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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 7, 2013C I T Y O I NDOVp 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US Regular Park & Recreation Commission Meeting February 7, 2013 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Oath of Office /Newly Appointed Commissioners 3. Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson for 2013 4. Resident Forum 5. Approval of Minutes (1/17/13) 6. Update of Green Acres Park Improvements 7. Update of Northwoods East Park Improvements 8. Update of Crooked Lake School /Playground Equipment 9. Discuss Crooked Lake School Hockey Rink © 10. Update on the Evos Equipment 11. Update of Master Plan of Sports Complex/12 -31, Cont. 12. Outstanding Items 13. 14. Chair's Report 15. Adjournment E ANL6 6Wx,7`��-,a PARKAND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — FEBRUARY 7, 2013 MINUTES The Regular Bi- Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Butler on February 7, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Ted Butler, Vice Chair Jim Lindahl, Alisa Lewnau, Andrew Melberg, Mark Miskowiec, and Shane Stenzel Commissioners Absent: Shaun Van Vark Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas Others ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON FOR 2013 Mr. Haas performed the Oath of Office to Ted Butler for his reappointment for 2013 for the Andover Park and Recreation Commission. OATH OF OFFICE/NEREYAPPOINTED AND RE APPOINTED COMMISSIONERS Chair Butler performed the Oath of Office to Mark Miskowiec for his re- appointment and Shane Stenzel as the newly appointed Andover Park and Recreation Commissioners. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON FOR 2013 Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Melberg for election of Ted Butler as Chair for the Andover Park and Recreation Commission for 2013. Motion carried on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Van Vark) vote. Motion by Commissioner Melberg, seconded by Commissioner Lewnau for election of Jim Lindahl as Vice Chair for the Andover Park and Recreation Commission for 2013. Motion carried on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Van Vark) vote. RESIDENT FORUM There were no comments at this time. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes —February 7, 2013 Page 2 © APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Lewnau, to recommend approval of the minutes of the January 17, 2013 Park and Recreation Commission meeting as presented. Motion carried on a 5 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- Present (Stenzel) 1- absent (Van Vark) vote. UPDATE OF GREEN ACRES PARK IMPR0VEMENTS Mr. Haas reviewed the Commission is requested to continue discussing possible improvements to Green Acres Park. He reviewed up to this point the Commission's recommendation is to relocate the existing ball field further west closer to the existing playground equipment. The recommendation is to replace the equipment with equipment designed for 2 -12 year olds, but not to relocate the structure from its current location. Based on the improvements that need to be made, Public Works Park Maintenance Department recommends the remaining $32,000 of the $56,000 (total available for improvements for both Green Acres and Northwoods East Parks) for park improvements be allocated to Green Acres Park. The improvements that would be planned include a new playground structure, concrete border edging for around equipment and fall zone area, wood fiber for fall zones, and new ball field fencing with concrete mow strips. 0 Mr. Haas showed a drawing of a "standard ball field fencing layout' ' for the City. The Public Works Maintenance staff would like to reiterate that the ball field should be eliminated at this point for the following reasons: Parking is one issue as there is not a designated parking lot. Vehicles are currently parking in the street. The park is not large enough to accommodate the older individuals that have used the field in the past for fun ball. With the relocation baseballs and softballs would still end up on Ivywood Street and Heather Street and possibly even in the neighbors' yards across the street. Mr. Haas has contacted the Andover Baseball Association and they agreed this is not the park that should have a reconstructed ball field. Mr. Haas suggested three other possible ball field locations being Timber Trails, Fox Meadows, and Terrace Parks. The baseball association has requested they be given some time to discuss with their Board of Directors. Commissioner Miskowiec suggested possibly two ball fields be constructed at Fox Meadows. Chair Butler agreed. The decision before the Commission is whether or not a ball field should be kept at Green Acres Park. 0 Chair Butler suggested the Commission hear what the residents have to say. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes —February 7, 2013 Page 3 © Ms. Judy Reardon 2951 142nd Lane NW suggested the field be moved to a different park. She would like to see the play area larger with possibly a shelter and picnic table for her daycare to use. She would also like to see a port-a- potty. Chair Butler stated the City provides port-a- potty's for regional parks only. It is up to the associations to provide a port-a -potty for all other parks being used for games and practices. Chair Butler asked if the ball field were removed, where would Ms. Reardon like to see the playground equipment. Ms. Reardon stated she would like to see more equipment pieces and the playground area more centered in the park. Ms. Jamie Levens, 141St Lane, stated she has an issue with parking. People are parking on both sides of the street even though it is posted no parking. Commissioner Lewnau stated she would like to keep the ball field where it currently is located. Commissioner Miskowiec stated he would like to explore other options for putting the ballfield in another park. Chair Butler suggested the Commission give the Baseball Association time to discuss and this be put on the agenda for the next