02-07-2011 PRCEMMINUTES
Parks, Recreation & Community Education Advisory Board
February 7, 2011
Members present were Jim Waldron, Byron Bettenhausen, Elizabeth Hanninen, Eric Opland, Mike
Retterath, Jay Bartholomew, John Rodeberg and Mary Christensen. Also present were Dolf Moon and
Karen McKay.
The meeting was called to order at 5:15 pm.
A motion was made by John Rodeberg and seconded by Mary Christensen to approve the minutes
dated January 3, 2011. The board unanimously agreed.
OLD BUSINESS
2011 Park & Recreation Budget – PRCE needs to generate an additional $27,000 to meet the 2011
budget. Operating costs have been reduced by $240,000 since 2003 and revenues have increased by
$260,000. John will meet with the Senior Advisory Board to review recent changes in hours of
operation and the 10% reduction in staff hours at the Event/Senior Center. Parks, recreation and
administration areas have also been reduced in hours of operation and in staff.
Ameresco Project – Lighting work has begun at the Event Center. Light fixtures are being replaced
with energy efficient fixtures. The Civic Arena and Recreation Center will also be upgraded with
energy efficient lighting. The Civic Arena gas usage is down 4.37% since 2006 while electric usage
increased 1.94% from 2009-2010, but is down .6% over the past five years. The projects are expected
to take 95-100 days from start to finish. The City has undertaken the task of reducing gas and
electrical costs in many of the city's buildings.
NEW BUSINESS
Comprehensive Plan 2011– The Board received a copy of the Comprehensive Goal Statements for
Parks and Recreation/Community Education. Members were asked to rank the statements from one to
ten in order of importance. The Board, PRCE staff and the Task Force will be reviewing the
statements. Six park items and four Recreation/Community Education items will be identified and
strategies will be built around them along with resources.
Program Update – Winter/Spring program participant registration numbers were reviewed. There's an
increasing interest in programming for pre-school aged children.Examples include swim lessons,
gymnastics, wrestling, basketball and soccer. Adult volleyball team registrations are down by 12 from
the fall season. Ski Club participation remains steady with 53 registered this year, there are names on
the wait list due to bus size limitations.
Les Kouba Parkway – The cost to continue the bituminous surface west along Les Kouba Parkway past
Riverside and Masonic West River Park would be approximately $400,000. The City received
$80,000 compensation from MNDOT for the acquisition of city land taken for the Highway 15 and 7
Project. The funds are currently in the Parkland Dedication Fund. The project is on the list for 2011 at
this time. School Road will be reconstructed this year from Highway 7 north to Golf Course Road.
Sidewalks and trails will be installed on the west side of School Road.
MINUTES
PRCE Advisory Board
February 7, 2011
Page two
Annual Report March – The March meeting will be at the City Council Chambers March 7th. PRCE
staff will be presenting accomplishments from 2010, reviewing the number of participants served and
establishing goals for 2011.
BOARD MEMBER ITEMS
Elizabeth Hanninen questioned why there isn't a varsity gymnastic team. Dolf said that the cost of
equipment and a shortage of storage space were probably factors. Jim Waldron recommended that she
speak to Paul Szymanski who is the High School Athletic Director.
Byron Bettenhausen told the Board that he was at a basketball tournament at the Rec Center in January
and wanted to commend Raquel Bushman for having a very organized tournament. The games were
on time and the concessions stand was set up well.
John Rodeberg told the Board that he, along with other RiverSong board members are considering
installing a permanent stage with a canvas canopy in Masonic/West River Park for use during
RiverSong, the Jaycee Water Carnival and possibly Relay for Life.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 pm by a motion made by Byron Bettenhausen and seconded by
Mary Christensen. The Board unanimously agreed.
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