11. PRSR 03-10-2004•Y
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Kiver MEMORANDUM
13o65oronoParkway TO: Park and Recreation Commission
Elk River, MN 55330
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: Miche
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rector of Planning
DATE:
SUBJECT:
March 10, 2004
Informational/Update Items for March 10,
2004
B. Park/Trail Developments
1. Park Dedication Fund Balance
Attached please find the February 2004 balance sheet.
2. iX/oodland Trails Donations
Attached is the latest balance sheet for donations at Woodland Trails Park.
3. YMCA Update, February
4. Insurance for Volunteers
The City Council approved purchasing insurance for volunteers working in the parks
through the City's insurance carrier. Information relating to the coverage is included
in the attached memo.
S. Ice Arena Update
Attached is information regarding the Ice Arena. Additional work and equipment has
been authorized by the City Council. Of particular interest is the Youth Hockey
Association's desire to reuse the boards from the Barn for outdoor practice use. They
have a desire to establish a location for organized practice.
Phone: 763.635.1000
Fax: 763.635.1090
www.ci.elk-rivecmn.us
CITY OF ELK RIVER
BALANCE SHEET
FEBRUARY 2004
Page: 1
3/3/2004
lLl7am
As of: 2/29/2004 Balances
Fund Type: 11 Special revenue funds
Fund: 225 -PARK DEDICATION
Assets
Acct Class: 1000 Current Assets
1010 Cash
1012 Fair Value-Investments
1380 Interest Receivable
L,127,96 L21
-3,282.00
4,359.00
Acct Class: 1000 Current Assets 1,129,038.21
Total Assets 1,129,038.21
Reserves/Balances
Acct Class: 2400 Fund Equity
2400 Fund Balance 1,105,757.11
2600 Change In Fund Balance 23,281.10
Acct Class: 2400 Fund Equity 1,129,038.21
Total Reserves/Balances 1,129,038.21
Total Liabilities & Balances 1,129,038.21
Woodland Trails Donations
Date Amount Donated by:
12/2/2003 $101.10
1/16/2004 $155.00
1/21/2004 $5.00
1/23/2004 $3.00
1/26/2004 $178.00
1/28/2004 $50.00 Jeremy Frost
2/2/2004 $23.00
2/2/2004 $50.00 Macalester College
2/6/2004 $6.00
2/11/2004 $18.00
2/18/2004 $38.00
2/26/2004 $11.00
Park Equipment Reserve
Address:
SCSU Saints Invite
Total $638.10
Item -4.10.
ver
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Patrick Klaers, City Administrator
DATE: February 9, 2004
SUBJECT: YMCA Update
The most recent meeting of the Northstar YMCA Community Board was held on February
5, 2004 at Lions Paxk Centex. Attached fox your review axe the February 5, 2004 meeting
agenda, some background material from the packet, and the January 8, 2004 Northstar
YMCA Community Board meeting minutes.
Mayor Klinzing is scheduled to provide the City Council with an update on YMCA activities.
NorthStar YMCA Community Board
Meeting Agenda
February 5, 2004 7:OOam
LIONS PARK CENTER
Informational Items
^ Welcome Bill Helliwell
^ Opening thought
^ Approve Minutes and Agenda Bill Helliwell
Report Items
^ Committee Updates
• Program Committee Ken Ebel
• Communication Committee Ed Stoutenburg
• Finance Committee Nick Haidos
Chair/Director Report Helliwell/McKinney
^ Boys & Girls Club potential partnership -update
^ Northwest YMCA Board meeting - 1/22/04
New Business/Discussion Items Group
^ NorthStar YMCA organizational structure
^ Establishment of an Executive Committee
^ Founders' Campaign
^ Y Partners' Campaign
UPCOMING EVENTS MATERIALS INCLUDED
^ Founders' Committee Meetings ^ January Minutes
March 11, 2004 ^ Elk River Star News 1/21/04 article
Committee Meetings
^ Communication - 7:OOam - NRG
Februazy 12 & Februazy 26, 2004
^ Program - 8:OOam -Senior Center
February 25, 2004
^ Special Events
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NORTHSTAR COMMUNITY BOARD COMMITTEE CHARTS OF WORK
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
-Decision making between Community Board meetings
-Counsel to Branch Executive
-Develop and monitor planning decisions
-Review financial
-Strategic Planning
-Committee Assignments
- Board Development
FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT/Y PARTNERS
-Identify leadership and provide direction for Y Partner campaign, major gifts efforts,
endowment gifts and potential capital campaigns
-Assist with donor relations program
-Provide leadership to donor prospecting efforts
-Assist in funding recommendations
PUBLIC RELATIONS
- Assist staff in identifying and nurturing relationships with key community leaders
- Make presentations on behalf of the YMCA to community groups as needed
- Liaison to members, participants and community
- Assist in the organizing special events and arranging communication items for the
NorthStar YMCA
Program Committee
Develop opportunities for programming in the Elk River Area
Evaluate Programs
Build program partnership opportunities
Other Committees (as needed)
-Volunteer Recognition Program, Diversity Program, Major Gifts Program, Capital
Campaign Development
NORTHSTAR YMCA
FOUNDER'S COMMITTEE
MINUTES FOR MEETING OF JANUARY 8, 2004
MEMBERS ATTENDING: Pat Klaers, Ed Stoutenburg, Bill Helliwell, Ken Ebel, Michele Bergh, Ron
Touchette, Stephanie Klinzing, Tina Scheid - NW YMCA Assn., Tom McKinney NW YMCA, Wendy
Simonson, Deb Hunter, Erica Oelke, Katie Ronallo & Mary Eberley
Meeting was called to order by Chair Helliwell at 7:10 AM.
