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<br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen thanked Parks and Recreation Director Fink for continuing to bring new and exciting <br />programming options to the City of New Brighton. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson asked what happened to the “round-up” option on utility bills. Fink stated this program has <br />changed for the better. She explained it was her understanding the money gathered from the “round-up” option <br />was being put into capital projects and was not being put into the Parks and Recreation scholarships. She <br />indicated these dollars had been used for Lions Park. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson supported the City creating more opportunities for residents to donate to the scholarship <br />program. She anticipated the City would benefit from having an organization like “Friends of the Park”. <br /> <br />Councilmember Fynewever thanked staff for the report. She suggested that as the City pursues a Diversity, <br />Equity and Inclusion staff member that this person be tested on their scope of experience in engaging diverse <br />populations. She applauded staff’s efforts thus far. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson discussed how the City benefited by offering programs that were not offered in neighboring <br />communities. She indicated swimming lessons were a public safety need. Fink agreed swimming lessons <br />were a great need for children in the community. She discussed a grant the City received to host water safet y <br />skills and introductory swimming lessons at the apartment buildings with pools in New Brighton. However, <br />because of COVID, these lessons could not be offered in 2020. She hoped her staff would be able to provide <br />these lessons in 2021 with the grant funding. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen commented on the dollars that have been earmarked for scholarships and stated at this <br />time he would like these scholarships to be made available to New Brighton residents. He explained that as the <br />City creates new ways to generate more money for scholarships, the City could consider granting scholarships <br />to non-resident participants. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson indicated she would like to better understand the “round-up” program and how much was <br />being donated to the City. She stated the Council could redirect these dollars to scholarships versus capital <br />projects. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jacobsen supported this proposal. He anticipated residents would be more motivated to help <br />people versus providing to capital campaigns. <br /> <br />Councilmember Allen suggested the City offer both options to New Brighton residents. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson supported the City offering both opportunities as well. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth stated on Page 19 of the recent City newsletter there was a blurb about the <br />upcoming Chipotle fundraiser. She recommended the next newsletter include information about donating to <br />the City’s scholarship program. Fink commented another idea for the Council to consider would be to take <br />donations from the public at free City events, such as the Pumpkin Walk. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson explained she was slightly uncomfortable with the language that was used in the Chipotle <br />fundraiser article. She indicated the wording should have stated the funds would be used for scholarships <br />versus the message that appears which was the City was trying to raise money for itself. Fink apologized for <br />this and noted she would clarify the fact that the fundraiser was for the scholarship fund on social media. <br /> <br />Mayor Johnson encouraged staff to contact organizations in New Brighton that conduct charitable gambling in <br />the City requesting donations to the scholarship program. Fink stated she would make these contacts.