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Home My WebLink About02122008 City of Hastings Parks & Recreation 920 W loth St, Hastings MN 55033 Ph: (651) 480-6175 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Web: www.ci.hastings.mn.us "Creating Community Through People, Parks, and Programs" Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Agenda PARKS & RECREATION CONFERENCE ROOM Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 6:00 PM 1) Call to Order: 2) Roll Call: 3) Approval of Minutes from January 2008: 4) Setting Agenda: 5) Open Mike: TODics of Discussion: 6) Departmental Updates - Parks - Civic Arena - Forestry - Youth First - ReCreation - Recycling - Aquatic ~nter 7) Mississippi River Overlook Update 8) Arena Bid - New Floor 9) Visitor Center Public Meeting 10) City Council Workgroup 11) Skate Park / Youth Center 12) New Business - Distribute Year End Report 13) Old Business - Hastings to Red Wing Trail 14) Next meeting: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 15) Adjourn: 6:00 PM 6:05 PM 6:10 PM 6: 15 PM 6:20 PM 6:25 PM 6:30 PM 6:35 PM 6:40 PM 6:45 PM 6:50 PM 6:55 PM 7:00 PM All times are approximate Civic Arena 2801 Red Wing Blvd. Ph: (651) 480-6195 Fax: (651) 437-4940 Aquatic Center 901 Maple Street Ph: (651) 480-2392 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Youth First 920 W lOth Street Ph: (651) 480-6182 --- Fax: (651) 437-5396 City of Hastings Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Minutes Parks & Recreation Conference Room January 8, 2008 - 6:00 pm 1) Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Miller, Nelson, Rohloff, Vandehoef and Vaughan, Parks and Recreation Director Bernstein, Superintendent Smith. Absent: Commissioner Schommer 2) December meeting minutes: Commissioner Nelson requested that two corrections be made to the December minutes. The word "passed" was changed to "distributed" under "Semi-Pro Football Complex". Also, under "Construction Updates- Eagle Bluff Park", a motion was passed unanimously to install a ~ court basketball court at Eagle Bluff Park. Both corrections will be made to the minutes. Approved amended December meeting minutes. Motion by Nelson. Seconded by Miller. Passed unanimously. 3) Setting Agenda: Bernstein added "Distribute Park Camp Plan" and "List of Questions to the Hastings Huskies" to the agenda. Motion to approve revised agenda by Miller. Seconded by Nelson. Passed unanimously. 4) Field Priority: A copy of the current Outdoor Athletic Use policy and a revised version were reviewed. The department's Recreation Coordinator, Jared Flewellen, explained that the changes made are to clarify the policy's definitions - for example, what will happen if two groups with the same priority level request the same date, etc. The frrst change gives Parks and Recreation discretionary authority. The second change is the addition of a good conscience item regarding human rights laws, etc. The third change clarifies that organizations who serve the greatest number of Hastings residents will be given priority if there is a conflict between same priority level organizations. The final change is regarding the submission of league rosters or participant summaries to aid the department in planning and evaluation purposes. This is something that was recommended in the Park Comp Plan. Jared will have the preseason meeting at the end of February and will request schedules from organizations at that point. Then, he will complete a preliminary field schedule. Commissioner Vaughan asked if field are being reserved and then not used. Staff did receive some complaints that this happened last year. HY AA seems to do a pretty good job of allocating fields for their use - it is some of the other newer organizations that we're trying to figure out. Director Bernstein stated that these changes to our policy are an attempt to be proactive. Commissioner Vaughan asked if we are able to rest any of the fields. Superintendent Smith said that some of the soccer fields were rested last year, and we're hoping to rest the south side afVet's this year. It is difficult though due to the high level of use our fields receive. 