3.7. SR 12-22-2003MEMOlt NDIJM
· ltem 3.7.
TO:
Mayor and Council
FROM:
Tina Allard, Executive Secretary
DATE:
December 22, 2003
SUBJECT: Consider Resolution Supporting Funding of a Visitor Center at
the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
Councilmember Kuester has brought forth a resolution requesting the City Council and the
City of Elk River to support a 2004 and 2005 federal appropriation totaling $500,000 for
construction of a visitor center in the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.
S: ~Council~ SherbRc fugFundg.doc
RESOLUTION 03 -__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT FUNDING OF A VISITOR CENTER AT
THE SHERBURNE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
WHEREAS,
the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is located near the City of Elk
River in Sherburne County, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS,
the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge provides educational and
recreational resources for the residents of Elk River; and
WHEREAS,
visitors to the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge purchase goods and
services from businesses in Elk River; and
WHEREAS,
a Visitor Center would greatly enhance the experiences of visitors to the
Refuge; and
WHEREAS,
the number of visitors to the Refuge would significantly increase if a
Visitor Center is located on the Refuge; and
WHEREAS,
a Visitor Center would provide greatly improved facilities for
environmental education programs for students from many schools in
the surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, the present facilities for visitors to the Refuge are very inadequate; and
WHEREAS,
a Visitor Center would also provide greatly improved facilities for the
hundreds of volunteers at the Refuge; and
WHEREAS,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ranks a Visitor Center at the Sherburne
National Wildlife Refuge as #1 in Minnesota, #1 or ~2 in Region 3
(eight states), and in the top 10 nationwide; and
WHEREAS,
the funding for a Visitor Center would be provided by the United States
Government;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Elk River
supports an appropriation of $500,000 in the fiscal year 2004 Federal
budget for building startup, and additional funds in the fiscal year 2005
Federal budget to continue construction, and encourages Congressman
Mark Kennedy, Senator Mark Dayton, and Senator Norm Coleman to
provide their assistance in this matter.
Passed and adopted by the Elk River City Council this 22~d day of December, 2003.
ATTEST:
Stephanie Iadinzing, Mayor
Joan Schmidt, City Clerk
S:~ResolutionsN2003 Resolutions~Unapprovcd~Wildlifc Refuge Support Res. DOC