meeting. © Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Miskowiec, to table consideration of improvements to Green Acres Park until the next Commission Meeting. Ms. Wendy Miller, who also lives in the area on Heather Street NW, asked why they would like to keep the park there. Chair Butler asked if neighborhood kids are playing ball at Green Acres. Ms. Jamie Levens stated the Green Acres Park field is not in good condition but it is used by the neighborhood kids. Motion carried on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Van Vark) vote. UPDATE OF NORTHWOODS EAST PARK IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Haas reviewed the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to continue discussing the replacement of the playground equipment at Northwoods East Park. Mr. Haas stated at this point the only improvement that will be made at the park is to replace the existing playground equipment with a playground structure designed for 2 -12 year olds. Based on the improvements that need to be made, Public Works Park Maintenance Department recommends that $24,000 be allocated for the improvements. This will include playground equipment, concrete border edging for around equipment © and fall zone area, wood fiber for fall zones and reconstruction of the access trail to the playground area. Currently $56,000 total is available for improvements for both Green Acres and Northwoods East Parks. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes —February 7, 2013 Page 4 © Commissioner Miskowiec asked how much a ball field costs to construct in a park where there was not a ball field. Mr. Haas stated between $20,000 - $75,000 depending how much grading needs to be done. Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Lewnau, to recommend to the City Council approval for replacement of the existing playground equipment with a new 2 -12 year old play structure. Motion carried on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Van Vark) vote. UPDATE OF CROOKED LAKE SCHOOL1,PLA YGRO UND EQUIPMENT Mr. Haas is requesting the Park and Recreation Commission to discuss the Crooked Lake School playground equipment and the Joint Powers Agreement that is currently in place. Mr. Haas stated City Staff recently met with Cheryl Kortuem, Crooked Lake Elementary School Principal and Tom Redmann, Anoka Hennepin School District Sites /Grounds Supervisor, to discuss the Joint Power Agreement that many of the Commission members are not aware of in regards to the ownership and maintenance responsibility of the playground equipment at the school. Staff recommends this agreement be terminated. These types of agreements were popular back in the 1980's with the thoughts of the Cities and the school district working together to make improvements more economically © feasible for projects such as ball fields and playgrounds on school property. By working together Cities would not have to go out and buy land in the same area where a school may exist. School district staff is also recommending that this agreement be terminated. Mr. Haas provided a copy of the agreement in the packet for Commissioner's review. Commissioner Miskowiec asked what else is located at Crooked Lake School. Mr. Haas stated a warming house and a hockey rink. Commissioner Lindahl referred to the agreement and noted there was a one year notice of termination before the agreement is actually terminated. Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Miskowiec, to recommend to the City Council to request the City Attorney to prepare an agreement with the Anoka Hennepin School District No. 11 to terminate the Joint Powers Agreement for Crooked Lake Elementary School Playground Development. Motion carried on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Van Vark), vote. DISCUSS CROOKED LAKE SCHOOL HOCKEY RINK Mr. Haas reviewed the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to discuss the possibility of removing the Crooked Lake School Hockey Rink due to the challenges that have been raised by the Parks Maintenance Department. The challenges that have been © raised are as follows: • The location of the rink is secluded and located very far back from the county road (Bunker Lake Boulevard) so it has been hard to know when it is open or not. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes —February 7, 2013 Page 5 Q• Although the rink is located on school district property, the rink is pushed right up against residential property which is private. • When the Parks Department Maintenance Crew plows the snow from the rink, much of the snow removal ends up on private property since there is really nowhere to put the snow. • When the school district plows the adjacent parking lots, some of the snow ends up on the ice. • There are issues with the trees growing into the rink areas. • There are issues with salt and debris from the parking lot ending up on the free skate rink due to the slope of the parking which drains towards the free skate rink. • The free skate rink is very small and narrow. • Towards the end of the skating season, the melting of the snow from the parking lot flows onto the free skating rink. • Melting snow from the hockey rink does flow onto Edelweiss Street NW which can cause issues for that street. • It is difficult for hockey players to get to the hockey rink because of the downslope from the warming house to the hockey rink. Once you get past the downslope, it is also very hazardous getting to the entry gate of the hockey rink. • Access to the hockey rink for maintenance is quite difficult from either around and through the playground or through the dead end street. • Parking our equipment at the site is very often difficult. The Crew always seems to be in someone's way. • Getting out of the school parking lot is a challenge at certain times of the day. • Small kids are present when we do maintenance very often. They love the snow being blown over them. • Unfortunately once the rink has been cleaned, the school kids enjoy throwing snowballs onto the ice. Staff has discussed this with school