Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 05/08/2008

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Chairperson Johns reminded the Commission that they have spent $40,000 over the past ten years for the Anoka Aquatic Center. Commissioner Shryock questioned if there would be a possibility to have Anoka track the participation of Ramsey residents to compare so that they would be able to see if their decision had an effect on the participation of the residents of Ramsey. She advised that since the participation of Ramsey residents has been consistent, the funding or not funding might not have an effect of the participation. She explained that the City budget is currently tight and it may be beneficial to have Anoka track the participation to see if the funding or not funding even makes a difference for participation. Parks Supervisor Riverblood questioned if $11 would be a factor in whether or not their kids took swimming lessons. Commissioner Barr stated that it would not. Commissioner Shryock stated that given their financial goals she would recommend keeping the funds in the account at this time. Commissioner Erickson questioned that if they keep the money in the account can it remain in the account or does it have to be spent on something else. Parks Supervisor Riverblood advised that the account is closely watched and explained that for fund to be allocated they first have to. be recommended by a Commission and then approved by the Council. He advised that the larger charitable gambling issue would come back in front of the Commission in May for discussion. He reported that ultimately the City Council would make the determination for the programming versus capital improvement issue for that account. Chairperson Johns stated that they used to have a matching funds program for capital improvements throughout the city. She thought that opening that account for use with programming was in essence opening it up to a can of worms. She explained that a lot of people have good programs and there is not enough money to support all of them and advised that they then have. to pick and choose programs. She liked the idea of using the funds for capital improvements in the city so that there is something visible in the city when it is completed. She explained that $50,000 was taken from that accourit and went to programming that did not even come before this Commission. She explained that the play facility at Central Park was $50,000 and advised that they could have used the money for something like that. Parks Supervisor Riverblood urged the Commission to take action on the funding for the Anoka Aquatic Center. He advised that in fairness to everyone that is providing services, the Commission should hear what those people have to say in May relative to the other matter, and also hear how their lives are touched by those programs. He advised that those programs are serving the residents of Ramsey. Park and Recreation Commission/ April 1 0, 2008 Page 8 of 18