Parks Capital Improvement Plan

The Park and Recreation Committee of the city works on some projects on an annual basis.  The projects are scheduled in a Capital Improvement Plan for parks which is reviewed annually.  Part of the annual review is to update the budget information adding in interest income from the previous year, addressing annual funding, and reconciling the expenditures from the previous year.  Another part of the annual review is to consider whether or not the plan for the year is appropriate.   If thoughts have changed or a better plan has emerged, the plan for the future is adjusted. 

This year the committee had contemplated the creation of a 9-hole disc golf course.  In considering this it was suggested that we at least should plan for an 18-hole course, if possible, even though we may only build a 9-hole course to start with.  Another consideration was what location would best suit the city and where could this be built.  The committee felt they needed additional time to look at options and plan for this.  In doing so, they have requested that this project be moved to 2014 in the plan.  For 2013 the committee had requested the plan be adjusted to provide for the purchase of 2 Freenotes Harmony Park musical instruments.  This change was also made to the plan. 

The revised CIP was requested to be approved by the city council and accepted.  The Park and Recreation Committee have yet to make a decision about how they will proceed with the project for 2013.  Other goals for 2015 are being worked on and some interim steps for that project could be a concern for this year.  When decisions are made the request to move forward will come to council.  

The Park and Recreation Committee have also formed a subcommittee to work on fund raising for the 2015 project.  This is a fishing boardwalk along the channel adjacent to Breezy Point Drive.  This project involves the creation of a dock type structure that would be built on shore adjacent to the channel to provide opportunities for fishing.  The structure will be handicap accessible.  This is a popular spot for spring fishing.  Anyone interested in volunteering for this effort is more than welcome.  The Park and Recreation Committee also has open spots for those who may be interested in becoming a member. 

Annual Fund Transfers

Managing budgets is an ongoing concern.  In Breezy Point we accomplish monthly financial statements to see how we’re tracking in accordance with budget. In each area of the budget we have line items which are budgeted and monitored.  One line item in each area of operation is designated for capital expenditures.  Generally we see capital items as equipment or construction but they can also be items of larger cost or non-reoccurring expenditures. 

In Breezy Point we manage capital budgeting in ways to minimize the impact to the taxpayer and limit the “use it or lose it” mentality.  Capital funds are requested annually and budgeted for.  The majority of the time the amount requested is for a purchase in that budget year.  Some years there are no or limited anticipated expenditures but funds are budgeted to be used in a future year.  In either event those funds not expended are saved in the Revolving Capital Fund.  This fund has designated uses and provides for balances to be kept individually.  This means that there is an account for police, public works, road improvements, and other uses with individual accounts and balances.  

On an annual basis, at year end, those funds budgeted for capital that are unspent are transferred to the Revolving Capital Fund.  These funds are assigned to their respective accounts so funds are available when expenditures for a replacement or new piece of equipment are needed.  It also provides a fallback position for funding when something comes up that wasn’t budgeted for.  

In keeping with this policy the city transferred funds from the 2012 budget year to the Revolving Capital Fund.  We also transferred some funds back to the 2012 budget for one account that was over budget.  Doing this minimizes the peaks and valleys in budgeting.  It’s like using your savings account to make sure you can cover the bills. In any event funds were moved to provide for the future and keep the city in a healthy financial position.

Changeable Message Signs

We have all come to understand advertising as we see it every day in all aspects of our life. Every form of media has advertising.  Logos appear on cars and manufactured goods.  Signage is prevalent identifying shops and businesses and selling their wares.  Perhaps the biggest change in advertising is the change in signage with the use of Dynamic Signs. 

Dynamic Signs are defined as any sign that can change content by any method other than physically removing and replacing the content of the sign, and portions thereof.  As examples the electronic fuel price on gas station signs are dynamic signs.  A message sign at the school or a church that can be electronically changed is a dynamic sign.  An LED video screen, similar to a flat screen TV, is a dynamic sign.  These have all come of age as being more common and affordable.  

The Planning Commission was faced with the possibility of a request for a dynamic sign that didn’t meet the existing standards for signage.  In review of the existing language it was noted that a good deal of the provisions were impossible or difficult to enforce given the technology of today.  They also noted that both the industry and people’s reactions to these types of signs have changed.  With common use, the perceived problems experienced in the past were not concerns of today.  They felt a change was needed.  

They recommended changes to the code included allowing for a sign to be entirely dynamic.  Previously only 33% of the sign could be changeable.  Movement of the message will now be allowed.  The brightness standard was addressed in terms of a reasonable person standard.  If a reasonable person thinks it is too bright we can require the owner to reduce the brightness.  The prohibitions of color use were removed.  Signs that are capable of posting messages can be used for Amber Alerts or public safety concerns.  

