Yeah. Are we ready to roll? Let's do it. >> Yep. >> Okay. Officially Greg's here so we can begin. >> All right. Welcome everybody. Let's uh get the park board meeting for Tuesday, July 21st. On the way here. Did everybody get a chance to look at the minutes? Any questions? Any changes? I motion to approve the uh um June minutes. >> Okay, we have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Motion in a second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All oppose. Right. New business. >> Public discussion. Okay. >> Come on up. >> Oh, okay. if you're okay with that. >> Yep. I'm fine. You guys pack them in. Wow. [laughter] >> Um I am Shannon Peters. I'm uh part of the Kassan American Legion. I'm the auxiliary president and I know our gambling association or our gambling team um you know donates [clears throat] monthly quarterly to to the park um their gambling funds to be used for the city parks and such. I'm just wondering if you can tell us where I think we've donated 78,000 this year. I'm wondering where that money is going if you can. I mean, we, you know, obviously you're taking away money that we would give out to um the community basically. So, I'm just, you know, you know, we donate to, you know, faith and action, disabled vets, scholarships, all of that with that money. So, I just want to be sure that it's being used for not that you're not using it for good for the parks, but, you know, I I'm I'm just wanting to know where it's it's going. I mean, >> yeah. And I I'm pretty sure we could get >> Tim or or or who who's the finance clerk, please? >> Well, I think either Tim or Sarah, if Tim was here, he'd be able to speak >> speak out about it right now, but >> I don't know if you know anything more about >> Is is this the the 10% that we that we initiated this year? >> Yes. >> Have those checks been cashed by the city? >> That I don't know the answer to. I'm going to say yes. >> Yep. Okay. they're probably holding right now. Um, it's a discussion that we've had at council level of should we be collecting that 10%, should it be less? We've had those conversations. We're still having those conversations. The conversation stems around in my belief, this is this is my belief on the council. If a if the Legion, the fishing club, I believe it's there's two other ones in town. Hockey is one of them. >> Fire department. If the money is staying local and there's proof of that, we've never had proof. No, no, none of the four entities have provided. >> You're That's just what I'm going off of what I'm told. So, >> have you ever asked for proof? Because I know as a Christian, a former uh Legion commander, present Legion member. >> Yeah. >> We have always been able to provide proof. An example would be our casting festival in the park. We have been the solo sponsors. we are no longer able to continue that because now we're giving 10% right away to the city which okay that's great but can we still use those funds to continue our sponsorship of the helicopter drop which uh as Shannon so eloquently spoke we support a diverse group like your fishing team has a great group but they support fishing team supports [clears throat] you know we have hockey we have football we have faith in action we have the cancer societ society. We have the Fisher House up in Minneapolis that supports our veterans who are there for surgeries. I I mean I could go on and on and we can no problem show you proof that it's going to the community. >> Very passionate by the way. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. No, I I don't I'm not questioning if you're donating to the community. What I'm saying is when you get audited at the end of the year, you you audit you go to the state and you pro you present that data, correct? You provide them your audit, how much you've made, how much where you've donated. Correct. >> Um I'm I'm not 100% familiar with what our gambling does. I do know that come audit us every year at the end of the year. >> Um I don't know the findings. >> So you'd have to check in with Linda because in the past it had sounded like we hadn't gotten those numbers. And that's that's why the state created this statute for towns to then enact. Well, if we don't know the money's going This is for any city can do this in the state of Minnesota. This isn't just a Kassen thing. This is a statewide statute. Any city can do this. >> This is actually um really great education and dialogue because I'm under the impression that none of the other area towns are doing this and we were wondering why. And like this is fabulous. It >> the council chose to do this because we're looking for ways to help support the parks department and fund things within our parks. And so this was one way since it is a state statute that we can use, we chose that. Can we go back and change it? Sure. We haven't gotten to that point yet because we don't know how much money is going to come in cuz this has never happened before. >> This is actually tremendous and it is a learning curve for both sides. So it's it's again great dialogue. But I do know that we donated $30,000 to the Veterans Memorial and that was gosh, was it October, November of >> 425? 2425. So like 30,000. We have never ever donated 15,000 in a shot. We did it two months in a row. >> Yeah. And the veterans moral wouldn't qualify for for the the gambling statute that you're talking about. That would not qualify. It has to go for youth activities within parks. If you've have you looked at the actual statute yet? >> I personally have not. You should. Um >> if if you Google the statute itself, it'll tell you what it can and cannot be spent on. And so a park, it can't start a new park. It has to update current parks, but it has to be for kids under 21. I say kids because that's what they quantify it as. >> The hockey teams, the girls softball teams, the marching bands, the sculp. >> Do you have a copy of those statues? >> I'd have to look it up right now. I don't have it off the top of my hand cuz I didn't know we were going to talk about this state, but I have looked at it a few times. >> I know we've donated to like um was it the elementary park a few years back? And again, I I don't know. So again, this is fabulous dialogue. >> What I have suggested to the the the council as I'm on the council is if we know that your donations stay within the community, then we shouldn't be taking that 10%. It should only be 10% of what leaves the community. So if you were to donate to a an organization in Rochester that doesn't directly doesn't directly benefit this even though someone in Castle might use that facility, it does the money doesn't stay in town. So, it's taxpayer money that has been donated to you through different gambling outlets. That money then goes to a different facility in a different town. That seems fair. >> Okay. >> That's my s that was my suggestion. It hasn't gone in any further in the last 2 months. >> I think this is again um respectful because if we have your your parameters, I'm almost certain that we are going to meet them and so just to have the education that we just need to talk and we can have cuz this is very punitive. it it actually feels like oh we can't donate to the helicopter group anymore because now 10% off top is coming and like we keep a certain proportion the majority of ours does go into our county I don't know if it's city definitely the county and for example our fisherman's our fisher house it's a VA up in Minneapolis that is out of our county it's or veterans which is another one of our pillars >> it was just a suggestion I made because I I don't agree with taking the 10% but right now we are and when you once Once something's voted on, I can't go out and just say I don't agree with it. I don't agree with it. I don't You You have to support it once it's voted on. It It's not something I can just go say no, don't do it. I can't do that. >> Um I understand and I actually like your amendment to it. um that says if you can show us proof that it's going within our parameters, we can >> you know give you some leniency on that 10% or we'll say that your 10% because we actually look at that very strongly as we choose where is our donations this month going and we're all here for the community all of us. >> Yeah. >> So working together is really what we're >> Yep. We we made this decision as a council a while ago based on the fact that we needed to bring money into the parks department itself. This was one way to do that. >> I have a copy of your parameters we need to >> I don't it's just a suggestion. I don't have a parameter because I have it's hasn't come up to council to vote on. It was it was during our we have an end of council meeting discussion. It's like a roundt discussion and that's when I brought it up. It hasn't gone anywhere since then. So, can you confirm will we as the American Legion um still be the sole uh sponsors for the helicopter drop because that's what we've taken a few years or is that >> that that would be you'd have to contact the the festival and the park committee. We don't have any control over that. That's not because of that again is another thing that I mean there's a lot of misunderstanding now and you kind of >> um >> because that's something that they're no longer going to approve and vote for because they're like well the city and they're seeing the cast and festival park as a city and >> it's a separate entity completely. again being very clear on what it is and what it isn't because I'm sure we've donated to something because we are so diverse with our donations. >> Yep. I'm not questioning your generosity. >> No, I'm just I'm like literally I just want to make sure we can continue to to donate to the festival in the park. That's a great effort. I just want to see that succeed. I want to continue donating to everything. in. It's just really important to know what qualifies and what doesn't because otherwise this 10% is coming off and it say hey here's our 10% we would like it to go to this if possible. >> You can donate your funds wherever you want. I it was like I said it's not actually a rule that I it's something I brought up. It's not something voted on. So where you donate now is does that my thought doesn't impact that. >> The 10% coming off our top >> the 10% does. Yes. had to vote a domino effect on how we vote and where it goes >> because right now I can