Agenda & Minutes for meeting of December 11, 2003 were approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1) Program Committee -Ken Ebel updated group - NYPUM (du-t bike program) was considered
successful in 2003 & will be conducted again in 2004. Family Camp & Camp Manitou programs will
be continued in 2004. Youth in Government could not be conducted in 2003 as no teacher/supervisor
could be secured. Will try again in 2004.
Exploring collaborative effort with Boys & Girls Club to use the Club facility as drop-off site. Would
provide necessary safe facility for Y programs & would also provide some additional revenue for Boys
& Girls Club. Discussions continue.
Will conduct Senior Citizen Partnership programs again.
Planning for a new cooperative program with Police Dept -Kids & Cops.
T. McKinney will put together a brief list of programs & descriptions, along with approximate costs to
run the programs.
2) Communications Committee - Ed Stoutenberg reported that Cedric Olson has written a new article,
which will run in Staz News soon. Group is interested in creating a sign that can be used to post at
various sites -mobile sign. Will need City permit. Example of use would be at Boys & Girls Club as
notice of drop-off site. Jim Boyle of Star News would like to interview committee members & mn a
series of articles about activities and plans for the NorthStar YMCA.
3) Finance Committee -Helliwell reported that Nick Haidos would be late or is out of town- Separate
"Resfricted Fund" account has been established at NW YMCA & contains balance of $600. (Haidos
joined the group later - no additional comments.)
4) Additional Reports - T. McKinney reported on discussions with Boys & Girls Club regarding possible
joint activities such as Camp Manitou, drop-off site, & other partnership possibilities. There was
discussion about possible community concerns regarding competition rather than seeing the two
organizations as partners offering complimentary programs.
Michele Bergh informed the group of possible partnerships between Community Rec programs and
YMCA participation, These would be opportunities for visibility for the Y as well as a chance to
expand the Community programs. Example noted is Cabin Fever Day. Other opportunities may come
up soon.
5) NW YMCA Board meetings -Bill Helliwell attended the November meeting and plans to attend [he
January meeting. Joni Lawrence & Stephanie Klinzing will also attend. These 3 individuals will be
the official NorthStar YMCA representatives to the NW Y Board.
6) Strategic Planning Task Group -Ron Touchette introduced the two new Student Members -Erica
Oelke & Katie Ronallo. Both will also participate in Program Committee.
Ron again discussed need for change to organizational stmcture and more substantive information
available for fund raising & for gaining community support. He described YMCA "model" structure
& advocated working with Tina Scheid to develop community support & to conduct community
campaign. Ms. Scheid briefly discussed materials available, structure & timing.
R. Touchette made a motion to Authorize conduct of a "Y Partners Campaign" for the NorthStar
YMCA over the next several months. Eberley second, motion passed.
After further discussion, R. Touchette made a motion to :Examine & develop organizational
models to consider for adoption of a formal organizational plan & structure for NorthStar
YMCA- Action to be taken at the next meeting to adopt. S. Klinzing seconded & motion passed,
Material is to be presented to members for consideration prior to the next meeting.
R. Touchette also made a motion to change the name of this group to: NorthStar YMCA
Community Board, to reduce confusion over committee & board names & to help clarify
responsibilities. P. Klaers seconded, Motion passed after discussion.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:30AM.
Mary Eberley
Acting Recorder
ELK RIVER ARENA
1000 SCHOOL STREET
ELK RIVER, MN 55330
(763) 635 - 1141
FAX * (763) 635 -1144
To: Pat Klaers
From: Rich Czech
Date: February 17, ?004
Subject: Equipment for Olympic Ice Plant
Thank you for meetin, with me regarding the Arena's Capital Improvements. I felt it was
important to keep you abreast cf the items the Arena needs and the potential problems
that may occur if they are left miattended. I also feel it is very important that we have a
plan in place to face the challenge of replacing or repairing the building and it's
equipment as they get older.
One area we discussed in length is the Olympics Ice Plant. Two items that were
discussed in detail were the Condenser and the Backpressure Regulator.
As I reviewed with you, the Condenser is a large tower that sits outside of the north side
of the building. By using blowers and water, the Condenser cools the high-pressure gas
from the compressors into ahigh-pressure liquid as it passes through the coils of the
Condenser. The liquid then is used to pump the refrigerant from the pumpers out into the
floor.
Over the yeazs we have been dealing w7th the water of the condenser freezing when the
outside temperature goes below freezing. Two things cause this; first the condenser is
under sized for our climate. Second, the outside cooling pipes that carry the hish-
pressure gas is layered with scale. The scale acts like an insulator that does not allow the
air or water to cool the high-pressure gas.
The scale was caused from the last o~nmer not treatin, the water, which would have
removed impurities from the water that would have prevented the scale from building up
on the pipes. Since we have had the Ice Plant in operation. we have treated the water
with chemicals to help remove some of the scale from the pipes. We have had some
success, however some of the pipes still have scale on them.
When the condenser uses water while the outside temperature is below freezing, the water
freezes on the blowers and on the belts of the motor that drives the blowers. This usually
results in the belts breaking and the blowers Navin; one to two inches of ice on them.
This problem happens about. six to eight times per year. When it happens, we have to take
a large torch to the condenser to thaw out the motor and the blowers. Then we need to
replace the three belts that drive the blowers. The freezing usually occurs at night when
the outside temperature drops below fi-eezing. This results in someone having to come in
to make these repairs. Being that it is dark, icy and that we have to use a ladder to get to
the frozen area of the condenser it creates an unsafe situation for staff members.
