6. PRSR 01-12-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Department Updates At the December 8`'' Parks and Recreation Commission meeting the issue of snowmobiling in City Parks was discussed, specifically in Meadowvale Park. In response to the issue staff have placed barricades with signs at key entry points to the park informing the public that snowmobiling is not allowed in Elk River City Parks. In addition, letters were sent out to residents who surround the park to notify them of the ordinance and ask their help in reporting people snowmobiling in the park. The police department has also increased their patrolling efforts around Meadowvale Park. At the December 8`s Parks and Recreation Commission meeting the issue of dog waste being left in City Parks was discussed. In response to the issue a handout designed to educate regarding the negative environmental impacts of dog waste is now being handed out to people who purchase dog licenses at City Hall. The handout is also being issued at the Police Station. At the December 20`s City Council meeting further discussion was held regarding the Bailey Point property. The City is currently working with the Minnesota Land Trust to secure funding to possibly purchase the property. Sarah Strommen, Associate Director of the Minnesota Land Trust, spoke at the meeting. The Minnesota Land Trust is anon-profit organization that works to preserve Minnesota's natural and scenic heritage. The Council directed staff to continue to work with the Minnesota Land Trust on a possible partnership. The City is currently looking into the possibility of constructing a new Public Works building. The current plan being explored would have the facility constructed on the same site as the current Public Works building. A possible impact of this construction would be the loss of one of the ball fields at Oak Knoll Park. To address the loss of the field, two possible solutions are being explored. One solution would be to replace the field at another location in the Park system. A second solution would be to install lights on the fields at the Youth Athletic Complex. This would allow for play to continue later into the evening on those fields. In the spring and fall months lights would have an especially significant impact on playtime. Staff will be exploring these options further and will be coming back to the Parks and Recreation Commission for feedback in upcoming meetings. N:\Departments\Parks and Recreation\Recreation\2011 PRC Packets\01-12-11 PRC Packet\AIIManagers Report - January.doc