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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNRRC Minutes 09-2005 City of Hastings Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Minutes September 20, 2005 6:00 pm *"* NOT D)sri<.\.BLATED - NO QLAOtt.cN ~~ I) Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Brown, Popp and Vandehoef, Parks and Recreation Director Bernstein, Superintendent Smith. Absent: Commissioners Christenson, Rohloff and Vaughan 2) Since there was no quorum, the August meeting minutes could not be approved. 3) Director Bernstein handed out departmental updates to the NRRC members. 4) Director Bernstein informed the NRRC that Commissioner O'Melia has handed in his resignation from the NRRC. An advertisement will be placed in the Hastings paper this week seeking a new Commissioner. Interviews will be conducted at a future NRRC meeting, as has been done in the past. 5) Chris Ochs, a Graduate student from the University of Minnesota, next presented his findings regarding the Vermillion River. The Friends of the Vermillion River have requested that the Vermillion River become a designated canoe route and also that there be increased access to the river, mostly throughout the river gorge. Chris examined the possibility of adding canoe and kayak access points, as well as more rescue access points and anchors along the river. He mentioned that once the flow is up, we are already seeing about 40 kayakers per week using the Vermillion. Commissioner Brown asked what the political process is to designate the Vermillion as an official canoe/kayak route. Chris informed the NRRC that the Vermillion already meets the criteria and all that is needed is for a bill to be passed in the legislature. He also mentioned that Representative McNamara is in support of this issue. Chris will be giving this same presentation to the DNR and the Friends of the Vermillion River. Hard copies of the presentation will be distributed to NRRC members. Commissioner Brown mentioned that he would like to share this information with the Vermillion River Watershed Commission as well. 6) Lion's Parking Lot: The City Council has approved the Lion's parking lot request made by Hope Lutheran Church. Weare now just waiting on the church to take further action. 7) Pool Coping Stone Replacement: The coping stones at the pool have been removed and the replacement will begin the middle of next week. 8) Levee Park Meeting: Director Bernstein informed the NRRC that two firms were interviewed last week regarding the Levee Park Redevelopment. The firm that was chosen was Bonestroo. Director Bernstein also mentioned that the improvements are contingent upon the sale of the condominiums - at this point, neither building is where it needs to be to start the improvements. 9) Skate Park Committee: Director Bernstein would like to form a Skate Park Committee this winter to review the various options available regarding the future of the skate park. The goal of this committee would be to develop a recommendation for City Council. The committee would consist of city staff, some members of the NRRC as well as members of the public who have an interest in the future of the skate park. A notice has been posted on the skate park web site requesting volunteers. 10) Grants: Director Bernstein is applying for a grant from the Mississippi River Fund to update the fueling dock to a new observation/fishing pier. Commissioner Brown expressed interest in the possibility of running a fishing boom (floating dock with access from the shore) from the site. II) New Business Director Bernstein would like to form committees to develop business plans for the Aquatic Center and for the Civic Arena. Areas to be considered include, but are not limited to, economics, efficiency of the facilities, concessions, registrations, etc. The goal of each committee would be to lessen the City's subsidy of each facility. The committees would start to meet as early as next month and would consist mostly of city staff. These committees would not involve the public. Commissioner Vandehoef stated that it makes more sense to keep these committees internal as they will be dealing with operational issues. Director Bernstein mentioned that he plans to send out a letter to the NRRC requesting volunteers for these two committees as well as the Skate Park Committee. 12) Old Business Director Bernstein passed out conceptual plans of the Levee Park Redevelopment for the Commission's review. Director Bernstein also informed the Commission that there was a suicide at Conzemius Park a couple of weeks ago and that the police handled the matter. Next meeting scheduled for October II th at 6 p.m. Adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Kristin Behrens SINCE ONLY 3 OUT OF 7 MEMBERS ATTENDED THIS MEETING, THERE WAS NO QUOROM AND SO NO ACTION WAS TAKEN.