HomeMy WebLinkAboutNRRCMinutes-20070814 City of Hastings Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Minutes City Hall Volunteer Room August 14, 2007 – 6:00 pm 1) Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Miller, Nelson, Popp, Rohloff, Vandehoef, Parks and Recreation Director Bernstein, Superintendent Smith. Absent: Commissioners Schommer & Vaughan. 2) Approved July meeting minutes. Motion by Popp. Seconded by Vandehoef. Passed unanimously. 3) Departmental updates were passed out to the commissioners. Superintendent Smith reviewed the Park Maintenance updates and Director Bernstein went over the updates for the HFAC and the Civic Arena. Superintendent Smith also added that the Sierra Club recently held a canoe trip at Lake Rebecca, with help from the City and HEP. The event was a big success with about 20 participants, including Representative Denny McNamara. This outing raised the possibility of the Parks & Recreation department having some form of non-motorized boats available at Lake Rebecca or possibly a canoe storage rental area. 4) Rodeo Request: Jim Dushane and Cindy Rowe from the WSCA Saddle Club were in attendance to share an idea about having a rodeo in Hastings. They are horse enthusiasts who grew up in Hastings and live here now with their families. Jim noticed a piece of land that he believes is owned by the City down by the Mississippi River, which he feels would be an ideal spot for an outdoor horse facility. The WSCA has 250 saddle clubs in the Midwest area. They envision hosting a variety of horse events for all age groups at this facility. It could start out small, with maybe just a rodeo during Rivertown Days, and then possibly grow to host more events throughout the year. It would be similar to the way the car show brings people into town. This facility would draw horse enthusiasts within a 100-mile radius. The events would be free to watch – the participants would pay fees to enter the events. The size and number of events could be controlled through city-issued permits. Director Bernstein mentioned that he did tell Jim & Cindy that the riverfront location does pose some issues and that it would be good to have some alternate locations in mind as well. Commissioner Popp asked where exactly they had in mind for this facility. An aerial photo of the Hastings River Flats was shown to the NRRC and the area to the west of the boat launch was pointed out. Jim added that in addition to the fenced-in arena, they would like to have the area illuminated with lights and would need a large grassy area for parking. Superintendent Smith pointed out that the area being referred to is actually a dredging site the City has agreed to maintain for the Army Corps of Engineers. Jim asked if the land a little further east would be possible. Director Bernstein said that there is some prairie restoration taking place at that location. Commissioner Rohloff asked if they are planning to have bleachers. Jim said that bleachers would only be needed for actual rodeos, and that they could be rented and set up as needed. There are currently facilities for horse events in Cannon Falls, Northfield, and at the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington. Commissioner Miller asked if we needed a facility in Hastings with others so close by. Jim said that the original thought was that this facility could be an attraction during Rivertown Days. It would also bring people to town if other events were held there during the year and would generate revenue. Commissioner Miller also asked about cleanup after events. Cindy explained that some places have fines if the Saddle Club doesn’t clean up after itself. Other places charge an upfront fee for cleanup and then have staff or other hired labor clean up afterwards. Commissioner Vandehoef asked if they had any alternative sites in mind and also if this project had been mentioned to the YMCA. Jim said that at this point, although they are not opposed to alternative sites, they haven’t explored other options. The project was mentioned to the YMCA and they seemed positive about it. Commissioner Rohloff asked about legal issues if someone would get hurt. Participants would sign a waiver, so that shouldn’t be an issue. Commissioner Miller asked if the out buildings would be permanent. Jim said that they wouldn’t have to be, but it would be best in the long run. They want to make this facility appealing looking. The out buildings that they have in mind would be more like pavilions rather than actual buildings. Director Bernstein asked about the cost of this project and who would be paying for it. Cindy explained that the MN Horse Council does provide grants for projects exactly like this, and that we st could apply for a grant. The deadline is October 1 each year and the money is awarded in December. This project can also start out quite minimally, with just an outdoor arena with lights. The outbuildings could be added later if more events start occurring each year. Commissioner Miller recommended getting public input on this idea. Director Bernstein thought that this could be included in the Parks Comprehensive Plan and the public would be able to view it at upcoming meetings. The NRRC discussed this idea in greater detail after Jim & Cindy left. Superintendent Smith felt that something like this is better suited to be handled at the County level. He also mentioned that the area they are interested in is used very heavily already during Rivertown Days. Commissioner Vandehoef liked the idea, but felt that the site they have in mind is inappropriate. He also would like to see something like this planned for other uses than just horse events. Director Bernstein is interested because it would generate revenue in Hastings, but is also concerned about the placement of the facility. Commissioner Popp thought that this idea could be quite expensive, especially considering the lighting. Director Bernstein stated that the Parks Comprehensive Plan is being designed to keep the Hastings River Flats a passive leisure site, and he sees this facility as conflicting with this use. Superintendent Smith also pointed out that in the City’s agreement with Flint Hills, it may stipulate that this area be designated as natural space. Also, this is a flood plain. The NRRC recommended continuing to explore this idea, but at an alternate location. 