5) Department Updates were passed out and reviewed. Superintendent Smith mentioned that the skating attendance at Wilson and Isabel is up this year and we may want to consider adding more hours to these locations next year. ~ommissioner Vaughan asked if there was anything that could be done to the Kennedy rink to make it more of a hub. Director Bernstein stated that he did propose through Joint.Powers to let the City maintain the entire park. The School District responded that they need a certain amount of acreage per s~hool. Further clarification needs to be made, as Director Bernstein was not talking about ownership of the property, but rather just maintenance and scheduling. The location of the Kennedy rink is good and there is adequate parking. Commissioner Vaughan said that maybe something could be added at this location to justify the upgrade to the hockey rink - perhaps a sledding hill? Superintendent Smith reminded the commissioners that the School District may not want a hockey rink at this location at all and that the 70% cost is defmitely a factor. Pioneer was the last hockey rink that was done and the cost was not extremely high. Commissioner Vaughan also recommended labeling Wilson and Isabel "Family Skating Rinks" and perhaps playing music at these locations. 6) Term Limit Discussion: Director Bernstein explained that there was recently a recodification to clean up the City's Code. Upon review of the NRRC section of the code, it was realized that it currenLly slates that connnissioners will selve two- year terms, but does not place a limit on the number of consecutive terms that may be served. The old code limited NRRC commissioners to 3 consecutive two-year terms. Director Bernstein asked how the commissioners felt about term limits. He knows of cities that do it both ways - with term limits or without. Without term limits, it is up to the City Council whether or not commissioners will be reappointed. You may have a commissioner that serves for many years. The general consensus of the NRRC was that term limits of some sort are a good thing, because it means you continue to get people with new ideas. Whatever is decided, the commissioners agreed that all city commissions should be consistent. On that note, Commissioner Nelson pointed out that the NRRC code states that a term starts the January following the year of appointment, whereas the Planning Commission's code states that a term begins the January of the year of appointment. This should-be reviewed as well. 7) Mississippi River Overlook Review: The preliminary drawing and costs for this project were reviewed. Director Bernstein pointed out that the proposed shade canopy is estiniated to cost $25,000 alone. He would like to cut this canopy altogether to save costs or perhaps seek an alternative, cheaper shade option via an alternate bid. The bench would be placed over an existing concrete structure that is too costly to remove. The thought was to use driftwood, but it would no doubt receive a lot of vandalism. We're hoping to try and incorporate the look of driftwood into the bench, but using a vandal-proof material. The existing structure underneath the pier will not be touched in this construction. The structural engineer said that the structure is in good shape. LED lighting is hoped to be used along the walkway and on the platform. There will also be a low-profile interpretive sign that will focus on the structures history along with the river and eagles. Commissioner Rohloff questioned if the river is deep enough that people will try to fish off of this platform. Superintendent Smith stated that while fishing is possible, there wouldn't be any specific advantage to using the platform. He doesn't foresee it being a problem. The City did receive a SEP grant in the amount of $50,000 for this project which has to be used by July, 2008. Construction could start as early as April or May. Director Bernstein also mentioned he would like to see one of those binocular stations on the platform for families to use to spot eagles. Commissioner Rohloff asked if it would be possible to place a sign by the Mississippi bridge stating "Eagle Outlook" to direct people to this location. While it is very difficult to get and road signs on a County or State roadway, it may be possible to place some signage on Lock & Dam Road. 8) Vet's Field Lighting: The City Council approved the contract with Sports Technology for the Vet's Field Lighting at the 1/7/08 meeting. The lights will have a 25 year guarantee with one re-Iamp included. There is a possibility that the lights will be controlled via satellite which would give staff a lot more control over who is using our fields. HY AA is contributing $25,000 towards this project. 