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~~~ REQUEST FOR ACTION <br />1~.~.ver <br />TO ITEM NUMBER <br />Mayor and City Council 4.~ <br />AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY <br />Consent May 21, 2012 Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation <br /> Director <br />ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED BY <br />Resolution Acknowledging Monetary Contributions to Elk River Tina Allard, Ci Clerk <br />Parks and Recreation Department from Great River Energy REVIEWED BY <br /> Cal Portner, Ci Administrator <br />ACTION REQUESTED <br />Adopt the attached resolution acknowledging the $8,350 monetary donation from Great River Energy <br />(GRE) pursuant to Minnesota State Statute X465.03. Statute requires that resolutions fox donations are <br />adopted by a 2/3 majority vote. <br />BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION <br />Last fall, Great River Energy had to remove trees along the transmission line right-of--way easement. <br />When the project was completed the volunteers at Hillside Park were concerned with the amount of trees <br />that were removed. Volunteers were surprised by the visible changes and clearing of the landscape under <br />the transmission lines. It was a quick change to the woodsy environment surrounding the mountain bike <br />trails. <br />Staff started working with the volunteers and GRE in October once the tree clearing project was <br />completed. The core volunteer group, called the DirtWirx crew, under the leadership of the park steward <br />Rich Omdahl, was requested to come up with various plans to repair and improve the trails near the <br />transmission lines. Some of the ideas included re-forestation plans and prairie grasses. These plans were <br />in the range of $8,000 to $20,000. The main problem with the plans was their sustainability. <br />GRE offered to make a donation of $8,350 to the City of Elk River for the DirtWirx crew to make <br />improvements to Hillside Park. This amount is basically the equivalent cost of a plan to install prairie <br />grasses to the transmission line easement. After meeting with the volunteers during the last six months to <br />come up with a viable plan, it was decided by the DirtWirx crew that equipment would be the best cost <br />effective method for park improvements. <br />Parks Supervisor Rodney Schreifels has been working with Rich Omdahl the past few weeks on a <br />comprehensive list of equipment and supplies that the city will purchase with the donation. Some of the <br />items include Sno-Scout snowmobiles for winter grooming, chainsaws, generators, and small tools. <br />The donation was discussed and approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission at the May 9 <br />meeting. <br />~~~ow~nlo ~~9 <br />~AU~' <br />