5) Wagon Train: Director Bernstein was approached by Jon Olson who is coordinating a wagon train from Cannon Falls to the State Capitol for Minnesota’s Sesquicentennial in 2008. The wagon train would like to stop in Hastings May 7-9, 2008 down in the Hastings River Flats area and Mr. Olson was seeking approval for this. Commissioner Nelson liked the idea of the wagon train, but asked if it could stop closer to downtown, perhaps in Levee Park, so that it would be more likely to draw people to downtown businesses. Director Bernstein said that there would most likely be about a dozen wagons in the train with animals, and that this would be a very temporary event. The City would need to supply water and temporary toilets for the stop. Commissioner Miller asked if the neighbors would be o.k. with people camping there overnight. Director Bernstein stated that City Council action would be required to obtain the variance and that the meeting would be open to the public if there were any concerns. Director Bernstein also mentioned that he would like to work with the County to get the LeDuc Mansion involved in some way. He mentioned the LeDuc as a possible site to Mr. Olson, but there is a concern that the grounds would be too small to accommodate a train of 8-12 wagons. The NRRC likes the idea of having the wagon train stop in Hastings, and asked Director Bernstein to bring it forward to City Council. 6) Facility Use Priorities and Fees: Director Bernstein stated that the Outdoor Athletic Use Policy, previously adopted by the NRRC, may be rather ambiguous in terms of priority users. The YMCA has begun requesting use for quite a few fields. They are competing with other youth athletic associations in town. Director Bernstein would like direction from the NRRC as to whether or not we should be charging all organizations for use of the fields and the services we provide. Director Bernstein also stated that he has had conversations with Mike Lavin from the YMCA about the intent to compete with local organizations vs. offering services not otherwise being provided. Director Bernstein is not aware of any resolution regarding this, although the HYAA is aware of the situation. Commissioner Rohloff stated that sometimes the YMCA will offer the same programs but at opposite times of existing groups. Commissioner Vandehoef expressed the desire to see all the recreational players sit down and discuss the situation – the City, the YMCA, HYAA, and Community Education. He also informed the NRRC that Inver Grove Heights charges all groups because there are always maintenance costs involved when someone uses the fields. Director Bernstein expressed concern about being able to provide a guarantee to groups that pay for a field that it will be available when they have it reserved. Commissioner Miller suggested just posting the reservations at the fields. Commissioner Popp stated that he believes the HYAA pride themselves on being able to offer low-cost programs in comparison with other youth organizations. He believes reason they can keep costs down is the free use of fields. Director Bernstein also mentioned that the HYAA has been generous in donations for new equipment. For example, they provided $5,000 for new soccer goals and $27,000 for soccer lights. Commissioner Vandehoef recommended coming up with some sort of contract with the HYAA stating that the rental fees will be waived in exchange for donations towards upgrading fields. Director Bernstein did also mention that he will be meeting with the various field users this fall regarding next year’s field usage. Commissioner Vandehoef stated that Inver Grove Heights experiences a better sense of community by getting everyone to work together on various opportunities – everyone can be on the same page with good communication. Director Bernstein also passed out some information regarding the current park shelter reservation practice. Kristin has requested direction from the NRRC regarding when and if fees should be waived for certain groups/organizations that request park rentals and would also like to include a cancellation policy in the rental form. Director Bernstein asked that this issue be tabled until the next meeting in September, when we will hopefully have all commissioners in attendance. In the meantime, staff will survey other cities and see what they are doing regarding facility fees. 7) Bluebird Count: Superintendent Smith stated that we have had a number of volunteers that have put up bluebird houses throughout our system. A report from Al Teuber and Ron Guck was shared with the NRRC showing that these two volunteers maintain a total of 71 nest boxes on city property. As of the report date in July, 80 bluebirds had fledged. The report also showed that the total number of boxes maintained by Ron Guck with the City and the surrounding area is 103 with 238 bluebirds having fledged. Superintendent Smith plans to recognize these volunteers once they have submitted their final report for the year at a City Council meeting. Commissioner Popp added that in years past, bluebird numbers were down and that the bluebirds are completely dependent on these nest boxes to keep their numbers up. 8) Eagle Bluff: Director Bernstein reviewed a packet of e-mails received from the Eagle Bluff neighborhood regarding the installation of a half-court basketball court. Various commissioners recalled the requests that were heard at the neighborhood meeting held previously. Director Bernstein said that he had sent the NRRC’s Park Improvement Request form to the neighborhood association and had never received a completed form back. He also mentioned that the court would be smaller than a traditional half-court; it would be closer to a college 3-point arc court. Superintendent Smith stated that soil had to be added to the park previously in order to install the playground. It was also brought out that adding this court would virtually eliminate all of the park’s green space and therefore, there would be more run-off. The NRRC recommended sending a sketch of what the park would look like if the court was installed along with the Park Improvement Request form to the neighborhood. Director Bernstein will compose a letter on the NRRC’s behalf advising the neighborhood of the park’s size limitations and asking them to complete the formal request process. Commissioner Nelson added that he hopes that in the future, we can avoid having such a small piece of land given for a park with a neighborhood of this size. He also requested that the NRRC be notified of the estimated cost of this basketball court. 9) New Business - No New Business 10) Old Business - Commissioner Rohloff asked if research has ever been done regarding other park’s dedication fees. Staff will survey other cities and report back to the NRRC. - Commissioner Rohloff also asked about the Joint Powers Agreement. Director Bernstein will include a copy of the agreement in next month’s packet for the NRRC’s review. - Commissioner Miller expressed some concerns about the proposal to research putting a mini-golf course in by the Aquatic Center and Roadside Park. He wouldn’t want to ruin the ambiance of Roadside Park and is wondering if there are any alternate sites that might be feasible. Commissioner Vandehoef mentioned that he recently looked at the proposed site and had a hard time envisioning the perfect space, although he understands staff’s reasons for wanting the course there. th Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at City Hall. Adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Kristin Behrens