HomeMy WebLinkAboutNRRC Minutes 05-2006
City of Hastings
Natural Resources and Recreation Commission Minutes
May 9, 2006 – 6:00 pm
1)Roll Call at 6 pm: Commissioners Brown, Popp, Rohloff, Vandehoef and Parks and Recreation
Director Bernstein and Superintendent Smith.
Absent: Commissioners Christenson, Schommer and Vaughan.
2)Meeting minutes from April could not be approved, as there was no quorum. Hold for June meeting.
3)Director Bernstein handed out departmental updates to the NRRC members for their review.
4)Bituminous Repair: Director Bernstein explained that we have had 3 bidders for the repair work.
There is one bid for about $66,000 that would take care of everything we want to accomplish in 2006
and some things for 2007. Will go before City Council on Monday.
5)Vermillion Falls Shelter Bid: The advertisement for bid will be run in the Hastings Star Gazette on
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May 18 and 25. The bids that are received will be opened at the Parks and Recreation office on
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May 30.
6)Warming House Report: Director Bernstein reported that the numbers for this past season were good,
even though we really only had a 6-week season due to the weather. It was actually better attendance
than in some previous years. Staff feels that the hours at Isabel and Wilson should be reduced due to
low attendance. Commissioner Rohloff asked about the rink at Kennedy. Director Bernstein
explained that the school district won’t agree to fix it, so the financial burden would be on us if we
want to make repairs. Options include fixing the rink/building or closing that location and possibly
moving the rink to another area. Commissioner Brown asked about the timeframe for a decision
regarding Kennedy. We would need to know by September/October when we start hiring for warming
house attendants.
7)Association Agreements: Director Bernstein informed the NRRC that the Hawks Agreement is
currently on their desk to sign. The major change to this agreement involves the
maintenance/accessibility to the restrooms. The Agreement with the Hastings Hockey Boosters was
developed with help from the City Attorney and includes language regarding responsibilities of each
party, operation, etc. Commissioner Vandehoef asked if the turf storage area will still be accessible.
Double doors will be installed so that the Arena staff will still be able to store the turf in the same area.
8)Bus Tour: The NRRC went on a bus tour around Hastings. Stops included Pioneer Park, Vet’s Park,
South Pines Park and the Aquatic Center.
9)Lions Park Shelter: Director Bernstein advised the commissioners that we have $130,000 budgeted
for the Lions Park Shelter this year. We have recently found out that with the sewer/water extension
and the architect fees, the current cost estimate for this project is around $158,000. Commissioner
Brown asked if we could get rid of the in-floor heat and cut costs. Director Bernstein said yes and that
it would cut about $12,000. We really won’t know final cost estimates until we bid the job out.
Superintendent Smith mentioned that we would like to use forced air heat instead, as it is much less
expensive. Another option is to just remove the walls of the current shelter, as the beams are still
good, and just use it as an open-air picnic shelter. We could rent a temporary building for the winter
season. Commissioner Brown mentioned that we set a standard when we built Wallin, and that the
neighborhood might have concerns with just a trailer in the winter. He also mentioned that this project
won’t get cheaper if we wait, as construction costs will only go up. Director Bernstein said that costs
raise about 7% each year. The commissioners in attendance felt that it would be best to let City
Council make this decision – either to go ahead with the higher cost or to go back to the drawing
board.
10)South Pines Park Review: The design for South Pines Park was shown to the NRRC. Due to a sale,
we can purchase a larger piece of playground equipment for this park than we normally could. The
total cost (including resilient material and installation) is $49,000. That includes $8,000 for a Pegasus
rope climb which can be eliminated to save costs if the NRRC wishes. The basketball hoop will be a
plexiglass backboard with an adjustable height. There will be benches in the park, but we are not
installing grills, due to low usage. Superintendent Smith mentioned that staff would like to install a
different type of curbing with curved corners that is similar to street curbing for this playground. It is
better for mowing, since the mower can go right up to the edge, and we should see better drainage for
the playground. It is a small cost increase, but it is felt that with the easier maintenance, it is worth it.
For handicapped access, we would still need a curb cut. Director Bernstein mentioned that we have
the money budgeted to purchase all the planned equipment, but it may be a matter of keeping this park
in line with other City parks. The commissioners present agreed that we should go ahead with the
park plan as proposed, and that if City Council has any concerns regarding cost, we can remove the
Pegasus at that time. The Pegasus was thought to be a unique feature that would be of value for the
park.
11)New Business
-Vet’s Park Playground Equipment: A petition was received with about 170 signatures on it,
although not all of those who signed were Hastings taxpayers. The feeling behind the petition is
that although the unsafe equipment should come down, there was disappointment that there were
no plans to immediately replace it. Director Bernstein mentioned that the unsafe equipment is
scheduled to be removed as soon as possible. To replace the equipment (including resilient
material and installation) would cost around $10,000 and would include a slide, platform and
small climbing elbow. There is concern about the location of the current playground, as it is in
homerun alley for 2 fields. Netting is very expensive and another central location is difficult to
find. One possibility would be to plant some form of natural barrier. The commission felt that
because the current equipment is non-compliant and the park gets more general use from the
City, that we should go ahead and try to get the equipment this year. If nothing else, it should be
a budget item for 2007.
12) Old Business
- Scholarship Program: The revised scholarship program guidelines were passed out. The income
limits are now in line with the ISD #200 school lunch program limits. $38 per person in a
household will be granted if the requirements are met. This money is good for one year and
applicants need to reapply each year. It can be used system-wide for Parks & Recreation offered
programs. Scholarship money comes out of our income revenue. Commissioner Vandehoef
recommended that in the future, we try to find a local sponsor to make up the difference. For
example, in Inver Grove Heights, the Lions Club donates money for a similar program.
- Skate Park: The Tier 1 equipment will be moved to Lions Park. The Tier 2 equipment is not
movable and might break if we tried, so it will remain at Vet’s Park for storage. All skate park
signage will be removed and “City Storage” signs will be put up.
MOTION to Adjourn.
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Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 13, 2006.
Adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Minutes submitted by: Kristin Behrens