Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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Cooperative Agreement with the City of Saint Paul for Winter Recreation Operations
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the cooperative agreement with the city of Saint Paul, 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102 for a joint ski pass system and shared use of the Battle Creek Recreation center for the period of November 1, 2023, through August 31, 2024.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the cooperative agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to renew the cooperative agreement up to two additional one-year terms with all other terms and conditions remaining the same, in a form approved by the County Attorney’s Office.
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Background and Rationale
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In 2022, Parks & Recreation built snowmaking infrastructure at Battle Creek Regional Park on four kilometers of cross-country ski trails and a sledding hill that is free to the public. As part of this effort, Ramsey County Parks & Recreation and Saint Paul Parks and Recreation are partnering to offer a joint ski pass system. This agreement is similar to last year’s agreement with the city, with the exception that Saint Paul Parks & Recreation will no longer operate the ski rental program, which will be taken on by the county, Saint Paul will set up a High School Natural Snow Pass. Cross-country ski rental operations will also relocate to a different room in the recreation center.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Ramsey County is working to provide free programming options and ski passes to residents. On April 15, 2022, the Ramsey County Board approved racial equity grant funds of $164,000 from the Metropolitan Council to develop an equitable learn-to-ski program. This program will not only serve an established audience of youth and adult cross-country skiers but will provide free healthy amenities locally for racially diverse communities that may not have the funds, access, or the cultural tradition to make winter recreation a part of their lives. In addition, the sledding hill that has been used in recent years will remain free and open for public use.
Community Participation Level and Impact
In May 2022, meetings were held with high school coaches, event organizers and ski community enthusiasts to solicit feedback on fee structure and other operational considerations for the Winter Recreation Area. Additionally, during the Battle Creek Master Plan process (November 2019 through October 2021), numerous pop-up workshops, community meetings and collaborative design sessions were held at Battle Creek Regional Park and nearby areas to gather community feedback and share their vision of what the park should look like. Some participant feedback mentioned partnering with the city of Saint Paul to offer programs and services for the Winter Recreation Area.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The proposed cooperative agreement is a cost-effective way of providing onsite amenities at the Battle Creek Winter Recreation Area. The revenue budget of $171,016 which will be generated from ski pass sales was already approved in the 2022-23 budget process. One hundred percent of revenue from online sales of All-Access Ski Passes, and 95% of revenue from in-person sales of All-Access Ski Passes at the Battle Creek Recreation Center will be retained by or paid to the county as well as all revenue from rental of cross-country skis at Battle Creek Recreation Center. Five percent of revenue from in-person sales of All-Access Ski Passes at the Battle Creek Recreation Center will be retained by or paid to the city of Saint Paul.
Last Previous Action
On September 20, 2022, the Ramsey County Board approved a cooperative agreement with the city of Saint Paul for Winter Recreation Operations (Resolution B2022-219).
On August 16, 2022, the Ramsey County Board approved the updated fee schedule for Cross-Country Ski and Battle Creek Winter Recreation Area Operations which also introduced a joint ski pass system with the city of Saint Paul (Resolution B2022-190).
Attachments
1. Cooperative Agreement with the City of Saint Paul