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10-04-2010 PRCEMMINUTES Parks, Recreation & Community Education Advisory Board October 4, 2010 Members present were Jay Bartholomew, Chad Czmowski, Mary Christensen, John Rodeberg, Elizabeth Hanninen and Eric Opland. Also present were Dolf Moon and Karen McKay. The meeting was called to order at 5:15 pm. A motion was made by Chad Czmowski and seconded by Mary Christensen to approve the minutes dated August 2, 2010. The board unanimously agreed. Three new board members were introduced John Rodeberg, Elizabeth Hanninen and Eric Opland. One vacant position remains. OLD BUSINESS City/School Advisory Committee – The advisory committee has meet twice and will continue to meet every other month rather than quarterly as originally planned. School and City representatives will seek opportunities to share and compare financial and volunteer resources that could benefit the community. Crow River Dam – The Crow River Organization of Water donated $1,500 for plant materials to help stabilize the south bank of the Crow River near the dam. Project – School Project – The area of the former baseball field near the High School has been graded, seeded and is greening up. The new baseball infield has been over seeded in preparation for spring use. A batting cage will be installed near the Middle School. Soccer, football, track and baseball activities will be taking place in the area of the High School and Middle School. Summer Program Comparison – The Board reviewed a comparison of 2009 and 2010 participant numbers. Youth program participation remains strong while adult enrichment numbers have declined some. NEW BUSINESS Budget - City – The Board received a budget comparison from 2008, 2009 and 2010 showing revenue expectations and expenditures.Personnel costs are the largest expense in the Parks and Recreation budget. Parent volunteer coaches have reduced expenses by $30,000 since 2003.Participant fees were adjusted to reflect the savings. John Rodeberg shared his concern that if fees are raised too much will programs lose participants. Dolf told the Board that fees are held as long as possible and are raised on a three year rotation. New Ulm, a city similar in population to Hutchinson has a budget of $2.9 million and is expected to generate $750,000. They have two thirds less park acreage as Hutchinson and the same number of park maintenance employees. New Ulm currently receives $2 million more in Local Government Aid than Hutchinson. There has not been a cut in services despite cuts in personnel in Hutchinson. MINUTES PRCE Advisory Board October 4, 2010 Page two Riverside Park/Jaycees Project – The Jaycee’s fundraiser concert in the spring generated $20,000 for new playground equipment in Riverside Park. The proposed project will cost $44,000 the remainder of the cost will be taken from the parkland dedication fund. The request is on the next City Council Agenda. Once approved, the structure will be installed before winter. Mulch will be used under the play area. Most playground equipment has a life expectancy of 15 years. The old play equipment is refurbished by the distributor and sent to third world countries. Riverside Park is heavily used. st Recreation Center Schedule – The Recreation Center will be closed on Friday beginning November 1 due the recent layoffs of city staff. It will be open for private rentals and also open at 2:30 pm for after school activities. The Indoor Playground will be set up Monday through Thursday; versus the current Monday, Wednesday and Friday schedule. Open basketball will be available Monday through Friday 9 am to 2:30 pm. An adult group that usually gets together Fridays has been surveyed and will try to reschedule. A noticeable reduction has been seen at the Senior Center. Revenues are down $12,000 from this time last year. The number of trips being held is down. Fall Program Registration – The Board received a comparison of 2009 and 2010 fall program participant numbers. Several of the programs have not started and are still receiving registrations. It is a good indication of interest. BOARD MEMBER ITEMS Mary Christensen has received many inquiries regarding lights at the skateboard park near Second Avenue SE. A group has been formed to discuss the issue. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 pm by a motion made by John Rodeberg and seconded by Chad Czmowski. The Board unanimously agreed.