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REQUEST FOR ACTION <br />TO ITEM NUMBER <br />Parks and Recreation Commission 7.1.A <br />AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY <br />Action Item November 9, 2011 Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation <br /> Director <br />ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By <br />Resolution fox the Mississippi River Trail Cal Poxmer, Ci Administrator <br /> REVIEWED BY <br />ACTION REQUESTED <br />Staff recommends the Parks and Recreation Commission support the Mississippi River Trail Application <br />and Resolution fox the City of Elk River to become a host city. <br />BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION <br />At the August 15, 2011 City Council meeting, City Council approved a letter of support to the City of <br />Ramsey fox the Mississippi River Trail project Since that time the Mississippi River Trail MnDOT has <br />held community engagement meetings to present and market the importance of the Mississippi River <br />Trail. Staff recently attended a community engagement meeting in St. Cloud on October 26 to find out <br />how the City of Elk River can become a "Host City". <br />Every Ciry willing to pass a local xesoludon supporting the MRT (Mississippi River Trail) and its goals will <br />be provided some benefits if it chooses to become a Host City. This includes listing the City of Elk River <br />on the MnDOT website highlighting our local City attractions. <br />One host City in each of the six MRT Destination Areas that wants to position itself as a significant <br />destination fox MRT travelers is eligible to receive expert marketing and bicycle planning assistance, <br />which includes: <br />• Developing a marketing action plan. Two consultation meetings with a MN State tourism <br />marketing expert who will assist in developing an MRT Marketing Plan. <br />• Evaluating its bicycle-friendliness. One site visit by the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota to <br />conduct a community assessment and a follow up meeting fox marketing purposes. <br />In order to receive the enhanced visibility and highlights of a selected "Host City" an application with an <br />eventual resolution must be submitted to the MRT MnDOT. The application process includes outlining <br />the existing community bicycling services and how the City of Elk River may convene a meeting of <br />stakeholders to work and develop an MRT marketing plan. <br />Staff feels the location of Elk River as a destination azea and our recent branding process of "Powered By <br />Nature" should assist in selecting our community fox enhanced marketing and bicycle planning benefits. <br />P A ~ E t E l t1' <br />C:\Documen[s and Settings\shenoit\Local Se[ngs\Temporary Internet Files\ConrencOudook\lY7IHP0A\Mississippi ~~~~~ <br />River Trail mquet for action- resolution attached.docz <br />