04-07-2014 PRCEMMINUTES
Parks, Recreation & Community Education Advisory Board
April 7, 2014
Members present were Elizabeth Hanninen, Mary Christensen, , John Rodeberg, Jay Bartholomew, and
Matt Butler. Also present were Dolf Moon and Karen McKay.
Staff present were John McRaith, Mary Haugen, Sara Witte, September Jacobsen and Kirsten Taggert.
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
February 3, 2014. The board unanimously agreed.
NEW BUSINESS
The 2013 accomplishments and 2014 goals were presented. A written report of each area was handed out
to the board. Refer to the report for detailed information from each area. Items covered at the meeting
included:
• Recreation, John McRaith
Accomplishments
1. Budget: Across - the -board raising of fees to maintain balanced budget. Decline in adult sports
participation and a slight decline in youth sports participation.
2. RevTrak: Unreliable for program registrations so not used.
3. Football Helmets: A plan to sell new football equipment to interested participants and then buy back
at half price did not work well.
4. HUSA: The PRCA will be working with the Hutchinson United Soccer Association with registration
and administration of their program.
Goals
1. Lacrosse: New Century Charter School has been offering Lacrosse with success. The program
currently has 220 youth participating and has cut into the numbers participating in girls softball and
soccer. The citizens promoting this program would like to have the PRCE involved.
2. Football Helmet Replacement: Helmets over 10 years old must be replaced for safety reasons.
Fundraising efforts are underway to fund this project.
• Parks and Natural Resources, Sara Witte
Accomplishments
1. A canopy was installed over the bandstand at Masonic /West River Park.
2. Hutchinson Theatre Company showed a movie at the bandstand.
3. Implemented Geocache sites into multiple park settings.
4. Installed paver pad for helicopter at Veteran's Park.
5. Installed statues for art walk.
6. Through the Hutchinson Leadership group, seven pet waste stations were installed.
7. Park garage resided.
8. Floating dock installed at Cedar Park.
PRCE Advisory Board
April 7, 2014
Page two
Goals
1. Resurfacing of parking lot at Park garage.
2. Install restroom with shower at boat landing area of campground.
3. Kayak and canoe rentals.
4. Continuation of VMF ballfield renovations.
5. Utilities property landscaping.
• Event Center, September Jacobsen
Accomplishments
I . Open again on Fridays.
2. Rentals for weddings, meetings, craft fairs, church services, etc.
3. Monthly bus tours for senior citizens.
4. Three fundraising concerts for the event center.
5. Continued senior citizen activities.
• Burich Arena, Mary Haugen
Accomplishments
1. Worked with Stevens Engineering to create plan for improvements including replacement of
refrigeration system.
2. Purchased and installed indoor field turf for east arena.
Goals
1. Dehumidifier and electrical systems improvements.
2. Roof replacement on east building.
3. New locker room flooring.
4. Bathroom upgrades.
5. Refrigeration system replacement.
• Recreation Building, Mary Haugen
Accomplishments
1. Hired US Aquatics consulting firm to evaluate and make recommendations of current pool.
OTHER
Kirsten Taggert, Americore member of Green Corp., spoke on the forestry diversification project that was
approved by the city council. This project deals with the removal and replacement of ash trees on
boulevards in anticipation of the Emerald Ash Borer infestation. The first neighborhood meeting was
held that included residents in the area east of the Recreation Center. Residents were supportive of the
plan to remove selected trees. The cold weather from this past winter may have delayed the infestation by
one to two years.
No meeting in May due to mass registration. Board members are encouraged to help with this.
Jay Bartholomew has resigned from the board due to relocation. There will be three board member
openings in June.
Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2014, 5:15pm, City Center Conference Room.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:40pm on a motion by Jay Bartholomew and seconded by Matt Butler.