01-07-2008 PRCEM
MINUTES
Parks, Recreation & Community Education Advisory Board
January 7, 2008
Members present were: Deane Dietel, Bill Arndt, Lora Muilenburg, Beth Hepola, Mike
Retterath, Mike Cannon and Keith Kamrath. Dolf Moon and Karen McKay were also present.
The meeting was called to order at 5:19 pm.
A motion was made by Bill Arndt and seconded by Deane Dietel to approve the minutes dated
December 3, 2007. The board unanimously agreed.
OLD BUSINESS
Tour - The shelter in Drift Riders Park was completed by member volunteers in November. A
dock would be a great feature in the park. Dolf will check with the fisheries division of the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), about possible financial assistance.
NEW BUSINESS
Dam Update – The City Council approved additional resources up to $100,000 to finish the dam
project. The money will be coming out of the excess bond funds. The project was bid too close
to the actual cost, generally projects are 5% over in case of change orders.
Underpass – The underpass requires an additional $50,000 coming from excess bond funds. The
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) was going to stake out the project, but City
staff did it and didn’t compensate themselves.
Aquatic Center Discussion - The Mayor thought that excess bond funds could be used to match
or apply as a down payment to upgrade the pool. The City has just over one million left in the
excess bond funds for use at the City Council’s discretion. The estimate to renovate the pool was
$1.6 million in 2000, with inflation it could be $2 million by now.
Other cities that have renovated their pool recently include Crystal and Glencoe. Crystal used
excess bond funds with a taxpayer match. Glencoe funded their pool with excess bond funds and
service group donations.
Dolf will have financial models together for the February meeting that will include prices for
passes, estimated attendance and revenue generated by attendance along with operation costs.
Once the project is completed there is a possibility of needing additional staff for maintenance
purposes.
Lora questioned how the decision to move forward is made. Dolf responded that since the Parks,
Recreation and Community Education Board is an advisory group the board would send a
recommendation to the City Council.
MINUTES
PRCE Advisory Board
January 7, 2008
Page two
Fireman’s Park Memorial – The Fire Department staff want to create a memorial to recognize
volunteers. To help fund the project they may sell bricks with names and years served engraved
on them. The park will be getting a facelift as part of the bridge installation. Lawrence has
created three designs that have been presented to a small group. The newly formed Public Arts
Commission will also review the design.
Event Center Update – The Event Center recently purchased a dishwasher, china and silverware
to serve 600 people. The Senior Advisory Board funded the items that could generate
approximately $17,000 to $18,000 a year when rented. Rental fees will be divided by the Senior
Advisory Board, the Event Center and the caterer. The Senior Advisory Board will recoup their
investment; they continue to redirect their funds to Senior Activities.
BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
The Gopher Campfire Sanctuary is looking differently with the water elevation down. City staff
removed undesirable vegetation and stabilized the shoreline. A landscape design is being
planned for a cost of $35,000-$40,000. Gopher Campfire will be seeking funds from the DNR
for the project, the City is contributing $25,000.The fence around the sanctuary also needs to be
addressed as Minnesota law requires fences enclosing wildlife to be eight feet high and it’s
currently six feet high.
ADJOURNEMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 pm by a motion made by Beth Hepola and seconded by Lora
Muilenburg. The board unanimously agreed.
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