7.2 PRSR 11-04-2020
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity. Updated: August 2020
Request for Action
To
Parks and Recreation Commission
Item Number
7.2
Agenda Section
Action Item
Meeting Date
November 4, 2020
Prepared by
Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Item Description
Great Northern Trail (GNT) MOU
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Discussion of the Great Northern Trail (GNT) Partners Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Recommend, by motion, the GNT MOU.
Background/Discussion
Sherburne County Parks Coordinator Gina Hugo has started working with Elk River and government jurisdictions
along the GNT to collaborate on the management and development of the GNT. A committee has been formed
led by Gina to meet regularly to pursue regional designation of the GNT, including the development of a master
plan for the GNT. The first in person meeting is November 2, 2020.
If the GNT MOU is recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission, it will then be presented to City
Council for final approval.
Financial Impact
The Committee will recommend pursuing reginal designation which requires a trails master plan. This means a
cost sharing or cost allocation of professional services may be requested. The exact amount is currently unknown
but a rough estimate for Elk River is $5,000. A possible funding source is the Park Improvement Fund. Regional
Trail designation could mean funding for trails maintenance and other opportunities for the GNT.
Mission/Policy/Goal
Regional designation of the GNT will benefit Woodland Trails Regional Park status and meets the objectives of
the city’s trails master plan.
Attachments
GNT Partners Meeting Agenda November 2, 2020
GNT MOU
Great Northern Trail Partners MOU
Sherburne and Mille Lacs Counties, Cities of Elk River Zimmerman and Princeton (collectively
known as “Parties”) hereby enter into this Memorandum of Understanding:
Partners agree to collaborate on management and development of the Great Northern Trail
(GNT) as a Committee in order to enhance recreational opportunities for residents of the
eastern Sherburne County and Mille Lacs County region. Through this collaborative; partners
will define files and responsibilities of each governing entity to include funding strategies for
acquisition and development, define the trail corridor to include local connections, assess
current trail conditions and develop a strategy for trail gaps, determine responsibilities for
operations and maintenance, define allowable trail uses and seek regional designation form the
Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission. The Parties understand that any
decision-making lies with the Boards of the respective parties that have ownership of trail
corridor. The Committee will:
Include the Parties as well as townships bisected by the GNT as stakeholders on
the committee. Townships will be able to participate in discussions and provide
feedback to the Parties;
The committee will meet quarterly for first year, then move to as needed with
regular communication through emails;
The committee will develop a Master Plan for GNT system;
The committee will recommend to the Parties’ respective boards a cost sharing
per project or for cost allocation of professional services that benefit the entire
trail.
The committee will pursue Regional Designation through the Greater Minnesota
Parks and Trails Commission to be considered for adoption by the Parties’
Board;
The committee will recommend to each Party permitting procedures and
conditions for special events;
The committee will recommend to each Party proposal for Trail Closure (such
as hunting season, etc.);
The committee will make recommendation for proposed scope of maintenance
to the Parties; and,
The committee will make recommendations on the acquisition of easements
and fee title interest in real property for each Party’s Board consideration.
Each party agrees to designate a person(s) to work in collaboration with the committee.
This memorandum of understanding will last for one year from the date of the last signature of a Party
to this agreement.
The parties have executed this Memorandum of Understanding to be effective as of the date of the last
signature.
Sherburne County Mille Lacs County
By:______________________________ By:_______________________________
Name:___________________________ Name:____________________________
Title:____________________________ Title:______________________________
Date:____________________________ Date:______________________________
City of Elk River City of Zimmerman
By:_________________________________ By:______________________________
Name:______________________________ Name:___________________________
Title:_______________________________ Title:_____________________________
Date:_______________________________ Date:_____________________________
City of Princeton
By:_________________________________
Name:_______________________________
Title:________________________________
Date:________________________________
AGENDA
Great Northern Trail Partners Meeting
November 2, 2020
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Birch Room (1348) Sherburne County Government Center
13880 Business Center Drive NW – Elk River, MN 55330
Meeting called by Gina Hugo
Attendees:
Gina Hugo, Michael Hecker, Randy Piasecki, Robert Barbian, Stephanie Hillesheim, Dillon
Hayes
Meeting Goals: Finalize MOU, 2020-21 Activities Timeline, Set Next Meeting Date
2:00 – 2:15 Finalize MOU
2:15 – 2:50 2020-21 Activities & Timeline
Board Approval of MOU – December 2020
RFP for Master Planning – January 2021
Pull in Stakeholders & Master Planning Process – Feb – July 2021
Apply for Regional Designation – August 2021
2:50 – 2:55 Meeting Schedule
2:55 – 3:00 Wrap Up