9.c) Staff Report-WCSTA Letter of Supportmi-� €-,
SCANDIA
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: October 20, 2015
To: City Council
From: Brenda Eklund, Deputy Clerk
Re: Washington County Star Trail Association Letter of Support
Background:
The Stillwater Snowmobile Club, on behalf of the Washington County Star Trail Association,
contacted the City to ask for a letter of support to accompany a federal grant application to
purchase trail grooming equipment.
Issue:
Should the City provide a letter of support to the Washington County Star Trail Association for a
federal grant application?
Proposal Details:
The information below was provided to the City:
The Washington County Star Trail Association is beginning the process of seeking Federal
Grants to replace aging grooming equipment that is 20+ years old. Without the Federal Grant
money, our current funding is not enough to allow us to upgrade equipment. So it is critical that
we receive the Federal Grant.
The Washington County Star Trail Association is made up of 10 snowmobile clubs throughout
the County. The snowmobile clubs in Washington County are volunteer organizations dedicated
to building and maintaining trails for use by all snowmobilers. By building and maintaining the
trails we are keeping snowmobiles on the designated routes and promoting safe snowmobiling.
We provide over I80 miles of marked and groomed trails in Washington County that are used by
thousands of people that ride on the trails every season.
The sport of snowmobiling is important financially to many of the area business and cities they
reside in, providing both direct and indirect financial benefits.
The Clubs have worked diligently throughout the decades within Washington County to provide
safe trails and tourism opportunities. We have even branched out and used the equipment to
maintain a cross-country ski trail in the city of Hugo.
The Star Trail Association is looking for support from the cities and businesses that benefit from
having well maintained snowmobile trails and the tourism it brings.
If you are willing to support us in our pursuit of Federal Grant money to purchase new
grooming equipment, please supply us with a letter showing your support.
Fiscal Impact:
The WCSTA is not seeking any funding from the City, just a letter of support for their grant
application.
Options:
1) Provide a letter of support signed by the Mayor
2) Do not provide a letter of support
Recommendation:
Option 1.