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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNRRCMinutes-20080108 City of Hastings Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Minutes Parks & Recreation Conference Room January 8, 2008 – 6:00 pm 1) Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Miller, Nelson, Rohloff, Vandehoef and Vaughan, Parks and Recreation Director Bernstein, Superintendent Smith. Absent: Commissioner Schommer 2) December meeting minutes: Commissioner Nelson requested that two corrections be made to the December minutes. The word “passed” was changed to “distributed” under “Semi-Pro Football Complex”. Also, under “Construction Updates – Eagle Bluff Park”, a motion was passed unanimously to install a ½ court basketball court at Eagle Bluff Park. Both corrections will be made to the minutes. Approved amended December meeting minutes. Motion by Nelson. Seconded by Miller. Passed unanimously. 3) Setting Agenda: Bernstein added “Distribute Park Comp Plan” and “List of Questions to the Hastings Huskies” to the agenda. Motion to approve revised agenda by Miller. Seconded by Nelson. Passed unanimously. 4) Field Priority: A copy of the current Outdoor Athletic Use policy and a revised version were reviewed. The department’s Recreation Coordinator, Jared Flewellen, explained that the changes made are to clarify the policy’s definitions – for example, what will happen if two groups with the same priority level request the same date, etc. The first change gives Parks and Recreation discretionary authority. The second change is the addition of a good conscience item regarding human rights laws, etc. The third change clarifies that organizations who serve the greatest number of Hastings residents will be given priority if there is a conflict between same priority level organizations. The final change is regarding the submission of league rosters or participant summaries to aid the department in planning and evaluation purposes. This is something that was recommended in the Park Comp Plan. Jared will have the preseason meeting at the end of February and will request schedules from organizations at that point. Then, he will complete a preliminary field schedule. Commissioner Vaughan asked if field are being reserved and then not used. Staff did receive some complaints that this happened last year. HYAA seems to do a pretty good job of allocating fields for their use – it is some of the other newer organizations that we’re trying to figure out. Director Bernstein stated that these changes to our policy are an attempt to be proactive. Commissioner Vaughan asked if we are able to rest any of the fields. Superintendent Smith said that some of the soccer fields were rested last year, and we’re hoping to rest the south side of Vet’s this year. It is difficult though due to the high level of use our fields receive. 5) Department Updates were passed out and reviewed. Superintendent Smith mentioned that the skating attendance at Wilson and Isabel is up this year and we may want to consider adding more hours to these locations next year. Commissioner Vaughan asked if there was anything that could be done to the Kennedy rink to make it more of a hub. Director Bernstein stated that he did propose through Joint Powers to let the City maintain the entire park. The School District responded that they need a certain amount of acreage per school. Further clarification needs to be made, as Director Bernstein was not talking about ownership of the property, but rather just maintenance and scheduling. The location of the Kennedy rink is good and there is adequate parking. Commissioner Vaughan said that maybe something could be added at this location to justify the upgrade to the hockey rink – perhaps a sledding hill? Superintendent Smith reminded the commissioners that the School District may not want a hockey rink at this location at all and that the 70% cost is definitely a factor. Pioneer was the last hockey rink that was done and the cost was not extremely high. Commissioner Vaughan also recommended labeling Wilson and Isabel “Family Skating Rinks” and perhaps playing music at these locations. 6) Term Limit Discussion: Director Bernstein explained that there was recently a recodification to clean up the City’s Code. Upon review of the NRRC section of the code, it was realized that it currently states that commissioners will serve two- year terms, but does not place a limit on the number of consecutive terms that may be served. The old code limited NRRC commissioners to 3 consecutive two-year terms. Director Bernstein asked how the commissioners felt about term limits. He knows of cities that do it both ways – with term limits or without. Without term limits, it is up to the City Council whether or not commissioners will be reappointed. You may have a commissioner that serves for many years. The general consensus of the NRRC was that term limits of some sort are a good thing, because