03-02-2009 PRCEMMINUTES
Parks, Recreation & Community Education Advisory Board
March 2, 2009
Members present were: Scott Scholl, Beth Hepola, Chad Czmowski, Mary Christensen, Mike
Retterath, Jim Waldron, and Jay Bartholomew. Also present were John McRaith, Sara Witte, Dolf
Moon and Karen McKay.
The meeting was called to order at 5:15 pm.
The minutes dated February 2, 2009 were approved as written.
OLD BUSINESS
Outdoor Ice – Plans are moving along for an outdoor ice rink that may be located near the west rink
along Sunset Street Southwest. Funding and coordinating volunteers are the issues being discussed. It
is hoped that there will be an outdoor ice rink next season.
NEW BUSINESS
Annual Report
John McRaith, Recreation Services Coordinator reviewed accomplishments from 2008 including
involvement with several parent run youth organization boards. Among those were the Girls Fastpitch
Softball Association, the Youth Basketball Association and Hutchinson Junior League Baseball. The
Wrestling Club registration took place through the PRCE Office as well. Participant registration for
youth and adult activities remains stable.
Sponsorship for the athletic fields at Roberts and Linden Parks as well as the volleyball and basketball
courts in the Recreation Center have raised $20,000 through a five year commitment by local
businesses. Those funds were used to provide shade tarps and irrigation at Roberts Park, new fencing
at Linden Park and new flooring and scoreboards in the Rec Center Gym.
Sara Witte, Parks Supervisor presented 2008 Accomplishments and 2009 Goals in the Parks Division.
Landscaping in Fireman’s and Eheim Parks near the dam was completed in ’09 with the addition of
over 5,000 plants, trees and shrubs. Windows will be installed and the east porch will be reconstructed
this year in the Harrington/Merrill House.
A major audit of the playground equipment was completed; six park signs will be replaced this year.
River Song music festival will be in Masonic/West River Park in mid July.
Dolf told the board that fees such as camping and shelter reservations haven’t been adjusted in five
years. At this time, with a hiring freeze on, there is no plan for a replacement of Lawrence Winter’s
position. Vehicle maintenance is done in-house since the dissipation of the City’s Central Garage.
Four Lawn mowers and two gators are leased, as are the weed whips and blowers. Leasing the
equipment reduces the amount of down time when repairs and replacements are needed.
The relationship with the school has been good. It allows the city and school to avoid duplication of
services such as snow removal, lawn mowing and athletic field maintenance.
Brochure - Hutchinson Area Health Care may be interested in sponsoring the PRCE brochure, which is
published three times a year. There will be a meeting on Tuesday to discuss details.
ADJOURNMENT
- The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 pm.