tell you whether it's true or not they're seeing the festival in the park as city so they're not wanting to >> who is they >> in this case the festival of the park is its own and is not the city so it just got portrayed back to them that >> you know it's its own festival of the park >> the city also donates to the festival we increased our donation to help them pay for clean up this last year. >> I think this is great just for clarity so that we can come back and say that because obviously we meet once a month at the Legion, we do our vote and it's over and like their impression is oh that part is taken care of by this 10%. >> And now this just brings a lot of clarity. >> I think every person here wants success for our community. >> Sure. Okay. Anything else? Anybody? Any questions? Anybody? Or >> did that answer your questions? I mean, you had I guess >> you Yeah. Are you >> just making sure, you know, because there's a lot of, you know, discussion of other things and, you know, where you're putting your funds to, you know, great lead and I'm glad as successful as it is. So, um, but you know, this 10% thing, you know, if it's going to be a check written, like I said, the check hasn't been written to city has been cashed. you know, we haven't used it for anything yet if that's still sitting in a pool, you know, so we don't have an answer where did that money go to for what project. But if it's coming to into the city and it's designated for park use or parkland use or something within the park, you know, that should qualify, I would believe, of what you're asking for for that percent. >> Yeah. You were just trying to figure out, you know, >> you're just trying to take something back to your board and go, >> okay, let's, you know, get things straight. Festival is festival. The city is city. gives, you know, it's not a a cityrun organization. So >> that was just one example and I think we have very concrete thinkers on our board. So it is helpful if you can give us a concrete here's you know like January through March you donated this much. This is where the funds went to. Here's another sheet that says all of these entities would qualify for your 10% to go towards. I think that is super helpful. >> Well that's something that I don't think comes with this board. That goes to the >> city itself. >> Y >> as I read it, it does say while cities may not donate may not donate 10% lawful gambling funds to city parks and recreations department. It may donate 10% funds for playground equipment within a city park. So when I read that it's I'm not quite sure that money is going directly to the park and wreck department. This is the first this is our first year enacting this. This is a new statute. So, it's it's all kind of new for a lot of us. It >> it is new and that's why we're just asking for clarity right off the bat because it's a new transition for everyone just so we're on the same page. >> Have you talked to Linda at the city office yet? >> Absolutely not. >> Okay. Who have you talked to at city hall? >> I haven't talked to anyone. We came from this meeting here. Okay. Cuz we we knew it was going through the city and park. So, >> I would I would definitely talk Sarah, Linda, and Tim would be your best three at city hall to discuss where these 10% gambling funds are going and how if it's been spent at all. >> And I I guess I'm again I mean, just so everyone in the room knows, I'm very clear on where I stand. I think it would be lovely to have a print out of every quarter. >> Every month seems a little excessive, but every quarter >> the casting legion donated this much. This is where it went. The fishing team donated this much. This is where it went. just because we're very transparent there and it's very black and white for some of our concrete members who and and we will see festival in the park is nowhere in that you know and then having a separate thing is these are our new transition guidelines these are the things that will qualify for your 10%. Because I guarantee we will not be donating anything additional to anything that is going to be under that 10% tier. we feel like they're taking their donation and and they're covered and I'm glad you clarified uh right the festival in the park is very much separate. >> Yeah. And that's you know and they think city festival city run you know do other cities do their own festivals? Maybe maybe not I don't know but >> and one of the first questions that you had was do all the other cities in the state of Minnesota take this 10% probably not unless they want to. It's all, you know, per choice per council. [clears throat] So, um, you know, so does DOS do it? Maybe they don't even know, you know, this is a >> well to hear something or read something doesn't make it true. >> And that's why we came here to get the facts and just to be on the same page. >> I think Ryan did a good job saying, you know, this is it's just starting. You know, that check may be sitting in sitting on the office desk, not cashed yet, so we don't have it. But, you know, talk to Linda and >> I I can put you guys in contact with like Tim and Linda. >> I actually have both their contacts having been the previous. >> So, that those those would be the people to talk to. >> And and then this is just a courtesy just to find out because you know our board they're very busy too. So, they didn't come. Shannon was very um >> you know curious and again it's new. So that transition period we have where we all just need to kind of feel the waters and make sure we're all on the same page because I don't I literally want to continue to donate to the festival in the park if we're our 10% isn't going towards that. And again I don't even >> and that's where you know it's not coming out of the city obviously. So >> but our votes also probably already happened. So, I hope we're still maintaining it. And that was part of the reason it's like, "Hey, where's that 10%? Can we ask for any um voice on where our 10% goes?" Cuz if we have 20 things that it goes for, >> then um if we can say, "Can we hedge ours towards >> Oh, sure. No, I got you. Yeah. No, I Yeah, that's that's you guys got on your side. You just need to talk like you know, Linda and Ben will put you in contact. They'll be able to tell you when, you know, if it's where it goes, where it's tagged to, >> you know, whether they do it on a quarterly or annually basis. I guess >> do you know of any other cities who have actually instituted this? Because I'm hearing none. In fact, this is a first. >> Well, didn't Ryan say this is it just opened up this year. >> Uh, if I Google it, there is a list. >> There is a list. Is there any in our area? >> I like I said, I got to look up the list. I I also think publishing a a record or a memo every quarter keeps it very transparent that okay you know Cammy's is doing this with the minions the fishing club the fire department out at events is donate I mean it just keeps everything super transparent and I think that's been something that honestly a lot of a lot of uh entities have struggled with transparency so that helps us start off the bat with a new policy being super transparent just a suggestion. I have lots of them. >> Well, when you start dealing with gambling in the state and they need to find out where it goes, you know, in audits, um, you know, you have to be, you have to have your >> tees crossed, your eyes dotted. >> So, you know, so, so you're Yep. So, your bookkeeping will, you know, has a, you know, it's good to for them to know. Mhm. >> Um but you know how specific it gets once you donate it and you know it's into the park system you know how deep does are we required to get to get back to you to tell you you know that might be a you know how deep do I got to tell you and what >> playground piece was bought >> transparency and for the good of the community there should be no transparent with where the dollars are going >> but transparent how transparency at some point is going to stop somewhere >> you know as long as you got record and we have the record if it was torch playground equipment or youth. You know, at one point you say, "Well, what playground piece did it buy?" Well, >> they probably wouldn't tell you that. >> Well, Greg, we actually publish where all of our donations go every year. >> Mhm. >> And so, it's lovely. We will leave saying 10% has gone to the city and it would be nice to say where that 10% >> Yeah. And that's what I'm saying. It's probably going to go to, you know, age under 21 youth in the park as Ryan stated, but that's probably where it would probably, in my guess, stop unless Linda or Tim wants to get you further saying, you know, that went into the, you know, $70,000 of the playground equipment that we had to purchase that 10% of that funds went into [clears throat] that $70,000 bill to help pay for it. I don't know, but that's something you have to discuss with them. >> Right now, the state does not collect a list of cities. They have no registered list of cities. So, it's >> you'd have to contact each individual city or look up each individual city's council minutes to find out if they've enacted it. So, I mean, that that'd be challenging. I mean, I I'm more than willing to spend some time looking up by I call them >> just just a Google search. And I'm not I'm not saying that's correct, but it says NOVA, St. Paul, Hming, Mano, Falls. But the state does >> the state does not keep a roster in the other. But that's just what it's said. >> I believe we're the first in southeast Minnesota, which is why we just want to be very much on it and know how it runs and understand it and be very transparent with where it goes because this is new and it's a huge hit. 10% of our I mean of our donations. We don't get to decide that anymore. It goes to the parks which I'm I'm sad to hear the Veterans Memorial doesn't qualify. It it might that one >> I just Googled that too and it says >> it does say for veterans on there >> funds the 10% contributions are general tax or city taxes must be spent on strictly on specific law charitable purposes mandated by the state law youth programs parks playgrounds and veterans of memorial say for recognition of military service or support for active military personnel and their immediate family members in need to churches to Minnesota pollution control agencies. There is a long list. So, it's >> we haven't enacted where