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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNRRC Minutes 10-2005 City of Hastings Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Minutes October 11, 2005 6:00 pm 1)Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Christenson, Brown, Rohloff, and Vandehoef, Parks and Recreation Director Bernstein. Absent: Commissioners Popp & Vaughan, Superintendent Smith 2)Approved August meeting minutes. Motion by Brown. Seconded by Vandehoef. Passed unanimously. Since there was no quorum at the September meeting, the September minutes are informational only and no action will be taken. 3)A plaque was presented to Dennis O’Melia to honor him for his service as a Commissioner for the NRRC. The City of Hastings is grateful to Denny for his dedication and hard work through the years. Denny thanked the City and the NRRC and accepted the award on behalf of the many people who have served on the NRRC in the past and who have contributed to all the wonderful projects that have been accomplished within Hastings. Some of these projects include: Lake Isabel, Lake Rebecca, the Vermillion bike trail and the underpass trail. Director Bernstein reiterated how much Denny’s contributions and dedication have been appreciated. 4)Director Bernstein handed out departmental updates to the NRRC members for their review. 5)Levee Park Update: Director Bernstein informed the NRRC that John Grossman and John Hinzman have presented our plans for Levee Park to the Metropolitan Council in hopes of receiving grant money for the project. The Commissioners seemed enthusiastic about the project and we should know the outcome in a couple of weeks. The first Levee Park committee meeting is set for Thursday, Oct. th 27 at 6:00 p.m. With the resignation of Commissioner O’Melia, Director Bernstein is looking for a volunteer from the NRRC to sit on this committee. Anyone wishing to volunteer should let Director Bernstein know. 6)Aquatic Center Repair: The aquatic center’s coping stones (cover of the filtration system which surrounds the pool) are currently being replaced. The company that has been hired will be working as long as the weather permits this fall and if necessary, will finish the work in the spring of 2006. 7)Arena & Aquatic Center Business Plans: These plans will basically be audits of both facilities (management, buildings, etc.) with the goal of lessening the City’s subsidy of these facilities. When this process is completed, a proposal will be brought before City Council. st 8)Skate Park Task Force: The first meeting of this committee is scheduled for Tuesday, November 1. The committee will be examining things such as the skate park’s operating procedures, the location, and how to market it effectively. 9)Installation of dock lights at abandoned fueling station: The Parks & Recreation Department has received the lights and the electricians are coming to install them. There has been a delay in this project because the company who makes the lights was based in New Orleans. 10)New Business -Fall Softball: There were 6 teams who registered for fall softball this year. An evaluation has been sent out to the teams so that we can see how to improve next year. Director Bernstein is hopeful that next year we will have more teams that sign up. He also mentioned that Geoff Maltby is planning to turn over the summer softball leagues to the Parks & Recreation department, so we should also be running that next year. 11) Old Business - Director Bernstein showed the NRRC members the new signs that are going to be placed in City Parks. The plan is to replace 5-6 each year until all park signs have been updated. - Commissioner Brown stated that the next Vermillion Watershed meeting is set for November. Director Bernstein has been added to the distribution list and he is planning to get a copy of Chris Ochs’ presentation to Commissioner Brown to share with the Commission. - The Parks & Recreation Department has placed advertisements for a new NRRC member to replace Commissioner O’Melia. At this point, we haven’t had any responses. - Director Bernstein would like to have Cable TV 14 in at some point in the future to interview the NRRC. - The LeDuc Rainwater Gardens are in and working well. The gardens have been designed to capture 70% of the run-off at the LeDuc Historic Site. - Director Rohloff mentioned the possible need for a path from Vermillion St. to the underpass trail. The NRRC mentioned that there used to be an asphalt path in this location, but that it had been taken up when the area was graded. Residents are still using the area as a path to the trail. MOTION to Adjourn. thth Due to November 8 being Election Day, the next meeting is scheduled for November 15 at 6 p.m. Adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Kristin Behrens