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City of Hastings Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes City Hall Council Chambers April 12, 2011 – 6:00 pm Roll Call at 6 pm: 1) Commissioners Schommer, Miller, Garrett, Juntunen, Hedin, and Smith, Parks & Recreation Director Bernstein Absent: Commissioner Schossow, Maintenance Supervisor Likes March Minutes: 2) Motion to approve minutes as presented by Hedin. Seconded by Miller. Passed unanimously. Setting Agenda: 3) Bernstein added “Vermillion Falls Alcohol Variance”, “Flood Update”, and “Point Douglas Trail Request” to the agenda under New Business. He also added “Sand Coulee Update” under Old Business. Departmental Updates: 4) Departmental Updates were included with commissioner packets. Eagle Bluff Park Request & Funding Assistance: 5) The neighborhood surrounding Eagle Bluff Park has held discussions with staff over the past few years about adding an amenity to the park. In 2007, the neighborhood association approved the request for a half-court basketball court along with some sort of natural border (i.e., shrubs) along the park property lines between the adjacent homes. At the December 2007 NRRC meeting, the commissioners voted to approve the request to place the half-court basketball court at Eagle Bluffs Park. Since that time, City Council has called for no capital improvement projects to be completed, other than for safety reasons, due to budget constraints. The neighborhood association has come forward with a donation of $750 towards the completion of this basketball court, hoping that this will speed up the project. Bernstein mentioned that the money for this project would come out of park dedication funds if approved. Due to workload, this project may or may not be completed in 2011 if approved by City Council. After further discussion about concerns regarding runoff and border materials, the PRC agreed that this project should move forward for quality of life and neighborhood improvement. The PRC also was pleased that the neighborhood is willing to contribute funds towards this project. MOTION: Miller motioned to bring the half-court basketball court project at Eagle Bluffs Park forward to City Council for approval. Seconded by Smith. Passed unanimously. Cari & Westwood Park Neighborhood Meetings: 6) Letters regarding the Cari Park neighborhood meeting on April 19 and the Westwood Park neighborhood meeting on April 26 have been mailed out to residents surrounding the parks. Bernstein has received 3 emails from Cari Park neighbors with concerns who cannot attend the meeting. All concerns that residents call or email to Barry will be brought forward to the neighborhood meeting. The meetings will take place at City Hall at 6:30 PM on both dates. HHB Training Facility Update: 7) The Hastings Hockey Boosters met with City staff recently as they wish to deviate from the resolution previously approved by City Council. The HHB wishes to let out the contracts for the project as they feel they could get the work done less expensively. The City Attorney is preparing some documentation outlining the th changes and it will go before City Council on April 18 for discussion. New Business: 8) Vermillion Falls Alcohol Variance: - Bernstein received an email from John & Kim Bonifas requesting a th variance to have alcohol in the park until 8:00 PM on June 17, as they have reserved the park shelter and are holding a family cookout for a wedding rehearsal. This is a fairly routine request and will be brought before City Council for approval. nd Flood Update: - The 2 crest is expected this week, but is predicted to be much lower than originally estimated. Staff removed a lot of items along the riverfront to prevent flood damage. Once the waters recede, there will be a lot of clean up involved. There was a friendly reminder that people should avoid walking through flooded areas due to risk of injury from currents and debris. Point Douglas Trail Request: - The Washington County Planner contacted Bernstein to request volunteers to sit in on meetings regarding this proposed trail. Any commissioners who are interested in volunteering should contact Bernstein.