10.A.1-3. THRU 10.B.1-5 PRSR 08-11-1999

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Elk; River • Plan to keep . .. . .: ree •community as-is. emerging . . ' Long-term commitments from cities will keep Elk River from breaking away by Jim Boyle rent configuration that ties Staff writer municipalities and the Elk Momentum is building to stick River Area School District with Community Recreation as- - together to provide recreation is, under the guidance of its programming, according ; to joint partnership agreement. Mark Strater,the interim chair The Elk River City Council, of the board.At a meeting of the which has considered having advisory board last week, the the city of Elk River provide its group began work on its next own recreation programming, budget. is willing to stick it out under One other option that has been the current joint powers agree- considered is if the current • ment, provided it can secure arrangement doesn't stick,then some type of long-term commit- . District 728 Community Educa- ments from the participating tion would .be willing to take municipalities. over the program. Without three- to five-year This is the Elk River City commitments, the Elk River Council's least favorite option, City Council and city staff are despite prodding from Mayor ready to proceed on their own to Stephanie Klinzing and a pitch provide recreational program- from Charlie Blesener, the ming to the residents of Elk director of community educa- River. Of most concern to the tion who would head up pro- city of Elk River is the city of gram. Otsego,whose support seems to Blesener told the council last ride on keeping program costs Monday that continuing the level and Otsego participation joint partnership agreement is up, his as well as the Elk River Area "I would hope' there wouldn't School District's first choice. be a problem,"said Ron Black, "The only reason.that Option former Otsego council member. C (the community education- "This is the only program the run community recreation pro- city of Otsego offers for kids." gram)was proposed,is because Council Member Paul Motin Option B(a city-run community and the rest of the Elk River recreation program) was pro- City Council have directed City posed,"Blesener said. Administrator Pat Klaers to Blesener says in the absence of talk with area municipalities a joint powers-led recreation about their commitment to the program,the community educa- joint partnership agreement. tion-led program would be best The Elk River City Council because it would be cost effec- • would like to see the program tive and more likely to retain all grow without the fear of cities or of the partners. "You could townships backing out. maintain and expand programs The consensus of the Corn- with Option C," Blesener said. munity Education Advisory "And you still have a partner- Board is to stick with the cur- ship with the school district"