4.7. SR 11-16-2020Request for Action
To
Item Number
Mayor and Ci T Council
4.7
Agenda Section
Meeting Date
Prepared by
Consent
November 16, 2020
Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Item Description
Reviewed by
Great Northern Trail (GNT) Memorandum of
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Understanding
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Recommend, by motion, the Great Northern Trail Memorandum of Understanding.
Background/Discussion
Sherburne County Parks Coordinator Gina Hugo has collaborated with Elk River and government jurisdictions
along the Great Northern Trail (GNT) for the management and development of the GNT. The Parks and
Recreation Commission reviewed the MOU and unanimously recommend its approval.
A committee, led by Gina, was formed to develop a master plan and pursue regional designation of the GNT.
Parks and Recreation Director Michael Hecker is a member of the committee.
City Attorney Peter Beck reviewed the MOU.
Financial Impact
A local cost share or cost allocation of the professional services required to develop the master plan will 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. A Regional Trail designation could potentially provide for outside
grant opportunities for trail maintenance and improvements.
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
■ Great Norther Trail Memorandum of Understanding
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires pi ospei l_ y.
M
TUREJ
Updated.• August 2020
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 work together 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 initiative; partners will
seek to define roles 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 from the
Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission. The Parties understand that any
decision -making lies with the Boards or Councils (collectively referred to as "Boards") of the
respective parties that have ownership of trail corridor. The Committee will:
1. 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;
2. The committee will meet quarterly for first year, then move to as needed with regular
communication through emails;
3. The committee will develop a Master Plan for GNT system for consideration of adoption by
the Parties;
4. The committee will recommend to the Parties' respective boards a cost sharing model per
project or a cost allocation of professional services that benefit the entire trail.
5. The committee will provide a framework to pursue Regional Designation through the
Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails Commission for consideration by the Parties' Board;
6. The committee will recommend to each Party permitting procedures and conditions for
special events;
7. The committee will recommend to each Party guidelines for Trail Closure (such as hunting
season, etc.);
8. The committee will recommend maintenance standards to the Parties; and,
9. 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 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:
Name:
Title:
Date:
City of Elk River
By:
Name:
Title:
Date:
City of Princeton
By:
Name:
Title:
Date:
By:
Name:
Title:
Date:
City of Zimmerman
By:
Name:
Title:
Date: