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City of Hastings Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Minutes Parks & Recreation Conference Room April 8, 2008 - 6:00 pm 1) Roll Call at 6 pm: Conunissioners Miller, Nelson, Rohloff, Schommer, and Vaughan, Parks and Recreation Director Bernstein, Superintendent Smith. Absent: Commissioners Smith and Vandehoef 2) 3) Approved March meeting minutes. Motion. by RoWoff. Seconded by Vaughan. Passed unanimously. Setting Agenda: Add Hub's Landing, Dog Waste, and Dakota. Electric Substation under New Business. Add Mississippi Boat Dock under Old Business. Motion to approve revised agenda by Schommer. Seconded by Nelson. Passed unanimously. . 4) Department updates will be emailed to NRRC. Bernstein mentioned that we have lots of new things offered this year in terms of recreation. The arena floor project is well underway. Ann Grotjohn from Youth First will be at the Hastings YMCA Healthy Kids Fair to represent the department. Staff is working to get recycling containers and a good collection routine added to Vets and our picnic shelters this year. The commissioners were given copies of new department brochures & flyers. Bernstein also mentioned that three ribbon cutting ceremonies will take place this summer for the new Public boat dock, the new Mississippi overlook, and the Lake Isabel Improvements. 5) Mississippi Boat dock - The dock arrived this week and Portable Barge will have it installed by Thursday. One / float was not shipped and the dock is currently a little tilted. However, this will be fixed shortly. A rules sign will be installed at the dock. There is no fishi~g or swimming, among other things. There will be protective pilings installed in case there is a runaway barge. h1 the past years, we haven't seen a barge hit this particular area, but the area will have some protection just in case. 6) .Skateboard Park - Bernstein received a letter from the YMCA asking Hastings to consider donating the skateboard equipment to the St. Croix Valley YMCA in Hudson. Miller asked if we are sure that we won't be using it ourselves yet. Nelson asked how much the original equipment cost and also if the equipment is deteriorating at all. Bernstein replied that the equipment cost about $40,000-$50,000 and that it .is being stored currently with no real harm being done to it. Bernstein also added that this equipment was offered to be placed tile Hastings YMCA, but tllat tIle YMCA felt there wasn't really a good location for it there. Staff is still looking into ideas from the Skate Park Committee tha.t weren't explored for pla.cing the park. in Ha~ting~ somewhere. Vaughan feels that since the equipment was purchased by C:ity of Hastings residents, we should at least try to sell the equipment if it is going to leave Hastings. A lot of taxpayer money was spent. Schommer agreed, stating that although he understands why the YMCA would ask, he feels the equipment should stay in Hastings or else be sold to recoup some of the money. Miller agreed that if the location was closer and Hastings .. residents c"ould use the equipment, that would be different. Schommer also said that we.would welcome the YMCA's partnership to resurrect the skate park in Hastings ifpossible. Nelson asked how long the equipment has been stored? Bernstein replied that it has been less than two years. The equipment is stored in an open air enclosure and is exposed to the elements, but it was designed to withstand the elements and is in good shape. MOTION - Vaughan motioned to reject the request from the YMCA at this time. Seconded by Schommer. Passed unanimously. 7) WHEP Presentation by Joe Beattie, Phil Vieth, and Brian Huberty. The Wetland Health Evaluation Project originated in Dakota County and is also in Hennepin County, with quite a few cities involved. )V etlands are compared with other areas and the health of each is evaluated. The City of Hastings Coordinator is currently Kevin Smith. Our team leader is Joe Beattie. There is citizen involvement with residents of Hastings area being involved with data collection and education. The NRRC is the arm of the government that allows WHEP to operate and get funding. Miller wondered if these presentations are done in the schools. Some of Beattie's students actually participate in the program and do it during the school year. Vaughan asked if the public is ever invited to watch. The pu~lic is always welcome - WHEP had a booth at the Hastings READS Environmental