Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/10/2008

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also hear how their lives are touched by those programs. He advised that those programs are serving the residents of Ramsey. Commissioner Shryock stated that she was open to hearing their comments and having a discussion but advised that her concern was that money is spent in a tangible manner and does not pay for things that cannot be quantified, such as staffing. She stated that they would make a decision based on what is heard by the Commission. Parks Supervisor Riverblood advised that the granting of funds from that account for matching projects is still available. He stated that the City is fully aware of the demands to use the same money. He advised that if they do allocate funds to Youth First, in May, they would specify that the funds were to be applied to services within Ramsey only. Commissioner Shryock commented that if the City continues to remove $50,000 from that account for multiple things there is not going to be enough money to complete all of the tasks on the capital improvement plan. Chairperson Johns advised that is why there is going to be a discussion about that matter in the future. She stated that she did not disagree with anything that had been said but reiterated that there is only a certain amount of money to be used. Commissioner Backous questioned if they had ever approached the City of Andover with the same proposition for their swimming pool. He advised that in Andover there is a huge difference in price between resident and non-resident rates, and believes it to be about $80. Commissioner Shryock advised that the YMCA might have a different structure and ability for that. Parks Supervisor Riverblood reported that they could ask that question of Andover and also ask the question of Anoka to find out if they would demonstrate the change in usage by Ramsey residents if the subsidy were to stop. He advised that the Commission should make a recommendation to fund or not to fund the proposition with Anoka Aquatic Center. Motion by Commissioner Shryock, seconded by Commissioner Erickson to recommend denying funding at this time for participation in the Anoka Aquatics Program; and to direct staff to request that the City of Anoka assist in quantifying Ramsey's usage over the next year and also to pursue other options with the YMCA in Andover. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Johns, Commissioners Shryock, Erickson, Backous, Barr, Hansen, and LaMere. Voting No: None. Case #4: Park Dedication for Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Community Civil Engineer Linton advised that Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Communities has submitted a sketch plan for a minor subdivision at the northwest corner of 161st Avenue NW and Variolite Park and Recreation Commission/ April 1 0, 2008 Page 9 of 18