9) Arena Floor Replacement Proiect: City Council authorized staff to go out for bids on this project on 1/7/08. Stevens Engineering is handling the bidding process. Director Bernstein commented that the Arena Mgr. has done an excellent job maintaining and keeping the floor functional through the years. The City has been saving for three years to complete this project. Also, the School District has offered to pay 30% of the cost of the new floor through the Joint Powers agreement 10) Trail Clearing Procedure: Director Bernstein reviewed a breakdown of our trail clearing procedure. When we receive 2" or more of snowfall, trails are cleared based on three priority levels (School trails/City Hall, loop trail system, and outdoor ice rinks. ) We generally do not plow intemalloop trails or association trails. Commissioner Vaughan suggested adding a fourth priority which would be areas where people are obviously walking due to seeing many footprints in the snow. Commissioner Rohloff mentioned that often staff clears the sidewalks and then the City plows come along the streets and fill them back in. Director Bernstein is aware of the problem and is attempting to address it. Superintendent Smith stressed that we do not have enough money or manpower to be able to clear the trails down to bare asphalt/concrete. We're doing the best we can with the equipment and staff available. Commissioner Nelson asked in which order the rinks are cleared. Generally, hockey rinks get cleared first. Recreational rinks are done second. 11) New Business Park Comp Plan: The Plan was distributed to commissioners for their review. The plan will not be considered fmal until approved by City Council. List of Questions to the Hastings Huskies: Director Bernstein passed out a list of questions for the Hastings Huskies. Commissioners are asked to review the questions and let Bany know if he missed anything this week 12) Old Business NRRC Vacancy: Staff did not receive any applications for the NRRC opening. We will be advertising again towards the end of January. Commissioners were also asked to spread the word and encourage interested people to apply. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 at the Parks & Recreation Office. Adjourned at 7:44 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Kristin Behrens City of Hastings Parks & Recreation 920 W loth St, Hastings MN 55033 Ph: (651) 480-6175 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Web: www.ci.hastings.mn.us "Creating Community Through People, Parks, and Programs" Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Departmental Updates - February, 2008 Parks Maintenance Activities · The maintenance of the skating rinks and warming houses has been a daily task for our staff. With temperatures rising above freezing only a handful of days this winter, the skating conditions have been very good. . · Staff worked extra to prepare for the Frosty Frolic skating party held at Pioneer Park on the last Friday night in January. · Daily checks completed for the aeration system at Lake Rebecca continue to be performed. Information is being shown to the public via the Hastings Cable Access. · Equipment maintenance, including work on the equipment trailer and crew cab, has been done. · Tree inventory and planning for tree preservation during this year's street reconstruction project has started. The City Forester works close with the Engineering Department to evaluate and plan for protecting ,our boulevard trees. · A contractor has started work on the concession stand remodeling at Veteran's Athletic Complex. Warmina Houses · The Parks & Recreation staff is researching the possibility to extend the outdoor ice skating season to February 24, 2008. Beyond February 18, 2008, day to day checks will be made and rink opening decisions will be made. · Overall attendance at Pioneer an.d Lions Park have been good. Wallin park attendance has drastically dropped. · The Frosty Frolic which was held on January 25 attracted about 50 people. The 2009 Frosty Frolic will include wider marketing and earlier postings for the event. Hastings Familv Aauatic Center · Darbie attended a conference in WI Dells February 4,5,6. The conference brought about some great ideas that will be evaluated for the 2008 season at HFAC. · Return.staff letters will be going out in the next week. Recyclina · Requests have been received for Hastings Parks & Recreation to be involved in two local environmental events. Staff will be hosting a booth at the Hastings READS Environmental Resource Fair on February 23rd and also at the Christa McAuliffe Earth Day event on April 26th ~ · Staff has started planning an event for Earth Day again this year. We will be holding a "Green Aware Fair" on