The best solution to eliminate this problem is to purchase and install a new Condenser.
The Condenser would be sized so that water wouldn't be needed when the outside
temperature is below freezing. Attached are three quotes for a new Condenser for the ice
plant. The quote from Commercial Refrigeration, $24,660.00 is the lowest quote and is
substantially lower than the $35,500.00 that was in the C.LP. a few years back. This is
mostly due to the fact that Commercial Refrigeration will already be on site installing the
Barn's rink floor and will not have the overhead costs associated with installing the
Condenser from scratch.
Another item of importance is the Backpressure Regulator. The Backpressure Regulator
would allow more heat to enter through the heat reclaimer that is used to melt the snow in
the snowmelt pit Currently the snow that is dumped in the pit builds up during busy
times, causing the need to melt the pit in alternative ways such as moving the snow to
other areas of the pit by using a shovel or by using hot water to melt the built up snow.
This project was orisinally scheduled for 2000. However, due to the heat exchanger in the
furnace going out to the Banl, the money was used on that project and the Backpressure
Regulator was moved to 2005.
With the new floor in the Barn being installed this year, it would be cost effective to
install the Backpressure Regulator this year. Commercial Refrigeration will be on site
installing the floor, making it less expensive for them to install the Backpressure
Regulator.
Attached is Commercial Refrigeration's quote to install the Backpressure regulator. In the
Capital Improvement Plan, the estimated cost of the Backpressure regulator is $3,300.00.
Commercial Refrigeration's quote is $2.213.00 if we instal] it dm-ing the consU-uction of
the Barn's floor, saving close to $1,100.00 compared to what was budgeted for the project
in 2005.
I`m available to discuss this further if needed, please give me a call at the Arena.
Item 5.7.
or
ver
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Pat Klaers, City Administrator
DATE: February 23, 2004
SUBJECT: Ice Arena
Ice Axena Manager Rich Czech and I have had a number of discussions over the years, and
in the last few weeks ox so, reguding a couple of capital nnprovements that are needed at
the Ice Arena. The memo from Rich reviews the need fox the condenser and the
backpressure regulator and includes quotes for these two hmprovements.
The unproaements to the Barn floor are estimated to cost about X430,000. The cost for this
improvement is to be split 50-50 between the Liquor Store Reserve and the NSP Reserve. It
is proposed that these two reserve funds also finance the condenser and backpressure
regulator. This will mean an additional $13,500 from each fund. This will bring the total
expenditure to be about $230,000 out of each reserve fund.
Both of the requested improvements are needed; both of the requested improvements have
been delayed due to lack of available funds within the Ice Axena budget; both of these
unprovements are tunely to complete now while the Baxn floor is under construction; and
both unprovements are financially reasonable considering that the firm which is completing
the Barn floor itprovements is also the fain which submitted the low quotes for the
condenser and backpressure regulator work.
Also attached with this memo is an update from Rich regarding acti~dties that are going on at
the Arena and a tunetable for the Barn floor reconstruction. It should be noted that the ice
will be out of the Olympic Rink from Map 17, 2004 through)une 4, 2004. This coincides
with the schedule for the condenser project, which is planned to begin on May 17, 2004.
Recommendation
It is xecoxmnended that the Ciry Council award the condenser and backpressure regulator
quotes to Commercial Refrigeration in the amount of $24,660 for the condenses and $2,213
for the backpressure regulator with funding to come equally from the NSP Reserve and the
Liquor Store reserve.
SV('ouncilU'a[AUpdatesVAiena Aoc
ELK RIVER ARENA
1000 SCHOOL STREET NW
ELK RIVER, MN 55330
(763) 635 - 1141
Fax (763) 635 - 1144
e CZ2Ci]i~i'C:.~ili- S \ :i .i.Iii .liS
To: Arena Commission
From: Rich Czech
Date: February 18, 2004
Subject: Arena Update
We are about four weeks away from the Bam's ice being taken out. A couple of pipes
are still plugged, even after two attempts at trying to clean them out. With the cold
weather, the ice where the plugged lines aze have kept frozen. It will be the latter part of
February and Mazch when the weather is warmer that we may have problems keeping the
ice frozen over the plugged lines. The V.F.W. A -Bantam Tournament is scheduled for
the second week of March. If the weather is going to be warm we may have to try to
unplug the lines to keep the ice frozen or we may be able to use C. O. - 2 fire
extinguishers or dry ice to keep the ice frozen.
Construction of the new floor and boazds for the Barn is scheduled to begin May 3`d, after
the Arena's Craft Fair. The project should be completed by mid September, attached for
your review is a tentative timeline of the project.
With the construction of the Barn floor this summer, it's a good time to look at a couple
of C.LP. (Capital Improvement Items) to the Olympic rink. Completing these projects
now rather than waiting until their scheduled time would save the city money. The two
items in questioned aze for the Olympics ice plant, the Condenser and a Backpressure
Regulator. I have attached the memo that ]have sent to Pat Klaers that will explain why
we should move forward with these items.
There has been some discussion of what is going to be done with the old boards. Elk
River Youth Hockey has inquired about putting them on the west side of the Bam.
Nothing is impossible, however there are a few hurdles to jump through in order to get
this done. A few of these aze transferring ownership of the boazds from the city to who
ever is going to be responsible for them, approval to put the boazds on school property,
leveling the area where the boards will be set. Then there is setting up the boards, rink
lights and poles for the lights, water supply, and a warming house. In addition to this, we
will have to determine who will be responsible for maintaining the boazds and flooding
the rink? This will be one of many topics that the Arena Commission will have to
discuss this spring.
