Auditor's Office: Significant Parks in Krasnoyarsk Are Serviced with Violations
Out and About in Kransgorpark: Uncovering Consistent Challenges in Krasnoyarsk's Green Spaces
Recently, Krasnoyarsk'sCity Council listened to a report from the Audit Office on the performance of Municipal Unit (MAU) "Kransgorpark," which oversees the city's parks and public spaces. It had been five years since the MAU's last evaluation, and the news wasn't great.
Currently, there are over 300 public spaces in Krasnoyarsk. Most of them contain Universal Design for Individual Needs (UDIB) facilities, but in March 2020, the management of the notable city spaces that were previously overseen by the Center for the Implementation of Social Projects, were transferred to the newly-created MAU "Kransgorpark."
Last year, the MAU handled 21 spaces: 7 parks, 6 squares, 4 plazas, and 4 riverfronts.
In numerous areas, the Audit Office found issues with the MAU's operations. Auditor Vitaliy Gabailyuk shared the findings during City Council's budget, property, and economic policy commission.
For example, there are no standardized city-wide guidelines for the design and upkeep of public spaces, and there's no centralized management system for common-use areas. Additionally, a comprehensive strategy for the development of parks and squares hasn't been adopted.
Resident access to green spaces lags behind estimated requirements by 19%, according to SNIP guidelines.
The MAU doesn't have a development plan: it isn't expected to be drafted until 2026. Eleven spaces lack plans for long-term improvement. Council members questioned why, with seven deputy directors—including one for development—such circumstances have arisen.
During the 2022–2024 period, the MAU's revenues totaled 1.7 billion rubles. The largest share comes from subsidies, amounting to 90% of the total in 2021. Auditor Gabailyuk noted that a significant portion of income from revenue-generating activities is insufficient for the MAU to develop without municipal subsidies.
Kransgorpark reported a decline in revenue due to the transfer of pay parking areas to the management of UDIB by the antimonopoly committee's decision. In 2022, self-generated activities yielded 90 million rubles, dropping to 73 million in the following year. The 2024 financial result (revenue minus expenses) was 800,000 rubles, while in 2023 it was around 2 million.
A substantial part of the loss was attributed to the Cat on the Peace Square, which, as it turns out, is unprofitable. In 2023, for instance, losses amounted to 600,000 rubles, while in 2024, they reached 1.5 million rubles.
Kransgorpark self-finances the Cat Square. Less than a million comes from the sale of souvenirs and ice cream in the summer, and the majority of income stems from contracts for rentals.
Furthermore, the MAU hasn't verified the accuracy of data regarding the number of green plantings, and planting passports aren't being developed. Trees and shrubs aren't accounted for at five city maintenance sites.
The Audit Office also raised issues with the storage of attractions procured for Central Park in 2023. Since they are at present dismantled and stored on the ground without shelter, they risk damage and potential harm to the city, estimated at 90.8 million rubles.
At present, the issue with the attractions is being addressed.
On some of Kransgorpark's land parcels, property belonging to third parties (pavilions, attractions, etc.) was found without land leasing agreements. The MAU has begun addressing this issue: for example, it initiated legal proceedings against 8 parcels and 23 items of property and claimed approximately 4.86 million rubles from OOO "Green World" for the "Priischepka" Park.
"At the same time, apart from the indicated amount, over 16.4 million is due for restoration," – Gabailyuk reported.
Concerns arose among auditors regarding electric scooter parking areas, which can be found on most Kransgorpark objects, particularly on the Central Embankment, where over 150 scooters were present. The legal status of parking spots hasn't been defined, and there are no contracts.
Council members paid special attention to this issue. It was discovered that the management of such parking areas should belong to UDIB, to which the City Council recommended taking over the matter.
The Audit Office also examined purchases, focusing on six contracts worth 286 million rubles. There, too, violations were found. For instance, in the tender for the renovation of the Kirovskiy Square, in violation of the law, the winning bidder was a collective application by 10 legal entities. Given the costs of the second bidder in the auction, expenditures for the implementation of the contract were inflated by 10 million.
In conclusion, the auditor stated that efforts to address the issues within the MAU have begun, and the MAU has provided a plan for resolving the violations, complete with timelines.
Andrey Sigida, vice-head of the department for socio-economic development of the mayor's office, defended the MAU before the council. He claimed that the MAU has a colossal workload, yet it continues to manage all spaces competently without significant problems. According to him, several violations have already been rectified, and two employees have received reprimands and the removal of performance bonuses.
Additionally, the official announced a preliminary decision to reform "Kransgorpark": the economic component will be transferred to other structures, and a "Directorate for Mass Events" will be created.
"Currently, the same business operations are performed by municipal enterprises on various spaces, but with different cost evaluations," – Sigida explained.
The final decision on the division of the MAU's functions is likely to be made this year.
