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<br />Dear Mr. Mayor and Council members, <br /> <br />The weather conditions in March and April have had an impact on the high school varsity sports <br />schedules throughout Minnesota. I am the Elk River High School Varsity Baseball Coach and the MN <br />State High School League has shortened game lengths and increased the number of scheduled games <br />we are playing in the coming weeks. Additional games and even double headers on days previously not <br />scheduled are now a reality. I have been able to keep my schedule clear for the regular Commission <br />meetings but I have no control over the recent changes made to our high school schedules. <br />I have already stated to Michael Hecker that I will need to miss the Parks and Recreation Commission <br />regular meeting on May 9 because of a make-up game scheduled. My main concern, however, is that as <br />the Commission discussed at the April meeting, the need for special meetings and work sessions this <br />spring/summer to discuss master planning of athletic facilities. Depending on when these might be <br />scheduled, it’s highly possible that I will miss additional meetings because of the updated high school <br />baseball schedule. <br /> <br />I want you to know that it will be a challenge for me to participate in the Commission meetings for the <br />next two months. I think this is a critical time for the City and the Commission as we begin to discuss <br />and plan the city’s needs regarding athletic facilities. I have a strong compassion for athletics, parks and <br />recreation and the City of Elk River. Therefore, I will make every attempt to attend Commission <br />meetings but the additional scheduling of games is out of my control. This has not been an issue in the <br />last two years but has happened every few years. My attendance the last 3 years has not been an issue <br />but I fear that may be out of my control now. <br /> <br />I propose that the City Council reconsider its policy on Commission member attendance. I recommend <br />that you consider taking special meetings out of the requirement for attendance. Special meetings are <br />difficult to plan since they can be called at any time with little warning. I also feel you should take <br />special circumstances and flexibility into consideration. I feel that I make a valuable contribution to the <br />Commission and I hope to see this continued for many years to come. <br /> <br />Thank you for your service and your time looking into this matter. <br /> <br />Ryan Holmgren <br />Park and Recreation Commission <br />City of Elk River <br />