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REQUEST FOR ACTION <br />TO ITEM NUMBER <br />Ci Council 6.2. <br />AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY <br />Administration Aril 18, 2011 Lori ohnson, Ci Adtnitustrator <br />ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By <br />Otsego Recreation Request <br /> REVIEWED BY <br />ACTION REQUESTED <br />Authorize staff to continue discussions with the City of Otsego to provide recreation services to <br />Otsego beginning January 1, 2012. <br />BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION <br />Last summer the Otsego City Administrator approached me to explore the possibility of <br />contracting with Elk River to provide recreation services for Otsego. At that time both Steve <br />Benoit and I indicated that we were supportive of the idea and stated we felt we could develop an <br />arrangement that would assist Otsego while still retaining Elk River's excellent recreation <br />programs. The Otsego City Aduunistratox indicated that he would get back to me when Otsego <br />was ready to begin serious discussions about contracting for service from Elk River. I was <br />recently contacted by Otsego indicating that they would like to resume discussion to partner on <br />recreation services. <br />This Wednesday, at the request of Mayor Jessica Stockamp and Otsego staff, I attended Otsego's <br />administrative subcommittee meeting to discuss several matters including partnering on recreation <br />services. We had a lengthy discussion about the different ways we could structure the partnership <br />depending upon Otsego's xeaeation goals and their budget I indicated that we were very willing <br />to work with them. Of course, our first priority is to Elk River residents, but I stated to them that <br />both Steve Benoit and I feel that we can reach an arrangement that will be beneficial to both Elk <br />River and Otsego. Later that evening, I attended the Otsego Parks and Recreation Commission <br />meeting to address questions the Commission had on the possibility of partnering. The <br />Commission requested that discussions continue. <br />Otsego's timeline is fight as their contract with Community Education states that they must give <br />notice to terminate the contract in June fox service beginning January 1, 2012. I stated I would <br />add this item to the next agenda to get formal Council authorization to continue our discussions <br />with the intent to bring back a contract for approval between Elk River and Otsego to provide <br />recreation services beginning January 1, 2012. <br />