10-02-2006 PRCEM
MINUTES
Parks, Recreation & Community Education Advisory Board
October 2, 2006
Members present were: Bill Arndt, Beth Hepola, Deane Dietel, Kirk Kosel, Mike Cannon, Mike
Retterath and Julie Ashbaugh. Also present were DolfMoon and Karen McKay.
The meeting was called to order at 5:20 pm.
A motion was made by Beth Hepola and seconded by Bill Arndt to approve the minutes dated August
7,2006. The board unanimously agreed.
OLD BUSINESS
Budgeting For Outcomes (BFO) - The Board reviewed the combined results of services offered to tax
payers. The ratings were derived from a one to five value system. 49 Participants were given $100 to
spend and were asked to choose services. 16% were interested in the Parks & Recreation (Senior,
Library, and Family Services). 22% would be willing to spend more money for additional services.
The executive summary will compare other communities with departments in the City.
Disc Golf - A meeting was scheduled for Friday, September 29 with a St. Cloud citizen who designs
disc golf courses. South Park is the preferred area; it's near Park Elementary School, there's plenty of
parking available and the park is underutilized at this time. The outlay will be drawn in an AutoCAD
program. Installation could take place in the spring. Shane Kruse, a disc golf enthusiast, wants to fund
raise $5,000 for the project. He is also interested in teaching the game of disc golf to physical
education students at Park Elementary and individuals through Community Education classes.
2007 Park & Recreation Budget - There hasn't been a lot of discussion regarding the 2007 budget. It
is generally approved in the fourth quarter. Dolf has requested a new hire in the Parks Division
beginning the second half of the year. They will help maintain the new landscape and holding ponds
created by the Highway 7/15 renovation project.
NEW BUSINESS
HalfPenny Sales Tax - A group is being formed that will prioritize projects to be funded by the tax.
Members of the group will include two or three citizens, school staff, and employees from large
employers such as 3M. Legislative action is needed and a vote would take place during a general
election if pursued.
Fall Programming - Youth recreation programs are in full swing. There are 304 tackle football
players, 89 grade K-l and 101 grade 3-4 flag football players. There are 207 soccer participants in
grades K-6 and 34 in the middle school level. There are 22 girls and 15 boys at the high school that
have formed a soccer club, but they have nowhere to play games. Girls volleyball for grades 3-5 has
47 participants and there are 75 registered at the middle school level. There are currently 61
participants registered for figure skating lessons which begin in late October.
MINUTES
PRCE Advisory Board
October 2, 2006
Page Two
Youth basketball registration it taking place through the PRCE office and city staff will help schedule
facilities and write schedules. Practice and games for the younger participants will be at the Rec
Center, Park Elementary and Middle School Gyms. In previous years, the primary location for Youth
Basketball was at the Fair Grounds where there are four concrete courts. The fifth and sixth grade
traveling teams will continue to practice and have their games at the fairgrounds.
All day every day kindergarten has 62 students enrolled. The tuition fee covers faculty and supplies
which cost $93,000.
Project Updates
. Millers Woods - The 24 acre oak savannah park has been seeded and mowed this fall. The center
area was blooming with flowers in the summer. The park will be mowed one more time this fall
before the snow and there will be a controlled burn in the spring in cooperation with the Fire
Department. A bituminous surface will be added to the 12 stall parking area this fall and an
interpretative walkway will be completed next spring.
. Firemans Park - The area has been cleared out due to the Hwy. 7/15 construction. The foot bridge
will be reconditioned, foot paths will be added and native trees will be planted. The city is working
with the DNR and fisheries to rip rap along the river bank and add rocks to stand on for fishing.
. Rolling Meadows - There are 87 homes in the association. Homeowners are required to pay
association fees and are asked to volunteer with the up keep of amenities in the development such
as landscaping, walking path and the water pond. There hasn't been 100% participation in paying
the fees or volunteering. The association is considering turning over the maintenance of the area to
the city. If that happens, an assessment fee may be charged to homeowners. The development
incl udes just under an acre of property.
. Harrington/Merrill House - Fundraising for the project has been going well. The Citizens
Bank/Burich Foundation has donated up to $50,000 and is challenging other groups to match the
funds. 3M donated $10,000 to the project two years ago for educational components on the
grounds. A couple of trees have been removed from the property; the timber has been taken to the
saw mill for re-use on the property.
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BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
-A meeting is scheduled for October 26th regarding the Luce Line Trail and the next step toward
improvements and funding options.
-A portion of the South Grade Road Trail is paved. The portion from Island Heights to the Word of
Life Church should be done for safety reasons.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 pm by a motion made by Bill Arndt, seconded by Deane Dietel.
The board unanimously agreed.
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