It sounds like Monticello Is close to building a rink this spring. I'm not sure of all the
logistics, however it sounds like it's a joint effort between the School District City, and
the Youth Hockey Association. Becker Big Lake High School may move their program
from Elk River to Monticello, however it- s too soon to tell. If Becker Big Lake were to
move their program, it would open up about 80 hours of ice for existing customers to use.
It sounds like both Roger's High school programs will have a junior vazsity program next
year. The boys are requesting an additional hour of practice each night; this would give
them atwo-hour block. The girls are requesting an additional half hour; this would give
them an hour and a half practice. Adding these hours to an already tight ice schedule will
be next to impossible without depleting hours from other customers. However if Becker
Big Lake does leave for Monticello, these added hour will be much more manageable.
The Volunteer Recognition Dinner is set for April 22, 2004 at the Riverwood Inn and
Conference Center. You will be receiving a formal invitation for the dinner in March.
The next Arena Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday April 6, 2004. If you
have any items of importance that should be discussed at the meeting, please contact me
so that they can be put on the agenda.
I would like to say Thanks to Dave Halgren for the framed prints of past Elk River Youth
Hockey teams. The prints are up along the west wall of the Olympic rink. Take a minute
to stop by the rink to look at them; I believe you will find them interesting, if not
amusing.
Time Line For the completion of the new rink in the Barn
May 3'ti -Removal of the existing boards
May 10`n -Demo of the concrete
May 24tH -Install curb to outer slab
May 3151- Sub Grade prep
A. Insulation
B. Vapor Ban-ier
C. Refrigeration pipes
D. Headers
July 12tH -Concrete:
A. Rebar
B. Wire mesh
C. Expansion joint
D. Pour concrete
E. Completion of expansion joints
August 23rd - Comp]etion of Floor
August 23rtl -Insulation of boards
September 8`n -Substantial Completion of project, punch items may remain
September I S`n -Final Completion of Project
September 19tH -start up of Compressors, ice by September 24tH
Item .Z_
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Lori Johnson, Finance Director
DATE: February 9, 2004
SUBJECT: Consider Voluntary Insurance Quote from League of Minnesota
Cities Insurance Trust
The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) has provided a quote fox accident
coverage fox city volunteers upon the request of the City's insurance agent, Mary Ebexley.
The city cuxxendy purchases a separate worker's compensation insurance policy fox boazd
and commission members. Volunteers who respond to an emergency situation axe
automatically covered under worker's compensation insurance. The city has not purchased
coverage for other volunteers in the past unless; of course, if the city was negligent and
legally liable for the injury it was covered under the liability policy.
Attached is information from LMCIT outlining the proposed volunteer accident insurance
policy. Basically, this policy would insure volunteers who axe not covered by worker's
compensation insurance such as volunteers fox park, recreation, clean-up day, ox other city
activities and programs. Currently, the recreation department uses around 30 volunteers for
the T-Ball program and expects that additional volunteers will be needed to assist with the
soccer program. There axe also a few volunteers who assist other departments.
The premium fox basic coverage fox one year is $1,500 with an optional $675 per yeas fox
medical benefit coverage.
Action Requested
The City Council is asked to consider the proposed LMCIT Accident Coverage fox City
Volunteers.
S: \Council\Loii\ 2004\ InsuranceQuote.doc
T ~/f~ LMCIT
j~l~l Risk Management Information
Gyres Pn,~„~t;~.~ e..~~ll .,~~ 145 University Fwenne West, S t. Paul, bLN 55103-2044
Phone: (651) 281-1200 • (800) 925-1122
FaY: (651) 281-1298 • TDD (651) 281-1290
~.Ira~t.l~~.org
ACCIDENT COVERAGE FOR CITY VOLUNTEERS
LMCIT offers its workers compensation member cities an optional accident coverage for city
volunteers. This coverage provides a schedule of benefits to compensate city volunteers who are
injured while performing volunteer services for the city.
Who is covered by the program?
With only a few exceptions, all city volunteers working under the city's direction and control will
be automatically covered on a blanket basis if the city chooses to add this coverage. This could
include, for example, coaches and instructors in recreation programs, volunteers working on a
city-sponsored festival or celebration, "clean-up day" volunteers, etc. The city will not need to
list the individuals who aze to be covered, either by name or by project; nor will the city need to
keep track of the time the various volunteers put in.
Four classes of volunteers are not automatically covered:.
1. Volunteers who are covered by workers compensation. Certain volunteers are defined to be
"employees" for purposes of workers compensation, and aze therefor eligible for workers
compensation benefits if they are injured. These include volunteer firefighters, ambulance
attendants, first responders, law enforcement assistance volunteers, and civil defense
volunteers. Since these volunteers are already protected by workers compensation, they are
not covered under this plan.
2. City council, board, committee, and commission members. Other coverage options are
already available for these people. The workers compensation law gives cities the option to
extend workers compensation coverage to elected and appointed officials. LMCIT has also
for several years offered an accident policy underwritten by CIGNA for members of city
councils, boards, and conunittees.
Members ofprivate organizations which provide services or participate in city-sponsored
activities as a group.
4. Volumteers working on construction or demolition projects. These volunteers will not be
covered automatically. However, for an additional charge, the city can add coverage for
vohmteers on a specific construction or demolition project.
