questions in preparation for the meeting:

• What priorities should the Committee consider as it makes recommendations for a ballot measure?
• Should the ballot measure focus on maintaining core services like park maintenance for bathrooms, litter pick up and keeping community center doors open?
• Should it focus on new projects that develop “land banked” sites and acquire new acreage?
• Should it concentrate on challenge grants like opportunity funds for community initiated projects and innovative new programs that encourage fitness?
• What kind of ballot measure should the Committee recommend?
• Should it be a levy? And if so, how many years – 6, 8, 12, permanent?
• Should it be a Metropolitan Park District with its own taxing authority?

After this public hearing thePLPCAC will continue their work on prioritizing the list of Investment Initiatives and evaluate funding options. Their goal is to complete preliminary recommendations by December, host open houses throughout the City in January to hear additional public feedback and present final recommendations to the Mayor and Council in March 2014.