Saturday, May 3rd from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Hastings High School. Some highlights of the fair include presentations using the Earth Balloon, various interactive green activities, and a special "Family ENVIRO-Show" performance by Tricia & the Toonies at 1 :00 p.m. Civic Arena 2801 Red Wing Blvd. Ph: (651) 480-6195 Fax: (651) 437-4940 Aquatic Center 901 Maple Street Ph: (651) 480-2392 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Youth First 920 W lOth Street Ph: (651) 480-6182 Fax: (651) 437-5396 WARMING HOUSE NUMBERS Here are some attendance numbers from 12-17-07 to 02-07-08 for the 7 warming houses. Pioneer Park 2,253 Lions Park 1,024 Wallin Park 878 Kennedy School 822 Civic Arena Outdoor 387 Wilson Park 1 09 Isabel Park 1 04 By the way, our total for 2007 was 5,078 and we are already at 5,577 for 2007-08 season. City of Hastings Parks & Recreation 920 W loth St, Hastings MN 55033 Ph: (651) 480-6175 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Web: www.ci.hastings.mn.us "Creating Community Through People, Parks, and Programs" Date: 2/8/08 To: NRRC Commissioners From: Barry Bernstein, Parks and Recreation Director Subject: Mississippi River Overlook - Update At the City Council meeting on Monday, February 4th, the City Council granted authorization to seek proposals for the redevelopment of the fueling dock station. I am anticipating our design consultant to further redefine costs and design/features of this structure.. I am anticipating final plans the last week of February to bring forward to the NRRC and City Council by the March 1 7th meeting date. REF: Mississippi overlookjNRRC 1 2008 Civic Arena 2801 Red Wing Blvd. Ph: (651) 480-6195 Fax: (651) 437-4940 Aquatic Center 901 Maple Street Ph: (651) 480-2392 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Youth First 920 W 10th Street Ph: (651) 480-6182 Fax: (651) 437-5396 City of Hastings Parks & Recreation 920 W loth St, Hastings MN 55033 Ph: (651) 480-6175 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Web: www.ci.hastings.mn.us .Creating Community Through People, Parks, and Programs" Date: 2/8/08 To: NRRC Commissione-rs From: Barry Bernstein, Parks and Recreation Director Subject: Arena Bid - New Floor On Thursday, February 7, 2008, the City of Hastings held a public bid opening for the Hastings Civic Arena replacement floor project. I have enclosed the "recorded bid sheet for your review. In addition, please ~ote that. the cost of the engineering consultant is approximately $18,000 and a 5% contingency of $19,000 will be added to the overall cost of the project. I am seeking the NRRC recommendation to bring this issue forward to council. REF: civic arena floor replacement /NRRC 1 2008 Civic Arena 2801 Red Wing Blvd. Ph: (651) 480-6195 Fax: (651) 437-4940 Aquatic Center 901 Maple Street Ph: (651) 480'-2392 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Youth First 920 W 10th Street Ph: (651) 480-6182 Fax: (651) 437-5396 ~Stevens ENGINEERS & PLANNERS 1656 Livingstone Road Hudson, Wisconsin 54016 www.stevensenaineers.com 715.386.5819 651.436.2075 715.386.5879 fax Memo To: Barry Bernstein, City of Hastings From: Scott Ward Re: Civic Arena - Ice Rink Floor Replacem.ent Project - Schedule and Budget Date: 12/20/2007 Cc: Ba rry, Please find below project schedule and budget for this project. Schedule January, 7, 2008 January 29 February 4 March 31 October 17 Council approves final plans and to advertise for bids. City submits to paper. Open Bids. Council awards bid. Shut down system, start construction End Construction, start cooling down ice rink. First day of ice use. Construc-tion Cost Esti-mate Removal and reinstallation of dashers Demolition of floor, etc. Ice Rink Floor Subsoil Heat System Equipment -Perimeter Concrete + sand Trim Impellers (3 total) Subtotal 50/0 contingency Total $30,000 $45,000 $270,000 $15,000 $10,000 $6,000 $376~OOO -$18.800 $394,000 Let me know if you have any questions, 651.436.2075. Scott ~ ~ ~~~" cr ~ 'J~~, . ~ ~\\~ ~ >~~~ ~ Z> ~ Ic(~_ ~.8- I') ~ · ~]\ ~~ ; ;:. <c -- ~ ""'\ - . ~ /'\~: d "J.. in --\ ~.. ~ <( <<n~ C~ z (1):5 >0- (I)~ .,.,~ CI)~ ~~ .I, i i ~ ~.. 0 ~~ rf1 u= 0 ~.! G.l. ~ ,...-c s= ~u ~ .- Q U Cd &:I /IfIIJ.- - 00 ~ t--c ~ CIJ ~ ....... bl) 0 o "U.5 ~ 't:I .s fIj ti - .- ~ :/ Cd t' =~~tt: ~ s= VJ a i2" 2 == .D ~ Q) ~ ~ :-.:, -.-ii- ...CD- :';':1.-. CD r .':i;.u . . f? lI) ~' --- ~ I --. ~ ~ If\ ~' ~ ~ ~ j,'.:I;~ r '- I..i. "0 -15 :.l! ~ .cc .:0 -0 Ci c .0 = as c ... . .... c ..... .s:: u CD I- ~ c ~ a 8 " r- (;) -C) ~ t'\' ~ ~ ~"' , r rf\ o ~~ u\ ,- ~ c-i \\ '1' r c o 11 .... & :IE -'. ~ -- .E- o .... CD E E o (.) ~ <::.