Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Request for Action <br /> <br />To Item Number <br /> <br />Mayor and City Council 8.1 <br />Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by <br /> <br /> <br />June 20, 2016 <br />General Business <br />Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director <br />Item Description Reviewed by <br /> <br />MORC Agreement Approval <br /> <br />Cal Portner, City Administrator <br />Reviewed by <br /> <br /> <br />Action Requested <br /> <br />Approve, by motion, the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Elk River and the Minnesota <br />Off-Road Cyclists (MORC). <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br /> <br />The City Council reviewed at the April 18, 2016, work session recommendations from staff and the Parks <br />and Recreation Commission for a Hillside park plan that includes assistance from MORC. The Council <br />also provided consensus for staff to develop a formal agreement with MORC. MORC is dedicated to <br />gaining and maintaining mountain bike trails in Minnesota and safeguarding the future of mountain <br />biking. They have indicated a strong interest in Hillside, one of the oldest trails in the region. <br /> <br />Staff met with the MORC Board on May 11 to discuss and gauge interests in a formal partnership. <br />MORC drafted a formal agreement for city review. The agreement was formally approved by the MORC <br />Board on Monday, June 13, 2016, and was reviewed by the city attorney. <br /> <br />The Parks and Recreation Commission held work sessions in May and June to discuss Hillside. They <br />completed a park and trails plan intended to attract a wider range of levels, users, and volunteers to the <br />park, including a paved trail. MORC volunteers have already started a regular work night on Mondays to <br />work on the Hillside Park trails. <br /> <br />Not included in the formal Agreement with MORC, but as part of the overall park plan, is to no longer <br />charge fees for Hillside. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br /> <br />The technical and maintenance assistance provided at no charge by MORC will save the city money over <br />the long term and be less burdensome on volunteers and city staff. <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> <br /> <br />MORC Agreement <br /> <br /> <br />Hillside City Park Plan Outline <br /> <br /> <br />Hillside City Park Proposed Trail Plan <br /> <br />