01-27-00 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Chair Johnson sought a motion from the committee recommending to the City Council that staff continue to pursue alternative funding sources, rather than staff solicitations. Mr. Moore stated that many communities were in the process of dropping their safety programs. Ms. Olson stated that it had proven hard to get agencies to assist in coordination, but that Ramsey County currently had two representatives working on the program. Ms. Olson stated that she was willing to try contacting another community to determine their interest. Chair Johnson suggested that the committee table any action at this time; that staff continue to look at another funding sources and other options for 2001 with diligent speed; and present alternatives at a future meeting. After School Track Program Ms. Olson addressed another memorandum from City Administrator Lynch regarding the future of this program. Ms. Olson stated that most of the controversy stemmed from the status of coaches,whether they were regarded as contracted service providers, or employees of I.S.D No. 621. Staff had been attempting to convince I.S.D. No. 621 to be more of a participant in manpower required for the program, since the City of Arden Hills is the only one of four cities ticking fields. Mr. Moore stated that the program essentially ran itself, and the City needed to back out of it, . requiring I.S.D. No. 621 to run the program itself. Under current operations, the program was discriminatory, since the schools only offered it to those students within the public school system. Further discussion ensued as to the ramifications if the City pulled out of the program, and anticipated responses of Valentine Hills Elementary and Island Lake School. Ms. Olson stated that, with the exception of$8 from every registration that stays in City to cover administrative fees and maintenance of the fields, the remaining fees paid for the lucrative coach's salaries. No committee action was taken. Spring 2000 Recreation Program Summary Ms. Olson reviewed this handout, and specifically addressed program numbers 51 —62, which she did not plan to offer again, due to low usage. Ms. Olson provided her findings for the Skyhawks program, initiated this year, and expressed her approval of the quality of the program,with additional participants in the same class offerings as last year; the ease of depending on the staffing,public relations, information, and equipment provided by the Skyhawks program, since it is difficult for the City to staff these programs. Ms. Olson recommended that the City continue to use this program, with annual evaluations of the program.