Loading...
7.1.B. PRSR 09-12-2012 City El REQUEST FOR ACTION River- To Item Number Parks and Recreation Commission 7.1.B. Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Action Items September 12,2012 Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director Item Description Reviewed by Appointment of Woodland Trails City Park Trail Steward Cal Portner, City Administrator Reviewed by Action Requested Naming of Dave Anderson as the Woodland Trails City Park Trail Steward. Background/Discussion At the September 10 work session, City Council will review the safety rules and equipment usage for volunteer policy draft (attached). It is being recommended by staff to be included in the City of Elk River Volunteer Handbook that was adopted by City Council in March 2012. An essential part of this policy is that it outlines that a City Park Steward may be designated by a City department supervisor to provide training and/or operate equipment. Therefore,it is important that a City Park Trail Steward be officially designated for certain parks. The only parks that staff is recommending a Park Steward be appointed at this time are Hillside and Woodlands. The Parks and Recreation Commission already appointed Rich Omdahl as the Hillside City Park Trail Steward at the August 2009 Commission meeting. He is currently the only official Park Steward. Staff is recommending that the Parks and Recreation Commission appoint Dave Anderson as the City Park Trail Steward for Woodland Trails. Park Trail Stewards provide leadership overseeing volunteers and are a key element in the maintaining and developing of the trails system throughout the parks. Trail stewards also serve as the primary communication link between staff and the many volunteers who spend thousands of hours annually in the parks on maintenance and park improvements. Attachments • Safety Rules and Equipment Usage for Volunteers policy draft Action Motion by Second by Vote Follow Up N:\Departments\Parlor and Recreation\Recreation\2012 PRC Packets\9-12-12 PRC Packet\Item 7.1.B Woodland Trails Steward Memo.docx Safety Rules and Equipment Usage for Volunteers Volunteers must follow all City of Elk River safety procedures and guidelines. Safety training for volunteers will be will be provided by City department supervisors or his/her designee. Designees may include volunteer City Park Trail Stewards. For reasons of safety, security or legal considerations, some facilities and/or equipment are off limits to volunteers. For this reason, City Department Supervisors or his/her designee may approve or deny access for individual volunteers to enter specific City facilities. Adult volunteers (at least 18 years of age) may operate (drive) non-licensed, motorized, self- propelled maintenance equipment with permission of a Department Supervisor or his/her designee. The City Department Supervisor or designee shall first perform an assessment that the volunteer is responsible and qualified to operate the equipment. No one shall operate (drive) any equipment without using appropriate personal safety equipment, and without first receiving instruction as to its proper and safe operation. Volunteers shall inquire of the Department Supervisor or his/her designee about the safety equipment appropriate for operation of any equipment on which the volunteer has not had previous experience. Volunteers under the age of 18 are not permitted to operate: motorized equipment; non- licensed motorized, self-propelled maintenance equipment; chain saws; or anything else as to which minors' operation is prohibited by law. Some volunteers may occasionally be assigned and authorized to drive City of Elk River licensed motor vehicles. If so,they shall first undergo a vehicle familiarization training session and successfully complete a driver's license record check similar to that required of employees who are authorized to drive licensed motor vehicles. All operators shall be familiar with and obey the safety and operating instructions provided by City of Elk River staff and all traffic laws.