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<br />Memorial Day. He stated that the City exceeds 2,000 hours a year with our current volunteer <br />efforts. He stated that there is a program where the City can partner with the University of <br />Minnesota and the DNR to engage in a higher level of adult volunteerism. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig arrived at the meeting. <br /> <br />Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that the current volunteer program adds a significant benefit <br />to the City, but he feels the City can improve on what it currently has available. He stated that <br />he would like to see a more organized approach and add things such as a link on the City web <br />page so potential volunteers could more readily see what volunteer opportunities are available. <br />He stated that something he would like the City Council to consider is partnering in the Master <br />Naturalist Program with the University of Minnesota and the DNR. He gave a brief review of <br />the program and noted that participants have 40 hours of initial training, 8 hours of advanced <br />training and they are required to give back 40 hours in community service. He gave examples of <br />larger projects that graduates of the Master Naturalist Program could participate in, such as, <br />assisting the PACT Charter School with nature area development, a buckthorn removal project, <br />monitoring monarch larvae, or creating a brochure for the natural areas. He stated that he has <br />spoken to the coordinator for this program and they currently have a waiting list of about 150 <br />people. He stated that if the City is interested in this, a program can be structured specifically for <br />the City so our residents would have first dibs on enrollment. He stated that participants pay <br />$200 for the class and $50 of that will come directly to the host agency, which in this case, <br />would be the City. He stated that the U ofM recommends a maximum of20 people per class. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey asked what the U ofM's role would be in this process. <br /> <br />Mr. Riverblood stated that although the City would provide an instructor to teach the course, the <br />U of M provides all of the curriculum and instruction materials. He stated that the U of M also <br />sends out materials to all the students and provides the participation pins. He added that he <br />(Riverblood) is qualified to teach the course. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that he thinks this sounds like a good program and asked if the <br />City could get on the list with area probation officers so people can fulfill their court obligated <br />community service by volunteering in the City. <br /> <br />Mr. Riverblood stated that the City already contracts with the County Corrections programs for <br />larger projects such as litter pick up. If the City developed a more systematic way of showing <br />people volunteer opportunities in the City, this could help in the smaller, individual community <br />service projects. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec expressed concern that the program requires 40 hours of training, 8 hours of <br />advanced training and then a commitment of 40 hours of service and that will wear people out. <br />He stated that he is concerned about burning people out. <br /> <br />Mr. Riverblood stated that this is a completely volunteer program, so people can opt out at any <br />time. In his experience though, people seem to be very excited about receiving their service pins <br />every year. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / November 27, 2007 <br />Page 4 of7 <br />