The remainder of the requirements concerning dynamic signs remain.  The changes were meant to keep pace with technology and to remove those provisions which were difficult to enforce.  The changes also provide for more flexibility with users in managing their signage.  

The recommended changes were approved and are now part of the zoning code.     

Limiting Vacation Rentals

As a resort community we have a lot of people come and go in the community throughout the year.  There are many forms of housing to accommodate all these individuals in Breezy Point.  We have rooms in the resort and motel, timeshare units, campgrounds, and single family homes providing for vacation rentals.  When people come here they vacation and have a good time.  

Although the city may have grown as a vacation area and resort the city has permanent year round residents.  These residents live in neighborhoods with single family homes.  Scattered around the community are homes that are rented as vacation rental units.  Many of these are near the resort but a few are in other areas of the community.  Having these vacation rentals in primarily single family neighborhoods creates conflicts when vacationers have a bit too much fun.  

In the past year or so the Planning Commission has been trying to get a handle on how to control the spread of these units.  The ordinances had provided for their establishment with the issuance of an Interim Use Permit in an R-3 zone.  The R-3 zone is primarily for single family homes.  An Interim Use Permit is similar to a Conditional Use Permit.  After a public hearing to consider the use, conditions are established on the use of the property and a permit is issued for the Vacation Rental.  With an Interim Use Permit, it is issued for a specified period of time.  The owner would need to reapply for the permit when expired.  With this procedure is it is extremely difficult to say no to a property owner who wishes to establish a vacation rental when they have met all the ordinance requirements.  Once established, if problems occur the permit can be revoked or isn’t renewed.  The problem is, during the duration of the permit neighboring property owners have to deal with the issues these sometimes create. 

The Planning Commission recommended to council the removal of this clause from the ordinances.  The recommendation would provide that new Vacation Rentals are no longer allowed in R-3 zones.  The council adopted the change so the creation of new Vacation Rental units is no longer allowed in this district.

 

This is a step in the right direction but doesn’t solve all the problems these units pose.  The city continues to have units that were established in the past as “grandfathered”.  The commission looked for other methods to control these uses, all of which were problematic.  The best advice for neighboring property owners that have issues with renters is to call the police.  They will respond to control the situation.  Property owners of these properties will subsequently be informed of their renter’s behaviors.  It is hoped these instances will be minimized over time as owners better understand the problems and who they rent to.  Vacationers having a good time is a given.   Stepping over the line infringes on others.  Vacation rentals are enjoyed by most without problems.  Unfortunately there are some who don’t understand boundaries.  Limiting these helps in minimizing the impact these have on residents of the community.    

Pelican Woods Cemetery and Nature Trail

Cemeteries take on a “life” of their own.  Each has its character, history and approach.  Some may look alike with similar looking headstones.  Some are from a bygone era.  Pelican Woods Cemetery and Nature Trail is a very unique cemetery.  The name implies it is more than just a cemetery.  It has a trail that rings the area for those that want a peaceful and beautiful walk in the woods.  It also has gardens and vegetation of varying types of shrubs and plants.  The cemetery features no above ground headstones.  The grounds have been maintained by a contractor who mows the grass but also helps volunteers maintain the cemetery.  These volunteers have been headed by Cemetery Commission members and include others who I call the Friends of the Cemetery.  They work for a few hours each Monday morning to maintain the grounds.  

The cemetery was started in 1999 with lots being sold after construction in 2001.  With such a young cemetery it takes a number of years to establish buyers of lots which ultimately are used.  An update was recently given to the City Council concerning lot sales and burials.  The use has picked up in the last couple of years with six burials taking place in 2012 and already in 2013, two.   A total of 64 lots have been sold.  Thirty-eight burials have occurred.  Fifteen of these are cremain inurnments and twenty-three have been traditional burials.  

Grassmaster is the contractor who has maintained the grounds since the beginning.  His services have been greatly appreciated.  I believe his heart and soul have been in this effort as he held his price for services steady from 2004 through 2012.  With the most recent two year contract he asked for a 2 percent raise in prices, which was granted.  There has been a great deal of respect for his abilities in not only getting the grounds mowed but also working with the volunteers in maintaining the grounds.

 

If you are a property owner in Breezy Point, the city can offer a cemetery lot for a twenty percent discount.  The price includes funding for perpetual care.   If you do not own property in the city lots are still competitive.  Recently the commission changed the rules to allow for individual cremain inurnments in a single lot, allowing for a portion of a lot to be sold.  Doing this keeps the price relatively low for a single individual who may not have other family members to share a lot.  Pelican Woods Cemetery is a beautiful place to consider for your final resting place.