Wrangell’s Parks and Recreation Board held its first meeting of the new year on Jan. 6, reviewing a new draft of the department’s liability waiver.
Parks and Rec director Kate Thomas explained a review of the policy came about after two patrons expressed dissatisfaction with the waiver’s language. At the time, Thomas found herself unable to clearly explain or justify several of the lines. In particular was line six, releasing the City of Wrangell and recreation department of legal liability “even if they, or any of them, negligently cause my bodily injury.”
Thomas consulted with the city’s lawyer and had an updated version drawn which she feels is more straightforward. The waiver still releases the city and department of liability for “negligence,” but Thomas explained they would still be responsible in the event of “gross negligence.”
She said the nuance was one of foreknowledge and inaction on the part of the department to address a safety issue. As an example, it may be a case of negligence on the part of the department to unknowingly admit a patron with a pre-existing injury to a waterobics course and they suffer further injury by partaking in the exercise. But if the department was aware of a faulty assistance ramp to the pool but continued to use its service, an injury caused by that would be a different matter, Thomas said.
“It’s a tough question, because I’m not a lawyer,” she admitted. But the bottom line was one of personal responsibility: “The policy clearly states you are responsible for your own safety and well-being.” Thomas told the board it was her intention that every patron of the pool and gym facilities eventually have a liability waiver signed and on file.
After discussing the draft policy, board chair Bob Lippert moved they punt the decision whether to adopt it further afield, giving board members more time to go over the waiver’s wording. The item will return at their next meeting on Feb. 17.
Thomas also informed the board she would begin working on a preliminary draft budget for the next fiscal year, which begins in July. Though similar to the current 2015/16 budget, she said some line items would be updated to reflect changes to the Parks Department fee schedule enacted last summer.
For example, item 4340 in the budget – covering racquetball fees – may this next year indicate revenues through the new fee assistance program instead, as racquetball is now covered under pool fees. A draft budget will begin to take shape in the coming months.
Board members discussed different options for managing a trail donors program, which would help maintain the city’s public trails. They would like to see a sustainable program developed connecting sponsors in the community to Wrangell’s two miles of trails and paths.
Similar to “adopt a highway” programs elsewhere, lengths of trail would be divided into units of around 1/20 of a mile, the upkeep for which could be sold for $75 or some similar rate, adding up to a goal of $3,000 each year.
The board will continue to consider its options, possibly holding a workshop to discuss facility maintenance in general.
Trail upkeep is among park goals set for the new calendar year. Improved volunteer management, updated bulletins, and development of employee and pool/community center procedure manuals are also targets for 2016. The department would also like to incorporate new software in its daily operation.
To that end, Thomas last month attended a web training session, and plans to add a Google Maps feature to the Parks and Recreation website by this spring. Listing the department’s different amenities on the popular mapping application, Thomas said the project would be helpful to the island’s visitors.
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