Moorhead City Council Meeting



February 23, 2015

Chuck Chadwick

Approved the Urban Woods and Prairies Initiative

The Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Audubon Society dba Audubon Dakota for the Urban Woods and Prairies Initiative. The Moorhead River Corridor Master Plan was approved in May 2014 in partnership with the Fargo Park District.

The Audubon Society will work with the City in making improvements to certain parcels of City-owned property designated as “Habitat Restoration Sites.” According to information provided by the City, the primary goal is to increase native vegetation through preservation and restoration as well as to create habitat areas benefiting birds and other wildlife. It will also allow for community recreational and educational opportunities. The suggested areas are generally along the Red River Corridor. The Society will work with the staff in establishing a plan for each of the sites as well as be financially responsible for the marketing of the project.

In November 2014, the Moorhead staff and the Audubon staff discussed the opportunity to expand the Initiative to one of seven possible locations along the River Corridor, which are all owned by the City except for one. The City will maintain ownership of the parcels.

It was pointed out that the Audubon Dakota staff presented the sites and information on the Initiative to the Moorhead Parks Advisory Board at their January 20, 2015 meeting. The park board and the Watershed District are supportive of the Initiative.

The cost of site preparation by the City was approved with the 2015 Capital Improvement Budget. The cost of future enhancements is the responsibility of the Audubon and Prairie Restorations, Inc.

Economic Development Authority (EDA)

The question on how to best promote economic development for Moorhead was discussed. Presently, the responsibility to promote and facilitate economic development has been the focus of the EDA, which has been under the City’s management. Presently, EDA director Matt Maslowski’s office is in the City Hall and reports directly to the city manager with the City providing administrative services, staffing, and offices.

The EDA board of directors, which consists of members from the community and two Council Members, approached the City to discuss plans to make the Authority more independent and accessible by focusing on the structure and location of the Authority to better attract and retain businesses. The idea is to provide a main street presence for the EDA as the current location is not conducive for walk-in traffic as many of the Minnesota communities are organized. “We strive to have an “open door policy” for business and this would accomplish a positive environment which also may be a catalyst for additional development for downtown,” Maslowski explained. “There are great benefits of having a location downtown right off of a major corridor and would be an added benefit in visibility for the community and businesses.”

In addition, should the EDA director be funded by the EDA or through the city, and whether the ED director reports to the board or to the City Manager?

The Council authorized the city manager and the city attorney to explore the issue with the EDA and submit their findings at the March 23 City Council meeting.

Next Council Meeting – Monday, March 2, 2015 at 5:30pm at the Hjemkomst Center

•Prioritize City Council Draft Short to Mid-Range Plan Framework

Cross Country Skiing in Moorhead

Moorhead Parks and Recreation announces that cross country skiing trails at Viking Ship Park and MB Johnson Park are groomed and available for skiing.

Both trails will be rolled; however, no tracking will be done.

Park hours are 10 am to 10 pm. The Viking Ship Park trails have lights.

In addition to the trail at MB Johnson Park, ski and snowshoe rental will be available March 1 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm on Saturdays and from 12:00 to 4:30 pm on Sundays.

Rental Fees

Ski Package (skis, boots, poles)

$10

Skis $4

Boots $4

Poles $2

Family Ski Rental

$25

Snowshoe

$5

Snowshoe Family Rental

$12

**Cash and Check Only** For more information call Moorhead Parks office at 218.299.5340

MSU Moorhead Planetarium

announces LaserFest 2015 shows

MOORHEAD, Minn.,—The Minnesota State University Moorhead Planetarium is excited to announce that LaserFest is back and ready to rock.

From February 26 to March 8, 18 new shows will be featured in the Planetarium. Enjoy music from all genres, including artists like Patsy Cline and Lady GaGa to Led Zeppelin and Metallica. Dazzling graphics and heart-stopping laser light effects will provide a unique visual element to the shows.

General admission for LaserFest shows at the Planetarium is $8. Admission for children (12 and under), senior citizens (55 and up) and Tri-college students is $5.

The Planetarium is located on the MSUM campus in Bridges Hall, Room 167 at 11th St. and 8th Ave. S. in Moorhead. Please use the south entrance to Bridges Hall. Attendees are asked to park in Lot G-2, behind the Center for Business.

For further information about programming and to purchase tickets, visit mnstate.edu/laser or call the box office at 218-477-2271. Additional information can be found on the “MSUM Planetarium” Facebook page.