Minutes - Council Work Session - 09/22/2015

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Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood asked everyone in the group to introduce themselves and began review of the staff report. Mr. Meyer. presented some of the current demographics for Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association (ARAA) reporting that there are currently 4,300 children enrolled and 10,112 people registered in the data base. He stated that between 2009 and 2015 ARAA donated $19,000 in registration fees to struggling families. He explained that there is an application process and the names are kept confidential. He stated that if qualified, participants can receive 50 percent of their registration fees donated, noting that in extreme situations the full registration cost can be donated by ARAA. Councilmember Williams arrived. Mr. Meyer reviewed the updates and improvements to infrastructure that ARAA has funded in the past six years at different Ramsey park locations including a storage building, batting cages, fencing, portable fencing, water lines and creation of an additional football field for a total amount of $163,000. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood asked the annual operating budget for ARAA, noting that the majority of funds that come into the organization go right back out. Mr. Meyer stated that the typical annual budget is around $750,000 noting that this year that amount will push over $800,000 as there was a lot of fundraising completed through the baseball program for the Central Park improvements. Mr. Franzwa stated that while ARAA can donate half of the registration costs, the individual sport may also donate the remaining half of the registration fees for a child. He stated that the family can donate their time to make up for some of those funds but noted that the goal of the association is to make is possible for any child in the community to play sports. Mr. Reeder stated that sports are a great way to keep kids out of trouble. He noted that the goal is to get the kids onto the sports fields and not worry about the money. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that the vision of the association aligns with the vision of the City. Councilmember LeTourneau referenced the $40,000 worth of grant aid that ARAA gives on an annual basis and asked if that covers the equipment costs or only the registration fees. Mr. Meyers noted that is simply registration fees. Councilmember LeTourneau stated that it is incredible that the organization is able to do that and has that type of demand. Mr. Reeder stated that members also assist in passing down equipment to families that need it. City Council Work Session / September 22, 2015 Page 2 of 7