Alderman Byron Wilridge urged the council to consider a monthly stipend to support a volunteer-run skating program that has been drawing large numbers of children to city property.

Wilridge described high attendance and the program’s efforts to feed participants and proposed a monthly stipend — suggesting “1,500, 2,000 a month” as a ballpark figure — to pay for food and personnel to supervise the events. He said volunteers have been running the program but that the city’s involvement raises questions about liability and staffing.

Recreation chair Alderman Chuck Ashby and other aldermen acknowledged the program’s reach and the need for supervision if activities occur on city property. City counsel (addressed in the meeting as Mister Landry) explained that whether the city is liable depends on the cause of any injury: if an accident results from a defect in city premises, the city could face premises-liability exposure; if the program is private and purely volunteer-run, typical municipal liability may be limited. Council members stressed that the program was described in the meeting as a volunteer-run community activity, not a formally city-sponsored program at this time.

No formal motion or appropriation was made at the meeting; aldermen asked staff and counsel to consider the issues raised, including insurance, supervision, and whether a stipend or city sponsorship would change the city’s responsibility.

Wilridge said volunteers would keep receipts and operate legally if a stipend were approved; aldermen requested follow-up information about insurance implications and options before any funding decision.