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City of Hastings Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Minutes Parks & Recreation Conference Room November 12, 2008 – 6:00 pm 1)Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Nelson, Schommer, Smith, and Tessmer-Tuck, Parks and Recreation Director Bernstein, Superintendent Smith. Absent: Commissioners Miller, Rohloff, and Vandehoef. 2)Approved October meeting minutes. Motion by Smith. Seconded by Nelson. Passed unanimously. 3)NRRC Terms - Congratulations to Commissioner Nelson on being elected the new Councilmember for Ward 3. Staff will review the files to see if there are any previous candidates that may be interested in filling Commissioner Nelson’s spot. If not, staff will advertise for a replacement. Commissioners Vandehoef, Rohloff, and Miller all have terms that are ending on December 31, 2008. If they would like to renew for another term, staff just needs something in writing stating their intention. 4)Departmental updates were reviewed with NRRC members. Superintendent Smith mentioned that the dock on the Mississippi was being removed and placed into winter storage today. The department will be operating at full staff this winter. 5)Tier Two Skate Park – The City of Ladysmith bid on two pieces of equipment and the Council has approved the sale. Staff has just found out that Ladysmith is interested in the other two pieces as well. They will be going to their commission this evening and will let Darbie Johnson know if they are able to purchase everything. Ladysmith will be responsible for dismantling, moving, and re-setting up equipment. Commissioner Tessmer- Tuck asked where the money from the sale will go. Director Bernstein will be requesting our Finance Department to hold on to the money for possible future placement of the Tier One equipment. 6)Vet’s Park Baseball Plan – Commissioner Schommer passed out updated packets for the Vet’s Park Baseball Plan. There were a few changes made to the proposed budget – some of the cost estimates are believed to be too high. Director Bernstein cautioned that ADA compliance will have to be met in all of the plans. There was some discussion as to whether or not the press box was considered a public area. Director Bernstein will look into that and see if the press box requires ADA compliance as well. Commissioner Schommer also showed a concept plan with a proposed entrance gate. There would also be access included for an ambulance if needed. The Vet’s Park Baseball Committee would like to send this plan to City Council to get approval for naming rights. This is really the cornerstone donation of the whole proposal. Commissioner Schommer highlighted page 4, the fundraising plan, as this will determine whether or not beautification of the ballpark can occur. Some large organizations have already been approached about the possibility of contributing to this project, and positive feedback has been received. Commissioner Schommer felt that after the initial donations, any renewals could become a part of the Parks & Recreation’s proposed advertising/sponsorship program. Director Bernstein raised some questions including who owns & installs the signs, where would the donations be deposited, what happens if signs are vandalized, and what will the contractual arrangements be. Commissioner Schommer will work with staff to firm up some answers to those questions and any others that may be pertinent. Director Bernstein has a meeting scheduled with the Parks & Recreation Committee of Council on December 1. In the meantime, staff will work st with Commissioner Schommer to clean up the verbage of the plan to answer more of the raised questions and then the revised plan will be sent via email to the Commission. As long as the NRRC agrees with the concept, Director Bernstein will bring this before the Committee of Council. Commissioner Schommer also pointed out that some of these proposed can be lowered through volunteer labor of use of City Staff. 7)Advertising/Sponsorship Program – A revised brochure was shown to the Parks & Recreation Committee of Council and they seemed very excited by the concept. Comments received at the last NRRC meeting have been incorporated into the new draft. Director Bernstein would like to be able to roll this program out after the 1 of the st