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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – FEBRUARY 16, 2021 8 City Administrator Perrault reported the driving question regarding Recreation Programming is the level and breadth of programming the City should be offering. Answering this question will drive other options for Council to consider regarding the recreation function. An example of the Recreation Programming offered by the City in 2019 was reviewed with the Council. He noted the programming found in the example guide is typically more than what a City of our size would offer, but less than our surrounding larger cities that have dedicated recreation facilities. Generally, this level of programming has been overseen by two full-time City employees: a Recreation Coordinator to oversee the administrative piece of the programming, and a Recreation Programmer to assist with the day-to-day aspects of the programming to include: training and supervision of seasonal staff, on-site monitoring, assuming instructor duties when needed, etc. City Administrator Perrault indicated the Recreation Programmer has reviewed the recreation programs offered by the City and provided a synopsis regarding participation and popularity of the programs. The City Council will want to discuss and consider its program offerings, and whether or not it wants to maintain, grow or reduce the programming being offered. City Administrator Perrault commented should the City want to maintain or grow the programs being offered, it is recommended the City have at least two full-time employees to oversee the programming. However, should the City want to reduce the programming to keep the “core” programs and reduce the less popular programs, less full-time staffing may be needed. The Recreation Programmer has drafted a program offering that would retain the popular programs, shed the unpopular programs, and could be managed by one full-time person (with a few modifications, including additional seasonal assistance during the busier months). Staff is assuming this would more or less be offset with associated expenditures of the programs, i.e. programming will generally still be a net zero for recreation revenues and direct expenses. Below is a summary table of recreation revenues and expenditures since 2015, note this does NOT include full-time salaries and 2020 was not included as programs were mostly eliminated. When considering full-time salaries, it can be assumed that approximately $170,000 of General Fund expenses are not off-set by associated recreation revenues. The savings associated with changes to the full-time positions may not directly affect the recreation budget as some of those salaries are allocated elsewhere in the General Fund, but they will all affect the General Fund as 100 percent of both salaries are paid for via the General Fund. Councilmember Holmes discussed the previous breakdown of rec activities and staffing needs. She stated she was concerned about the two different documents. She reported the Personnel Committee believed the City needed one full time staff member and one seasonal during the summer, which was different from staff’s recommendation of two full time staff members. Mayor Grant agreed the staff memo was not in alignment with the Personnel Committee. He explained the Personnel Committee recommended the City have one staff member with additional seasonal assistance in the summer. He commented the City’s park and rec offerings were quite robust considering the size of the City. Councilmember Holden discussed the activities offered by neighboring communities and indicated residents could always go to another community to participate in an activity. She asked if any of the organization work for the Parks and Recreation Department had been completed by Jennifer in Public Works.