Council approves $5,000 to help buy skates for MLK Center; skating schedule shifted to Mondays

Council members approved an appropriation of up to $5,000 to help purchase roller skates for programming at the Martin Luther King (MLK) Center after the Recreation committee discussed demand and logistics on March 10.

Alderman Dicky Lachelet brought the item forward and said he had worked with Recreation staff and volunteer organizers to produce a size breakdown and a cost estimate. Lachelet told the committee a private donor (identified in committee discussion as Chris Corley and his spouse) was contributing an amount that, combined with the city appropriation, would allow the city to purchase about 93 pairs of skates in sizes 1 through 13. "We are going to be able to purchase about 93 pairs of skates," Lachelet said at the meeting.

Recreation Director Zach Dujon and volunteers discussed scheduling and maintenance needs. Committee members also agreed the MLK building can host skating every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. so long as the building is not reserved for private events. Staff discussed coordinating with Public Works on pest control timing so outdoor events and spray schedules do not conflict.

The motion to appropriate up to $5,000 advanced from Recreation to Revenue & Finance and Finance approved the amount at the committee level. Staff said receipts and inventory will be tracked by the Recreation Department and that the program is expected to expand youth programming at MLK.

No ordinance number or formal contract was required; the appropriation was approved in committee and will be executed through the city's normal purchasing process.