-~~
~~ LMCIT
Risk Management Information
csas,:,,,,,oer„re..-~ene~~e
145IJniversityAvenne West, St. Paul, 1~LN 55103-30~~
Phone: (651) 281-1200 • (800) 925-ll23
Fay: (651) 231-1398 • TDD (651) 381-1290
wm.w.lmcit.~c.ord
ACCIDENT COVERAGE FOR CITY VOLUNTEERS
LMCIT offers its workers compensation member cities an optional accident coverage for city
volunteers. This coverage provides a schedule of benefits to compensate city volunteers who are
injured while performing volunteer services for the city.
Who is covered by the program?
With only a few exceptions, all city volunteers working under the city's direction and control will
be automatically covered on a blanket basis if the city chooses to add this coverage. This could
include, for example, coaches and instructors in recreation programs, volunteers worlting on a
city-sponsored festival or celebration, "clean-up day" volunteers, etc. The city will not need to
list the individuals who are to be covered, either by name or by project; nor will the city need to
keep track of the time the various volunteers put in.
Four classes of volunteers are not automatically covered:
volunteers wha are covered by workers compensation. Certain volunteers are defined to be
"employees" for purposes of workers compensation, and are therefor eligible for workers
compensation benefits if they are injured. These include volunteer firefighters, ambulance
attendants, first responders, law enforcement assistance volunteers, and civil defense
volunteers. Since these volunteers are already protected by workers compensation, they are
not covered under this plan.
2. City council, board, committee, and commission members. Other coverage options are
already available for these people. The workers compensation law gives cities the option to
extend workers compensation coverage to elected and appointed officials. LMCIT has also
for several years offered an accident policy underwritten by CIGNA for members of city
councils, boards, and conunittees.
Members of private organi?ations which provide services or participate in city-sponsored
activities as a group.
4. Yolzmteers working on construction or demolition projects These volunteers will not be
covered automatically. However, for an additional charge, the city can add coverage for
vohmteers on a specific construction or demolition project.
What benefits would an injured volunteer receive?
The plan provides three basic benefits:
1. Disability benefit. A volunteer who is unable to engage in the activities of his/her normal
occupation because of an injury suffered while performing volunteer services for the city will
receive a disability benefit of $400/week for up to 26 weeks.
2. Death benefit. If a volunteer dies as a result of an injury suffered while performing
volunteer services for the city, a death benefit of $100,000 will be paid to the volunteer's
survivors or estate.
Impairment benefit. If a volunteer suffers a permanent impairment or disability as a result
of an injury suffered while performing volunteer services for the city, the volunteer will
receive a lump sum payment as compensation for that impairment. Payments are based on
the percentage of disability, ranging from $750 fora 1% disability to $100,000 for 100%
disability. The percentage of disability is detertnined in the same manner used for
impairment compensation in the workers compensation system.
For an additional charge the city can add coverage for up to $1000 of medical costs. This limited
medical coverage is intended to pick up relatively minor first aid costs. On more serious injtuies,
it could also be applied to costs which the individual would otherwise have to beaz under his/her
own health coverage's deductible or co-pay provisions.
What does it cost?
The cost is based on the city's population. The basic annual chazge is $.10 per capita, subject to
a minimum premium of $150 and a maximum premium of $1500. The additional cost to add the
optional medical coverage is 45% of the basic premium. Coverage for volunteers working on a
construction or demolition project can be added for a chazge of $300 per project, or $435 per
project if the optional medical coverage is included.
The expiration date of this coverage will be coordinated with the city's LMCIT workers
compensation coverage. For cities that add this coverage mid-term, the initial premium will be
pro-rated.
Why would the city want this coverage? Aren't injuries to volunteers already covered
under the city's liability coverage?
An injury to a volunteer would be covered by the LMCIT liability coverage only if the city was
legally liable for that injury; that is, if the injury was caused by some negligence by the city or a
city officer or employee or another city volunteer. However, just as with any other tort claim,
the city would not be liable for an injury to a vohmteer if the volunteer him/herself were more at
fault than the city, or if the injury were simply an accident that really wasn't anyone's fault. A
volunteer coach being hit in the head by a batted baseball might be an example of the latter
situation.
The volunteer accident coverage protects the volunteer on a "no-fault" basis. The benefits are
automatically payable if the injury occurs while the volunteer is performing services for the city,
regardless of whose fault it was. Besides protecting the volunteer whose injury isn't caused by
the city's negligence, having these no-fault benefits available could also help avoid litigation in
cases where the city (or a city officer, employee, or other volunteer) is or may be at fault. The
injured volunteer can receive these benefits without getting into an adversary situation against
the city.
Of course, if the volunteer's injuries exceeded the benefits paid under this coverage, he/she
would still be able to make a tort claim against the city for those excess damages, if the injury
was caused by the city's negligence.
Why did LMCIT create a whole new program? Why not just offer a "voluntary workers'
compensation endorsement" and provide workers compensation benefits to volunteers?
The LMCIT Boazd chose this approach for several reasons. It's substantially less expensive to
the city than providing workers compensation benefits would be, reflecting the more limited
scope of benefits provided. Administration is simpler for the city, since the city doesn't have to
keep records of how many hours were worked by how many volunteers, etc. It eliminates the
problem of determining what the appropriate indemnity rate is for an unpaid volunteer. It's also
less risky for LMCIT and for LMCIT's other members.
How do we enroll?
To enroll, complete and return the attached form. LMCIT will bill the city for the premium.
Further information
If you have any questions or need further information, contact any of the following: Pete
Tritz at 651-281-1265; Tom Grundhoefer at 651-281-1266; Pat Deshler at 651-281-1267; or
Barb Meyer at 651-281-4173.
