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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - October 10, 2000 9 Councilmember Rem stated that if the neighborhood residents want a rink in Valentine Park, a . rink should be established. She added that residents have presented their reasons and the Council act on the PTRC's recommendations. Mayor Probst stated he takes exception to the comments of Councilmember Rem. He added it is unfair and incorrect to suggest from the bench that the Council purposefully does the opposite of what residents want. Mayor Probst stated that the Valentine Park rink was closed last year with the full understanding of the Council. He added that residents can come forward and ask for it to be re-established, He noted that City staff differed from the PTRC in their opinion on the re-establishment of the rink, and the Council must choose a course of action. Mayor Probst stated that the Council's comments with regard to this issue and the street improvement project issue imply that City staff is responsible for creating difficult situations, He added he does not believe this is the case, and the Council has not been clear in terms of offering direction, He noted he does not have a strong opinion either way, although budget issues must be taken into account. Craig Wilson, 1677 Lake Valentine Road, stated that he has lived near Valentine Park for over eighteen years, and an ice rink has been in the park all that time, He added it seems strange to suggest now that the rink is not sustainable or maintainable, as tlle result of construction done by . the City. He noted the neighborhood should not sutfer due to actions that have been taken by the City, Christine Wilson, 1677 Lake Valentine Road, stated that it has never been their purpose during their private parties to exclude other residents from skating at the rink, Fran Holmes, 1804 Venus Avenue, tllanked City staff and the Council for their cooperation on this issue. She added the rink at Valentine Park has been open for 32 years, and the residents of the neighborhood are asking for their rink back. She noted the residents intend to have a party this winter if the rink is re-opened. Councilmember Larson asked whether at some point the neighborhood would feel that usage of the rink would make it inoperable. He noted the rink's low number of skaters, and usage may not warrant the on-going maintenance ofthe rink, Ms, Holmes stated that there are no lessons at the rink, and it is not a hockey area with organized groups, which might inflate the City's numbers at other rinks. She added the numbers appear to be adequate, and the neighborhood wants the rink back. Ms, Wilson stated the City has not provided any actual figures to indicate exactly how much money the City would be saving by eliminating the rink, Councilmember Larson stated that staffs memo indicates the average rink costs approximately $7,000 to maintain each winter. .