\ ~ ~ :; fI) .C B 81- CD Ii . ~ I : t ~ J p -c" --- + ~ "-I- ~~ U\~ , -c \f\ r <J' t./\ .:....- :::r d ~ ~ ~ \A. ~ ~ g .0 '" I D Q ;r tf\~ ---- ~ H ,. "~ " '{', !-- en E CD .. ~ rn as c 2! c( :, t ~ >- Cc Co SD.- - -... mu . ::I ..... C ... .- 't:C .0 as- (,) :Ii ~ .. '= ". ~ I'. . ~ CD ~ U ..~ o .~ ;:r r' ~ (j:)' ~ '^' I D B '"" <'i CJ -~ <::{ I< fJ ~ " '" J: -.l -( ~ City of Hastings Parks & Recreation 920 W loth St, Hastings MN 55033 Ph: (651) 480-6175 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Web: www.ci.hastings.mn.us "Creating Community Through People, Parks, and Programs. Date: 2/8/08 To: NRRC Commissioners From: Barry Bernstein, Parks and Recreation Director Subject: Visitor Center Public Meeting Attached you will find a copy of a letter inviting you to attend the first public meeting regarding a possible Visitor Center in Hastings. This meeting is only the first step as staff explores the possibility of working with the National Park Service to create a possible Visitor Center in Hastings. REF: Visitor Center Public Meeting 1 2008/NRRC Civic Arena 2801 Red Wing Blvd. Ph: (651) 480-6195 FaX: (651) 437-4940 Aquatic Center 901 Maple Street Ph: (651) 480-2392 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Youth First 920 W 10th Street Ph: (651) 480-6182 Fax: (651) 437-5396 City of Hastings Parks & Recreation 920 W loth St, Hastings MN 55033 P11: (651) 480-6175 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Web: www.cthastings.mn.us .Creating Community Through People, Parks, and Programs" February 8, 2008 Natural Resources & Recreation Commission Hastings, MN Dear Commissioners, We would like to invite you to a Public Meeting to be held at Hastings City Hall on Thursday, February 28, 2008 from 6:00-8:30 PM to share your best ideas with us as we explore the opportunity of a Visitor Center for the City of Hastings. A new bridge is coming, and so is the new Mississippi River Trail linking Hastings to Spring Lake upstream, with a trail crossing the bridge leading north and the possibility of a trail linking to Red Wing downstream. The time is ripe to plan for making the best of this opportunity to connect visitors to the historic story and many amenities of Hastings. All interested parties are invited to assist the National Park Service and the City of Hastings in the brainstorming of the design, amenities and program of a Visitor Center envisioned being located between the historic Main Street and the Mississippi River. Participants will be asked to help answer questions about: · What should a possible Visitor Center be sure to include? · When should a Visitor Center be open and who should staff it? · What is the niche for this possible center relative to the LeDuc House, the Prescott Great River Road Center, and the new Gathering Center at Schaar's Bluff? · What is its relationship to other Hastings' programs? · Which of the proposed locations would work best? · What else should be included in the development of a Visitor Center? How much parking? Food? Toilets? Exhibits? Wireless Internet? · Who are the likely users? Some may remember that an earfier plan had been developed to construct an Interpretive Visitor Center on the Hastings River Flats property along Lock & Dam Road. That project is no longer viable for several reasons, but another couple of locations have been identified as possibilities closer to downtown. A Visitor Center at one of these new locations may better serve the needs of the Main Street businesses and visitors expected to use -the Mississippi River Trail for biking. This public meeting is only the first of many steps as we explore the possibility of working with the National Park Service to create a possible Visitor Center in Hastings. Anyone is welcome to attend this meeting and there will be additional opportunities to respond to more specific plans in the future. A smaller group of advisors to the project will be recruited to provide on-going advice as the ideas develop. Thank you for your time. Hope to see you, Barry Bernstein Parks & Recreation Director City of Hastings John Grossman HRA Director City of Hastings David Wiggins Supervisory Park Ranger Mississippi National River & Recreation Area Civic Arena 2801 Red Wing Blvd. Ph: (651) 480-6195 Fax: (651) 437-4940 Aquatic Center 901 Maple Street Ph: (651) 480- 2392 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Youth First 920 W lOth Street Ph: (651) 480-6182 Fax: (651) 437-5396