CCP 10-30-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - Octobcr 10, 2000 . . '-::r 9 ~E> ~j-"'a c. i ., c:," - ;~ Mayor Probst statcd that the Valentine Park rink was closed last year with the full understanding of thc Council. Hc added that residents can come forward and ask for it to be re-established. He notcd that City staff diffcrcd from the PIRC in their opinion on the re-cstablishment 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 tcrms 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, s1ated that he has lived near Valentine Park for ovcr eighteen years, and an ice rink has been in the park all that time. He addcd it seems strange to suggest now that the rink is not sustainable or maintainable, as the rcsult of construction done by the City. He noted the neighborhood should not suffer due to actions that have been taken by the City. Christine Wilson, 1677 Lake Valentinc 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 V enus Avenue, thanked 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. Shc noted the residents intend to have a party this winter ifthe rink is re-opened. Councilmember Larson asked whether at somc point the neighborhood would feel that usage of thc rink would make it inoperable. Hc noted the rink's low number of skaters, and usage may not warrant the on-going maintenance of the rink. Ms. Holmes stated that there are no lessons at the rink, and it is not a hockey arca 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 avcrage rink costs approximately $7,000 to maintain each winter. Mayor Probst asked whether there is skating on Valentine Lake. Ms. Holmes stated she skis on Valentine Lake, and the ice is not suitable for skiing or skating. She added she would not want children skating on the lake. Councilmember Aplikowski asked whether the closure ofthe Valentine Park rink is strictly operational. Mr. Moore confirmed that the rink is difficult to install and maintain. He noted that poor ice and poor rink location might have contributed to low numbers of skaters.