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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – FEBRUARY 16, 2021 7 <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes suggested the City allow for the adult programming with yoga and tai <br />chi outdoors. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant stated that the Council Chambers potentially be used for the AARP classes in order <br />to properly space people out. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes raised concern about bringing people into City Hall and stated she <br />would not sit in a class with 8 to 15 people in the Council Chambers, even if spaced out with a <br />mask on. She did not believe this would be safe. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant commented further on the length of the classes that were offered by AARP. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes recommended the City not offer these classes in 2021. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott supported AARP hosting these classes if they believe they can do it safely. <br />He anticipated those 55 and older that are vaccinated could attend this class safely. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated she liked the idea of offering these classes, but understood the <br />classes were available online as well, which may be a better option at this time. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant recommended the City not offer the AARP classes this spring or summer, but <br />noted the Council could support the City offering yoga, foot care and tai chi classes. <br /> <br />Recreation Programmer Vaughan thanked the Council for their input regarding the spring and <br />summer recreation programming. <br /> <br />C. Recreation Programming and Staffing Discussion <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault stated under a separate discussion item, the City Council reviewed <br />recreation programming and whether or not it would like to offer the full complement of <br />spring/summer programming, a modified version, or no programming at all. The previous year’s <br />spring and summer programming was cancelled due to COVID-19 as a measure to protect <br />residents, staff, and program instructors during the pandemic. Following that discussion, the City <br />Council will also want to consider how it wants to proceed with Recreation Programming on a <br />longer-term basis. <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault explained Council had previously directed Staff to work with the <br />City’s Financial, Planning and Analysis Committee (FPAC) on a review of the recreation <br />programming and how it affected the City’s budget. The Committee noted that programming <br />decisions are policy decisions the Council needs to make regarding the level and quality of <br />programming offered by the City, but from a budgetary perspective it would recommend that the <br />programming bring in revenue that equals between 95 percent and 105 percent of direct expenses. <br />It did not offer an opinion on related indirect expenses, the largest category being the two full- <br />time staff members that oversee the recreation function. Following a Council discussion of <br />FPAC’s recommendation, the Council directed staff to bring a discussion on Recreation <br />Programming to a future work session. <br />