Photo: "Kransgorpark," DELA
Insights:
Current State
- Scope: MAU "Kransgorpark" manages parks, green zones, and public amenities, handling 21 such spaces (7 parks, 6 squares, 4 plazas, and 4 riverfronts).
Key Challenges
- Standards: Lack of city-wide standards for the design and upkeep of public spaces, no centralized management system for common areas, and no comprehensive strategy for parks and squares.
- Financing: Heavy reliance on municipal budgets, with only 10% of revenue coming from revenue-generating activities.
Issues With Assets
- Cat Square: The Cat Square, a popular attraction, has been operating at a loss.
- Undocumented and Unverified Assets: The MAU has yet to verify the accuracy of plant data or complete planting passports. Undocumented assets were found on five city maintenance sites.
- Attractions: Certain attractions brought by Central Park in 2023 are in storage without shelter, potentially risking damage and causing harm to the city.
Contractual and Legal Matters
- Non-compliant Tenders: Tenders have been awarded in violation of the law, leading to inflated expenditures.
- Land Parcels and Assets: Some land parcels and assets were found to belong to third parties without valid land lease agreements. The MAU is addressing these issues.
- Electric Scooter Parking Areas: Legal status of parking spots hasn't been defined, and there are no contracts for these areas.
Enforcement and Mismanagement
- Inadequate Planning: The lack of long-term improvement plans for 11 spaces, as well as the absence of a development plan for the MAU (expected to be developed in 2026).
- Reprimands: Two MAU employees have received reprimands and the removal of performance bonuses due to mismanagement.
Future Plans
- Administrative Reform: Divorcing the economic component of the MAU, with plans to transfer it to other structures. The proposed directorate for mass events will manage the economic component. This decision is likely to be made this year.
Recommendations
- Better Planning: Implementing urban planning principles, standards, and strategies to improve the appearance, functionality, and accessibility of public spaces.
- Financing Innovation: Exploring alternative financing models (e.g., public-private partnerships, corporate sponsorships, or grant programs) to supplement municipal funds.
- Community Engagement: Establishing systems for community input and participation in the planning, design, and maintenance of public spaces.
- Asset Management: Implementing effective systems for asset registration, inventory, and maintenance. This would help the city ensure maximum efficiency for its available resources and provide accurate data for planning and budgeting purposes.
By addressing these challenges and implementing thoughtful strategies, MAU "Kransgorpark" has the potential to improve the quality of Krasnoyarsk's public spaces and create a healthier, more vibrant urban environment.
- The MAU "Kransgorpark" faced challenges in 2021, with issues found in their operations by the Audit Office, including a lack of city-wide standards for public spaces design and upkeep, no centralized management system for common areas, and no comprehensive strategy for parks and squares.
- In a report to the City Council, Auditor Vitaliy Gabailyuk highlighted that resident access to green spaces lags behind estimated requirements by 19%, according to SNIP guidelines.
- The MAU's revenue in the 2022-2024 period totaled 1.7 billion rubles, with 90% coming from subsidies in 2021. It was noted that a substantial portion of income from revenue-generating activities was insufficient for the MAU to develop without municipal subsidies.
- Kransgorpark faced financial losses due to the transfer of pay parking areas to the management of UDIB, which resulted in a decline in revenue. In 2023, the Cat Square, a popular attraction, operated at a loss of 600,000 rubles.
- The audit also found that the MAU hasn't verified the accuracy of plant data or completed planting passports. Undocumented plants were found on five city maintenance sites.
- Certain attractions brought by Central Park in 2023 were in storage without shelter, potentially risking damage and causing harm to the city, estimated at 90.8 million rubles.
- The legal status of electric scooter parking areas wasn't defined, and there were no contracts. Council members recommended taking over the management of such parking areas from the MAU to UDIB.
News: Kransgorpark Faces Challenges in Managing Krasnoyarsk's Green Spaces; Unprofitable Attractions, Undocumented Plants, and Disputed Electric Scooter Parking Areas Raise Concerns
Lifestyle: Exploring alternative financing models for Krasnoyarsk's public spaces to supplement municipal funds
Fashion-and-Beauty: Implementing urban planning principles and standards to improve the appearance and functionality of public spaces
Food-and-Drink: Investigating the reasons behind the unprofitability of attractions like the Cat Square
Home-and-Garden: Developing systems for community input and participation in the planning, design, and maintenance of public spaces
Relationships: Collaborating between the MAU and UDIB to address concerns regarding electric scooter parking areas
Travel: Monthly updates on the progress and resolutions of the issues within the MAU "Kransgorpark"
Cars: Analysis of the impact of transferring pay parking areas to UDIB on Kransgorpark's revenue
Shopping: Market research on the demand for souvenirs and ice cream at popular attractions like the Cat Square
