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<br />, ,. <br /> <br />TO: Lori Johnson - City Administrator <br />Elk River City Council <br />FROM: Boys and Girls Club of Elk River <br />Duane Howard - Executive Director <br />November 2,2005 <br /> <br />RE: Proposals to serve community youth for the year 2006, on a reimbursement/pay for <br />services agreement with the city. <br /> <br />Forgive us making our annual "ask", but it is a very necessary task that our board has expectations of. <br />The city has been very kind to the Boys and Girls Club, and we have the deepest appreciation and <br />admiration for the city and its officials. The city used to reimburse the Club around $36,000 for <br />environmental services, and the last three years the city has granted us $15,000 per year rental purposes. <br />We understand and agree that the Club probably had a difficult time coming up with $36,000 in recycling <br />and abatement money a few years ago, (I wasn't here), and that the city did not have full use the rental <br />agreement. The need of sound barriers in the gym seemed to be a big issue in the city rental or people <br />using the gym with city rentals. Additionally, with the loss of the $24,000 in the youth community <br />services for 2006, with the $15,000 agreement not to be renewed, the Club will obviously feel the effects <br />of this loss of revenue as you know, non profits struggle with donations as their main revenue. <br />Obviously, the Club serves quite a need in the community, even with our lean budget preventing us from <br />making great things happen, kids keep coming back. We have wonderful stories to share of parents and <br />kids appreciation for the Club. The community need has not gone away, and the Club was built to serve <br />this need. <br /> <br />Weare making the following proposals for agreements for next year. We know your budget has heavy <br />issues to deal with and realize your budget has to be lean too, but felt compelled that we should share our <br />story with you. <br /> <br />For 2006: <br />1. Pat had once mentioned that your budget is tight, but that there may be some room for <br />conversation in the capital fund. That related to the idea of the city supporting placing sound <br />barriers (acoustics) in the gymnasium. The echo and loudness off the walls seemed to be the <br />main reason the city rec. did not use the gym much in the past. With better acoustics, perhaps the <br />city could also make good use of the gym. This cost would be approximately $12,000. <br />2. We propose that the environmental plan (teaching about being environmentally conscious of <br />preventing garbage dumpster over usage) be continued as in the past. We assume this landfill <br />abatement funding is in a different fund then general fund. <br />3. We propose that the present YOUTH IN COMMUNITY EDUCATION service be continued. <br />This is an important service that is available to kids who may not be so involved in sports and <br />other activities at school. Details are enclosed. The present amount is $24,000, and we hope this <br />can be continued. We are strengthening our focus with building workforce skills to youth/career <br />exploration and training. <br />4. This past January was the last payment of$15,000 per year. We will miss that revenue <br />partnership for sure. Perhaps the same plan can be continued, especially if the gym is made more <br />suitable, or maybe this amount can be revitalized for serving teens together with the city park and <br />recreation. <br /> <br />AGAIN, THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP TO THIS CLUB, INCLUDING THE CITY'S HELP IN <br />DEVELOPING THE CLUB, 6 YEARS AGO NOW. <br />