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RESOLUTION STATING COUNCIL INTENT THAT PARKS FUND LEVY AND TOURISM TAX PROCEEDS SHOULD BE UTILIZED AS APPROPRIATE FOR SPORTS FACILITIES IN THE CITY.
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BY PRESIDENT FORSMAN:
WHEREAS, Duluth has a long, rich history of supporting vibrant neighborhood youth hockey programs throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, the city has recently shifted the cost of certain expenses associated with upkeep of youth hockey facilities to the non-profit youth sports organizations that organize and deliver programs for our community; and
WHEREAS sports tourism has been identified as a strategic priority for the city’s efforts to grow our local tourism economy and a 2015 study from the University of Minnesota Duluth found youth hockey contributed over $6.2 million annually to the local economy; and
WHEREAS dedicated community volunteers staff, maintain, and manage 24 outdoor pleasure & hockey rinks, and invest over 35,000 hours annually to maintain outdoor ice at seven city parks for public use; and
WHEREAS, the proposed parks fund levy by the city administration is an opportunity to ensure investments continue to be made into the future in support of vibrant youth hockey programming.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Duluth city council hereby states its intent for the city to use future parks fund levy and/or tourism tax proceeds as appropriate to include investments in community athletic facilities for sports including, but not limited to, hockey, soccer, baseball, and basketball.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of this resolution is to state the council’s intent that park fund levy and tourism tax proceeds be used to fund outdoor and indoor sports facilities in the city as appropriate.