PST - 4/13/98 -fax-66050
fault than the city, or if the injury were simply an accident that really wasn't anyone's fault. A
volunteer coach being hit in the head by a batted baseball might be an example of the latter
situation.
The volunteer accident coverage protects the volunteer on a "no-fault" basis. The benefits are
automatically payable if the injury occurs while the volunteer is performing services for the city,
regardless of whose fault it was. Besides protecting the volunteer whose injury isn't caused by
the city's negligence, having these no-fault benefits available could also help avoid litigation in
cases where the city (or a city officer, employee, or other volunteer) is or may be at fault. The
injured volunteer can receive these benefits without getting into an adversary situation against
the city.
Of course, if the volunteer's injuries exceeded the benefits paid under this coverage, he/she
would still be able to make a tort claim against the city for those excess damages, if the injury
was caused by the city's negligence.
Why did LMCIT create a whole new program? Why not just offer a "voluntary workers'
compensation endorsement" and provide workers compensation benefits to volunteers?
The LMCIT Board chose this approach for several reasons. It`s substantially less expensive to
the city than providing workers compensation benefits would be, reflecting the more limited
scope of benefits provided. Administration is simpler for the city, since the city doesn't have to
keep records of how many hours were worked by how many volunteers, etc. It elhninates the
problem of determining what the appropriate indemnity rate is for an unpaid volunteer. It's also
less risky for LMCIT and for LMCIT's other members.
How do we enroll?
To enroll, complete and return the attached form. LMCIT will bill the city for the premium
Further informafion
If you have any questions or need further information, contact any of the following: Pete
Tritz at 651-381-1265; Tom Grundhoefer at 651-281-1266; Pat Deshler at 651-281-1267; or
Barb Meyer at 651-281-4173.
PST - 4/13/98 -lax-66050
HE SAME SPRAWI. THAT THREATENS
open land around cities sometimes
creates the economic opportunity m
develop its recreational potential.
Because booming housing and road
conscruaio^ demand large yuanti ties
oFsand and gravel, a working quarry in
fringe suburbia can prove immensely
profitable during decades of housing
growth. Such quarries, when located on
parkland, can finance park expansion and
development.
In the ^otthwestem Chicago suburbs,
Lake County's Independence Grove For-
est Preserve is an impressive model of a
sand and gravel quarry reclaimed for
recreation. Offering the beauty of old
growth foresa as well as ntunerotts lake-
oriented activities, this 1,100-acre park,
now nearly complete after 20 years of
planning and construction, exemplifies
private/public sector eollaboraeion and
signals the next generation of design in
the Forest Preserves. The Foresr Preserves
were first established throughout Illinois
essentially as country park disrricts. In
1y0>, nan¢ulisr landscape atchirea Jens
Jensen and architect Dwight Perkins es-
tablished the Cook County system to pro-
feet tloodplains and other natural features
ringing Chicago. Today the Lake County
Forest Preserves Disrricr has ?5,000 acres
in holdings.
n the 1980s, a new quarry operator
mined the reopened Forest Preserves'
°,' sire with the idea that royalties could
hmd tiuure park development. When the
contract was finished in the early 1990s,
the azea and the economy were still boom-
ing, and the quarry still had more gravel
mix that could be exeracted. The operator
proposed rhac the district keep the site
open Eor another eight years. Even though
the park amenity would be delayed and
neighbors inconvenienced, the financial
windfall would be immense.
Although it had X10 million in public
funding, the project could not have been
completed without an additional $1? mil-
lion in mining royalties and in-kind services
provided by the mining operator. "The key
is to have an aggressive contract with the
operator;' says Michael J. Fenelon, ASLA, di-
rector of planning, conservation, and devel-
opment for Lake County Forest Preserves.
square for the entire park and hosts numerous concerts and public events. Ysitors find broad views north-
ward to the beach and the South Bay of the lake created in the outline of the old quarry, above.
SO ~ .. ifi,?SC 54e ~t9 tip,?sFU Y~ FEB RU/aY 300<
Grass slopes wrap around the Millennia Plaza, fap, a circular space that functions as a brick village
Che ingredient is strong public edu-
¢ion uuaoutreach dtu'ing the mining peri-
l." Ultimately 30 percent of the project
ending came from royalties ~dong with ap-
roximately ~8 million of in-kind sire work
iduding rau1, trail, and srorm-drain con-
atction, till site grading, and provision of
>psoil.
Yet co eam this investment, the Forest
reserves hurl ro convince the public to put
p with eight more years ofdust clouds and
[ten 1,000 truck deliveries per tiny. "We
id all sort of things to reach out ro the
eighbors, including site touts co explain
ow the mining was being planned co
gape the new park and Lake and how
-ormwarer would be filtered," Fenelon ex-
lains. "We had public fonuns attended by
vet 4,000 people :utd even went so hat us
~ clean dust from neighbors' mailboxes."
Fenelon's ream supervised grading,
Canting and the placement of remnant
xk materials while yuarry operations con-
mued. The greatest design challenge was
~ create a htunan-scaled and experienrial-
i div park in a vast treeless area. AL-
7oug. ~o small old growth forests lie at
ne edges of the park, the quarry itself had
0-foot vertical walls and was st¢rounded
y expanses of compacted soils. The pit was
The Independence Grove site plan, above, reflects the diversity of park programs by allowing for ac•
five and passive recreation. In an area with few publicly owned lakes, the park offers opportunities
for swimming, kayaking, and boating. The native garden, k/t, is a popular spot for weddings because
of its winding paths, pergolas, and demonstration garden of torts and grasses native to the region.
slowly filled in and shaped with more
than tour million cubic yards ofovet-
burden (the unminable site materi-
al), recycled concrete, and other clean
fill brought to the sire and graded ro
Gne character.
