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112 <br /> <br /> The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing <br />was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked if there is a reason the applicants did not explore closing the <br />alley, and Mr. Gouldman said the neighbors are using the alley and do not want it closed. <br />Ms. Gouldman said this action will not interfere with traffic. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said the alley is not very well maintained and asked if the City has <br />any liability. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gouldman said he does not really view the alley as a City alley and he does <br />not think there is any liability for the City. <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Toscano, seconded by Ms. Richards, the ordinance entitled <br />"AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE CONVEYANCE OF A PORTION OF AN <br />ALLEY OFF LEWIS STREET TO DUANNE D. CARTER" was offered and carried <br />over to the next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br />REPORT: RECREATION PROGRAMS <br /> <br /> Mr. Johnny Ellen, Manager of the Department of Recreation and Leisure <br />Services, presented an overview of recreation programs and facilities, focusing on <br />summer youth programs. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Richards, tvlr. Ellen said after-school activities <br />at the schools are mostly youth basketball. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said it has been well demonstrated that after-school and night <br />programs are helpful for youth. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ellen said the Department will likely become more involved in after-school <br />activities. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked about the free bus program for youth, and Mr. Ellen said that <br />Recreation staff go to all City schools to take pictures of children for identification cards <br />that allows them to ride the bus free all summer. Mr. Ellen estimated that 95% of City <br />school children receive these cards. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Mr. Ellen said that approximately <br />$150,000 is generated from all adult recreation programs, and the excess funds are used <br />for scholarships for youth. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if fees could be raised to generated other money, but Mr. Ellen <br />said there is a point a which you start losing participants. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that the fees were raised a few years back, but participation <br />did drop so the fees were lowered. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox noted that the Recreation Department has had trouble hiring staff in the <br />past and said he hopes that raising all employees up to the living wage will help. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox aid public housing communities seem well serced by the Recreation <br />Department, but he did not feel that is the case in other subsidized communities such as <br />Garrett Square and Blue Ridge Commons. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ellen said that the Department operates part-time at Crarrett Square. Ivlr. <br />Ellen noted that staff is doing a field study of current and future needs for youth sports. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty commended the Recreation Department for being responsive to <br />the community by providing no fee swimming times, and Mr. Ellen said the Department <br />is trying to get families to do things together. <br /> <br /> <br />