it's going yet. >> Yeah. And and that's that's actually a huge point. You haven't enacted where it's going. If we're donating that 10%, do we have any control or any say or any input on where it goes? >> That would be a great question for council, not for the park board. >> Agreed. Or understood. >> Yeah. is >> when's your next council meeting? >> We just had our monthly meeting in July, so it'll be the third Wednesday in August. >> I'm just going to say when you when you all seem to have some control. >> Yeah. >> It's always more palatable. >> Mhm. >> Thank you for hearing that. >> Yeah. >> No, it it's it's a frustrating process. I get it. I've talked to the uh fishing club about it as well. Um, I they reached out to me. I talked to them a couple times. I I understand the frustration of that 10%. Um, council did recognize the 3% fee was too high because we don't try to take money just to take it. So, we did drop down, I believe, to 1 or 1 and a.5%. Um, I know that was one thing we did do cuz the 3% regulatory tax, this the statute says we dropped it to one or 1.5, I can't remember right now. I know that doesn't feel like a lot and I get that, but we were cognizant in that moment that we didn't want to just take it to take it. >> So, being a new um a new practice or guideline, is there any leeway to say, you know what, it's new. We're going to go to 5% for 4 years and then we're going to go up to 10 or we're going to re-evaluate and reassess. >> I think we talked about that, but we we didn't know how much money was going to come in because we have never seen the gross. >> How much is coming in? >> I I don't No, I don't have I'm not I don't work for the but I don't work I'm not in that department. >> I just feel like going right away to the tax year. >> Some some groups some groups some groups donate do one big fundraiser and some do monthly gambling. It just depends on when their funds come in. So we might not see funds from a certain entity until the end of the year because their gambling event is in December versus one that's gambling monthly daily. That's it's going to come in differently. So, it's I can't tell you how much has been given or going to be given because we've never seen this happen. >> Sure. >> But 10%'s the top tier. It would have been nice to come in a little lower and edge into it as we transition to this new policy. >> Just followed state statute, >> which says up to 10%. Correct. >> So, your state statute >> just says 10%. I'd have to Google >> up. >> Yeah. Up to Yeah. And to come in hard at 10% with a new thing that nobody else is doing, that was a little bit of shock and awe for everybody. >> Oh, you have some really good questions for the city council. >> I really do. >> You have and that would be the place. Yep. >> So lucky I'm going to Florida. >> I I would say I suggest reaching out. >> Yeah, >> it is. Like I have brought it up, but it hasn't, like I said, I'm on council, but it hasn't gone as far as I'd like it to. Sounds like you're a really good advocate and like those are questions like why do we need to go top tier? >> Yeah. No, I understand that. >> Thank you for your time though. >> Yep. Thank you. >> No, thank you for coming in. Appreciate it. See you. >> All right. Are we going to go to life jackets? >> Y. >> Let's go to life jackets. >> Okay. Let me Has anybody seen the uh Red Cross policy for life jackets? >> I have not. >> I printed it. I I just printed this one off. I was I I asked for a print off of the uh city one. >> Enlighten us, Chuck. >> All right. Well, because seeing how we do deal with the Red Cross for our lifesavers, I mean, our lifeguards and and everything else like that. It says, "Always wear a life jacket when boating, rafting, or when using an inner tube or personal witchcraft. Children and inexperienced swimmers should wear life jackets whenever in, on, or around water, even if a lifeguard is present. [music] And that's pretty much what it comes down to for the Red Cross. It has to be Coast Guard approved. Um, you know, various other things, but that's kind of what it says. Here's a a cast [clears throat] and policy if nobody really knows what it is. >> I guess >> Yeah, I got it. >> It's got crayons over. So, [laughter] I mean, obviously, we were hoping Emma was going to be here tonight to >> and and I I thought she might be, but I should have probably sent, >> I guess, a reminder email, >> which so that's not my my fault. >> Um, but we did get a letter from was it a gal out of Rochester that visited the pool. I don't know if everyone's got that letter. Get a chance to kind of read through it. >> Just heard about it. >> Okay. >> But [clears throat] >> so I I asked David to come tonight mainly because he is the boots on the ground. He's the one that's out at the pool seeing seeing everything that goes on. Um, so I mean if there's some sort of, you know, common ground we can make with this policy to kind of peace to both parties, that would be great. But if anyone's got questions, you know, David, if you've got any concerns or questions, I'd like you to let them let them out, I guess. >> Yeah. Um, you want me to start with that? >> If if you're okay with that? >> Yeah. I don't That's bug. Um, yeah, it's a tricky thing because what do I want to say? I can see both sides of it, right? Like as a parent, I've talked to my wife cuz I have a two and a four-year-old. Like, yeah, I'd like to take him to the pool, but especially 12 to four, like I'm not doing it, especially without life jackets, right? Cuz I don't know if I can always be with them. >> Um, but on the other side, and I kind of like looked up why. I asked some of our um like guards why. Um, so some reasons why a lot of pools, cuz I've never worked at a pool that allows life jackets during an open swim before. Um, and some of that is like it can kind of cuz life jackets can be bulky, can interfere with sight lines. One of our guards brought up like, well, so if a kid's drowning now, they're just going to grab that kid with a life jacket and pull them down. So like is that a common scenario? Probably not, but something like to consider. Um, you could also like kids in life jackets could be blocking your sighteline of someone maybe drowning behind them. Another one was like it doesn't allow them to get into a good swim posture which we want to encourage kids to be able to swim like correctly. Um I think I have a note as to some others but oh this was from the Fort Scott Aquatic Center what they did. Oh another big one is that false sense of security. That's what I a bigger one I want to talk about cuz yes, do life jackets prevent drowning? Yes. Can they still happen? Yes. Right. So, um and then of course it's going to be a lot harder to tell if that kid is drowning or not if they're in a life jacket. Um and then also with that, what I fear in that 12 to four range is we have a lot of kids that come without parents. So that's kind of that false sense of gear. Well, I sent my kid with a life jacket. Okay. Yes, in theory they should be fine there as a parent there, but we started doing deep water testing this year. Um, where we have kids jump in in that kind of the lab pool area, some down on their front and back on their back. If they can show competency swimming, they can go into the deep water. [clears throat] We had a kid who failed the test and called mom to say like, "Well, they failed me on their test. They're just picking on me." Mom comes in, yells at my assistant manager for 10 minutes about like why we're picking on our kid, blah blah blah. They finally get to the point where they retest the kid. Kid fails, and mom apologizes for how she acted and like not trusting. So I kind of think of that with the life jacket that we have [clears throat] parents sending their kids who don't know what they're doing, have some have no idea what their ability level is, and we have this kid who is jumping off diving boards into 12 ft of water who can't pass the basic swim test, and mom has no clue, right? So that's kind of with that false sense of security like, well, I just sent my kid to the pool. He's got his life jacket. I can sit at home or go to work or whatever. I don't need to worry about them. And I mean, today I think we had 300 people cuz we had two different daycarees come. So like there's how many kids without parents? I know it's in here that like well it should be in arms reach. So now I have to have my guards police that and like oh get close to your kid. Get close to your kid. Oh my mom's not here. Well, take your life jacket off. And then mom calls, why can't they wear the life jacket there? So, it's kind of one of those things where in a sense we open a potential can of worms with it and maybe some semantics. What are we policing, etc. Um, does it make it safer? Certainly, too. I I can understand we have to worry less about drowning if kids are in a life jacket and stuff, but you know, another thing we might have to battle the Coast Guard approved versus those puddle jumpers and kind of really which could be fightable. Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to say not, but um yeah. >> Oh, that would just give you extra work to have to check each life jacket as they use it and >> Mhm. Yeah. So, trying to think. So it looks like maybe about a third of the hours that you're open, they are allowed right now. >> Yeah. So this is a little off. Right now we're running 12:30 or 12:15, you know, 12 to 4 >> and then 5 to 8. And at from 5 to 8, that's when the life jackets are allowed. >> How how much are patrons utilizing life jackets during >> uh there's about 20 people and none this evening. >> Okay. And there was I saw two life jackets that I didn't like pick them up and look, but they will look like they are the Coast Guard approved sitting on a chair. Um, >> so >> so we don't really have any data of of how much they're being used or issues they cause because people aren't using them during those hours. >> But like I know last week when we were doing dollar admission, it was hot. We had daycarees there. We had a lot of people in the pool to like we were all kind of on deck watching to be more eyes. Um so again, would it be nice for maybe some of those kids to have life jackets? Sure. But if we have throw 100 kids in life jackets out of 300, that's really going to condense the pool or sighteline, I guess, to a little bit. So, >> I will say, you [clears throat] know, if for some reason we change this policy that that we are very adamant about the Coast Guard approved life jackets, >> um we have a couple of those puddle jumper ones. They're terrible. >> They they are a hazard waiting to happen. So I think you know this board or whether it's tonight or another night if we decide to change that policy I would hope that we you know try to go with the Coast Guard approved appropriate life jackets and that we stick with the policy for sure of no diving board, no rock wall, no water slides. Um because if they're not wear worn properly or fitted properly, it's very easy for a child to come out of those and next thing you know, you got a problem. >> That's all in the deep end of the pool though. All that what you just mentioned. >> Other than the water slides. >> Yeah. Other than the water slides. But >> I also have a question about the policy. Uh number five, when it says only children between the ages of zero through 10 years will be allowed to use a life jacket when permitted. Has that ever been enacted outside of the during the open swim time at all? >> Meaning other people that are older that are using them >> or like that are at that are pe Do you let people with life jackets in between those ages? >> We we do >> cuz the ladies >> in the sense that if if there's some sort of disability. >> Okay. Um, the aquatic center is more than happy to accommodate kids that have a disability that don't allow them to be able to swim properly. >> Okay. >> And I had a mom last week with twin seven-month old kids, and she had like little floaties that she could put them in to float, which technically floating advice is against the rules, but it was a mom with two seven-month old twins. I said, "Stay within arms reach. Just stay out off to the side." She was just sitting like right at the start of the zero entry. I'm like, "That's fine." >> Like, I'm not going to expect her to hold two seven-month old kids. And >> it it's hard because there's going to be some gray area with with the policy. >> Um, and that that goes that's that's to be said about anything. >> You know, this a mom not going to leave two seven-month-olds and go check her phone or Yeah. >> whatever. She's going to make sure she's with them at all times. >> Yeah. >> Something that might be an opportunity is we're at four weeks, three weeks left of pool time this year. >> Yeah. >> If we if we did make a change this year and have a, you know, pretty pretty small trial time. >> That way we're we have an idea of what we should do next year. >> Sure. >> Just something to consider. Might might be a lowrisk change if it if it's uh if it's really problematic. Yeah, >> it's condensed to a small amount. >> Sure. I'm not going to fight too hard either way on it because I can like I said, I see both sides and if we want to trial it, we trial it. And I would probably just suggest that we don't allow the daycarees to >> that gets a little tough because that's a lot of kids coming in qualified because they won't have >> their parents with them. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. solve. >> So, I've given this a fair amount of thought since our last meeting and I thought why why don't we quantify uh the problem we're trying to solve by not having life jackets allowed which is the in my in my mind anyway the big issue is overconfidence of children who can't swim and parents not watching children who can't swim. Uh those two things are the reason why we don't allow life jackets or at least the big ones for me. Uh, and how hard would it be during the times when we allow life jackets to just have a little uh pad of paper there say how many times do you see a person in a life jacket distanced from their supervisor you whoever's supervising them and just say how many times is that happening because if it's happening all the time >> you know if we're having incidents 5 10 15 a week well then that justifies the you know this doesn't work because it's already in policy that they have to be supervised in life jackets. Or if it doesn't happen at all and the parents are really diligent, we just have one or two occurrences, then you know, maybe we can look at a policy change. >> But really, no one's no one's wearing life jackets now, so we don't have >> I haven't been there for a lot of the five to eights. I think Sunday nights we do the family fun night swim. I think that's when they're a lot more popular. Um, but I've just been there for mostly the 12 to fours because that's when we have a lot of people. So like right now we're rocking. It was 20 kids when I left and there parents. So I got great assistant managers. I could certainly ask them how many and they would be able to tell me. They're all busy today. Um, but I can check with them tomorrow. I can always just send them a quick message so we can bring it to you guys or whatever you need. But >> just kind of keep a running check on it for a week or so and see what happens. >> You know, >> I mean, I think I think realistically we don't necessarily make a decision for this year with as close as it is through the end of the season, >> but for sure I think, >> you know, I I see your side of it maybe trying to get like a idea or like do a trial run. That makes sense. But I think maybe let's just kind of try to get some of those tally numbers and figure out kind of where we're at. And and unfortunately at this point of the year, we're kind of dying out, right? Kids are either on vacations or they're getting back into their their fall sports. >> Um so we might not have real accurate numbers for that, but >> you know, we have all winter long to discuss where we're going to be for next season. >> Um I realistically I think there's going to be a change to our policy no matter what. Um just kind of depending on where we're going to be at with it. Are we going to be that that full uh life life jacket allowed? Um you know, I think it's fair that everyone here is on an agreeance that it's going to be a Coast Guard approved life jacket preferably. Um but just kind of where we're going to be at with that. I think the decision will be for the season of 2027. But I I don't have any problem, you know, making that change just as long as we're kind of all on board and we're on the same page with how we're going to deal with it, how we're going to approach it, how we're going to, you know, make sure that people are respecting that decision that we're making and that the lifeguards have to make sure that, you know, the parents are paying attention to the ch children in the pool and they're being within that arms reach. You know, we don't want anyone to get lax and we don't want anything to happen. >> If we change this policy, does it have to go to council for approval? >> I would have to imagine so. >> Okay. All right. Yeah. So, uh, let's just go for the rest of the year. If you can kind of keep track or have them keep track about in the evenings or whenever it's being used about whether parents are paying any attention to them or not or so that would be great. >> Yeah, we can. I will try to email that Emma back and just try to touch base with her again. Um, you know, she knew when the meeting was, but maybe I should have sent a reminder. I mean, people get busy. >> No, I think she said she was going to be here, huh? >> Yep. I just want her to know that we're still talking about it. We're we're still trying to make a decision and and we do care about, you know, what the fact that she came and presented her facts and things. I want to make sure that she understands that we're still discussing. >> Even if we made a change today to get voted on by council that we wouldn't vote until the 19th of August and the polls closed, >> right? >> Yeah. >> So, this is this is more of a 2020. >> Yeah. I just I don't I don't want to make a decision tonight on on on it. I want to give us a little more opportunity to discuss it. Um, and mainly because that decision won't be voted on until after the pool's closed. So, realistically, obviously, we're looking for the 2027 season. >> Yep. >> Nothing's going to change from here on out. >> But, I think it's it's crucial that we're having the discussion now. >> It'd be something that, you know, whatever is decided and it gets put into the policy. If that's the case, say say it, we pass it. We're going 247 or seven whatever, you know, the full full day life jacket. Um, I think we should probably keep a stipulation in there. Let's try it for a year and see what type of problems may have arose. >> Yeah. >> You know, you may have you may have one or two or three life jackets every day and that's it. But what happens when you have 30 kids with life jackets? that one day hence blocking competing >> you know and if that gets to be a routine for that year I don't want to have you know do you change it or do you try it you change it to change to something different it's going to be hard but you know give it a year and see how it actually pans out or two years and then do a full review and say this is working or this is not. So um so for when when we do decide just >> it's good to have a backup plan to >> you know >> not to say yes and move on >> have to review it each year >> kind of yeah even have something in there where it's up to lifeguard discretion. So if there's an issue or they're or they're concerned about the life jacket or the number it's up to their discretion then they can >> every life jacket got a Coast Guard seal in it. I have to look at mine. I mean, you could almost >> Hey, don't laugh. >> Sorry. >> You can you can almost use that rule. >> They should number five for uh co for uh lifeguard discretion as well because it's written in a way that it could be interpreted as that too. >> We might have to train our lifeguards in on how to check to make sure they're properly on if we do approve this. And is that a is that part of their training now? If it's not, we'd want it to be for next year if we do enact this. that they understand how to check for those things appropriately so that they're ready to feel successful. >> And I think most should cuz they do life jackets and lessons just like life jacket safety that is part of the Red Cross. So they should >> have a pretty good at least understanding. >> Okay. >> There there's I mean realistically there's a lot of little little things to dissect when