City of Nowthen s2

CITY OF NOWTHEN PARK AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 3 @ 7:00 PM

Present: Paul Reighard Judy Herrala Laurie Olmon Dan Williams Chris Bassett Joe Glaze

Absent: Rose Ann Ames

Meeting Called to order at 7:05 p.m.

Paul Reighard made motion to approve and amend the agenda with the following changes: Dan Williams would like to add the following: 1) adding Item # 7 - Bidding on Park Firewood, 2) adding Item #8 - Putting Dividers in the bathrooms at Nowthen Park and adding a changing station. 3) adding Item #9 -Purchasing stronger tetherballs. 4) Adding Item #10 - Weed and sand problem at the beach. Seconded by Judy Herrala. All in favor, 0 opposed, Motion Carried.

Motion made by Paul Reighard to approve and amend Meeting Minutes from September 6, 2011. Discussion followed confirming which items had been discussed and approved at last City Council Meeting: Possibility of trail on #22 is not possible at this time, due to expense. Seconded by Dan Williams. All in favor, motion Carried.

1. Floor Items- None

2. Park Improvements -

a). Hockey/Skating Rink

Committee discussed the possibility of adding a skating rink, and the costs of installing and maintenance. Different locations were discussed. The field across from the Fire Station seemed to be the best location. Would need to add a well as a source of water. Also, as a warming house, the pavilion would be an option, could add a heater. Or, a construction trailer could be used. Also, some income could be earned from ice time. Lights would also need to be added. Snow could be banked for the sides. Paul will check around as to how much interest there might be, and will get costs for installing a 12” well. Not sure where the funds would come from, Park & Rec, Emergency Management Fund, etc. Laurie mentioned there might be grants available to help with the costs. Dianne Wright, who is already talking to Connexus regarding lighting at the Recycling Center, will have him contact Joe to get an estimate for adding a fuse box .

City of Nowthen Park & Recreation Meeting January 3, 2012 Page 2

Committee agreed to work on the issues that would be involved over the next year, check on how much interest there would be, and to present issues to the City Council as they come up.

Paul made a motion that he will follow up and get a price on installing a 12” well across from the Fire Station to fill the trucks and for potential use for the ice rink to present to the City Council. Seconded by Dan Williams. All in favor, 0 opposed, Motion Carried.

Judy presented to the Committee copies of the survey regarding interest in youth athletic programs and interest in volunteering. Five residents have signed up expressing their interest. Copies of the survey will be displayed at the City Hall and added to the Spring newsletter.

3. 2012 Grant Opportunities

Laurie presented the grants that were available from the DNR for 2011. The web site has not yet put up the grants available for 2012. There is an Outdoor Recreational Grant Program coming up March 31st, 2012. Promote playground plans, recreational site plans, with a variety of options to apply for. One public hearing is required to obtain the public’s opinion. Council and committee meetings do not meet the requirement. Most are 15-25% funding. There is a fee workshop for those who took the Land Use Certification workshops on how to access legacy use funds for trails and other park improvements. Most of these grants are still available. This could help with funding for updating the baseball/soccer fields along with potential plans for an ice rink and with improving the trail at Morton Farms. This grant could cover a multitude of the improvements the Committee would like to make. Grant applications would take a lot of planning, with plans need to be “ready to build”, our plans could be a 3 year plan. There was further discussion regarding plans for the 3 baseball fields. Laurie would like to find an intern to assist with applying for grants. Judy will continue working on the Twins ballpark grant application. Would like to also apply for a grant for extension of the fishing pier.

Harlan Meyer is still working on plans to purchase land, working with Ducks, Unlimited for Bass Lake. Joe is working on a spreader now for wood chips for the trails. City of Nowthen Park & Recreation Minutes January 3, 2012 Page 3

4. Twins Fields for Kids Program

Judy updated the Committee on the status of the grant application. There’s been difficulty getting someone out to assist with plans and costs for the baseball field. Use of the field needs to be proved to obtain the grant. Nowthen doesn’t have to have their own program, as long as we do have proof that the field will be used. This grant is up to $10,000. The goal would be to create a baseball campus, just need to come up with a plan and the costs. Laurie will contact Rick Peterson from Spectrum School to work on the plans. Judy and Laurie will work together to get the application ready for the May due date.

5. Spectrum High School Request for Use of Baseball/Softball Fields

Laurie talked to Rick Peterson, athletic director for Spectrum High School. He only wants to use the Nowthen softball field in April and May of 2012, from 3:30 to 5:30. In 2013, they want to use the softball and baseball fields. He agreed to mow and maintain the fields.

Paul made a motion to approve the use of the softball field to Spectrum High School for 8 weeks in 2012 for April and May and reevaluate for next year. Dan seconded. All in favor, 0 opposed, motion carried.

6. Schedule February 7 th Meeting Date

Committee discussed the need for a meeting in February, to continue discussion of the grants and plans for the parks. By that time, we should have most of the information needed for the grant applications.

Paul made a motion to have a meeting on February 7, 2012. Laurie seconded. All in favor, 0 opposed, motion carried.

7. Bids on Firewood

Joe would like to obtain bids for the downed firewood. The funds could hopefully be directed to Park & Rec, for items such as shoreline improvement and to purchase more trees. City of Nowthen Park & Recreation Minutes January 3, 2012 Page 4

Paul made a motion that Joe approach the City Council for approval to obtain bids on the downed firewood for the purpose of refurbishing our trees and shoreline in the park. Laurie seconded. All in favor, 0 opposed, motion carried.

8. Change in restroom stalls and adding a changing station.

Joe has received a letter from the DNR requiring the restrooms be updated. Committee discussed adding a baby changing station to the ladies restroom at Nowthen Park and adding a dividers for the stalls. If there is enough room, it would be nice to add a changing station to the back wall. Joe will obtain costs to possibly add a changing station if there is room.

Dan Williams made a motion to Joe to get prices for the changing table and to obtain approval from the City Council to add dividers to the lady’s and men’s restrooms and changing tables at Nowthen Park. Laurie seconded. All in favor, 0 opposed, motion carried.

9. Tetherballs

Committee discussed the need for “stronger” tetherballs than originally purchased, since the ones being used are being destroyed. All agreed to obtain costs and discuss at the next meeting in February.

10.Weed Control

Dan discussed the need for weed control at Twin Lake, especially because the weather’s been so warm and so little snow. There are many options available. Committee agreed to do further research and to have further discussion at February’s meeting. City of Nowthen Park & Recreation Minutes January 3, 2012 Page 5

11. Chris discussed the 5K Race from last year. $849 was raised from last year’s race. Committee needs to have definite project in mind for the Lions to donate the funds to. The donation would have to go through the City Council for approval. Chris mentioned that since we now have a police patrol, possibly having a fee charged for use of the park. Different options were discussed. Committee will continue discussion at February’s meeting.

Joe brought up the idea of having one day a month for volunteers to clean up the park. Laurie said we do have an Adopt a Park plan. The church does clean up one day a week. Discussion will be added to February’s meeting.

Paul made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm; Dan seconded. All in favor; Motion carried.

Respectively submitted by:

Dianne Wright