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N:\Departments\Parks and Recreation\Commission\Packets\2019\12-11-2019 PRC Packet\Director's Report 12-11-19.docx <br />Congratulations Steve Benoit <br />Steve Benoit has been awarded the MRPA Jack Niles Award. Over 900 members from municipal, <br />county and state agencies comprise the MRPA membership. The MRPA Professional Awards <br />program recognizes individuals for outstanding achievements in parks and recreation and this award <br />is one of the professional awards given out annually. Steve will be recognized at the MRPA Annual <br />awards banquet in January. <br /> <br />Parks Maintenance Employee <br />Park Maintenance Employee Shane Fisher resigned November 4. He accepted a shop supervisor <br />position in Blaine. He had two certifications- playground inspections and a CPO Certified Pool <br />Operator (water fountain inspector). Tim Sevcik is currently training two different park <br />maintenance employees for the playground inspector and CPO requirements. The CPO will be <br />especially important and required for the new splash pad at Orono Park. <br /> <br />Hunting Ordinances <br />A resident spoke at a recent City Council Open Forum regarding possible conflicts in our hunting <br />ordinances. Staff has reviewed the hunting ordinance and it appears some ambiguity exists related to <br />parks and the WHHCA. Police Chief Nierenhausen is reviewing all city ordinances pertaining to <br />hunting and will present updates to the City Council in early 2020. We will keep the commission <br />informed on the updates. <br /> <br />Shiver Elk River <br />The Elk River Area Chamber announced late last month they intend to discontinue the Shiver Elk <br />River event usually held in February at Orono Park. They stated it did not serve their mission and <br />have encourage the Sherburne County Area United Way to continue the polar plunge as a non-profit <br />fundraiser for the community. <br /> <br />Active Elk River Construction at YAC <br />Underground utilities for the field lighting at YAC are completed for the six ballfields. The Musco <br />installers are waiting for deeper frost to begin installing the light poles. The field lighting project is <br />still on track to be completed by early 2020. Pricing for the playground and dugouts are completed <br />and will be presented to City Council for approval at the December 16 meeting. <br /> <br />Active Elk River Construction at Ice Arena <br />Wow! If you have not noticed by now, most of the walls and roof are now up and on the two new ice <br />rinks allowing for construction to continue through the winter months. November 12 was the first girls’ <br />high school game with Maple Grove. Many indicated the arena and staff performed well with the <br />physical and operational modifications and there didn’t appear to any noticeable inconveniences for <br />participants or spectators due to the renovation. Stay posted on all of the construction progress by <br />visiting www.ActiveElkRiver.com <br /> <br />Advisory Boards and Commissions Enabling Ordinances <br />City Council had a work session November 18 to discuss the desire, need or future direction for the <br />following commissions/boards: Heritage Preservation Commission, Library Board, and Arena <br />Commission. Members are invited to attend the December 16 City Council work session to further <br />discuss their direction.