11-06-2006 PRCEM
MINUTES
Parks, Recreation & Community Education Advisory Board
November 6, 2006
Members present were: Mike Retterath, Beth Hepola, Deane Dietel, Mike Cannon, Julie Ashbaugh,
Bill Arndt and Lora Muilenburg. Also present were DolfMoon and Karen McKay.
The meeting was called to order at 5: 15 pm.
A motion was made by Julie Ashbaugh and seconded by Mike Retterath to approve the minutes
dated October 2,2006. The board unanimously agreed.
OLD BUSINESS
2007 Park & Recreation Budget - There has been no change to the 2007 proposed budget. There
will be more discussion at the November 14th City Council meeting.
Project Updates
. Millers Woods - The bituminous parking area is complete. There's new landscaping and a new
path into the park. High School students will be planting Burr Oak seedlings. An interpretative
walkway that identifies plant and tree species will be added at a later date. The Parks staff
continues to remove Buckthorn from the park and also along the Crow River.
. Firemans Park - The pavers in the walkway up to the Cupola have been removed and are to be
replaced by limestone pavers that are more in style with the era of the WP A (Works Proj ect
Administration).
. Harrington/Merrill House - The foundation for the summer kitchen is complete. Three trees
have been removed and sent to the sawmill. Trees native to the Hutchinson area will be used to
rebuild the house including trees that have been removed due to Dutch elm disease. Timber
framers will be in soon to start rebuilding; John Loftdahl will be doing the sheeting. The house
will be rebuilt to keep it historically correct. When complete, the house will be painted green.
$100,000 has been fund raised so far, which is ahead of what has been needed for the project so
far.
. Rolling Meadows - The park area has been seeded and the surface has been graded to a terrace
effect. City staff will be meeting with the Mayor and City Council to consider four proposed
options: 1. The city would completely take over the maintenance of the area. 2. The association
will continue to do their own work. 3. A community improvement district would be formed.
The city would collect the fees and turn them over to the association who would then complete
their maintenance. 4. The city would do an assessment to bring the two parcels together (trails,
prairie and pond). The city would then development the parcels into recreation and leisure areas
in the neighborhood.
NEW BUSINESS
Soccer 9-12 School Facilities - There has been interest in having soccer become a high school
sport. There are some issues to address including the cost, which is projected to be around $50,000
for coaching staff, transportation and a field. An aerial photo was taken of the High School/Middle
School grounds to determine if there is room for a field and also a parking area. There are 17 acres
of land east of the walkway between the two schools. Paul Szymanski, Athletic Director has been
meeting with current coaches one at a time to assess the needs. Input will be forwarded to the
School Board.
MINUTES
PRCE Advisory Board
October 2, 2006
Page Two
Luce Line Trail - There was a meeting in September with community members of special interest
groups including bicyclists, horseback riders and snowmobilers. The goal is to keep the groups
working together to meet everyone's needs regarding the proposed paving of the Luce Line Trail.
The city parks, specifically the campground, would receive more use if the trail was paved. The
economic impact would be an advantage to Hutchinson.
Highway 7 Proiect- The first phase of the proposed landscaping of the Highway 7 project is
scheduled for 2007, the second segment will be completed in 2008. The size of the pond areas have
changed from the original plans, they will be smaller. The plans for the project will be finalized in
the upcoming winter months.
BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
Disc Golf - City staff took an aerial photo of South Park and will forward it to Shane Kruse who
will be able to use it to help fundraise for the proposed Disc Golf course. Shane brought his idea for
the disc golf course to the city, but wants the community to take ownership. City staff would install
the golf course. Dolf is hoping that it will be complete by June of 2007.
Trail East of Crow River - The paved walkway/bikeway east along the Crow River ends just prior
to reaching 3M property. In order to continue the trail west of Adams Street it would need to cross
3M property. Lawrence Winter, Parks Supervisor will be in contact with Mike Retterath, 3M Plant
Manager to discuss the issue. Mike told the board that 3M is encouraging healthy options for it's
employees. This issue would need corporate approval.
Crow River Cleanup - Deane wanted to acknowledge and thank the 353M volunteers that helped
cleanup the river along 3M property.
Sprinkler System at Veterans Memorial Park - Lora questioned the use of water sprinklers during
rain at Veterans Memorial Park. Dolftold the board that they operate manually. The Parks
Department will look into sensors to monitor the system.
Dolf reported to the board that beavers chopped down several trees in the park area east of the Crow
River near 2nd Avenue Southeast. Parks staffwill monitor the growth of the trees; they believe the
trees will survive.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 pm on a motion made by Bill Arndt and seconded by Deane
Dietel. The board unanimously agreed.
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