As mining operations began ro
wind down in the Lare 1990s, the
Forest Preserves began to phase in
riparian and upland tree planting.
"We graded our upland areas long
before seeding... and we created un-
catch silt mnofE," Penelon explains. As at
the nearby Chicago BoC>,nic Garden (see
LrtndreaQe Architectr~re, September 2003),
the main role of these shelves is co reduce
shoreline erosion caused by wave anion in
a windy landscape. Penelon recalls the sig-
nificant timing challenge of planting
roughly 60,000 wetland plants along the
shoreline as the Lake filled up with ground-
water. Early on, some riparian installations
died because the water was not yet high
enough to reach diem.
i7. S.,, v,., .:E 811e ATL is kt>i: {;pz(- FEBFUGRT 2UU4
r ~.1k °r J a ~'~
the planting carefidly," he says, "be-
cause you want the soil ro be sarunt-
ed but not... Flooding."
At Independence Grove's center, u
sinuous l li-acre lake unifies
pralnes and woodland with ml-
merous recreational opportunities.
The Forest Preserves' grading design
includes three completely sheltered
bays with openings spanned by pedes-
trian bridges. The former quarrys
most developed quadrant lies on the
lake's southeastern shore, where the
visitor center, Lake Front Plaza, and
swimming beach look out over the ma-
rinaand boathouse. "There are u number of
things we're balancing here," Fenelon says.
He points' out that even though prairie
plantings and native forest management are
important environmental benefits, Inde-
pendence Grove also maintains about 20
acres of mowed grass on the lake shores and
peninstdas-"almost all of which is used for
picnics on busy days."
Off-the-shelf Cor-Ten steel botlards in
the shape of lighthouses cast intimate pools
of light along the lakefronc on summer
evenings and guide viskors during after-
hoursevents ac the visimr center and in the
nearby Native Crarden. At the beginning of
a small stream, artist Erik Blome sculpted
a bronze Headwaters Fountain that cele-
brates the work of such environmentalists
as Rachel Carson and John Muir.
Just ro the east is the Millennia Plaza,
where during the warmer months visirors
enjoy performances against the backdrop
of the lake and marina. In addition ro the
Headwarers Formtain, Blome cast the medal-
lion ar the plaza's center that depicts Lake
County's four ecosystems: prairie, savan-
nah, wetland, and woodland.
Fenelon oversees a staff of seven in-house
landscape architects who manage the dis-
trict's holdings- ~Imosr 10 percent of Lake
County. Over nearly two decades, this in-
house team guided the privately owned
quarry operation with an eye ro the future
park that it worild finance, and then they
led the design for Independence Grove at
all stages.
While a large volunteer corps maintains prairie hillsides that wind azound the for
the more-manicured gardens near the met gturry. °Weeding is the biggest chal-
Millennia Plaza and the Headwaters, the lenge," Fenelon says of these areas, which
disaicc hires contractors to maintain the are coasrantly under threat from suburban
LESSONS FOR FUTURE MINING RECLAMATION
A 20-YEAR PROTECT IN PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION, AND PUBLIC OUTREACH, INDEPENDENCE GROVE
offers the following lessons for landscape architects seeking to reclaim quarties for recre•
ational uses:
~!- Develop an aggressive mining contract. Because suburban contractors require immense
quantities of concrete, they can realize significant savings if the quarry source is nearby. Pub-
lic owners of sand and gravel quarries can benefit from contracts that aggressively seek royal-
tiesand in-kind services such as grading. and clean fill following design specifications.
;t Educate the public. Sand and gravel quarries aremessy yet proFdable operations for
park districts. Lake County Forest Preserves staff keld numerous public input meetings,.
cleaned debris and dust, and helped the public to visualize park amenities such as buildings
and paths that would accrue from mining revenue.
i- Time quarry planting. Because most quarry lakes are filled with groundwater, planners
must ensure that. riparian plantings are installed whenthe water reaches a level to nourish
their roots. Ideally, the planting can be timed to take advantage of moist soils before the wa-
ter reaches its full depth.
!' Control sik and erosion. Runoff from exposed surrounding slopes and shoreline ero-
sion can seriously harm upland plantings and water quality. Sifl fences should be used exten-
sively, and underwater shelves with small berms should be designed to protect the shore from
wave action and to capture soil runoff.
;r/- Create a management plan. Because native plantings are the most environmentally
and financially sustainable solutions for the open areas surrounding former quarries, their in-
tegrity must be preserved through management of invasive species. A budget and contractors
for this work should be established early on. Developing an illustrated guidebook of the most
invasive weeds and training contractors to recognize them is advisable.
54l ,?-tJ % ~. ndL C.-+ry FEa ROa RY 3004
Recalling the Craftsman influence of the visflors center, the marina, above, is one of many
amenities made possible through the fees generated from the earlier quawy operefion.
axon ' Ie offers park managers u very prac-
ical . or overseeing conmactors who may
lave little understanding ofprairie ecology:
don't teach them to identify the dozens of
iative forbs,legutnes, and grasses ofresmred
arairie. Rather, teach contractors m recog-
uze the five or sis most prevalent weeds so
hey can quickly remove them. To dais end,
:he disaia has assembled a phoro collection
~f the most troublesome culprits.
n Jens Jenseds day, Chicago-area Forest
Preserves focused on preserving flood-
plains and river corridors. Today, these
irmanrres help to connect Independence
:rove with many other natural areas,
;ome less developed. Lake Counrys For
st Preserves are tied together with four
recreational trails, including the Des Pedestrian paths skirt the bays of
Plains River Greenway, a growing corn- the flooded quarry, above. Plantings
jot that runs the north-south length of include restored prairies as well as
the county and reaches north into south- mown lawns used for picnics.
