HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRCMinutes-20110111
City of Hastings
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
City Hall Council Chambers
January 11, 2011 – 6:00 pm
1) Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Smith, Miller, Garrett, Juntunen, Hedin, and Schossow, Parks & Recreation Director
Bernstein, Maintenance Supervisor Likes
Absent: Commissioner Schommer
November Minutes:
2) Motion to approve minutes as presented by Miller. Seconded by Smith. Passed unanimously.
Setting Agenda:
3) Bernstein added “Elect Vice-Chair” to the agenda under New Business.
Departmental Updates:
4) Departmental Updates were reviewed with the commissioners. Bernstein explained that the
Parks & Recreation was charged with raising an additional $5,000 in advertising revenue for 2011. Staff is working on a
marketing program to better utilize advertising space at the HFAC, Vets Park, and the Arena. Miller asked how the new
turf at the Arena is holding up. While the turf hasn’t been installed yet this year, the comments on it last year were very
complimentary.
Hastings Hockey Boosters Proposal Update:
5) A resolution was passed by the City Council supporting the Hastings
Hockey Boosters in their efforts to raise funds to construct a training facility on City property at the Hastings Civic
Arena. One of the conditions of the resolution was that the HHB explore the possibility of attaching the training facility
to the front entry of the Civic Arena, thereby creating a needed vestibule to conserve energy. The HHB hired a
consultant to determine fundraising capabilities for the project. The calculations by the consultant came in at $375,000,
which was less than the $500,000 the HHB originally were planning for. With this figure, the Parks & Recreation
Committee of Council feels that a less expensive independent building would be a better option and they support the
HHB fundraising efforts for that project. Staff is exploring various energy grants for the possible construction of a
vestibule for the Arena’s front entry in the future.
MOTION:
Miller motioned to support the Parks & Recreation Committee of Council’s recommendation to support the
HHB fundraising efforts. Seconded by Garrett. Passed unanimously.
Youth Commission Members:
6) The addition of one or two youth commission members was initially brought up as a
Youth First initiative to do more to engage Hastings’ youth. The PRC was given examples from the City of Burnsville
regarding their youth commission members and the process in place. Miller asked if staff had been in contact with
Hastings High School regarding this. Staff has been discussing this with the Youth Planning Council, which is made up
of youth from Hastings High School. YPC members have expressed interest in being able to have this opportunity.
Smith asked if students would serve a one year term. A one year term does make sense due to possible graduations if
High School Seniors are involved. Juntunen asked if staff had seen any other cities who had tied serving on a
commission to maintaining a certain GPA. Bernstein hasn’t seen any tied to GPA, however this would be something
that students would use to fulfill volunteer hour requirements for YPC. He envisions a simple application, possibly
including a short essay regarding why students want to serve on the PRC and what things they would like to see
changed. Miller recommended interviewing students in September and allowing a term consistent with the school year,
about 9 months. Smith added that possibly High School Juniors could be considered in the spring so that they would
have time to attend some PRC meetings and get a feel for the commission. Then as HS Seniors in the fall, they would be
ready to serve on the commission. The PRC supported developing a process for including youth commission members.
Staff will work on an application and will present it at the next PRC meeting.
Snow Removal from Trail Update
7) : It took several weeks for our staff to remove snow from the City’s trail system.
Approximately 13 miles of trail needed to be cleared. The Department has only two pieces of equipment that is capable
of clearing snow with drifts as high as 5-6 feet. Routes to schools are the first priority for trail clearing. Other cities have
had to close portions of their trail systems as they don’t have the resources to clear the snow. Staff appreciates
everyone’s patience while they work to clear trails. The PRC thanked the Parks & Recreation staff for all of their
diligence and hard work.
Highway 61 Bridge Construction Update:
8) Many City staff, including Director Bernstein, are involved with the
Highway 61 bridge project. Bernstein sits on the Visual Quality Team and the Pedestrian/Bike Access Group. Concepts
of what the area underneath the bridge will look like were reviewed with the PRC. There will be a plaza area and more
defined parking spaces. The trail on the bridge will be wide enough for two-way bike traffic, will be divided from the
roadway, and will include bump outs for stopping to view the river. This trail will be a part of the Mississippi Trail
Route, an effort to have ped/bike access along the Mississippi River from Itasca to New Orleans. Miller asked if any
public restrooms have been included with the design plans in conjunction with the bridge construction. Bernstein
explained that the Downtown Business Association has made that request, but no decisions have been made at this time.
Currently, we place portable restrooms downtown during the car shows. With the City’s acquisition of the Hudson
property, there may be a possibility to incorporate a Visitor Center with restrooms at this location, although these are
just preliminary thoughts from Bernstein at this time and nothing formal has been discussed.
New Business:
9)
- Elect Vice-Chair:
Motion by Smith to elect Steve Miller as Vice-Chair of the PRC. Seconded by Juntunen. Passed
unanimously.
Old Business:
10)
County Road 46/47 Trail Connection Update
- : The City has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the DNR to
construct a trail connection along County Road 46/47. There are two options that are being considered, 1) a route
along the Vermillion River and 2) a route along County Road 46/47. Both options would utilize an underpass to
connect the trail to the current trail on the south side of County Road 46/47 where the Vermillion River crosses.
City staff has presented this project to the majority landowners, the Bauers. Dakota County is very interested in this
project, especially if the trail could be located along the river as it would tie into their Greenways Plan. Putting the
trail along the roadway would be a more expensive option. Mr. Bauer is still contemplating the location of the
proposed trail, and County staff will be meeting with him to discuss easements and other details regarding this
project. Bernstein said that this project is top priority due to the current dangerous trail crossing of County Road
46/47 and the portion of our trail system that is on the roadway at this location. The City has received approximately
40-50 letters of support from residents regarding this project.
MOTION to adjourn.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 8, 2011; City Hall Council Chambers
Adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Kristin Behrens