10. PRSR 04-11-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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** Item # 3.5-** City of • Elk River MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Lori Johnson, Finance Director DATE: April 9, 200I SUBJECT: Authorization to Purchase Ski Trail Groomer In 1997 the City entered into a letter of understanding with the Elk River Nordic Ski Club for grooming ski trails at Woodland Trails Park. That agreement included an advance payment to the Elk River Nordic Ski Club for grooming equipment rental that the Ski Club then used to purchase a snowmobile for grooming. At a recent Park and Recreation Commission meeting, the need for a new snowmobile was discussed. The Park and Recreation Commission recommended that the City continue its previous arrangement,with some modifications, and that funds be made available to purchase the snowmobile. Although the previous arrangement has worked well in the past and could continue into the future, staff wanted to take this opportunity to review and improve the current ski grooming procedures. After several discussions with staff and Dave Anderson, everyone agreed that it would be in the best interest of all parties to make some changes. Attached is a memo from Mr.Anderson detailing the new proposal. Under the newly discussed arrangement, the Street and Park Superintendent will oversee trail grooming. The Elk River Nordic Ski Club will continue to supply volunteers to groom the trails. Volunteers will only be allowed to utilize city equipment on city property after completing the appropriate city training as directed by the Street and Park Superintendent. The biggest change recommended is that the city will own the grooming equipment instead of the Ski Club. The new snowmobile, as well as the 1998 Skidoo,will be owned by the city. The city will also supply the fuel and operating supplies needed to operate the equipment. To address the concern about trail utilization by other organized groups,both the Elk River High School Ski Team and the Minnesota Biathlon will contribute $500.00 or volunteer 50 hours to improvement projects or maintenance at city parks. These park improvements or maintenance projects must be made at the direction of the Street and Park Superintendent in order to qualify as volunteer hours. Action requested: The City Council is asked to consider purchasing a Skidoo Scandic for trail grooming at a cost of$6,800 to be paid with a$2,500 contribution from the Elk River Nordic Ski Club and the • remainder from the capital outlay reserve fund designated for parks. As a condition of the purchase, the Elk River Nordic Ski Club will transfer ownership of the 1998 Skidoo Scandic