8.1 SR 04-15-2013REQUEST FOR ACTION
T O I TEM N UMBER
Mayor and City Council 8.1
A GENDA S ECTION M EETING D ATE P REPARED BY
General BusinessApril 15, 2013Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation
Director
I TEM D ESCRIPTION R EVIEWED B y
Resolution Acknowledging Youth Sports to be Safe, Positive Cal Portner, City Administrator
and Fun in Elk River
R EVIEWED BY
AR
CTION EQUESTED
By motion, adopt the attached resolution to change the culture in youth sports to make the experience
safe, positive, and fun for everyone.
B/D
ACKGROUNDISCUSSION
Participation in sports programs is very valuable to the development of children. Aspects of teamwork,
dedication, discipline, physical fitness, self-esteem, and fair play all contribute to the overall growth and
maturation of young people. Elk River Parks and Recreation takes the responsibility seriously and strives
to offer quality programs that aids in the development of the youth of Elk River.
We believe that working together with our local youth sports organizations, through training and
education, we can raise the standards for youth sports, and we can return the age-old notion that
children’s participation in organization sports should be FUN! A community youth sports program is not
something we can trust to run well without our vigilant involvement – it requires aggressive action at all
levels. A resolution supported by the Parks and Recreation Commission and then adopted by City
Council clearly states how youth sports should be operated in our community.
The attached resolution includes guiding principles aimed at enhancing the overall youth sports structure,
as well as reinforces our community’s commitment to ensure that every program is held to the highest
standard and conducted in the appropriate manner. In order to ensure that this happens, every Elk River
youth sports organization and our own city programs must be required to meet the standards set forth in
the resolution and the Field Use Allocation Policy.
It is expected that this resolution will become an introduction to the Field Use Allocation Policy. This
was reviewed and approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on April 10.
A
TTACHMENT
Youth Sports Resolution
RESOLUTION 13-____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
RECOGNIZING THE NEED TO CHANGE THE CULTURE IN YOUTH
SPORTS
WHEREAS,
it is necessary to change the culture in youth sports to make the experience
safe, positive, and fun for everyone involved; and,
WHEREAS
, to ensure that the entire community operates consistently with regard to
youth sports; and,
WHEREAS
, we believe in the benefits and attraction of youth sports as a means to teach
the children of our community values and skills that will be of benefit to
them throughout life; and
WHEREAS,
we believe in order to realize the true value of youth sports participation and
to provide a safe, positive, and fun environment for youth and their families
to participate, we must raise the standards among the users of our
community’s youth sports facilities; and
WHEREAS,
the City of Elk River, Parks and Recreation Department Field Use
Allocation Policy outlines a comprehensive community strategy, including a
philosophy and standards to assist us in meeting these objectives; and
WHEREAS,
we believe that youth sports organizations and administrators must be
educated on how to provide a safe, positive, and fun youth sports
environment before being granted permits to use City of Elk River park
facilities; and
WHEREAS
, we believe volunteer coaches must receive orientation and education as to
their individual roles and responsibilities in our community’s effort to raise
the standards of youth sports programs and that volunteer coaches become
trained and held accountable for their behaviors; and
WHEREAS
, it is necessary and desirable to establish requirements and procedures for
youth sports organizations utilizing City of Elk River park facilities; and
WHEREAS
, we believe young children must be given the opportunity to develop motor
skills and sports specific knowledge with their parents in a structured
program before they enter organized sports.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
by the City Council of the City of Elk
River, Minnesota in a meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof, recognizes and
encourages official implementation of this resolution to improve the culture of youth sports
for all participants.
th
Passed and adopted this 15 day of April 2013.
John J. Dietz, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Allard, City Clerk