when we're going to if we're going to change this policy, right? Um and and realistically we have the rest of the season to figure out the the dos and the don'ts um how we're going to mitigate the the life jackets that might be too big or you know what I mean. So I like I said we don't have to we're not making the decision tonight. It's good that we're talking about it. Um I I think we're all kind of on board like like I said that we're probably going to change this for the season of 2027. Um, just how we're going to change it, I don't know yet. We're gonna have to come to some sort of agreements. And and David, you're probably one of the best people to have here for that because your boots on the ground. You have experience in that. I I have zero experience. I can swim. That's it. >> Sure. >> Um, >> and if you have any ideas for it, just, you know, shout it out, write it, tell them. Just >> Sure. >> Even if one of your lifeguards says, "Well, can't you do this?" Just jot it down real quick. >> Yeah. Cool. >> I wouldn't mind knowing, you know, I'm not not a like a solid percentage, but how many people are actually utilizing their life jackets during those open hours? >> Yeah. >> You know, is it a very small percentage where it's like, okay, let's just let's make it available >> Mhm. >> the whole time and and let's just see how it goes because maybe it's not as many people as we think. >> Yeah. Um or maybe it's going to be way more than we thought and now we have to come back and kind of revise how we're going to approach it. >> For sure. >> All right. >> Off off the side note, off the cuff, if it passes and we go, you know, full hours, is a pool or would we be required or should we have life jackets for different age groups? So, if somebody has a life jacket that they brought in that has failed, >> now do we provide one for safety? I'm just throwing it out there to where >> I mean, I see where you're going with that. I think that's for a later date discussion. >> I know, but I want to bring it up to say, >> but I guess my opinion is if you don't come with the correct life jacket that you're not allowed to if you need that. That would be my suggestion. It it shouldn't be on the city's responsibility to provide you a life jacket that fits, >> I guess. >> Well, it's on it's on the safety side of we will have some just in case, but don't come to the pool and say >> I wouldn't I wouldn't advertise that. >> No. >> So, >> I mean, if you're going to have some that's fine, but I wouldn't advertise, hey, we got some just throwing it out there for that little side note for, you know, strap broken one and now what do we do with mom? we got to take them home or pull them out and >> or they came with a buddy. I Yeah, I don't know. It's just it just popped into my head. So, >> food for thought. >> Yep. Good. >> All right. >> Thank you, David. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Thanks for coming. >> Yeah, no problem. >> I don't think I got a chance to meet you anyways. >> I think Yeah, you might not have been here cuz I didn't recognize you weren't here. [laughter] >> You were still working. >> I was working, but yeah, nice to meet you. >> Yeah, nice to meet you, too. Perfect. >> Yeah, no problem. Have a good night, guys. You too. Thanks. >> All right. Elf inspection. >> So, this is usually the part of my year that I dread the most. >> Shouldn't have been so bad. >> But, but >> but um so this years past um and and they they changed the requirements. It's almost like yearly for the health department. It's it's something new every year that they ask that you have. they asked, you know, um we had a a different health inspector this year. Um he checked way different things than we've had checked in the years past. Um and he has the notes from the years past um inspections. Um but we had two two dings on each side, which is the far least amount we've ever had. Um, and one was a loose bolt on the water slide, just one. Um, and then the other was a sensor that was bad. So, the way I look at it was we did fantastic on the maintenance side, >> which I do give my guys a lot of thanks. We have put a lot of effort and work into making sure everything is operating as best as possible. Um, with that being said, there was one thing noticed couple weeks back before the inspector came, which I don't think they would have noticed it anyway, but just so you guys are aware the extent that we go to to try to make the pool safe and um, acceptable for the health inspector. Uh there was two welds broken. So there's stainless steel um trim around the entire pool that goes into the gutter. Um those they're probably we'll just say they're 6 or 8 foot sections. They're all welded together. Um there was two welds broken. Um one of the assistant managers brought that to our attention. Um I got in contact with someone who could weld stainless steel. We drained the pool down on a Friday night down below that that weld. He came in at 6:00 in the morning, welded it, we put the pool back up, and there we went. So, just just so that you guys are aware of the things that we will do to try to make sure that we abide by the safety and the regulations of the health department. Um, and then as far as, let's see here. As far as the concessions go, the only thing that two things that they had um that we got dinged on was we weren't cleaning the the the grate to the pizza oven, which is a new one for me. Very easy to do, right? So, that was an easy fix. The other one was um like most of you been to any restaurant, you have to have handwash signs in your restrooms for staff, >> which we didn't have. >> Okay, >> easy fix. So, those are literally the four things that we had dinged and they're easy fixes and they're already fixed. So, um it was a very stressfree after they left essentially. >> Good. Good. >> Well, next year's a new year, so who knows? >> Yeah. But you can let everybody everybody that worked on it, you know, from and that's I guess I speak for every from the park board. Just awesome job. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Just awesome. >> And and it's it's tough because our pools get to that age where, >> you know, every year it's something new. >> Um and and we're we're really trying to to really stay on top of things happening. Um, [clears throat] you know, I had a meeting with Allegian for the Cass and Veterans Memorial Thursday night. That's when the power went out. Um, I'm in the middle of a meeting. I get a call from the guy that's on call for the pool saying, "What do I do? What do I do?" And I said, "Here's what you got to do. Everyone's got to leave. I mean, the pumps aren't circulating water." Whatever. Then Friday morning, we get a call saying, "We're not getting any chlorine." So, our heads that are on our chlorine tanks were not pumping chlorine. >> Um whether that had to do with the power outage, which they're not based off electricity, >> but it just happened to be both of them went out at the same time. Um, thankfully for my staff and Charlie, our public works director, with his experience in the water department, um, you know, getting a hold of our chemical guy, going out to the cities, picking up a new hat, bringing up the two old ones to get those rebuilt >> and getting so that we could have chlorine in the pool because if you don't have chlorine in the pool, the pool does not. That is a very specific mandated thing that if you don't have chlorine, it's not safe to be in. So we it's just you got to just go with the flow. >> All right, Dollar Days recap. >> So Dollar Days was uh interesting. Um we actually did a N on 97.5 radio station. We did a promotion. Um they had three three different tiers of promotions. They um Ashley, you might be better help with this, but one of them was like a month in advance or like couple three weeks in advance. >> Oh, you mean for like the radio advertising, >> right? >> Yeah. >> So, one was like $1,200 for like, let's just say three weeks in advance. They do a period or no, sorry, it might have been like a twoe thing and it was a 30 second promo on the radio station. And then the other one was a twoe thing but a 15-second promotion which was like $1,000. And then the other one was, hey, we'll come and broadcast for two hours at the aquatic center for 950 something like that. So we said and they promote a week in advance on the radio port. >> So we opted into that one and they came and did a promo at the at the aquatic center >> on Wednesday from noon to 2. >> Um we ended up giving away four family day passes for that promo. >> Um and then we did dollar days. So, I mean, minus the fact that we advertise for we'll just say $1,000, we increase from last year during the fair by 2,000 roughly. >> Holy cow. >> I I I think >> it was um >> Yeah, $2,000. Sorry. >> I think it was a beneficial. I think there's, you know, maybe some I I think we should do something for festival basically. I don't know what we should do for festival. I don't know if it's going to be necessarily a dollar days, but I kind of want to come up with something that we could do during festival whether whether it's just for um you know afternoon swim or just evening swim or I don't want to repeat the dollar days thing. >> Right. >> So I don't know if anyone's got any ideas for that or not. um something that that we can do within the facility and not have to, you know, outreach to whether it's food vendors or Patty Joe's ice cream, you know, things that we can do within our pool. >> What about friend pass? You pay, your friend gets one free, buy one free, a BOGO. >> So BOGO, >> we call it friend pass whatever you want. