HomeMy WebLinkAboutNRRC Minutes 06-2005
City of Hastings NRRC Minutes
June 14, 2005
6:00 pm
1) Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Brown, O’Melia, Popp, Vandehoef and Vaughan, Parks and
Recreation Director Bernstein and Superintendent Smith.
Absent: Commissioners Christenson and Vieth.
2) Commissioner Brown acted as Co-Chair in Commissioner Christenson’s absence.
3) Approved May meeting minutes. Motion by Vaughan. Seconded by Popp. Passed
unanimously.
4) Introduction of new NRRC member: Al Vandehoef was introduced as the new NRRC member.
Commissioner Vandehoef is a Hastings resident and works as the Recreation Coordinator for
the City of Inver Grove Heights. He has been given copies of the NRRC minutes from August
2004 to the present, so that he can familiarize himself with the recent history of the NRRC.
5) Fall Softball Operation: Director Bernstein informed the NRRC that the softball fields were
empty last fall. He discussed the possibility of a fall softball league with Geoff Maltby, the
current summer softball league coordinator, and was told that if the Hastings Parks Department
would like to organize fall softball, they should proceed. Jeremy Pire, who is a staff member of
the Parks & Recreation Department is willing to oversee the fall softball league. Softball would
be scheduled at Vet’s Athletic Complex – possibly 2-3 fields per evening – and would run from
mid-August to late September. Commissioner Brown questioned if youth football uses Vet’s
field and also if the program would cover its own expenses. Director Bernstein informed the
NRRC that youth football uses the baseball field at Vet’s Park, so that wouldn’t be a conflict.
The program should cover its own expenses with the possibility of a small profit. The program
would be dual sanctioned with the ASA / USSSA so that there would be more tournaments to
participate in. If the NRRC approves the program, advertising would begin as soon as possible.
MOTION: Commissioner Vaughan motioned that the Parks & Recreation Department run the
fall softball league. Seconded by Commissioner Popp. Passed unanimously.
6) Joint meeting with Parks and Recreation Committee of Council: The next NRRC meeting, to be
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held on July 12, is scheduled to be a joint meeting with the Parks & Recreation Committee of
Council. The three City Council members have expressed interest in attending. Budgetary items
and Capital Improvement Projects will be discussed.
7) Old fueling dock: Director Bernstein informed the NRRC that last week, the Parks & Recreation
Department received a letter from the U.S. Coast Guard regarding the old fueling station for Koch
Refinery located on the Mississippi River west of the boat launch. The flashing warning lights,
which are necessary for the barge traffic, are not working. We were asked to fix the lights and
given 30 days to comply. A letter was sent back to the Coast Guard from Director Bernstein
advising that we are working on the problem, but will need more than 30 days to comply.
Superintendent Smith mentioned that the following measures have been / are being taken: The
fueling station, which is not in use, had been left as an observation area for wildlife and also as a
spot for fishing. A locksmith was hired to get into the fueling station and re-key it for us. The
electrician that was hired believes that the cables that are buried under the water and run to the
two light stations are at fault. One possibility is to remove the stations and just leave the dock.
Two bids for that have been received and it looks like the cost would be about $72,000. Another
option is to use solar powered lights. Only one bid has come in so far for that. For two solar
powered lights, the cost would be $14,000. We should be getting a total of 3 bids for that option.
Commissioner Brown questioned if we are sure that we own the station. Director Bernstein has
the land transfer paperwork with the previous Parks & Recreation Director’s signature on it.
Further checking should be done to ensure that the station actually belongs to the City.
8) Director Bernstein passed out a letter from Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. regarding options for
the skate park.
MOTION to Adjourn.
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Next meeting scheduled for July 12 at 6 p.m.
Adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Minutes submitted by: Kristin Behrens