2020.10.27 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Worksession October 27, 2020 5:00 pm Present: Mayor Valerie Johnson Councilmember Graeme Allen Councilmember Emily Dunsworth Councilmember Nasreen Fynewever Councilmember Paul Jacobsen Absent: Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust, Jennifer Fink Guests in Attendance: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this meeting was held virtually. Parks Scholarship Presentation and Discussion Fink provided an update on current Parks and Recreation programming noting over 2,000 people attended the Pumpkin Walk. It was noted staff was beginning to look at private or semi-private aquatic lessons. She explained the City had new coordinators for gymnastics classes and staff was working closely with the Irondale Gymnastics team. She reported the City would have ice skating rinks open this winter along with warming houses. She reviewed the big successes from this summer noting golf was a tremendous success. She stated Ed-Ventures and Mission: Possible were ongoing and provided a great need for the community. She indicated youth t-ball and soccer were offered along with adult softball. Councilmember Jacobsen asked if staff was seeing an increase in the usage of neighborhood park shelters. Fink reported this was the case. She reported these neighborhood centers were providing an alternative gathering space to people’s homes or the NBCC. Fink stated the New Brighton Parks and Recreation Scholarship Program is currently operated in house. The program offers those New Brighton residents who have a financial hardship, to request a 50% reduction in fees. The current policy was reviewed. She reported this information was presented to the Parks, Recreation and environmental Commission on October 7. The history of the program was shared with the Council, as well as information on what other cities in the State are doing for their programs. She discussed the donations the City has received to date, grants that staff has pursued and noted new funding opportunities that would be pursued. Staff requested the Council discuss how the scholarship program should look in the future based on the City’s goals regarding diversity and inclusion. Councilmember Jacobsen stated he was pleased the City was allowing all members of the community to participate in Park and Recreation programming despite their income level. He asked if all communities had scholarship programs. Fink explained she was not aware of any communities that don’t have a scholarship program.