CIRCI ]N READER SERVICE CARD
i
s {
i
9 ,
$6 ~ L::etlsi8pe AsC kleP2e'~et;r FE BRUGRY 2004
ern Wisconsin. Lake County and other Forest Pre-
serves are also seeking to purchase farmland, much
of which is Ear more costly Chan unbuildable flood-
plains. "We had henry competition with developers
during the 19SOs," says Fenelon,
who odds iliac farmland in Lake
County now sells for at least
$50,000 an acre.
Today eight million people are
parr of Chicago's ecology. More
than just open space and park de-
sign, hirure planning for the Illi-
nois Forest Preserves should be
tied to sustainable housing, recre-
azion, transit, and farming. Such
strong connections between Por-
est Preserves expansion and land
use planning can help to ensure
public access and more-compact
development patterns. Independence Grove
offers one glimpse of how the public and
private sectors can join forces to creare parks
for people and the native landscape Char sus-
ruins them.
Frank Edgerzim tYhrtin u a IancLrcaje hzrtoriara,
zunter, and p/armer fxra~ecf in Mirm~3polu.
9'gJs`EL? Ci3 F.l11T5 Planning, design, and con-
struction:Michael J. Fenelon, ASLA, project
director; Randall Seebach, Land develop-
ment manager; Jeff Sloot, ASLA, pmje¢
manager; Robert J. Speckmann, facility
development manager; Stephen Christy,
ASLA, and Smart Wallace, ASLA, Land-
scape architects.:Assisting primary team: Gre-
gory Walenrer, ASLA; James Anderson,
natural resource manage[; Ken Klick,
restoration ecologist, Nick Huber,
restoration ecologist, Doug Parry, facility
development specialist; Steven K. Mes-
sedi, executive director; Dan
PrezeLL, revenue facilities direc-
rot; Andtew Kimmel, environ-
mental education and public
affairs dicector; Stephen Mc-
Carthy, ASLA, landscape archi-
tect. Consultants, contractors, and
suppliers: David Woodhotue Ar-
chitects, Chicago; Anthony M.
Bauet, FASLA, reclamation spe-
cialist: Bleck and Bleck Archi-
reds, Libertyville, Illinois;
Devery Engineering, Grayslake,
Illinois; Meridian Consulting
Group, Schaumburg, Illinois;
Bauer-Pord Reclamation (mine reclama-
tion), Lansing Michigan; Figurative Aa
Studio/Erik Blome (sculprod, Barrington,
Illinois; Kovilic Construction Company,
Franklin Park, Illinois; lake County Grad-
ing, Libertyville, lllinois; Gmndstrom
Landscaping, Mundelein, Illinois; Siebert
Landscaping, Baale¢, Illinois; Claus
Brothers (landscape contractor) Saeam-
wood, Illinois; Continental Bridge,
Alexandria, Minnesota; American Brick
county cdsuKdl,
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~SS~i ° ~ x ~t~ ~fl~ j1~;~ d~~~EN~ ~~~~~~Tii~
$tIIdCO~$ ~3k2 NOtC~ The National Stone, Sand, and
Gravel Associazion and the American Society of Land-
scape Architects (ASLA) sponsor a competition open to
any college or university with a degree program in
landscape architecnue. Individuals or groups of students
may submit entries. Eligible entries mtut foctu on the
beautification and reclamazion of an active or proposed
commercial aggregates opexarion.
For information see ~mww. rurga, org/car~rr.
f EBn UP RY 3000 i,fitln6J.'. pk ACC:11ECV'SIA;'d ~ SI
., t I s ',t
~.La~L;.tis
Paving, Des Plaines, Illinois; Weber Stone
(limesrone supplier), Anamosu, Iowa.
s~¢>?aiz r~:~:s
.? Environmental Restoration: Landscape
(Acco Colour Collection), by Francisco A.
Cerver; New York: Watson-Guptill Pub-
lications, 199(.
±' Forest Preserve District of Cook County,
Illinois, wwwfpdcz~.com.
-The Hurrtan FcuTOr in N[ining Retlarrurtlon,
by Belinda P. Arbogast, D. H. KnepperJc,
and W H. Langer; U.S. Geological Sur-
vey Cirailaz 1191, 2000.
_. Lake County Fotesc Preserve District,
wunu kfpd ory:
Natural Aggregates: Building America's
Future, by William H. Langer and V. M.
Glanzman; U.S. Geological Survey Circu-
lar 1110, 1993.
- -Reclamation Planning of Pits & OuarrieJ~
tu1t6 Self Study Exanz, a LAT1S series (for
"`~^ rv u. uYr.
Jn'
~.~'a,~i~~a(
pxz~~'
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~ . &i
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continuing education credits), by Antho-
ny M. Bauer, FASLA; American Society of
IandscapeArchirecrs, 2000; wurwas(a.org.
SbaQing Landscapes for Tomarrow~ Reclrr-
rrtation Guidebook for the Aggregate Industry,
by Anthony M. Bauer; Arlington, V rginia:
National Scone, Sand, and Gtavel Associ-
ation, 2000.
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Vrdh the restored prairie now grmving, this view captures the scale of the original quarty pit and the sur-
rounding cleared area that the colrtractor graded according to the end-use plan (or the figure park.