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mounds, cement slabs for the dugouts, dugouts with aluminum roofs, grass infields, and move home plate farther from backstop. They’ve also requested to skin the existing field at Pioneer for the grass infields, but this may be an issue due to other users who use Pioneer Park. Raider Nation wants to do upgrades at Lions Park which now includes dugouts. Commissioner Rohloff stated that he thinks we should set the requirements for any improvements that are done in our parks, not the requesting organizations. These organizations should be filling out the Park Improvement Request form that the PRC developed and then we should have neighborhood meetings to get public input on the proposed changes. Commissioner Schommer would like to see the competing organizations work together for the good of Hastings as a whole. He also felt that organizations shouldn’t be allowed to dictate which improvements are made at which fields, since our fields are used by the entire community and have to be shared. If an organization wants to donate money to the City for improvement, that’s wonderful, but it shouldn’t give them exclusive use or special privileges. There have been complaints from both parties about the way fields were distributed this year, but staff followed the established Field Priority policy in making the assignments. These are neighborhood parks, not athletic complexes. The upgrades that are being requested are a concern because they may cause the City more maintenance, they may attract more vandalism, and they may not be attractive in a neighborhood park setting. The PRC felt that any improvements should go through the established Park Improvement Request practice and that any designs should be guided by the department so that our parks retain some uniformity. It was mentioned that if the two organizations could work together, the money could be put towards making one very nice field. MOTION: Commissioner Rohloff motioned to hold neighborhood meetings for both Lions and Wallin Parks before any improvements are made. Seconded by Commissioner Smith. Passed unanimously. Veterans Ball Field Plan 9) : We received a grant for $5,000 to design a plan for a youth addition to Veterans Complex. There are a lot of construction grants for active play areas which the department would like to pursue. We needed to have a formal plan in order to apply for these grants. We got input from the primary user groups, HYAA and Raider Nation. It is all a concept at this point – nothing is set in stone. It is a tool to help us seek outside funding for this project. Brauer and Associates did the plan and they were the same ones who did our Park Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Rohloff mentioned that a way to get additional funding might be to allow naming rights for the fields. For example, “XYZ Company Field at Veterans Park”. Director Bernstein mentioned that we’re still not sure if HEDRA will allow us to use this property without a large cost. On a related topic, Commissioner Flaten asked about the youth soccer tournament that was held at Veterans Park last year and the issues with not enough concessions or restrooms. Staff followed the parameters that were given to us by the MYSA but they grossly underestimated. This year, we will be doubling the restrooms and increase the concessions. th August 10 Primary Date 10) : General consensus was to cancel the meeting for August unless there is some pressing issue that comes up. Met Council Request 11) : Met Council currently has a water monitoring station for the Vermillion River inside the Con Agra Mill. The equipment is getting old and they would like to move it to Vermillion Falls Park. City staff met with them. The station is more like a small box which would be enclosed with some natural border. The location is above the falls on the north side of the trail in a corner that would have minimal impact. This would allow easier access for Met Council and staff doesn’t feel it is an issue. It would benefit the water quality of the Vermillion River. MOTION : Commissioner Smith motioned to pursue working with Met council on this station and give the PRC’s support to the project. Seconded by Commissioner Flaten. Passed unanimously. Commission Name Change 12) : The request to change the name of the NRRC to the Parks & Recreation Commission was approved by City Council. DBA Meeting 13) : Director Bernstein met with Downtown Business Association about a $7,000 grant we received from Dakota County Active Living for bike racks on our trails. These would be more decorative racks – possibly even custom to fit the history of the downtown area. Director Bernstein received input from the DBA about the placement of the racks in the downtown area. Way finding Signs 14) : The department received another grant for way finding signs throughout out trail system. We will be trying to make loops within the main trail loop with way finding sign to show people how to utilize a smaller segment of our trail system. Lakeville did some in this way and received rave reviews. Staff is not sure exactly what the signs will look like at this point. We are trying to bundle our orders with other cities to get a better price on the materials. Commissioner Flaten asked if the large loop trail goes through the Industrial Park. It does, but our maps haven’t been updated yet. This is the new section that was just added and we haven’t had time to sign it yet. We will make sure to add a sign for this new section to help people find it. Hastings to Red Wing Trail 15) : There is a concept design/preliminary route of a trail from Hastings to Red Wing. Many surrounding communities have approved the plan and Hastings has been asked to approve it as well. MOTION: Commissioner Rohloff motioned to approve this concept plan and bring it forward to City Council. Seconded by Commissioner Smith. Passed unanimously.