4.3. PRSR 09-08-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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rA ITEM 4.3. ( > MEMORANDUM •ty of E lk • Rl`jerTO: Mayor & City Council FROM: Pat Klaers, City Administrator DATE: August 16, 1999 SUBJECT: Community Recreation The Community Recreation Board meets on Monday, August 16, 1999. One of the main agenda items for this meeting is the 2000 budget. Councilmember Motin is scheduled to be at this meeting and to update the City Council on 8/16/99 on the results of this Community Recreation Board meeting. I have seen an early draft of the budget and it looks very good from my point of view. If the budget is approved as presented, I would recommend the city continue being an active member of the organization and the joint powers agreement. The city can always decide to withdraw in the future (after 4111 providing adequate notice) and undertake our own recreation program if the situation changes. I think everyone believes that Elk River will ultimately have its own park and recreation department at some time, especially to deal with park issues, but the current situation seems to be working alright and it is expected to improve if the budget, as presented, is approved. The Community Recreation budget reflects some changes that will help establish its identity, clear up the confusion about Community Education and Community Recreation being the same entity, and allows Community Recreation to set up its own operation. If approved, the budget will make it very clear that Community Recreation is a separate entity and not a subgroup of the school district or Community Education. A key change that is provided for in this budget and the amended 1999 budget is a new office location. The budget recommends that it fund capital improvements up to $8,000 to create offices and a work area for Community Recreation at the city owned Emporium. The building official and the interim community recreation director have looked at Emporium and it is very possible to create some office space at this facility for somewhere in the neighborhood of$8,000. Approximately one third of the space used by Emporium would be dedicated to Community Recreation. The city would • absorb the very limited additional operating expenses that come with these offices. According to the interim community recreation director, having offices at Emporium also provides some benefits for the management of Emporium. (Community Recreation being officed at Emporium is not intended to be a long term situation or solution, but I also don't foresee the 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD &Phone: (612) 441-7420 • Fax: (612)441-7425