06-06-2005 PRCEM
MINUTES
Parks, Recreation & Community Education Advisory Board
June 6, 2005
Members present were: Beth Hepola, Deane Dietel, Bill Arndt, Ralph Johnson, Mike
Cannon, and Lora Muilenburg. Also present were DolfMoon, and Karen McKay.
The meeting was called to order at 5: 15 pm.
A motion made by Bill Arndt and seconded by Deane Dietel approved the minutes dated
April 4, 2005. The board unanimously agreed.
OLD BUSINESS
Registration Update - Dolfthanked the volunteers that helped make the early summer
registration process run smoothly.
NEW BUSINESS
Summer Proj ects - The parks crew has been doing a great deal of mowing and weed
whipping. Improvements in Rotary Park will be completed this summer. The 2nd
Avenue river corridor will have the plant materials redone. The goal for Library Square
is to have all work done by September 11th for the Chamber's Arts & Crafts festival.
That includes the placement of the Hutchinson Brothers statues, plant materials, benches
and lamp posts. The motor in the fountain burned out when it was turned on in the
spring; a new one has been ordered. The skateboard park has seen increased vandalism.
The structure has been dismantled for repairs and paint. The Roberts Park garage was
broken into and vandalized. The sink in the shelter at the campground has also been
broken.
Downtown Improvements - Bids for the project were received. The low bid came in
$250,000 lower than expected. The first bid was flawed because of minor irregularities.
Trail Crossing Hwy. 7 - John Rodeberg, City Engineer, reported that the $1.1 million
underpass at the School Road/Highway 7 west intersection connecting the Luce Line
Trail and the museum has been pre-approved.
Grant Update - The Main Street dam is not for flood control but rather is a milling dam.
The City is working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation regarding the time
of replacement in conjunction with the Highway 15/7 intersection proj ect. A lot of work
has been done with the home acquisition along the project. Five storm water ponds will
be added, some in parks. A two-acre pond will be added to the campground area.
MINUTES
PRCE Advisory Board
June 6, 2005
Page Two
Grant Update Cont. - Island View Heights, RELEAF and Millers Woods grants are in
and pre-approved.
Half-Cent Sales Tax - The half cent sales tax is to fund special projects. The legislature
is considering allowing cities to hold a referendum to implement a half-cent sales tax. If
Hennepin County voters approve their referendum, other cities may be allowed to attempt
a referendum also.
Hutchinson Branding - Dolf is serving on a committee with Chamber of Commerce and
the CVB to market Hutchinson's facilities.
The Snowmobile Club is working toward getting a bituminous surface on the Luce Line
Trail from Silver Lake to Cedar Mills or Cosmos.
The Harrington/Merrill House was raised and a new foundation was poured. The burnt
portion of the house has been removed and fenced off. The basement floor will be
poured in two weeks. A $10,000 grant from 3M for grounds work and plant materials
has been received. Students from the High School landscape and science classes have
been doing some of the work. There have been many contributions from outside groups.
The Historic Hutchinson group has been very active planning activities for
Hutchinson's150th Celebration scheduled for July.
BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
Ralph Johnson told the Board that in Northfield parents receive a card of conduct at ball
games regarding respect for umpires and their decisions.
Ralph also wanted to note the large growing weed problem on Main Street north.
Deane Dietel invited board members to a canoe trip down the Crow River June 9th.
The Board may not meet in July, there may be a tour of the summer projects.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 pm by a motion made by Bill Arndt and seconded by
Lora Muilenburg. The board unanimously agreed.
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