The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board on Monday granted additional authority to Superintendent Al Bangoura, giving him the power to, among other actions, close parkways and even parks for the duration of the coronavirus emergency.
The board granted Bangoura the powers during a special meeting on a 8-1 vote, with Commissioner Kale Severson voting against it.
The declaration allows Bangoura to make decisions related to the pandemic with consent of Park Board President Jono Cowgill. It would bypass the usual approvals needed from the entire board, which doesn't meet again until April 22.
The declaration, written by the Park Board's legal counsel Brian Rice, gives Bangoura discretion to close parks and parkways temporarily with the consent of Cowgill and the district commissioner.
It allows him to enter into contracts related to mitigating the spread of coronavirus, and to spend money from the parks budget, including digging into reserves.
It also gives him the ability to settle workers' compensation claims up to $100,000 and general liability claims up to $50,000.
Bangoura will be required to inform commissioners of his actions on a regular basis, including decisions on spending, contracts and employees hired or reassigned to respond to the pandemic.
His special authority would end on June 7. It can be rescinded by the board at any time.
