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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNRRC Minutes 11-2005 City of Hastings Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Minutes November 15, 2005 6:00 pm 1)Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Christenson, Brown, Popp, Rohloff, Vandehoef and Vaughan, Parks and Recreation Director Bernstein and Superintendent Smith. 2)Approved October meeting minutes. Motion by Vaughan. Seconded by Brown. Passed unanimously. 3)Director Bernstein introduced Brian Schommer, the applicant for the NRRC vacancy. Brian sat in on the meeting. 4)Director Bernstein handed out departmental updates to the NRRC members for their review. Commissioner Christenson brought up the memorial tree program. He would like to see the memorial plaques which are at City Hall displayed in a more noticeable area. One suggestion was to hang them here at the Parks & Recreation Department. Director Bernstein agreed that the program needs to be promoted more and will address the Commission’s concerns. 5)Adopt-A-Park: Director Bernstein informed the NRRC that this program will be reinstituted this coming spring. The only difference from past years is that the program will be administered by the Parks & Recreation Department, instead of the NRRC. After the holidays, the Parks & Recreation Dept. will contact previous participants to see if they are interested in participating in 2006. The application to adopt a park will be posted on the City website. Commissioner Christenson asked if there would be signs recognizing the volunteers at the parks and on our trails. Director Bernstein explained that he is still examining our options in terms of recognition, but that something will be done. He is also going to speak with Hank Long and see if the paper will do an article as well. Commissioner Vandehoef also recommended recognizing participants in the Rivertown News either in the spring or fall. 6)LeDuc Orchard Agreement: Director Bernstein showed the NRRC a copy of the orchard agreement that the City has reached with Carpenter Nature Center. Basically, Carpenter Nature Center will oversee the maintenance of the apple and small fruit orchards. The trees and vines belong to the City – the produce will belong to Carpenter Nature Center. Superintendent Smith pointed out that a large part of the program is monitoring – i.e., pest management, disease program, etc. It was felt that this is something that the Parks & Recreation Dept. could not do in-house. 7)Snow Plowing: The Parks & Recreation Department will be taking on additional snow plowing responsibilities this year. New additions include steps and sidewalks at City Hall, HRA sidewalks, LeDuc Sidewalks and the Westview Drive Trail. 8)Greten Park Meeting: Commissioner Vandehoef reported that this meeting, which was held on Oct. th 25, was attended by a group of residents that neighbor the park. The requests were for a fence to enclose (or partially enclose) the ponding basin, more toddler equipment, and more swings. There was also a request to move the basketball hoop so that it wouldn’t face west into the sun. This park was initially constructed by the developer. Commissioner Christenson commented that he believes there should be more equipment due to the large number of residents in the area. Commissioner Brown questioned whether the ponding basin holds water at all times. Superintendent Smith replied that it is supposed to be a dry pond, and that we do have a buffer of tall grasses and are in line with the League of MN Cities' requirements. He also mentioned that the city has 44 ponding basins, and if we fence this one in, we may start a chain reaction with the other ponding basins. Commissioners Vaughan and Brown feel that we should examine the situation and then prioritize the needs of this park with the needs of the rest of the city. Director Bernstein will get cost estimates and report back to the NRRC at next month’s meeting. 9)New Business -Developmental Updates: Director Bernstein wanted the NRRC to be aware that there are two possible developments up and coming. One is to the north of the High School to 42 (Conzemius Property) and would include over 300 homes. The other is south of Cari Park and west of 316. If either of these developments becomes official, Director Bernstein will bring this matter back before the NRRC so that land vs. park dedication money can be considered. Director Bernstein also mentioned that he would like the NRRC to consider trying to acquire larger-sized parcels of land in the future, if possible. -Hastings Hockey Boosters – Ice Time: Darbie Johnson has sent a letter to the HHB with their allocated ice time for practices. The times are later in the evening so that the public can have good access to the ice as well. The HHB has been given approximately 24-26 hours per week. 11) Old Business - Letter to McKnight: Director Bernstein has returned the $250,000 grant that was given to us by the McKnight Foundation for the interpretive center, since we were not able to get the center on the State Bonding Bill. - Hastings Sand Coulee: We have received a $15,000 grant from the DNR to restore some of the City’s portion of the Hastings Sand Coulee. The Parks & Recreation Dept. has asked the Friends of the Mississippi River to oversee the restoration work. They will then be paid out of the grant money. MOTION : Commissioner Christenson made a motion that we proceed with the agreement with the Friends of the Mississippi River. Seconded by Commissioner Popp. Passed unanimously. th - Levee Park Meeting: On Nov. 14, a meeting was held regarding the Levee Park Redevelopment. Commissioner Rohloff reported that 6 out of the 15 people in attendance were from the American Legion. The history of the park was discussed, and various requests were heard. Some of the requests were: to leave the trees and monuments that are currently in the park, to upgrade the lighting, to keep the trail system, and to keep the band shell small. 5 out of the 6 representatives from the American Legion would like the park left as it is. Director Bernstein commented that the band shell would actually be more like a performing platform. Local businesses would really like to see public restrooms in the park. This raises concerns about who would take care of them and if they would be open year-round. Stuart Krahn from Bonestroo is planning to come back in January with a redesign of the park. - The NRRC next interviewed Brian Schommer for the vacant NRRC position. MOTION : Commission Vaughan motioned that Brian Schommer’s name be brought forward to the City Council for nomination to the NRRC. Seconded by Popp. Passed unanimously. MOTION to Adjourn. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 13, 2005. Adjourned at 7:22 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Kristin Behrens