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Home My WebLink About12-08-2009 NRRC 02 Nov MinutesCity of Hastings Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Minutes Parks & Recreation Conference Room November 10, 2009 – 6:00 pm 1) Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Flaten, Schommer, Miller, Smith, Tessmer-Tuck and Vandehoef, Parks and Recreation Director Bernstein, Superintendent Smith, Councilmember Danna Elling Schultz Absent: Commissioner Rohloff August Minutes: 2) Motion to approve by Miller. Seconded by Smith. Passed unanimously. Setting Agenda: 3) Director Bernstein added “City Contributions” to Old Business. Will Hilton – Little League Baseball: 4) Will Hilton and Jim Olson were in attendance to discuss some potential ball field improvements. They have been working with HYAA to bring Little League to Hastings as a partner relationship. Their goal is to create more excitement about baseball in Hastings. They proposed taking Lions Park and dedicating it to Little League and also adding another field there as well. They are not looking for any monetary help from the City, as this is a private venture and private contributions would finance the project. The long term goal is to create a youth ball field area out at Veterans Park. All the money that comes in from private fundraising would go into a private fund for this future project, similar to what HYAA is doing. Director Bernstein stated that he too would like to see field improvements. The concern with Lions is that it is a ponding basin. There is a huge culvert and in a major water event, there would be no play. Parking is also an issue to Director Bernstein and to the neighborhood. Since the subsoil is poor (the area used to be a gravel pit) and the area could be flooded at times, it would be difficult to ever achieve good turf quality. It would be very expensive to dig deep enough to get good soil for good turf and irrigation. The intention of the group is just to try to make the area better through small enhancements. Other parks were considered, but there are parking and other issues with all of the neighborhood parks in town. The group would also like to include an actual mound and a press box of some type – possibly a concrete slab with a one-level structure that could be removed if necessary at no cost to the City. The group has already recruited various donors and volunteer labor/materials for the project. Director Bernstein mentioned that there is a need for caution when trying to use volunteer labor and non-City equipment due to liability issues. There are no other Little League opportunities in this area; the closest district is in the north-western suburbs. The group is anxious to get started with field improvements as soon as possible. Director Bernstein stated that the next steps for the group are to get a construction plan with materials listed and a formal architectural landscape design including a grading plan. Public Works would have to approve the grading plan because this will affect the ponding basin’s flow and design. After staff review, the matter would go in front of the Parks & Recreation Committee of Council and then if recommended, to the entire City Council. Commissioner Vandehoef stated that while this project is something that is needed in Hastings, he doesn’t feel that there is any current park in the system that can truly handle this, other than Veterans Park. He asked if the group would be willing to consider going to Veterans Park right away, instead of spending money on a short-term solution like Lions Park. Director Bernstein mentioned that he has spoken with someone from Brauer & Associates and the cost of a concept plan for a youth complex at Vets is about $5,000. Possibly the City, HYAA, and Little League would all be willing to contribute a third of the design fee? Director Bernstein stated that we are hoping to do 3-4 ball fields and 2 multi-purpose fields in the youth complex. Will mentioned that they are anxious to get something started right away and wondered if they could nd just fence in Lions and use Crestview as a 2 field for now? Director Bernstein stated that if Little League starts requesting to use fields, staff would follow the field reservation priority process that is currently in place. Tierney Park Lighting: 5) The neighborhood meetings have brought up a request to add an additional security light for this neighborhood park. The park does currently have a security light. The current light is dim, but it could be changed to an alternative fixture/bulb. Councilmember Schultz stated that she attended the neighborhood meetings. This neighborhood has had some real issues, including the gun that was stolen and a number of houses/cars being broken into lately. She has noticed gatherings of kids in the park after dark. This has been a concern for the neighborhood. She’s encouraged the neighbors to call 911 if there are people in the park after curfew. Additional light is hopeful to deter any bad activities in the park. Director Bernstein stated that it would cost about $2,500 to add an additional light. The neighborhood would like it to the north of the playground. Commissioner Flaten stated that light fixtures lose 60% of their brightness over their life – re-lamping it may do the trick. This is an Xcel neighborhood – staff isn’t sure if this light belongs to the City or to Xcel. Director Bernstein recommended asking the City Electrician to re-lamp the pole and see if that helps the problem. nd MOTION: Commissioner Miller motioned to pursue having the light re-lamped; 2 by Vandehoef; passed unanimously. 6) Departmental updates were reviewed with NRRC members. Winter Season Park Shelter & Rental Permit Application: 7) Staff has come up with a new reservation form so that the public can reserve warming shelters before or after normal skating hours. The new form also includes a birthday package and the option to rent hockey and broomball equipment. Staff will coordinate the delivery of the birthday cake and make sure arrangements are made. nd MOTION: Commissioner Smith motioned to bring this application forward to City Council for approval; 2 by Tessmer-Tuck; passed unanimously. Lake Rebecca Canoe Rack / New Seating Area: 8) Eagle Scout Joe Herke constructed classroom seating around Lake Rebecca and a canoe rack. Staff would like to advertise the new canoe rack as space for rent for non-motorized boats for Lake Rebecca. People would be able to purchase a rental space for the season. This would be similar to the program at Minneapolis lakes. This program is very popular in those areas with people providing their own lock and assuming liability. Don Kramlinger Retirement: 9) Director Bernstein reviewed a notice from Don Kramlinger from Community Education about his pending retirement. Don has been instrumental in the Joint Powers Agreement. Barry will be meeting with the Joint Powers committee and will keep the NRRC informed as to what happens. New Business: 10) None Old Business: 11) - City Contributions: Director Bernstein mentioned that staff had reviewed Minnesota State Statutes 469.191 & 471.85 which relate to contributions from municipalities. There are no statutes that allow for a City to allocate public funds to a private organization. Therefore, staff will not be contributing season passes or other items to private organizations. MOTION to adjourn. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8th at the Parks & Recreation Office. Adjourned at 7:31 p.m. Minutes submitted by Kristin Behrens