HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRCMinutes-20101109
City of Hastings
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
City Hall Council Chambers
November 9, 2010 – 6:00 pm
1) Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Flaten, Miller, Vandehoef, Schommer, Rohloff, and Smith, Parks & Recreation
Director Bernstein
Absent: Commissioner Garrett, Maintenance Supervisor Likes
September Minutes:
2) Schommer requested that the sentence in Item 6, Outlot J Update, be corrected to read, “City
Staff has discussed selling the property and does not feel it is wise, since this property serves as a buffer and drainage
easement.” Schommer motioned to approve the September minutes with that correction. Seconded by Rohloff. Passed
unanimously.
Departmental Updates:
3) Bernstein reviewed the departmental updates with the commissioners. It was noted that due to
the high water levels this fall, the dock at Lake Isabel will be removed later than usual this year. Also, due to budget
constraints for 2011, only three warming houses will be open and staffed this winter (Wallin, Lions, and Pioneer).
However, the normal rinks will still be flooded and available for skating. Finally, on behalf of the City, many thanks to
all those who contributed towards the success of this year’s Community Halloween Party.
Wallin Park Volleyball Court:
4) At the neighborhood meeting held earlier this spring and through emails received from
residents, interest was expressed in adding a sand volleyball court to Wallin Park. This volleyball court was included in
the original master plan for the park. Staff was unable to get to it this year, but it is on the list of projects for next spring.
The placement of the court will hopefully be in the area of the general skating rink. This location will allow for the use
of the existing rink lighting when needed. Bernstein also let the PRC know that we are still having difficulties with the
southeast bank of hockey rink lights and staff is working to correct the problem.
Cari Park Upgrades:
5) At the neighborhood meeting earlier this year, staff informed residents of their intention to
regrade the center turf area located north of the playground and south of the residential property lines. Staff worked with
the Engineering Department to make sure the grading would be correct for proper drainage to the ponding basin. The
regrading will take place next spring. Staff was able to remove the hedgerow that residents requested. If the budget is
approved, there is also a potential playground improvement scheduled for this park next year. Security lighting in the
northwest corner of the park and by the playground was also requested by local residents. After sending out a letter to
those neighbors who border the park requesting their input, Bernstein feels that this additional lighting could be
included in the improvements next year, budget permitting.
Outlot J Update:
6) A letter was sent to the neighborhood representative, Angie Schiller, from John Hinzman,
Community Development Director, explaining that the City would be agreeable to the operation of a skating rink on the
property consistent with the parameters established in 2009. No reply has been received from the neighborhood at this
time.
Hastings to Schaar’s Bluff Trail:
7) This trail will be about 75% complete by this fall. The Hastings section of the trail is
only about 150 feet, but this will be a nice connection for our trail system. There is a crossing that is very close to the
curve in the road, and Bernstein asked for a flashing trail crossing sign. It is a county trail on a county road, so the City
doesn’t have much say in this.
Winter Outdoor Skating Program:
8) This item was addressed in the department updates.
Interviews for PRC Vacancies
9) : Three commissioners, Russ Rohloff, Al Vandehoef, and Brian Flaten, will be leaving
the Parks & Recreation Commission effective December 31, 2010 due to expiring terms. Staff advertised for the
vacancies and has received four applications. Councilmember Slavik, Chair of the Parks & Recreation Committee of
Council, expressed a desire to have one of the committee members involved with the interviews as well. The PRC
decided to keep the interview process the same as in past years, and to invite a member of the Parks & Recreation
Committee of Council to be present. The suggestion was to hold interviews the second Tuesday in December, since we
generally do not hold a December PRC meeting. This would not be a televised meeting, since there will be no agenda.
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The interviews will be scheduled for Tuesday, December 14 starting at 6:00 PM at the Parks & Recreation office.
Youth Member of the PRC
10) : The Hastings High School Youth Planning Council has requested the opportunity to have
a local youth involved in the Parks & Recreation Commission. The youth would be between the ages of 14-18 and
would likely be one of the students involved in the Youth Planning Council. Students have the opportunity to letter in
Youth Planning Council, so there would be a commitment there. Bernstein mentioned that the new Public Safety
Advisory Commission is planning to have a youth member involved as well. The PRC liked the idea of having youth
involvement in the commission. After more discussion about length of commitment and other criteria, it was decided
that staff will do some more research into the criteria that other commissions have used in conjunction with a youth
member. Bernstein will then bring that research back to the PRC at the next meeting for discussion and a
recommendation.
11) Veterans Park Baseball Field
: The Parks & Recreation Department is attempting to operate differently and think
leaner in view of the current economic situation. One area that is being looked at is the baseball field at Veterans Park.
Presently, about 30-40 games are scheduled on this field during a season. The thought was that by modifying the field to
accommodate youth baseball which uses 75’ basepaths and a 56’ pitching distance, staff could increase the amount of
usage to about 80 games per season. This would alleviate some of the heavy usage by organized sports at Wallin, Lions,
and Pioneer Parks. Staff held a meeting with current users of the field, the Hastings Hawks, and there are some concerns
about the proposed modifications from both the team and the league. Some of the concerns mentioned included bringing
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the grass up so that the 2 baseman is playing on grass instead of aggregate and that having two mounds might be a
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potential for injuries. There will be another meeting held on Monday, November 15 with the various baseball
organizations in town to discuss alternatives to this option. It was also requested that Bob Lawrence from Community
Education be invited to this meeting since he schedules the school facilities and fields. Vandehoef asked if adding a
parking lot to Wallin would help alleviate some of the resident concerns about the organized activity at the park. The
original master plan for Wallin Park included a 12-stall parking lot. Residents didn’t seem to be in favor of the parking
lot due to the expense and loss of open green space. They also felt that such a small parking lot wouldn’t make much on
an impact on the parking issue. Bernstein assured the PRC that staff is attempting to think economically and to
maximize our current facility space. However, staff will not implement changes without consensus. More information
on this topic will be brought forward at our next meeting.
Advertising/Sponsorship Program
12) : The Parks & Recreation Department has been assigned the task of bringing in an
additional $5,000 in advertising revenue for 2011. The concept of an advertising program has been brought to the PRC
in the past, and staff would like to implement a similar idea in 2011. Since the draft copy of the program was created,
staff has been meeting with outside marketing experts and has been given additional broader concepts that we hadn’t
imagined. Staff will be reworking the draft plan and bringing this concept forward again in January for a
recommendation. Schommer mentioned that he liked the original draft concept and thought it was well put together.
Vandehoef also liked the draft and commented that we will need to establish parameters regarding the amount of
advertising allowed at various facilities. Bernstein realizes that the City will be competing with other local organizations
for advertising revenue, but with the current economic situation feels that we have no choice. He believes we can create
an advertising/sponsorship program that will be handled in a tactful, pleasant manner. Schommer commented that
Hastings is one of the few ballparks in the area that doesn’t have advertising up and that personally, he feels that the
advertising signs would contribute to a ballpark atmosphere. Smith asked for more information about the option of
sponsoring a park amenity like a bench or tree. Bernstein explained that this would be handled in a similar way to our
current memorial donation program, where people can donate a bench or tree and a plaque is put up in memoriam or to
mark a special event. Staff has been very interested in this concept and is working diligently to create the best program
possible. All options are being considered.
New Business:
13)
No new business
Old Business:
14)
No old business
Next Meeting: PRC Interviews will be held on December 14, 2010 at the Parks & Recreation office.
The next scheduled PRC meeting will be on January 11, 2011.
Adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Kristin Behrens