09-21-2020-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 8 Recreation Programmer Vaughan reported the lights were not on timers, but rather the rink attendants were responsible for turning the lights on and off, with the exception of Cummings Park. Mayor Grant stated picnic tables could be placed near the rinks in order to assist people in putting their skates on. He noted this would also provide residents with a place to put their belongings. Recreation Programmer Vaughan explained other communities were placing picnic tables near rinks for this winter. Councilmember Holden suggested the warming houses be used only by the attendant and that picnic tables be located outside the rinks for use by the visitors. Councilmember Scott and Councilmember McClung supported this recommendation. Councilmember Holmes stated she could support this option but feared attendance at the rinks would go down without the warming houses being open. Councilmember Holden requested staff still draft a cleaning policy for the warming houses. Councilmember Scott recommended the City be flexible with the warming house attendants given the fact a second wave of COVID was expected late this fall or early winter. Councilmember Holden questioned if the City would be on the hook for unemployment if the warming house attendants were hired and then hours were reduced or eliminated. Recreation Programmer Vaughan stated the number of hours per week would be too low for these employees to qualify for unemployment. Council consensus was to support ice skating rinks this winter, along with the opening of warming houses for the attendants only with picnic tables around the rinks for the visitors. Mayor Grant questioned how the Council wanted to proceed with skating lessons and clinics. Councilmember Holden asked if the number of people in the clinics would pay for the instructor. She stated she would only want four to six students in a class for safety purposes. Councilmember Holmes explained she supported both the ice skating lessons and clinics. She indicated there would be enough social distancing during these events. Councilmember McClung commented he would need more information regarding the number of attendees and how State guidelines would be met. Recreation Programmer Vaughan stated he could come back with more information on how the City would approach the skating lessons and clinics.