representatives in the past but continues to be an ongoing problem for the Park Maintenance Crew. • Currently all wiring for the hockey rink lighting are above ground and do overhang pretty low to the rink and also not very attractive. • The rink lighting is very out -dated and should be replaced. • There is no security fencing to keep vehicles from driving around behind the school and the playground area. • The base of the rink could use some upgrades, clay or more hard packed gravel if it were to stay. • The basic layout and location of these rinks are just not very good for the City of Andover. If the rinks were located closer to an existing neighborhood, the rinks would probably get more use. Based on what staff has seen and heard, the rinks are not getting as much use as the other rinks such as City Hall Outdoor Rinks. Staff believes now is the time to remove the hockey rink. The hockey association would be offered other existing outdoor hockey rinks and Hawkridge Park for their use. ® Commissioner Miskowiec stated he believes this is a little used rink/warming house. Mr. Haas agreed. Commissioner Miskowiec asked if the warming house could be moved to Hawkridge Park and Mr. Haas stated it is not in very good condition. CJ Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes —February 7, 2013 Page 6 Commissioner Melberg noted the warming house is actually the property of the school district. Chair Butler suggested Andover Huskies Youth Hockey Association (AHYHA) be contacted to get their input on the closing of this rink. Mr. Haas stated he will contact the President of AHYHA. Commissioner Stenzel asked when it would be taken out and Mr. Haas stated sometime during the summer or fall when there is time. Motion by Commissioner Melberg, seconded by Commissioner Lewnau, to table removal of the Crooked Lake School Hockey Rink due to the challenges that have been raised by the Parks Maintenance Department until input from the hockey association is received. Motion carried on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Van Vark), vote. UPDATE ON THE EVOS EQUIPMENT Mr. Haas provided an update regarding the Evos equipment. He stated there is an existing Evos playground structure at the Champlin Park Elementary School (school was closed a couple years ago by school district) that is currently available to other elementary schools in the school district. Staff visited the school and the equipment is in very good shape. The structure of this type is more suited for installation at an © elementary school. Tom Redmann of the Anoka Hennepin School District has notified the Andover Elementary School about moving the structure from Champlin Park Elementary to Andover Elementary School since they have a playground structure that is in need of replacement. Staff has not heard back from the school district about this. The school would need to have a budget to move and reconstruct the equipment ($15,000 — $20,000). Mr. Haas stated sharing the cost could be an option but not with the use of park dedication funds. Mr. Haas reviewed the school district has indicated to staff that they are not interested in selling the structure to the City Andover but certainly are interested in having the structure relocated to another elementary school if one of the district's elementary schools were interested. Crooked Lake Elementary School Principal has indicated they are not interested in the Evos equipment since they just replaced their playground equipment a few years ago. Chair Butler stated he would support the City working with the School District to move this equipment. Commissioner Miskowiec asked why the City would be involved in this. Mr. Haas stated previously the Commission had looked at having EVOS equipment placed at one of the City parks. Commissioner Miskowiec stated if Andover Elementary does not want the equipment then the Commission could look at putting it in a City park. Mr. Haas reiterated that the school district is not interested in selling the equipment to the City. 0 UPDATE OF MASTER PLAN OF SPORTS COMPLEX112 -31, CONT. Mr. Haas provided an update to the Master Plan of the Sports Complex, Project 12 -31. Staff did provide an update of the public open house which was scheduled earlier tonight Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes —February 7, 2013 Page 7 from 5:30 — 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room prior to the Park Commission meeting. Prior to the public open house staff had only received a couple inquiries from the neighborhood about the Master Plan. The Master Plan will be presented to the City Council at the regular scheduled meeting on February 19, 2013 along with any public comments that are received. Phase 1 of the project is scheduled to be ordered and preparation of the plans and specifications will begin possibly at the next City Council meeting. It will take about 2 -3 months to prepare the plans and secure the necessary permits before the plan can go out for public bid. Construction is scheduled to begin in early July. Mr. Haas stated there was good attendance at the Open House earlier this evening. The residents would like to see this move forward as soon as possible. Chair Butler stated the residents felt the parking lot should be paved. There was also some concern about restroom availability. Mr. Haas stated overall the residents are happy the complex is going into that area. There were some concerns about parking and vandalism. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed the outstanding items providing updates on Completed Projects, On- Going Projects, Task Force Updates and Other Items of Interest. CHAIR'S REPORT Chair Butler welcomed Commissioner Shane Stenzel to the Commission. ADJOURNMENT OF REGULAR MEETING Motion by Commissioner Lewnau, seconded by Commissioner Lindahl, to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:50 p.m. Motion carried on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Van Vark) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Wolfe, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. ICJ