it means you continue to get people with new ideas. Whatever is decided, the commissioners agreed that all city commissions should be consistent. On that note, Commissioner Nelson pointed out that the NRRC code states that a term starts the January following the year of appointment, whereas the Planning Commission’s code states that a term begins the January of the year of appointment. This should be reviewed as well. 7) Mississippi River Overlook Review: The preliminary drawing and costs for this project were reviewed. Director Bernstein pointed out that the proposed shade canopy is estimated to cost $25,000 alone. He would like to cut this canopy altogether to save costs or perhaps seek an alternative, cheaper shade option via an alternate bid. The bench would be placed over an existing concrete structure that is too costly to remove. The thought was to use driftwood, but it would no doubt receive a lot of vandalism. We’re hoping to try and incorporate the look of driftwood into the bench, but using a vandal-proof material. The existing structure underneath the pier will not be touched in this construction. The structural engineer said that the structure is in good shape. LED lighting is hoped to be used along the walkway and on the platform. There will also be a low-profile interpretive sign that will focus on the structures history along with the river and eagles. Commissioner Rohloff questioned if the river is deep enough that people will try to fish off of this platform. Superintendent Smith stated that while fishing is possible, there wouldn’t be any specific advantage to using the platform. He doesn’t foresee it being a problem. The City did receive a SEP grant in the amount of $50,000 for this project which has to be used by July, 2008. Construction could start as early as April or May. Director Bernstein also mentioned he would like to see one of those binocular stations on the platform for families to use to spot eagles. Commissioner Rohloff asked if it would be possible to place a sign by the Mississippi bridge stating “Eagle Outlook” to direct people to this location. While it is very difficult to get and road signs on a County or State roadway, it may be possible to place some signage on Lock & Dam Road. 8) Vet’s Field Lighting: The City Council approved the contract with Sports Technology for the Vet’s Field Lighting at the 1/7/08 meeting. The lights will have a 25 year guarantee with one re-lamp included. There is a possibility that the lights will be controlled via satellite which would give staff a lot more control over who is using our fields. HYAA is contributing $25,000 towards this project. 9) Arena Floor Replacement Project: City Council authorized staff to go out for bids on this project on 1/7/08. Stevens Engineering is handling the bidding process. Director Bernstein commented that the Arena Mgr. has done an excellent job maintaining and keeping the floor functional through the years. The City has been saving for three years to complete this project. Also, the School District has offered to pay 30% of the cost of the new floor through the Joint Powers agreement. 10) Trail Clearing Procedure: Director Bernstein reviewed a breakdown of our trail clearing procedure. When we receive 2” or more of snowfall, trails are cleared based on three priority levels (School trails/City Hall, loop trail system, and outdoor ice rinks.) We generally do not plow internal loop trails or association trails. Commissioner Vaughan suggested adding a fourth priority which would be areas where people are obviously walking due to seeing many footprints in the snow. Commissioner Rohloff mentioned that often staff clears the sidewalks and then the City plows come along the streets and fill them back in. Director Bernstein is aware of the problem and is attempting to address it. Superintendent Smith stressed that we do not have enough money or manpower to be able to clear the trails down to bare asphalt/concrete. We’re doing the best we can with the equipment and staff available. Commissioner Nelson asked in which order the rinks are cleared. Generally, hockey rinks get cleared first. Recreational rinks are done second. 11) New Business - Park Comp Plan: The Plan was distributed to commissioners for their review. The plan will not be considered final until approved by City Council. - List of Questions to the Hastings Huskies: Director Bernstein passed out a list of questions for the Hastings Huskies. Commissioners are asked to review the questions and let Barry know if he missed anything this week. 12) Old Business - NRRC Vacancy: Staff did not receive any applications for the NRRC opening. We will be advertising again towards the end of January. Commissioners were also asked to spread the word and encourage interested people to apply. th Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the Parks & Recreation Office. Adjourned at 7:44 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Kristin Behrens