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playing fields, that the Council had made a strong commitment to the youth of the community. She said the article was unjustified and not researched very well, and she was glad that the Council had the opportunity to set the record straight. Council Member Leipzig said, "A formal offer from the County may not be on the table, or in writing, so I'll accept that. But let's make an offer to the County. Let's get moving. This has been going on for months, and months. Let's agendize this for next week. Let's notify the public, let's have them come in, give their input on the direction they would like us to go, take a vote of this Council, and make an offer to the County to move forward." Council Member Hartnett said, "I appreciate Council Member Leipzig's belated support for moving forward quickly. However, the City Council has already made its intent clear, I believe, by having set aside $1 million for playing fields for use this coming fiscal year. When the Council voted to set that aside, I recall comments from a number of Council Members, including Council Member Ira and myself, and others, that we believe that (set aside amount) should be just the beginning. We need to do more than that. We expressed a strong desire to do more. The County is aware of the Council actions and priorities in that regard. The Elementary School District is aware of the Council action. The discussions that have taken place at the policy level have reflected an acknowledgement that the City Council is quite likely to be interested in participating with the County. It is now in effect in the hands of the County to work with us by saying how they may be able to partner with us. There has been a general expression of interest in that regard, and we are expecting that there will be more specific expressions of interest very shortly." Council Member Hartnett said he expected a dollar figure to accompany that expression of interest, and he said that at that time he fully expected the City to be able to partner with the County on a specific proposal. Council Member Leipzig said he would still like to see this matter agendized to have a dialogue with the community. He said the negotiations may be going on, but "I don't get paid to negotiate, speak by the word, so I tend to get things done. I have spoken to several people that are in the negotiations, or close to them, and they feel they are bogged down. Politics is at play. Back room dealing is going on. And that the editorial that you speak of is actually right on the money. So I would like to see this agendized so we can all discuss it in the open as a community." Council Member Claire asked for clarification from Council Member Leipzig regarding his "back room dealing" comment. Council Member Leipzig did not respond. In response to Council Member Bain's questions regarding what specific actions the Council such take, such as a resolution, Council Member Leipzig said, "I would like to hear from the community. I would like the community to know what is going on, what the Council is trying to accomplish, what the School District and the County are trying to REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 JUNE22,1998 MINUTES Page No. 578 PAGE 16