NRRC Minutes 08-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Hastings Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Minutes August 8, 2006 – 6:00 pm 1) Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Brown, Christenson, Rohloff, Schommer, Vandehoef, and Vaughan, Parks and Recreation Director Bernstein, and Superintendent Smith. Absent: Commissioner Popp 2) Approved July meeting minutes. Motion by Schommer. Seconded by Vaughan. Passed unanimously. 3) Setting Agenda: Director Bernstein added Lake Isabel Meeting, Tax Forfeit Property, and 2007 Budget Items to the agenda. th 4) The next NRRC meeting will be held on September 19 due to an election conflict on the normal meeting date of th September 12. 5) Departmental Updates were passed out to the members of the NRRC. Superintendent Smith mentioned that since the updates were written, there have been a few additional projects. The contractor has been back to Wallin and has installed vibration dampeners, so the lights should be completely fixed now. A concrete picnic table was installed at Eagle Bluff Park. The Parks Department and Public Works have been working together to prep/pave a trail extension at Vermillion Falls Park. Staff has also been working on the north soccer field at Vet’s Athletic Complex – more irrigation is being installed. Director Bernstein mentioned that all of the arena lighting is going to be replaced by Xcel Energy with energy efficient lighting. We will receive a significant cost savings due to assistance from the Center for Energy and Environment and the city will receive 0% financing for the remainder of the cost. 6) Eagle Bluffs Park Neighborhood Response: Jim Kummer, a representative from the Eagle Bluffs Neighborhood who resides at 1364 Eagle Bluff Dr., was in attendance. Commissioner Christenson recapped the neighborhood meeting again for the benefit of all in attendance. An e-mail was received by the Parks & Recreation Department from the Neighborhood Association President listing the requests the neighborhood feels would be of benefit to the park. Superintendent Smith mentioned that because of the conservation easement, he is researching the possibility of planting a hedge of native material along the back of the park. This would be a more natural, less intrusive option than a fabric fence, but would still address the safety concerns due to the river. Mr. Kummer requested that since neighbors on each side of the park are concerned about the traffic in their yards, could the hedge be run up each side of the park as well to create boundaries. He also mentioned that the neighborhood would be willing to assist in the maintenance of the hedge (trimming, etc.) Commissioner Christenson stated that the previous Parks & Recreation Director had spoken of putting a barrier of some sort on each side of the park for the neighbors. Commissioner Brown asked about the run-off that is killing the neighbors’ lawns. What can be done about that? Superintendent Smith has spoken with the operators and this fall, the fertilizer that is applied to the turf will be a much lighter dose or will be worked into the soil to minimize run-off into the surrounding lawns. Director Bernstein mentioned that the neighborhood needs to be aware that if a picnic shelter is placed in the park, it will be a public city facility and as such, will be a part of the Park & Recreation Department’s reservation process. If a basketball court is placed in the park, it will have to be quite small due to space limitations, possibly 20’ x 20’. Mr. Kummer asked if a shelter or basketball court is placed, does the NRRC or staff feel that there would be issues with youth loitering or noise? Director Bernstein replied that since it is a small, neighborhood park, any issues of this kind should be minimal and would most likely be neighborhood kids. Commissioner Rohloff stated that one of the neighbors mentioned that the neighborhood is willing to find matching funds to assist in the implementation of these projects. Superintendent Smith said that a park sign is in the plan for the future, but that since the City can only place 5-6 signs a year due to cost, priority was given to parks without any current sign and high-use parks with fields and things that people are trying to find. Mr. Kummer asked what the next step would be. Director Bernstein said that the NRRC will discuss the issues, it will be recapped with the neighborhood, then the NRRC will make a recommendation and it will go to Council. Mr. Kummer thanked the NRRC for all of their work and stated that the neighborhood just wants to make the best use of their park. 7) SCORE Hastings: Preliminary discussions have been held with the Hastings Hawks regarding selling advertising space at Vet’s Park in order to create funds to improve Hastings’ recreational areas. Advertising would most likely be on the fences, perhaps on a windscreen fabric. This would be a team effort between the City and the Hawks, with a split of some sort of the collected revenue. Commissioner Schommer mentioned that the coupon portion of the program is no longer desired, since many business owners thought the program should be kept simple and there are already similar coupon programs being used by other organizations. Commissioner Vandehoef thought that it would be worthwhile to explore any ways to create revenue outside of our normal budget. Commissioner Vaughan cautioned that we need to keep the advertising tasteful and should be careful on the quantity we allow. He also recommended that instead of just using the revenue to improve Vet’s Athletic Complex and other recreational facilities, we could use the money to fund a scholarship program for Little Raiders, Hastings Hawks, HYAA and other youth opportunities. Commissioner Christenson thought it was a good idea, but agreed that it needs to be kept simple and tasteful. Commissioner Rohloff commented on the amount of Hastings’ businesses that currently advertise at Miesville and would most likely advertise here if available.