Minutes - Public Works Committee - 04/15/2008

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Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that the attendants make a tally mark when someone comes into thewarming house, so while there may be a margin of error, he believes the numbers are a pretty good representation. He stated that this year there was a good trail connection to the school, so the numbers are up. Councilmember Dehen stated that he feels that is a good point because Central Park is not accessible by foot to anybody and people have asked for a trail. . Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) shows a trail, but other things keep coming up, so it has been bumped from the priority list, but it still on the City's radar screen. He stated that the City has a skating path that is unique and has been very good for people learning to skate because they don't have to dodge the other skaters and keep turning around. He stated that the path also allows more experienced skaters to pick up some speed. Chair Elvig stated that when he visited Finland, they had a skating area and he saw walker type devices that the young children were using to learn how to skate. He asked if this was something the City could have available at the rinks. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that he will check into that and noted that some people bring folding metal chairs for this purpose. City Administrator Ulrich stated that Champlin has some of these kinds of things available that they made out ofPVC pipe. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that the rink at Bear Park has been very popular. He noted that the rinks are maintained after other priorities of snow removal in the City. Chair Elvig asked how many people were dedicated to snow plowing. Public Works Supervisor Reimer stated that they have 15, but also bring in 4 or 5 for snow events. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that he thinks there is a good system in place for the rinks. He stated that they are plowed, swept, shoveled and flooded. He stated that the Department of Corrections workers helped with snow removal at the rinks, worked on the warming house and also did some tree removal. He stated that he concurred with Public Works Supervisor Reimer that working with them has been a success. Councilmember Dehen asked how they helped in tree removal. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that there were 2 dead trees in Central Park and they were able to do that. He stated that they bring their own equipment and are trained annually in chain saw usage. Public Works Committee / April 15, 2008 Page 4 of 11