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I I mean I'm I'm on board with that. >> Yeah. >> How is attendance during festival? Because we this is one of the reasons we did this for the fair was because our attendance is >> usually minimal. >> Would we be losing revenue? >> I I I don't know because even with the fair, you know, my wife had taken Thursday off to bring the kids up because they were they didn't have during the day. It was so hot. So, I'm assuming we got a lot more business because of that. >> Yep. Um, so it it's really hard to actually like decipher whether our dollar days really helped or was it because it was so hot, you know, and I I don't remember what last year was like during the fair. >> Yeah. >> But I know they didn't close down rides because of the heat. >> Um, >> I like the BOGO. That's >> and do we want to do you know so festival starts on a Friday really >> do we want to just do it on a Friday or >> start it on a Friday >> and I would just say do it for one day you know do it the both open swim the afternoon and evening or what what do you guys think >> they still have the belly flop contest going >> so Saturday Saturday during the day >> time is that usually >> it's during the day so I think They still have the evening swim on Saturday. >> Doesn't really go until Friday night, does it? >> Right. >> Friday night, Saturday. >> Well, Saturday. Well, what time? I guess I'm not I'd have to >> and Sunday's tough cuz they're in the parade, >> right? So, I don't know if I would do I I mean, maybe we do it all day Friday, you know, do a do the early swim and the evening swim. you know, on a Friday. So, noon to 4 and 5 to 8, whatever it might be on that weekend or day. >> I have no problem with that. It's just a matter of, you know, getting How do you get the word out? >> Same way we did before. We won't do the radio, but we'll do Facebook. We'll do uh the city page. Um we can do That's about it, right? But that's that's probably enough. I mean, realistically, I don't know. Um, we can put it on, you know, the the cast and Aquatic C Center's web page unless you have better ideas to >> I mean, I don't I don't necessarily want to spend [snorts] a lot of money into trying to advertise for this one. >> You know, the fair was a little bit more >> it's a little bigger cuz Well, it draws a lot more from all of our community >> countywide. So, um you know, with it being a citywide thing >> and and maybe we could maybe it's not too late to talk to festival if they do they send out some they have a page. I'm sure >> they do have a >> Facebook page. Yep. >> So, that might >> and actually they have something in the DCI too. >> So, that might be something we can coordinate with festival and try to promote it with them. I >> move we do a BOGO swim friend day uh Friday both swimming sessions. >> Yeah, >> I think Friday just Friday because I think you have enough going on Saturday with >> activities in the pool. Yep. And then Sunday the parades and >> Yeah. So I think Friday be just I think you know for one day see what happens. Let's just make that a motion. We have a motion to to do that. Do we have a second? >> We did make a motion. >> Yep. >> We need a second though. >> We do. We need a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Motion in a second. All All approved say I. >> I. >> I. All this approve. >> All right. There you go. >> Thank you guys. >> Childhood Cancer Group. So we've been hosting I shouldn't say hosting we've been providing the parking aquatic center for the childhood cancer group for before since before I started. Um I will bend over backwards for that group. Um the the gal Sherry is so nice to work with. Um and they bring on the high side 200 kids and they're all have cancer. Um, we do a lot of things, the staff, my staff along with the pool staff does a lot of things to uh make it acceptable for their group, whether it's, you know, we we spray the the west or the east side of the park for mosquitoes and gnats. Um, we're making sure there's no wasp nest, bees nest. We pressure wash the pavilion and scrub the benches, clean the restrooms from top to bottom. The aquatic center staff cleans everything in the aquatic center, provides fans, moves tables. Um, I really like doing stuff for this group because they are very appreciative. Um, and we get such good rapport and she [clears throat] continues to send her blessings and thanks for what we've done, which is I mean, it's appreciated, but it's like we're doing our job to to make sure that we provide you guys the best. But I just want you guys to be aware how appreciative not only I am but the my staff and the pool staff is of this group that >> comes in every year. >> What what what day >> they So they came in on Saturday. >> Oh, they were here already. >> Yep. So, this was their first time coming during the fair, and I kind of went out of my way to I blocked x amount of stalls on Seventh Street to make sure that anyone in a van had access to the pavilion right off the road. >> Um, I told them to utilize as much parking space in front of the park shop so that they're close to the pavilion. And then we made sure that there was plenty across from the pool. Cool. >> Um, we are working with I did work with her and let her know that the fair is every third week in July. So, um, they are very good about talking to Ashley about trying to make a reservation for the aquatic center in like November. >> Yeah. >> Of the year before. So, I did tell her I said and if if it worked out fine, great. And if some of your, >> you know, families decided to go to the fair, even better. If not, you know, don't schedule it on the fair weekend, but I will make accommodations if needed. >> Great. >> Yeah. Some things you just when you when you know cancer is one thing, but with childhood cancer, >> it hits a little, >> you know, right? and to donate time value. You know, I would lose money to make kids smile to give them something positive and I think we all would. So, I think that's a great a great thing to keep doing for that. So, >> yep. Yep. You have our blessing. Just keep doing it. Great. >> Uh summer projects decommissioning existing veterans memorial. So, we met as a veterans KVM, the veterans memorial group, um had [snorts] discussion about trying to get uh the the work on the new memorial started. Um so, with that being said, there comes the quote unquote de decommissioning of the existing memorial which was requested by the Legion. Um I went to a Legion meeting. Um they asked when and I was hoping before festival and they said not a chance. We are way too busy and um they've never decommissioned a memorial so I don't know what it entails. They don't know what it entails and they were talking the end of September which is not acceptable for me because as a group or as a KBM we would love to start ripping and shredding ground before festival so that as folks are walking because that's the part of the park that's not used other than the playground which is far away from it. Um, but we want to have people see the chaos to have a banner up there saying future Veterans Memorial so that people can be like, I mean, they're they're moving forward. They're they're going to start work. They're doing it. They're going to get it done. Raise some, you know, questions and concerns. And >> we want people to see >> they're going to see there's activity going so they're like, "Wow, cool." So, >> can you do both? Can you leave that there? >> Yes. So, I I you know what I spoke with Tim >> I did speak with Tim earlier today and just kind of tried to figure out what he thought and he basically said, "Well, we could just set a date and they and tell them this is when you come and decommission it or we're just going to start." I don't want to do that necessarily just out of respect. um they have been obviously our primary donor for for this project, but there is plenty that we can get started on around the existing memorial >> to to at least raise some awareness or concerns like what's going on. Um, so I mean step one would be even just start removing the sand from the sand volleyball court. Um, and start maybe excavating across the road for the new volleyball court, right? Um, that would be a good first step. I just like I don't want to I don't want to ruffle feathers. I don't want to, you know, that's they're a huge supporter and I want them to continue to be a supporter and I just don't I mean I don't know if they really know what they want to do or what they're doing and nor do I as far as it comes to decommissioning the actual memorial. Um, but I want to make sure that we respect their decision to do that. >> Well, it gets to be who's responsible for the decommissioning. Is it a city thing or is it a a legion thing? I mean, I don't know either. I mean, it's >> see and that's that's kind of a hard part because I understand where Tim comes from because it's on city property, right? It's in a city park. >> Um, so I I do respect his decision with that, but at the same time, you know, the Legion has been our priority supporter for this project. Um, and I want to make sure if they if they and maybe it warrants me to meet with the rest of the the group and discuss it as far as with the legion cuz I'm only getting, you know, two individuals side of the that story. I'm not getting >> I can see where you know work around it. You're not doing any with the memorial. So, it's >> right >> not doing any harm to it. >> You're showing good faces like you need to start something. We need to get it started. So, we're starting as a city, you know, when the decommissioning date happens, then it becomes it happen and then the rest can follow. But yeah, I think guys are right on by. >> I just want to make sure we start maybe tearing some ground up before festival just to really get some people's attention. So, >> fence off a size square, dig up a dirt and make a dirt pile. >> That's kind of put a sign there. >> And it doesn't like it doesn't really have to be much. Like realistically, we could snow fence that area off and tear out the poles for the sand volleyball court and have a pile of dirt like you said. But >> what are they doing? Get the >> And then we'll have the banner up there just saying, you know, >> get your sight out of Y. Um, not that it should change the plans, but I I think they us they do usually use the sand in the volleyball area during festival in the park for a kids treasure hunt. >> Okay. >> I don't know if they're doing it this year, but they have >> Let me I will That's That's good that you say that. >> I will talk to Christine. >> Perfect. Let them put a bunch of shovels. [laughter] >> Kid gets a shovel and they get to move the sand over to the >> I wonder if uh we could use the bricks as memorial fundraisers, >> you know, sell festival. You just sell them $5 a brick, put the name of your >> loved one or your service member on the brick and now you have a memorial at the at your house. Um it they could even just you know it's not hard to take brick off off this kind of construction. Just tap it out. >> My only concern is most of them are falling apart. >> That's even easier then. >> Well, when I say falling apart, I mean the entire brick is falling apart. >> Unless you've had some spall in from internal freezing. There's some >> The other concern I guess is like who do we I mean are we letting the citizens purchase the brick and then it's up to them to engrave it. