Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNRRC Minutes 05-2005 City of Hastings NRRC Minutes May 10, 2005 6:00 pm 1) Roll Call at 6 pm, Commissioners Brown, O’Melia, Popp, and Vaughan and Parks and Recreation Director Bernstein. Absent: Commissioners Christenson and Vieth and Superintendent Smith. 2) Commissioner Brown acted as Co-Chair in Commissioner Christenson’s absence. 3) Approved April meeting minutes. Motion O’Melia, second Popp, passed unanimously. 4) Lake Isabel: A meeting was held on May 2, 2005 which was attended by Director Bernstein, City Administrator Dave Osberg, the East Hastings Homeowners Association and the Parks & Recreation Committee of Council. The Homeowners Association is seeking improvements to Lake Isabel and this was discussed on a council level. Scope of the project is fourfold: dredging, drawdown, a fishing pier and handicapped access. Commissioner Popp mentioned that it is most efficient for the drawdown and dredging to take place at the same time. 2 years is the optimal time for the drawdown and Council Member nd Hazlet had recommended at the May 2 meeting that this process begin next year. Commissioner Popp also added that the water can be pumped into the Vermillion River and that the DNR is willing to submit the application for this so that the fee will be waived. It was decided that Director Bernstein will send a letter to the Homeowners Association to verify their support of the drawdown. Commissioner O’Melia voiced concern that this same study had been done 25 years ago. It was decided that Director Bernstein and Commissioner Popp will both search for the old file so that it can be reviewed. MOTION: Commissioner Vaughan motioned to table this issue until further discussion can take place. Seconded by Commissioner Popp. Passed unanimously. 5) The Commission next interviewed a candidate for the vacancy in the Commission. 6) Plan Review – Pine Ridge: Director Bernstein informed the Commission of a decision to be made to collect park dedication fees or land in lieu of a cash dedication. Cash dedication would be approximately $125,400 vs. land approximately 2 ½ acres in size. Concerns were raised that children from the new development would have to cross high traffic roads in order to reach parks if no land was accepted. Director Bernstein clarified that the cash dedication money can only be used for infrastructure – to develop or redevelop existing parks only within the ward the money is accepted in – in this case Ward 3. The only exception to this is if the money is used for something with regional implications, for example, repairs to the Arena or to Vet’s Park. Concerns were also raised by various Commissioners as to where the land would be located if that alternative was accepted, since the developer has already begun excavation on the site. MOTION: Commissioner Vaughan motioned to accept land in lieu of a cash dedication, subject to NRRC approval of the offered land donation. Seconded by Commissioner O’Melia. Passed unanimously. 7) Band Shell at Levee Park: Director Bernstein informed the Commission of a proposal by Council Member Riveness to possibly place a band shell on the riverfront. A possible location for this would be at the end of Ramsey Street, as this would utilize the natural slope of the hillside. There would be no impact on the Veteran’s Memorial. Commissioner Vaughan mentioned that this may be a good opportunity to see what the community would like to see recreationally on the riverfront as well. MOTION: Commissioner O’Melia motioned to continue researching the band shell and/or other activities to enhance the recreational opportunities of the levee and riverfront and to encourage more community dialogue on this issue through a community meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Vaughan. Passed unanimously. 8) Updates. Director Bernstein handed out department happenings. 9) Skate Park: The fence at the skate park has had to be repaired 8 times already this spring due to vandalism. Signs have been hung around the perimeter stating that if the vandalism continues, there will be no other alternative but to pull the tier two equipment. If that should happen, the resulting tier one park will be open to the public with no entrance fee, no paid supervision and limited equipment. Director Bernstein also mentioned that if the park can remain open, as is, at Vet’s Park, he would like to go before Council with the proposal to hire two evening supervisors of the entire park which should also help quell any disturbances. Hank Long from the Hastings Star Gazette has also been notified of the situation. This situation will also be discussed at the June 14, 2005 neighborhood meetings that are being planned. MOTION: Commissioner Brown motioned to approve Director Bernstein’s plan of action. Seconded by Popp. Passed unanimously. 10) Park Signs: Drawings of the new park signs were handed out to the Commission. The signs will consist of a sandblasted logo and vinyl 3M lettering. The Parks & Recreation Department will construct the posts the signs will be displayed on. Three of these have been ordered at $500/each to make sure that they will work in the parks. 11) New Business: A. June NRRC Meeting/Neighborhood meetings for South Pines and Riverwood Park: Director th Bernstein asked the Commission to hold neighborhood meetings on June 14, which is the night regularly scheduled for the NRRC meeting. These meetings will be an opportunity to discuss the development of both parks and also the skate park vandalism with residents. The Commission agreed to hold a brief NRRC meeting at 6:00 p.m. that night, to be followed by the neighborhood meetings at 6:30 p.m. B. Joint meeting with Park & Recreation Committee of Council: Director Bernstein asked the Commission if they would be interested in holding a joint meeting with the Park & Recreation Committee of Council in order to discuss a Capital Improvement Plan and any issues that the Commission feels are pressing. It was agreed to invite the Committee of Council to a Capital Improvement Plan meeting on July 12, 2005. 12) Old business: None. MOTION to Adjourn. th Next meeting scheduled for June 14 at 6 p.m. Adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Kristin Behrens