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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNRRC Minutes 07161991NATURAL RESOURCES & RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of July 16. 1991 1. Chairperson Moratzka called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. Members present.: Jol-in Durboraw. Gordy Grossman, Kim Marty, Lynn Morat.zka, Jerry Kistler, Danna Schultz, :~eil Strauss. and Marty McNamara. Parks and Recreation Dir,ect.ox~ Mernbers absent: none 2. Minutes of June 1~3. 1991 were read. Danna moved to approve the minutes. Gordy seconded. Motion cax,ried 7--C±. 3. Flotation Devices - Lake Rebecca: Marty reported that tl-~e city's current policy of not allowing "coast. guard appxoved" life jackets to be used at the Lake Rebecca beach has been questioned numerous times in the past. but has gained media attention recently. The City does not allow flotation devices and life jackets have fallen in the same category since it's too difficult to know whether they are coast. guard approved. Lynn pointed out. that even jacl~;ets that say "coast guard approved" may not_ fit. properly, can be in disrepair or can be outdated. Marty noted that Dakota County does allow flotation devices in the shallow water if parents are present. Danna added _ that life jackets are not allowed at the Prescott beach. Marty observed that the beach has been very busy this summer because of the Highway 55 work and many use the beach as a substitute for a baby sitter. Kim noted that the city pool is also full of unchaperoned children. Kim expressed uncertainty on the appropriate policy and noted that she saw arguments on both sides. She sees a benefit for using the life jackets as long a parent is watching, but observed that they are intended for use with a b7o,at.. She also felt there should be a maximum age for using thr.~. l ~ ~e ~acket`ti'1; . Doth Lynn and Danna noted concern that changing the policy could be "opening a can of worms." Lvnn suggested the policy be l•=ft .~s i~; fox- the remainder of the season and be evaluated before next summer. Cell agreed that it wouldn't be wise to rush a decision. Kim moved to leave current policy intact for the summer, do background resea~~ch this winter and decide on the appropriate policy for nett surnmer. Danna seconded. Motion passed 7-0. O July 16. 1991 NRRC Meeting Minutes Page 2 4. P~_iblic Land Dedication iJpdate: Lynn reported that the draft ordinance passed at city council the night before. It will be effective ir. 7 days, retroactive back to July 1, 1991. There were no comments made other than Paul Hicks and Mike Wozniak thanking the NRRC for its efforts on the draft. i.e. no negative comments. Ceil speculated that the developers may realize that Hastings' requirements have been tnur_h less stringent that. those of other communities. 5. Westland Development: Lynn reported that the council tabled the rezoning decision. until a traffic study is done; a market study may also be completed. Marty distributed a memo from Mike Wozniak regarding inp~_it needed from the NRRC on the Westland proposal. The commission was asked to review a proposal for a frontage road that would serve tha Westland site, but would cut a piece of parkland in half. Marty noted that an indication of whether the NRRC would prefer land (1.75 acres) or cash ($32.745.00) for the Iost parkland was needed; the consensus was strongly for cash. Marty also ranted that. the developer would like the commission to consider allowing a portion of the park property to be used for stormwater ponding. Lynn noted that it. might be possible to swap some pieces of the lot so that we end up with a more usable piece of parkland for a future community center, library, pool, or whatever. We cannot simply sell off a piece of land that becomes less desirable for parkland. The group discussed various stormwater management scenarios and associated land swap possibilities. The commission is open to. negotiation regarding use of the parkland for stormwater management.. G. DNR Grant for Trees: Marty reported that the city has applied for a DNR grant for trees for reforestation of Roadside Fark once the Highway 55 upgrading is completed. The city won't hear about the grant outcome for several months. The planting is proposed far 1992. Marty also re~~rt.ed treat-there have beer. problems with MDOT contractors driving too close to remaining trees and borrowing material in the park. 7. Hazardous Waste Day: September 14, 1991, from 9 am to 3 pm, has been set as a household hazardous waste collection day. The collection will be at the Public Works garage and all NRRC_ members are strongly encouraged to "volunteer" to help. Lynn noted that she's helped with hazardous waste collections before and described the logistics. Danna discussed some concerns about people not realizing what's O July 16, 1991 NRRC Meeting Minutes P•~gp 3 ~._-~ hazardous. i.e. fingernail polish. and observed that the paper should write some educational articles. 1t~im suggested that information on what's recyclable be made available at the collection point. Lynn noted t?~,at. the county will be have a new educational blitz in the near future and that there will be a new brochure distributed in October on what's currently collected in Hastings. Gordy suggested a magnetic. information summary. 8. Riverfront Committee Meeting: The Riverfront committee - composed of representatives of the NRRC, Planning Commission, HRA, and the Historic Preservation Commission - wi11 meet July 23, 1991. Lynn and Ceil will represent the NRRC. 9. Pioneer Park Petition - Light Basketball Court: A petition with 6 pages of signatures tmainly young people) requests that the basketball courts at Pioneer Park be lighted. Gordy expressed the opinion that there wasn't a need for lighting the basketball courts since it's light later dur,ir~g the seasons they are used. The Commission will ta}~:e the request under advisement. It was also noted that the Parks Department spent $3,900 upgrading the basketball courts at Pioneer, Isabelle and Westwood, and that they look great. 