12-04-2006 PRCEM
MINUTES
Parks, Recreation & Community Education Advisory Board
December 4,2006
Members present were: Bill Arndt, Julie Ashbaugh, Kathy Kalenberg and Lora Muilenburg. Also
present were Dolf Moon and Karen McKay.
The meeting was called to order at 5:25 pm.
A motion was made by Bill Arndt and seconded by Lora Muilenburg to approve the minutes dated
November 6,2006. The board unanimously agreed.
OLD BUSINESS
2007 Park & Recreation Budget - The board received a five year budget comparison along with the
2007 proposed budget. The 2007 budget is $5,000 more than the 2002 budget. The workforce was
cut in the PRCE Department in 2003 due to a lack of government aid. The budget increased in
2005 due to several grants. An additional park maintenance operator will be added the last quarter
of 2007 to assist in the maintenance of the additional turf care associated with the Highway
7 !Highway 15 Proj ect.
Project Updates
. Highway 7 - City staff will meet with MNDOT landscape people during the winter months to
develop a plan. Landscaping is typically done at the end of a highway project.
. Harrington/Merrill House - The summer kitchen foundation has been poured. The structure will
be built off site and then reassembled here. Local trees will be used in the construction.
Fundraising continues; the city's website will be updated to follow the progress of the house.
. Millers Woods - A letter has been sent out to the homeowners adjacent to Millers Woods
stating the intention to burn the prairie in the center of the woods soon. After the burn, seeds
harvested from the other prairies will be planted. The parking lot is complete; shrubs have been
planted along with four Burr Oak trees.
. Rolling Meadows - A program was developed to allow homeowners to create their own tax
increment, the 83 housing units will pay a tax for improvements to their development.
NEW BUSINESS
Midwest World Fest - The musical group consists of seven to ten students from countries such as
Africa, South America, China and Japan. They visit schools in grades K-12 twice a year to expose
them to cultural awareness. The community hosts the group by arranging hotel lodging and
banking facilities. They will also greet them daily for the seven-day visit and get them on their
way. Midwest World Fest provides transportation. 3M is a corporate sponsor. Dolfwill meet with
the Midwest World Fest representative and school principles to discuss the curriculum for the
classroom.
Soccer 9-12 School Facilities - A presentation is planned for the School Board showing interest in a
Grades 9-12 soccer program. The start up costs are still being investigated. The program would be
part of the school budget considerations. One of questions to be answered yet is whether a facility
could be constructed. Portable bleachers are very versatile.
MINUTES
PRCE Advisory Board
December 4,2006
Page Two
Island View Heights Park - A grant has been submitted for the second time. Hutchinson was
number 32 while eight were funded. The "Drift Riders Park Development Project" consists of six
acres that will include trails, a scenic overlook, playground pieces, and boulders with climbing holes
that will provide a different kind of challenge to children.
BOARD MEMBER ITEMS There will be no meeting in January. In February the PRCE staffwill
begin presenting their year-end reports.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:04 pm by a motion made by Lora Muilenburg, seconded by Bill
Arndt. The board unanimously agreed.
klm