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City of Hastings
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
City Hall Council Chambers
April 12, 2011 – 6:00 pm
Roll Call at 6 pm:
1) Commissioners Schommer, Miller, Garrett, Juntunen, Hedin, and Smith, Parks & Recreation
Director Bernstein
Absent: Commissioner Schossow, Maintenance Supervisor Likes
March Minutes:
2) Motion to approve minutes as presented by Hedin. Seconded by Miller. Passed unanimously.
Setting Agenda:
3) Bernstein added “Vermillion Falls Alcohol Variance”, “Flood Update”, and “Point Douglas Trail
Request” to the agenda under New Business. He also added “Sand Coulee Update” under Old Business.
Departmental Updates:
4) Departmental Updates were included with commissioner packets.
Eagle Bluff Park Request & Funding Assistance:
5) The neighborhood surrounding Eagle Bluff Park has held
discussions with staff over the past few years about adding an amenity to the park. In 2007, the neighborhood
association approved the request for a half-court basketball court along with some sort of natural border (i.e., shrubs)
along the park property lines between the adjacent homes. At the December 2007 NRRC meeting, the commissioners
voted to approve the request to place the half-court basketball court at Eagle Bluffs Park. Since that time, City Council
has called for no capital improvement projects to be completed, other than for safety reasons, due to budget constraints.
The neighborhood association has come forward with a donation of $750 towards the completion of this basketball
court, hoping that this will speed up the project. Bernstein mentioned that the money for this project would come out of
park dedication funds if approved. Due to workload, this project may or may not be completed in 2011 if approved by
City Council. After further discussion about concerns regarding runoff and border materials, the PRC agreed that this
project should move forward for quality of life and neighborhood improvement. The PRC also was pleased that the
neighborhood is willing to contribute funds towards this project.
MOTION:
Miller motioned to bring the half-court basketball court project at Eagle Bluffs Park forward to City Council
for approval. Seconded by Smith. Passed unanimously.
Cari & Westwood Park Neighborhood Meetings:
6) Letters regarding the Cari Park neighborhood meeting on April 19
and the Westwood Park neighborhood meeting on April 26 have been mailed out to residents surrounding the parks.
Bernstein has received 3 emails from Cari Park neighbors with concerns who cannot attend the meeting. All concerns
that residents call or email to Barry will be brought forward to the neighborhood meeting. The meetings will take place
at City Hall at 6:30 PM on both dates.
HHB Training Facility Update:
7) The Hastings Hockey Boosters met with City staff recently as they wish to deviate
from the resolution previously approved by City Council. The HHB wishes to let out the contracts for the project as they
feel they could get the work done less expensively. The City Attorney is preparing some documentation outlining the
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changes and it will go before City Council on April 18 for discussion.
New Business:
8)
Vermillion Falls Alcohol Variance:
- Bernstein received an email from John & Kim Bonifas requesting a
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variance to have alcohol in the park until 8:00 PM on June 17, as they have reserved the park shelter and are
holding a family cookout for a wedding rehearsal. This is a fairly routine request and will be brought before City
Council for approval.
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Flood Update:
- The 2 crest is expected this week, but is predicted to be much lower than originally estimated.
Staff removed a lot of items along the riverfront to prevent flood damage. Once the waters recede, there will be a
lot of clean up involved. There was a friendly reminder that people should avoid walking through flooded areas
due to risk of injury from currents and debris.
Point Douglas Trail Request:
- The Washington County Planner contacted Bernstein to request volunteers to sit
in on meetings regarding this proposed trail. Any commissioners who are interested in volunteering should
contact Bernstein.
9) Old Business:
Sand Coulee Update:
- City Council held a public hearing regarding the sale of the Sand Coulee property. There
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was no comment at the first or second reading. This item will appear on the April 18 Council Agenda for
approval.
MOTION to adjourn.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 10, 2011; City Hall Council Chambers
Adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
Minutes submitted by Kristin Behrens