10. Veterans Park Softball Field Lighting Update: Marty reported that the contractor ran into problems, but that they hope to have the lights in within the next couple weekC. 17_. Outdoor Pool Request: Leah Pinke, a ~roung letter writer, requested that the city consider a pool more like the one at Farmington to replace the city's leaking pool. "12. Park Signage - cornmitt.ee report: Lynn reported that the committee will meet July 23, 1991. Jerry noted that the parks don't have signs with the liquor regulations or hours. - L-ynn--added- that- parking is--a-big problem: -- Lynn also pointed - out that input is needed on appropriate signing prior to budgeting for next year. Gordy noted that many in HYAA didn't know where F;iverwood Parl: was. .John s~_iggested a sign on Highway ~? be installed. Cell noted that many parks and natural resou~~ce areas have brown signs directing to the ..-~1teS. 13. Corps of Engineers Improvements at Lock_ and Dam - L?pdate: Marty reported that the Corps would like to extend th~~ r i~~~erfr~ont t:rai 1 down ~_o the lock and dam and over the l) July 16, 1991 NRRC Meeting Minutes Page 4 sand dike to Highway 42, adding picnic area. etc. The Corps would also like to add 3 feet to the sand dam. partially so that it can be used as an alternate emergency route. C.eil asl~ed f o~~ c 1 ar i f i cat. i on on the sand dam 1 ocat i on . Marty su.ggest.ed a tour of the area before one of the next t:ieetings. !:im suggested combining it with the native p=rairie area tour. 13a. Riverfront Trail Maintenance: Kim noted that the garbage is not gettitig picked up promptly enough along the river trail, especially under the Highway b1 bridge and by Hudson property. Lynn recounted seeing someone dump z~esidential garbage into the Hudson dumpster. Gordy suggested using Sentence to Serve for labor. Marty noted that the Farks Department will try to police the ga2~bage more often. Marty also noted that Hudson was cooperative with the trail and that the garbage could be a sensitive issue: however, he will speak to Hudson about suggestions for maintaining their dumpster area, especially to discourage dumping by others. Danna observed that she has seen kids throwing riprap into the river. 14. 1991 and 1991 Budget Update: Lynr. reparted that the frozen 1992 budget items have been lifted. Marty reported that we are getting bids for Williams and Westwood and that the work should be done by September. The Parks Department -~ can also get a consultant for Roadside Park planning. Lynri reported that she and Marty will meet with Dave C~sberg and request an NRRC meeting with the council regarding budgetr.:Jncerns. There are some big park expenses coming ;ap, i.e. Roadside. Wallin property, etc. The hydroelectric dam was supposed to provide $100,000.00 a year for park funds, t:ut. it's not providing any income. Even though the $80,000 received in 1991 is more than in past years, it's not nearly enough. Lynn noted that a woman in the Sieben-Bohlken area called to complain about someone dumping sand far a volleyball court. on --the _par-k-l and-:- Lynn -reported_ that she observed the-site __ _ - ___ and that it looked pathetic. She took a roll of slides to add to the bt!dget presentation from last year. Danna asked about possible money raising ideas, besides a referendum. Lynn discussed the possibility of raising fees, i.e. on the Plan's marina when the lease is up in 1992, and r:a~~~inc~ one big referendum for a new p<,ol , the Wa 11 i n property park complex, etc. Cell asked whether- the NRRC had any de~.ent serve}r information on whir_h to base our requests. Marty noted that the last s~_lrvey was in 1985. and it. wasn't O July 16, 1991 NRRC Meeting Minutes Page 5 that good. John noted that there aren't that many fee possibilities. Danna noted that people need to decide what they want to spend tax money on. what.'s important. Marty noted that August 28th was a possible date for a combined meeting with the. council. Lynn reported that, based on t.i1e conw.ultant's report. the city po<~I has lots of problems: major leaking. broken heater, safety concerns, etc. Lynn strongly encourage the commission members to share ideas on budget suggestions with hei~ before the combined NRRC/council meeting. Marty rot.ed that lnlirona had a $1 . 5 mi 11 ior. referendum for its pool. and that. he thought. it would be a good idea to get the NRRC, council, and Planning Commission members to visit the Winona facilities on a Saturday. Many of the members indicated they were willing, and interested, in seeing the Winona pool. John noted that. Winona also has a snack) concession, a possible revenue source. 15. Lions Club Contribution: Lynn reported that the Lions Club donated ar, approximately $4,500 cash contx~ibutior~. It was set aside in a separate account. The Parks Department should have a dram plan: prepared by this fall. 16. Other Business A. Public Boat Launch: Kim received a call from an angry resident who felt the launch area was too busy and that they did not have an opportunity to use the facility. Coil noted that the city cannot charge at a DNR public access. Marty said that the DNR paid about $4U-45,000. Once the lease is up the city is interested in negotiating with the DNR, and possibly buying the state's interest in the access. The city currently pays $100-150/month for toilets and garbage pick-up. K.im asked whether there were many accidents. Marty replied that the area was often dangerous, but. he didn't have ar_r,ident figures. Lynn suggested addressing the problem as part of the riverfront planning. 17. Adjournment: Kirn moved that the meeting adjourn. Cor-dy seconded. Motion passed 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.rn. Respectfully subn;itted, ~~~ ~.~~- Ceil Strauss, Secretary O