06-02-2003 PRCEM
MINUTES
Parks, Recreation & Community Education Advisory Board
June 2, 2003
Members Present: Ralph Johnson, Mike Schiesl, Jay Beytien, Bill Arndt, Mike Cannon and Bernie
Miner. Also present were DolfMoon and Karen McKay.
The meeting was called to order at 5 :21 pm
The minutes dated April 7, 2003 were approved by a motion made by Mike Schiesl and seconded by Jay
Beytien with one correction in the New Business: the Library Square project will begin in 2003.
OLD BUSINESS
Fund Update City/School- The school came out of the budget cuts better than projected. ECFE will
downsize their budget and raise fees. Learning Readiness will take $4,000 out of reserve. In the 2004
fiscal year the $5.95/capita (17,500 district wide) will decrease to $5.23/capita. The budget cuts affecting
the City were much more. The City's initial reduction was projected to be $1.4 million but the actual
reduction was $623,000. The cuts in positions probably will not be salvaged. At the June 10th meeting of
the City Council discussion will be held regarding the $50,000 ice rink issue. The Parks & Recreation
seasonal staff will be cut by 10%, or $25,000, and possibly up to 20% in 2004. The Law Enforcement
cuts will be discussed. In that department vacated positions were not filled.
Bernie questioned the status of the ballfield/pool improvement update. Dolf told the board it is a wait-
and-see issue. Mike questioned the status of the stormwater proj ect Dolf informed the Board that the
project is still on line. Rochester has a successful 1;2 penny sales tax program for improvements. Dolf
told the board that a fund raising project such as the 1;2 penny sales tax could have a sunset date.
Library Square Project - A $60,000 refurbishing project is scheduled. The statue and water fountain is
in the planning stage with work beginning for the 100th year of the Hutchinson Public Library. Windows
will be installed and carpet will be replaced with excess bond funding from the addition project.
Lawrence has been dividing plants. A group of 60 students also worked in the park dividing plants and
putting them in at the school. Bill Arndt told the Board that he has rocks available if they are needed.
School Construction Project - A storage garage was built at Roberts Park by the High School
Residential Construction students. It will be used to store the ballfield groomer and other field
maintenance supplies.
Mass Registration - The mass registration went well. A total of $32,000 was received through
registrations which was down from last year. May was a busy month.
NEW BUSINESS
Middle School Activities - Dolf and Bill Carlson, Activities Director at the High School met to discuss
expanding coaching in areas of middle school level sports. Currently, baseball and softball are scheduled
to be cut. Fees could be raised to $70 per sport/athlete which is the same amount charged in 1997.
Coaches will be added as follows: 2 baseball, 2 softball, 1 middle level cross country, 1 swimming, 1
football and 2 volleyball. The staff will be expanded from 16 paid coaches to 28. Community Education
took over the middle level sports which loses $15,000 per year with 440 paid school participants.
MINUTES
PRCE Advisory Board
June 2, 2003
Page two
Jay questioned the status of the high school age soccer group. Dolftold the Board it will remain a club at
this time. The group consists mainly of sophomores, juniors and seniors. To be a school sport they need
to start with the younger ages.
Rotary Park Grant - The grant application has been mailed to the Department of Natural Resources and
Dolf will find out in August if the city will receive funding. The High School Residential Construction
Class will be able to build the restroom and shelter facility.
Credit Card Use - The PRCE office is now accepting credit card purchases for programs and services.
Participants can call in, or charge at the courtesy window at the Rec Center or Event Center. A company
called Rev Trak is hired to facilitate purchases. Survey information indicates that Community Education
participation increased 25%.
BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
Jay requested an additional garbage container at AFS Park. He also told the Board that the Hutchinson
Community Foundation funded $600 to purchase tools for the High School Residential Construction
Class. An additional $600 donation for tools was made by a friend of Roger Stearns. The class built a
single family dwelling during the first year and it was sold for $120,000.
Bill Arndt questioned the progress of river improvement and told the Board that a task force has been
formed.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:12 pm by a motion made by Jay Beytien and seconded by Bernie Miner.
The Board unanimously agreed.
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