HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRCMinutes-20210309 City of Hastings
Parks & Recreation
920 W 10th Street ▪ Hastings, MN 55033 ▪ Ph: 651-480-6175 ▪ www.hastingsmn.gov
Parks & Recreation Commission Agenda
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 – 7:00 PM
Zoom Meeting link to follow
I. Call to Order 7:00 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Chair Chelsea Piskor, Commissioners: Ben Spader, Dave Pemble, Bruce Karnick
& Craig Santelman, and new Commissioners Scott Zuzek & Carl Bower. Parks and Recreation Director
Chris Jenkins, City Administrator Dan Wietecha, Former Economic Development Coordinator, Rusty
Fifield and Recreation Program Specialist Paige Marschall Bigler
II. Determination of Quorum
Quorum Present: 7:7
III. Approval of Minutes
Minutes Approved 7:7
a. Approve minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting held on
January 12, 2021
IV. New Commissioners 7:05 p.m.
a. Carl Bower
b. Scott Zuzek
Commission Chair, Chelsea Piskor administered the Oath of Office.
V. People Movement Plan 7:15 p.m.
a. Reaffirm Support
Former Economic Development Coordinator, Rusty Fifield addressed the economic development
components within the People Movement Plan and how the purpose of the plan is to reflect Hastings needs
and the importance to think of the plan as a guide to help with future projects. Commissioner Bower asked
how we move from a plan to funding the plan. Fifield highlighted the importance of collaborating with
other city plans in the future. Commissioner Pemble asked how the information was gathered on growth
in the community. Director Jenkins noted that our consultant HKGI worked with Dakota County staff to
gather statistics. Rusty acknowledged the fact of an aging population in Hastings and that the plan has the
ability to impact and encourage seniors to stay in Hastings. Commissioner Karnick motioned to approve
the People Movement Plan. Commissioner Bower seconded the motion. Motion approved 7:7
Next steps is for City Council to approve and adopt the People Movement Plan.
VI. Department Updates 7:45 p.m.
• Upcoming Programs: Recreation Program Specialist will send PRC an email with upcoming pro-
grams for Spring.
• Park Maintenance:
o Working on seasonal equipment for both winter and spring/summer.
o Implementing a new way of assigning maintenance duties to streamline operations
o Planning to hire 11 seasonal staff at $14.00 an hour, which is closer to surrounding Cities
wages for seasonal maintenance staff, in hopes of attracting staff.
• Lake Isabel Park:
o Met with Parks and Recreation Committee of Council and next steps is design and engi-
neering as Master Plan shows
• DNR Grant:
o Applying for $100,000 grant for forestry work
• LCCMR Grant:
o Applying for habitat restoration, water quality testing and parking lot restoration for Lake
Rebecca Park
• Vermillion Linear Park:
o Riverbank stabilization work in progress to prevent erosion
• Aquatics:
o Seasonal Aquatics Manager started on Monday, March 8th in preparation for pool
operations.
o Allocating funds for pool renovations
Commissioner Pemble asked about cities preferred vendor for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Jenkins noted
the 2021 preferred vendor approved by City Council is Rainbow Tree care for treatment or removal of
Ash trees. Jenkins informed Commissioners that the City Forester conducted a thorough tree inventory in
the North East quadrant of the City, identifying 24 Ash trees for removal. Jenkins said the City will be
sending information out to households within the upcoming Spring Newsletter and working with HCTV
on how to I.D. Ash trees for EAB. Commissioner Spader asked Director Jenkins to include a promo code
for residents to use with Rainbow tree care.
Commissioner Piskor asked Director Jenkins to send out the Playground improvement schedule for all
Commissioners to reference. Jenkins noted the next parks on the list are Lake Isabel Park and Dakota Hills
Park.
Commissioner Karnick asked about ballfield procedures for the upcoming season. Director Jenkins noted
that our Department will continue to follow the most current Executive Order and guidance from
CDC/MDH for outdoor athletics. Field users will be contacted by our Sports Coordinator, Phil Vargas in
the upcoming weeks.
Commissioner Bower asked when Tennis Nets will be up at Roadside Park. The intent is to wash off the
courts when maintenance staff have time and then install the nets. A specific date for nets has not been
identified. Users can contact our office at 651-480-6175 for most up to date information.
Motion to adjourn meeting by Commissioner Zuzek, motion seconded by Commissioner Bower.
Meeting adjourned: 7:55 p.m.
Next Meeting: April 13, 2021 at 7:00pm
All times are approximate