5.8. SR 07-21-1997
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EIll River
Item #5.8.
MEMORANDUM
FROM:
Mayor and City Council
Patrick Klaers, City ~trator
July 21, 1997
TO:
DATE:
SUBJECT: Community Recreation Board Update
The City of Elk River is a member of the Community Recreation
organization. Councilmember Roger Holmgren is our city representative on
the Board and Jeff Asfahl is the Community Recreation Director. This
organization and Jeff are in charge of the city recreation programs.
The Community Recreation Board meets at least monthly. The regular
meeting in July was not held, but a special meeting took place on July 9,
1997. The purpose of this special meeting was to discuss insurance issues.
Attached for your review are the minutes from this meeting, some
information regarding a skate park proposal, a follow up letter to Mark and
Annette Watz, a notice for the July 10th Youth Initiatives meeting, and a
summary of program participation for the first seven months of 1997 as
compared to 1996. Jeff will be in attendance at this City Council meeting to
provide the Council with an update on June and July Community Recreation
activities in the City of Elk River.
The next Community Recreation Board meeting is scheduled for August 18,
1997, at 11:45 p.m., at LaRose's.
s: \council\comrecud.doc
13065 Orono Parkway. P.O. Box 490. Elk River, MN 55330. (612) 441-7420. Fax: (612) 441-7425
COMMUNITY RECREATION BOARD
Minutes Fr: 7/9/97
\ttendance: Staff: J. Asfahl- Comm. Rec., Community Representatives: Doug Thompson - Hassan, T. McCrossan-
.~assan, G. Eitel - City of Rogers,M. Berning - City of Otsego, R. Holmgren - City of Elk River, J. Gongoll- ISD 728, S.
Borders - City of Dayton
Guest: Dan Greene - First National Insurance.
Community Representatives absent: Livonia
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 by Roger Holmgren. Roger noted this meeting was to specifically discuss the
Recreation Boards consideration of pursuing our own liability insurance which would allow our organization to move
forward with concepts we have discussed, and determined to work towards to make our operation as it relates to
personnel more efficient.
Dan Greene was invited to this meeting to explain our current coverage and what our own insurance would entail.
J. Asfahl reported that he has received preliminary cost information. It appears that the cost would be approximately
$1500 - $2000. J. Asfahl stated that this was only preliminary and was not informed of the coverage details, as the
underwriter will only work through an agent.
After much discussion, the Recreation Board on a motion by Doug Thompson, seconded by J. Gongoll moved that
we continue to pursue our own insurance with Dan Greene's assistance to allow us greater independence and
efficiencies for our operation.
Respectfully S.~mitted, .: /
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Next regular meeting: August 18, 1997.
DOHERTY
RUMBLE
& BUTLER
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340-5588
June 25, 1997
Mr. Jeff Asfahl, Director
Community Recreation Board
1230 School Street NW
Elk River, MN 55330
Re: Skate Park
Dear Jeff:
Attached is a brochure on the "Woodworks", the Mankato area skateboard/roller sport facility. This
facility is operated by the "Mankato Area Skateboard Association", and is only available to members
of the Association. Membership is open to anyone who signs a membership agreement and a liability
waiver and meets the other conditions set forth in the brochure.
The City of Manka to's only involvement in this project involved giving the land for the Woodworks
to the Association. This property was not leased. Rather, ownership of the property was transferred
to the Association, with a reverter clause stating that if the property did not continue to be used for
the roller sport facility, ownership would revert back to the City. The City has no other involvement
in the facility and does not promote the facility as part of the City's park and recreation program.
If Elk River were to undertake a similar facility for Elk River, the following issues should be
considered:
1. Transferring ownership of property to a local association will be more effective in protecting
the City ITom liability than leasing land to such an association. However, not all park land can
be sold without following some complex legal procedures.
2. An enclosed facility would be considerably easier to manage and police than an open air
facility. The Mankato facility is an enclosed building and cannot be used unless someone with
a key opens it up. It is my understanding that keys are only available to adults, to insure that
there is adult supervision at any time the facility is being used. It would be difficult to
similarly control the use of an outdoor facility.
DOHERTY
RUMBLE
& BUTLER
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Mr. Jeff Asfahl, Director
June 25, 1997
Page 2
3. Finally, even if the Mankato model is followed to the maximum extent possible, there are no
guaranties against potential City liability. We can do our best to protect the City, but we
cannot guaranty no City liability.
Please call if you have any further questions.
S~;L-
Peter K. Beck
PKB/eka
cc: Lori Johnson
BeckP 521718.1
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BOARD
. Dayton. Elk River. Hassan. ISO 728 . livonia . Otsego . Rogers. Zimmerman
1230 School Street NW . Elk River, MN 55330 . (612) 241-3523 . FAX (612) 241-3521
July 11, 1997
Mark and Annette Watz
10857 195 Ave.
Elk River Mn. 55330
Mark and Annette:
Hello to each of you! I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know to please contact myself or Pat
Klaers with any questions you may have as part of your pursuit of the" Watz Up Cafe Club". I did
learn that you have met with a building official. I hope what you learned was helpful!
Please let me know of any questions you have or if there is any thing I can do.
Since:: H
eft Asfahl
c Pat Klaers
July 7, 1997
Dear Youth Advocate:
Sorry about this short notice. Hope you can make it! Please plan to attend the next meeting regarding
the "Youth Initiatives" that is scheduled for Thursday July 10, 1997 -7:00 pm, Elk River City Hall.
The following highlights some recent action:
- The Elk River Park and Recreation Commission has committed to working with several advocates
of a skatepark in a partnership which will make this endeavor more feasible. The youth advocates
have organized and have formally incorporated as a non-profit association and are planning to then
manage a skatepark facility.
- A web site has been developed and is up and running. Check it out at: www.elkriver-mn.com
\ marketing plan has been developed and a grant sought to help implement awareness of this web
site and how individuals, families, youth, etc. can utilize it with planning their leisure and or promoting
events that are positive youth leisure opportunities.
- Thanks to the effort of students Jared Lee and Scott Overbye, a "student to student" mentoring
program is being developed and proposed to the school board for implementation as an elective
program as part of their curriculum.
We will plan to hear various reports and updates on other actions related to "Youth Initiatives"!
Please invite anyone that you wish to join us with this process and commitment to better serve youth.
Sincerely,
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2600
2400
2200
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
Program Participation Comparitive
January - August 1996
&
January - July 11, 1997
2590
2000
1/96 - 8/96
1/97 - 7/11/97