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Just have a Sharpie, you know. >> Oh, sure. Okay. >> Well, they get to take the brick home is what it is. >> Do what they want, right? >> Yeah. Buy a brick from the memorial and take it home and do whatever you want around memorial from the cast memorial before the new one is built. The only other problem I see with that is the Legion wanted to incorporate the existing memorial within the new memorial and there may be some extras, but yeah, you had mentioned that before. >> Yeah. And I just so I don't want to >> Oh, maybe mention it to them. See what they say. >> They're going to have an opinion. I mean, if if decommissioning is an official thing, they're going to have something they want to do with stuff perhaps, >> right? >> I don't mind that decision. I think maybe during festival might be a little too soon. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think it's a good idea. >> I thought it' be a great way to get it started for you, but that's fine. >> But I I I do kind of agree. I'm just nervous. >> A hammer or a chisel, a little table in a booth. >> Push that so quickly. I am a little concerned about that. That's all I got on that. >> That's all right. Uh youth programs contributions for maintenance of field. So I know in years past before I started um some of the youth programs used to donate for whether it's field maintenance or whatever. How did they how did Ronnie go about that? Do you know >> and and you might not remember? I just >> part of me tries, you know, a lot of Ronnie I think it was Ronnie contacting, >> you know, these different organizations like, you know, we're doing all this for you guys to plan it, but we haven't seen anything monetarily come in. >> Yeah. >> And you've always kind of said you're going to help support it. So, where's the support funds at? And then I think it usually says, "Well, we'll see what we could do and we can drum up because all of our funds are committed towards equipment and this and that, you know." So is I think is the word begging, Ronnie, begging was more probably the true term. See, and I I just I don't know and I don't necessarily feel comfortable about how to approach these organizations. And the reason why this is brought up is um Joe Adams from the city manual had called me and asked me that very question. Um so the city manville their park board is kind of having that discussion also about some of these youth programs and and contributing to field supplies and things like that. And you know, I was working with Sam, who is in charge of the youth soccer program, and we're working with, you know, getting their youth program out on the Lions Field or Lions Park. Um, and he he had offered, you know, if if we can contribute, whether it's for uh chemicals to spray weeds to make sure that the fields are looking good, you know, we'd be happy to try to do that. Um, so I just kind of was trying to see how, you know, I I look like one of the big ones obviously is baseball and football. Um, baseball's pretty much all summer long, whatever program, whether it's, you know, not necessarily just draing the fields, but the chalk that we have to buy, the the spray paint that we have to do for lining the fall ball lines, um, even the line to put on the field. um you know, youth football. That's that's a I take a lot of pride in that one because it's it's a blast to put that field together and see it just go from, you know, just a green pasture to a striped out mow type looking field and it looks immaculate and I get a lot of compliments on it, but we also spend a lot of money on watering it, mowing it, tying the the paint that we have to put on that field. Um, I just don't know how to approach these these organizations. Um, >> is there a list that you could >> So, that was needs. Okay, this is what we need. >> That was kind of >> give it to the give it to them and say, "Okay, >> what can you help us out with this?" >> Yeah. >> Would you like to buy 500 lb of chalk that cost? So Tim kind of said, you know, maybe make an itemized list of what you need or what you use >> um to prep those fields, whether it's all summer long or >> I think a lot of them don't understand what it what it takes to do it >> into it, >> right? >> And in my mind, cuz all these kids pay to be in these programs, >> right? >> Okay. So they have funds. They just have to figure out, you know, when they take these funds in from all these kids, either increase every kid's fee by $5 or whatever it is or percent. And you know, these organizations just have to go out and say, "Okay, you know, we have to help support the maintenance of this fields because here's all the expenses the city has. They're saying, you know, we're supposed to be able to contribute as expected." And I think they know they have to, but they never really do. >> And you know, >> because they never have the funds. Well, >> the nice nice thing about like when me and Tim spoke about it, he said you can go one of two ways about this. You can try to get, you know, a a yearly contribution or donation, whether it's for, you know, your chalk or your field paint or whatever it may be. or we can do the flip side and just start charging them for the use of the field every year, you know. And he's like, you know, realistically that part of it doesn't look so good. If they're willing to donate, you know, x amount of whatever they is feasible in their program >> to help with some of that maintenance, that would be great. >> I just I don't know how we've done in the past. You know, I I know youth football used to, you know, when I talked with Cory, who's been here quite a bit longer than I have. You know, he's like, "As long as I can remember, they used to pay for the paint for the field." And I don't know when it stopped, but it stopped. If we even had a basic menu of the materials, material goods that go into it, a they would see all that goes into it and maybe appreciate it a little bit more and then also say, "Hey, if I donate $500, that's only a drop in the bucket." So, they'll they have a little bit more sense of of uh the need. >> Well, and in that case, they know they also donate to something that's a pretty large expense, >> right? and they can build that into their kids fees to say, "Okay, when these fees come in, you know, if we got, you know, $27,000 worth of material, a shock be shock beyond not cheap." And they say, "Well, I I don't plan a field. I run in the grass. Still got to water it, still got to mow it, still got to paint it, you So, eggs better go back to orders and say, "Okay, we're going to implement a, you know, we're going to ask you guys to donate back to the city to help pay for some of the expenses that just, you know, for the use of the program and you're going to push that through the kids to get to the parents. So, it's not a I don't think it's a burden on the organization. It's just a matter of them managing the funds coming in and say, "Okay, here's a little bit get set aside." if it's a per kid thing or if it's a per group thing, you know, you're going to have different changes because you have different amount of kids. So, how do you try to do that? It may be based on per kid. Um, and whatever funds you get is a perk. >> And that's kind of kind of how I look at I said, you know, realistically, any amount that they would be willing to donate to the city and help to it's not the labor, it's just the products that we have to put on the fields. Um, any amount would be greatly appreciated, >> right? But you still say, but you have to donate an amount, >> right? >> Because you're going to say, "Yeah, we will." And I think that's where Ronnie is like, "Well, you know, waiting for youth football, waiting for youth football." Next thing you know, well, they or baseball or whatever it is. Well, they got a batting cage or well, they put it towards this because they need equipment or they need a new whatever it may be, gloves, pads, balls, whatever. >> Right? So then they kept using the excuse like, well, you know, the funds we were supposed to put, we had to put towards this. Okay. Well, you guys got to figure that out on your side, but you still you still got to pay your electricity bill at home or it's going to get cut off, you know? So, you almost got to just put put a precedence down. We're not asking for a lot. We we need something to help offset. And I think the challenge is trying to find out how do you knock that down to fair for everybody, you know? So, and then they have to come back and >> and I, you know, personally I think realistically like, you know, it it would be it would be baseball, football, soccer based off of the usage of the fields, the amount of time we have to prep the fields. you know, baseball's number one and then it would be football. There's a lot more cost that goes into crafting the football field than the soccer fields cuz they they they paint their own field. >> Yep. >> Um we're essentially pro providing them the space and then we're trying to control the weight. So there's not a lot of prep obviously that goes in for for soccer. Um it may be years down the road there might be a little bit more just because we're trying to um accommodate soccer a little bit more than what we have in years past. Um obviously with with those sports growing they need more field space and the school can only provide so much field space. >> Well we're trying and we're trying to provide the space for them. So so it goes right back like you know we are doing more to get more >> play area for you. So, um, >> well, so I mean, realistically, I think the takeaway is I just need to maybe come up with a time and materials list and just for all organizing and ball fields or football field for you guys, >> you know, is there some sort of donation be willing to help out to pay for Yeah. the materials or >> Yeah. And I say it might be, you know, shy of saying, you know, if you can get some, you know, some money yearly donated back to the city for the program, put it in your budget. But, you know, if you say, well, we're always zero on the budget. It's like, well, then it's eventually going to be now you now your organ will be renting >> the fields >> the fields and you will have to pay, which we're trying to avoid. So, come up with some funds, help help us offset. We're not asking for them to pay in full because obviously I think >> you know you start saying that they're going to say well you know let me just donate stuff make sure the stuff they're donating is not the stuff you need >> right >> so um so I think it's just matter go back come up with yeah come up with your numbers go back to these three organizations say okay we got to get back to you know free will donation of some sort valued and at that point where do you find it and they can increase their budget you know per per child's entry, >> you know, to try to say, you know, say it's an extra buck a kid. Well, if you got 500 kids, that's 500 bucks. Wonder what you had, you know, but if you ask him to donate something, they're going to say, "Well, I'll commit $500 and then they give you nothing." >> So, I think that's kind of I think Ronnie did a little begging and reminding and sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. It just kind of floated past. So, in order to in order to maintain the the quality of fields we're all used to, we need some support. And >> I I you know, I think my staff takes a lot of pride in trying to create the best that we can with what we have >> and I would love to continue if not make it better. Um, you know, Northeast was one of those ball fields that before I or when I started, we struggled with the most with quality field grass. Um, and we did a whole overtaking on it. Killed everything off it, receeded it, and it looks better than it's looked before, but that's been a lot of work for my staff to do and to keep it watered, keep it keep it looking good. But it's that's what I want to provide for the community is >> well community wants it. >> You know these organizations want it. >> You know nobody wants to run on a hard pack dead half dead or half dead in the line field. So >> the sand lot field >> right. [laughter] >> Okay. So but that's >> Yeah. So yeah come up with a want list and see what present it to them and see what happen. >> Okay. old business. You >> do you have any updates? Anything? >> Sure. I can give you a quick update. Uh since last meeting, uh we have uh cut the walking trail, roughed that in. Uh roughed in the the basket areas for holes uh three and four. Uh I've got the big grotto where it opens up to that pople tree all cut down. Um just a lot of brush to move out. Uh but it's rough cut in. Um, so, uh, it's something that you can now go take a look at. The walking trail is rough cut. It could be improved, of course, but you could walk it now. Uh, so you could actually walk the walking loop. >> Actually, I took our little Kushman down there. >> Did you? >> A couple weeks ago or a week or so ago, I will say if any of you are, now's the time to do it cuz it's kind of cool out. But if if you get a chance, go out and look because it is you you did a lot of work in a short amount of time. So I will say kudos to you because even where that big tree is back there, >> that was thick to try to get back to the first time you went back to. >> I worked on it today. You can now see the tree. >> Okay. Anyway, uh I'm making a lot of work for the city, guys, because we're going to have a lot of brush to clean up one way or another. Uh the other uh update is uh the area disc golf association will be meeting the 3rd of August. Uh be presenting the program to them and apparently now we're also presenting to uh joint powers tomorrow morning at 7:30. Uh and the city council did approve the $10,000 matching fund. Um if they'll accept inind donations, we have about 10% of that covered already. We haven't even officially started fundraising. So, >> we'll see what tomorrow brings at joint ventures, >> right? >> That is one big tree. >> It's out there. I just imagine it's out there in the middle of nowhere. Nobody's touched it for hundreds of years and it's just sitting there. >> It's on an oxbow. >> I I told Chuck to go out and look and text me the next morning said, >> "You weren't kidding. That is one big tree." >> All by little own. All right, you sucker. We pretty much touched on that. >> Okay. Correspondence. I do have um at our last meeting, we got a little carried away with our public forum [clears throat] speaking. And what I did was I kind of I looked at what council does for their public forum and and uh I I looked at the library board, see what they do, and I looked at planning and zoning. Planning, zoning, library board, they don't really have anything. They just kind of you want to come and talk. I think I think we really should kind of formalize it a little bit. So, um and this is subject subject to change or anything. So, I I just kind of wrote down this um public form. This section is limited to 15 minutes unless a board member requests a longer session. The speaker will be limited to I left that blank. Minutes for speaking. Speaker will be required to state their name and address. And I just added one because I should have had the gal standing up at the podium where the microphone was and I and that's it must stand in front of the board while speaking. So if I could kind of get that into our agenda format somehow, you know, and even if we don't have anybody in it, anybody who wants to speak or anything like that, that's fine. and we'll just keep it in. And then um normally we know ahead of time if somebody wants to come up and talk, right? >> Y. So is that something we could just maybe pencil in in the after call to the order or approve the minutes just have that, you know, pencled in in the agenda for a public discussion, >> right? It's kind of like, isn't it kind of what the city council does that they just they >> your public forum >> um public forum or visitors to the council? >> Visitors. >> Visitors to the council. >> Visitors to the council. They are on the agenda already and they can communicate back and forth with us. If you fill out a a form to hear just to speak during public forum, then it's four minutes, I believe, and then we don't say anything. >> Yeah, four minutes. Maybe we should put visitors to the >> visitors to the board >> because I don't want to discourage anyone from coming to a meeting >> because sometimes, you know, they might contact me or Chuck or any one of you guys and want to come to a meeting and it might be after we've already drawn up the agenda. >> It's so anyone who shows up could speak during that time. >> I mean, I guess that that would be my opinion, >> right? But we we'd still have to limit it to >> Yes. >> This is this is the time to speak. >> So is it are you saying total time for the number of visitors we have here is 15 minutes and then a >> starts at five after six you're done at 20. The whole session is done at whatever >> and then per visitor has a time limit as well. >> Yeah. >> Can I recommend that you also add in language that allows for uh members of the board to move an additional number of minutes with a second >> uh so that you know if they didn't get it covered we have some things we want to do well I move we add two more minutes with a second it can be approved >> yeah I got on here unless a board member request a longer session >> can I ask that that also have or suggest that that also have a second so it's not just one board member but a board member in a second >> with a second y Yeah, because it kind of carried on a little bit. Tim wanted to get out early and it was just we kind of carried on for a little bit and I don't I have no idea what he wanted to do, but it was just like I've been in that situation too. It's like I got to get out of here and things went wrong. So, but um that's just my suggestion and if I have your guys approval, I'll work with Ashley on and >> I I have no problem with that. >> Okay. All right. Great. And one more question for you. How's our ash tree? >> We're knocking down the asht tree removal for city boulevard trees is officially done. >> Done. Okay. >> And our program for that is done. So anyone after after the 2026 season, we may not cover the 50% for treatment. All right. Good. Good to know. >> How many ash trees do we have left in the city? How many survived? Any idea? >> Well, I can tell you um what's Gilkasin's first name? >> Ted. >> Ted. He has the best looking ash trees I have ever seen in my entire life. They are immaculate. So, whatever he's been treating them with, they are awesome. Um, but realistically, I would say in boulevards less than 20. There aren't very many people that treat theirs and there have been a few that started treating theirs a few years back um to try to save them. My opinion is once you start seeing it, you're good luck. No matter what a company says as far as we can save it, you're you're just fighting the inevitable. Um, you know, Gilkas's trees, he started that ASAP and his have not lost a leaf since the Emerald Dashboard came in about. Um, but I think it's hit and miss, but yeah, I would I honestly I would say as far as Boulevard trees, I would say maybe 20 at the max. >> So, not every tree got wiped out, obviously. No, but I think what >> the last count I had was well over 500 >> for City Boulevard. >> So that was quite >> it's quite devastating. Yeah. >> Yeah. So that is why when I try to do the boulevard program if someone you know I try to have a diverse group of trees on that list but if someone calls me and says what do you think? I say not a maple because everyone loves maples because they're quick growing for the most part. Um but they like them cuz they're beautiful fall colors but diverse. We need diversity in our trees >> cuz the maple cuz the maple boar will come. >> It will take a sap out of that. >> That will [laughter] be the next thing that happens with our maple. >> Yep. Maple syrup will be gone and trouble. >> All right. Well, that's all I have. If nobody has anything else, I'll need a motion to adjourn. >> I want to stay, so I'm not going to move. >> I'll make the motion to adjurnn. >> Have a motion. Have a second. >> Second. >> Second. All in favor say I. I. >> All right. Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen. Good talk tonight. I >> Once again, Ryan, not my fault. >> This was on me. Sorry.