7.b) Staff Report-PRC Manage Skating Rink MaintenanceAL -
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17CA DIA
Stcaff'Report
Date of Meeting: March 4, 2013
To: Park and Recreation Committee
From: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Re: PRC Manage Skating Rink Maintenance
Agenda Item #: 7.b)
Background:
Mike White has requested this item be placed on the agenda.
Issue:
Unclear. What problem is Mr. White trying to address?
While a number of people expressed concern with the condition of the ice rink this year it is
important to note that none of the complaints came in until February, after the Zamboni broke
down. Even after the Zamboni broke down staff continued to clear the rink using the blower
attached to the John Deere. While this may not create the same quality of ice that folks are
accustomed to when the Zamboni is used, we believe the ice is still safe enough to skate on and
in fact have witnessed people skating on the rink.
Given that we were near the end of the skating season when the Zamboni broke down (the rink
was closed Feb 9`h last year and closed Feb. 17d' this year) staff decided it would be best to not
rush to judgment about how to proceed. But rather take the time to do the appropriate research
to most cost effectively address the issue of the broken Zamboni.
Also, the Committee and the public should be mindful of the fact that City staff does not control
the weather. There were days when we experienced warm temperatures as well as days when it
rained (please recall the second weekend of Feb.). Rain and these warmer temperatures can have
a damaging effect on the ice conditions.
Proposal Details:
To be determined by Mr. White.
Committee should consider if they are willing to meet every day during the skating season, if
staff is no longer providing oversight of the rink.
If volunteers take over the maintenance of the rink, city staff will still have to monitor rink
conditions and maintenance to assure all safety and liability issues are addressed on behalf of the
City.
Options:
Rather than taking over the maintenance of the rink from City staff, once the problem is
identified by Mr. White, the committee may wish to discuss if there are certain policies they
want to adopt to help guide staff in the day to day operation. Or they may want to make a
recommendation in the next budgeting cycle to the City Council on what equipment they feel
needs to be purchased to maintain the rink.
Fiscal Impact:
Unknown until a new proposal is identified.
In October 2012, when the Administrator and Maintenance Superintendent proposed reducing
the temp wages for the park and rec department because the regular full time maintenance staff
would be assisting with rink maintenance we projected a savings of $1,500-2,000 (October 16,
2012 staff report). The ice rink maintenance worker hours for the 2012-2013 season were 95.75,
a significant decrease over the 249 hours for the same position during the 2011-2012 season
(when the rink closed a week earlier). This resulted in a savings of over $2,050.