3.5. SR 04-09-2001TO:
FROf4:
DATE:
S U BJ ECT:
MEMORANDUI I
Playor and City Council
Lori Johnson, Finance Director
April 9, 2001
Authorization to Purchase Ski Trail Groomer
Item# 3.5.**
In 1997 the City entered into a letter of understanding with the Elk River Nordic Ski Club for
grooming ski trails at Woodland Trails Park. That agreement included an advance payment to
the Elk River Nordic Ski Club for grooming equipment rental that the Ski Club then used to
purchase a snowmobile for grooming. At a recent Park and Recreation Commission meeting,
the need for a new snowmobile was discussed. The Park and Recreation Commission
recommended that the City continue its previous arrangement, with some modifications, and
that funds be made available to purchase the snowmobile.
Although the previous arrangement has ~vorked well in the past and could continue into the
future, staff wanted to take this opportunity to review and improve the current ski grooming
procedures. After several discussions with staff and Dave Anderson, everyone agreed that it
would be in the best interest of all parties to make some changes. Attached is a memo from
Mr. Anderson detailing the ne~v proposal. Under the newly discussed arrangement, the Street
and Park Superintendent will oversee trail grooming. The Elk River Nordic Ski Club will
continue to supply volunteers to groom the trails. Volunteers will only be allowed to utilize
city equipment on city property after completing the appropriate city training as directed by
the Street and Park Superintendent. The biggest change recommended is that the city will
own the grooming equipment instead of the Ski Club. The new snowmobile, as well as the
1998 Skidoo, will be owned by the city. The city will also supply the fuel and operating
supplies needed to operate the equipment. To address the concern about trail utilization by
other organized groups, both the Elk River High School Ski Team and the Minnesota
Biathlon will contribute $500.00 or volunteer 50 hours to improvement projects or
maintenance at city parks. These park improvements or maintenance projects must be made
at the direction of the Street and Park Superintendent in order to qualify as volunteer hours.
Action requested:
The City Council is asked to consider purchasing a Skidoo Scandic for trail grooming at a cost
of $6,800 to be paid with a $2,500 contribution from the Elk River Nordic Ski Club and the
remainder from the capital outlay reserve fund designated for parks. As a condition of the
purchase, the Elk River Nordic Ski Club will transfer ownership of the 1998 Skidoo Scandic
to the city and the Elk River High School Ski Team and Minnesota Biathlon will contribute
$500 per year or volunteer 50 hours of time under the direction of the Street and Park
Superintendent.
Request to purchase Ski Trail Grooming Snowmobile
As background, the Elk River Nordic Ski Club volunteers have done all of
the Ski Trail Grooming at Woodland Trails Park for the last five winters.
For the last four seasons we have been using a 1998 Skidoo Scandic, that the
City helped us purchase, as our primary grooming machine. In the 96-97
season we used a 92 Polaris belonging to Minnesota Biathlon. Since that
time the Polaris has been our back-up machine, but is no longer reliable or
economical to use for grooming. In the current arrangement between the
City and the Ski Club, the Club is paid $7 for each hour groomed to help
offset fuel and maintenance costs. In addition $7 per hour is credited toward
the initial purchase of the 98 Scandic and $11 per hour designated for future
replacement.
The Elk River Nordic Ski Club is requesting the purchase of a new Scandic,
at a cost of $6800, for the 2001-2002 ski season to be used as the primary
grooming machine. The 98 Scandic will be used as a second machine or
back-up machine as the Polaris has in the past. The 98 machine is in good
running condition, but has 2800 hard miles on it (1500 of which came this
past winter). The club will donate $2500 toward the purchase of this
machine. This money was raised by volunteer contributions and a race that
was held on the ski trails this past winter.
As a result of discussion with staff, the details of the arrangement with the
City will be simplified as follows:
1. The 1998 Scandic will be transferred to city ownership.
2. The 2002 Scandic will be purchased and owned by the City.
3. The City will supply the gas and oil, and do major repairs.
4. The Elk River Nordic Ski Club will supply volunteers to groom the ski
trails. Current policy of grooming after each significant snowfall and as
needed to improve conditions or safety will continue.
5. All volunteers will complete a City training course prior to being added
to the grooming corps.
6. Volunteers will continue to do preventative maintenance, winterizing and
fueling the machines during the grooming season.
In addition, as an answer to the concern that the High School Ski Team, and
Minnesota Biathlon are using woodland trails Park without compensating
the City, both groups have offered to pay $500 or volunteer at least 50 hours
for park trail maintenance or improvements or some combination thereof.
Please Call Dave Anderson at (763) 241-8257 if you have any questions.