HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRCMinutes-20100713 No Quorom
City of Hastings
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
Parks & Recreation Conference Room
July 13, 2010 – 6:00 pm – NO QUOROM
1) Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Garrett, Schommer, and Rohloff, Parks & Recreation Director Bernstein,
Maintenance Supervisor Likes
Absent: Commissioners Vandehoef, Miller, Flaten , and Smith
May Minutes:
2)
No quorum so May minutes tabled until next meeting.
Departmental Updates:
3) Department updates passed out to the commissioners.
Neighborhood Park Meetings - Recap:
4) Wallin and Lions Park neighborhood meetings were held to get input
regarding the proposed improvements by the youth baseball organizations. The department received emails from
residents who couldn’t attend giving their opinions. Wallin residents felt the proposed changes would negatively impact
their neighborhood feel. Residents in attendance asked about the parking lot that was on the original master plan. Also
discussed were the ½ court basketball court and the proposed volleyball court.
The Lions Park neighborhood was attended by 40-50 people. Residents brought up that it is a ponding basin and that the
area tends to flood in high water events. The neighborhood meeting was positively received and residents were glad to
have an opportunity to provide their opinions. Lions residents as a whole were not in favor of the upgrades.
Both neighborhoods felt that Veterans Park is a much better venue for youth athletic activities. The three commissioners
in attendance all felt that the proposed improvements should not be allowed in these neighborhood parks. Director
Bernstein does recognize the need to improve the baseball fields for youth activities. He would like to continue to
pursue the proposed improvements to Veterans Park. This would greatly reduce the amount of organized activity in the
neighborhood parks. Commissioner Rohloff suggests that the Park & Recreation Committee create a task force of some
kind to work on the youth complex at Vets Park. The other two commissioners agreed.
HHB Training Center Resolution:
5) Staff worked on a draft resolution for the HHB Training Facility and it was
reviewed with the commissioners in attendance. The property would be leased from the City to the HHB and the
operating costs, maintenance, etc. would be funded by the HHB.
Dustin from the HHB was in attendance. If the feasibility study comes back and the facility is attached to the existing
Civic Arena, this would change some of the operating costs like utilities, which would then be shared. The maintenance
could still be independent. Not sure how capital improvements would be handled in that situation – it may be a
partnership since it would then be attached to the existing structure. In Inver Grove Heights, the armory is totally
separate from The Grove, but the vestibule is common area.
The Council would like a formal feasibility study done to determine the best location for the facility. An attached
facility would mean a vestibule which could lower the heating costs for the Arena. The school would have no share in
this facility as this is a HHB facility, so joint powers does not apply.
Commissioner Schommer suggested that this draft resolution be brought forward to the Park & Recreation Committee
of Council and let them know that the HHB will be thoroughly investigating the attached version of the facility.
2011 Budget Discussion:
6) The City will have about a $1.5 million deficit for 2011. Many options are being considered
to cut costs. Bernstein reviewed some proposed expense reductions and revenue increases for 2011. The budget is due
into the City Finance Department by July 22. Staff was asked to look at every possible option for cutting costs. A
correction was made to the memo regarding the Youth First program – the program would continue although the
Coordinator position might be cut if grant funding cannot be found to keep it. Regarding the youth participation fees for
revenue, it was mentioned that in Dakota and Washington Counties, there are about 16-18 cities that have implemented
youth participation fees for outside facilities.
If Parks & Recreation loses our seasonal staff, there wouldn’t be trimming, dragging of fields, trash pick up in parks,
etc. April to August uses seasonal employees heavily. Full-time staff would be utilized for mowing – we have about 420
acres to mow. Bernstein is leery on raising fees too much because we will just get less usage.
New Business:
7)
th
Staff will send an email to see if a special meeting can be arranged for Tuesday, July 20 to review budget
recommendations to Council.
Commissioner Rohloff asked if it could be considered to increase the kickball league fees in order to have official
umpires.
Adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Kristin Behrens