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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 6, 2021AC I T Y O F p ND OWE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.AN DOVE RM N. GOV Regular Park & Recreation Commission Meeting May 6, 2021 7:00 P.M. Meet at Andover City Hall 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes (411/21 Regular and Workshop) 4. Agenda Approval 5. Recommend Approval of the 2021 Park Dedication Study 6. Anoka County Sheriff's Department 1st Quarterly Report 7. Park Dedication Improvement Fund 1st Quarterly Report/Finance Department 8. Outstanding Items © 9. 10. Chair's Report 11.Adjournment 7:15 P.M. Or Shortly Thereafter Workshop Session A. Discuss 2022-2026 Park Capital Improvement Plan, Cont. B. Discuss 2022-2026 Trail Capital Improvement Plan, Cont. C. Discuss Programming-Activities/Commissioner Strombeck D. Adjournment Note: Some or all members of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission may participate in the May 6, 2021 Park and Recreation Commission meeting by telephone or video conference rather than by being personally present at the Park and Recreation Commission regular meeting place at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, MN 55304. Members of the public can physically attend, although there is very limited seating in the City Council Chambers as appropriate social distancing will be done by the Commission and visitors. x LX PARKAND RECREATION COMMISSIONMEETING — MAY 6, 2021 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Lindahl on May 6, 2021, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Jake Widmyer, Mark Miskowiec, Tracy Strombeck, and Scott Roth Commissioners Absent: Sophia Newton and Shane Stenzel Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas 10 Parks & Streets Operations Manager, Jason Baumunk RESIDENT FORUM No one appeared before the Commission. II' ' � 13%ISIZ�T//w•ZIy��1C9 April 1, 2021 Regular Meeting Motion by Strombeck, seconded by Widmyer, to approve the April 1, 2021 Regular Meeting and Workshop Meeting minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously. April 1, 2021 Workshop Meeting Strombeck stated Commissioner Miskowiec was present and was not listed on the minutes. Motion by Miskowiec, seconded by Widmyer, to approve the April 1, 2021 Workshop Meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA © Motion by Widmyer, seconded by Strombeck, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously. C Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — May 6, 2021 Page 2 RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE 2021 PARK DEDICA TION STUD Y The Park and Recreation Commission is requested to review and recommend approval of the 2021 Park Dedication Study. Assistant Public Works Director Haas explained the history of the Commission's work on determining the Park Dedication Fees. He stated the Council reviewed the revised Future Park Facilities Chart and were pleased with the Commission's revisions. Mr. Haas informed the Commission the rural reserve is not included in the study. Mr. Haas reviewed the staff report and the study with the Commission. He stated the current park system is slightly behind in facilities for its current population and recommended the Park Dedication Study be completed every two years. Commissioner Miskowiec asked if Bunker Hills Park gives the City credit for all the community parks. Mr. Haas replied that Bunker Hills makes up for the shortage of acreage the City has for a community park. Motion by Miskowiec, seconded by Widmyer, to recommend approval of the 2021 Park Dedication Study. Motion passed unanimously. ANOKA COUNTYSHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FIRST QUARTER REPORT Assistant Public Works Director reviewed the Sheriff's Department First Quarter Report for Parks and asked if the Commission had questions. He mentioned there were issues with ATVs at Timber Rivers Park and the deputy was able to educate the youth and parents that ATVs and dirt bikes are prohibited in the parks. PA RK DEDICA TION IMPR 0 VEMENT FUND FIRST QUARTER REPORT Assistant Public Works Director Haas presented the Park Dedication Improvement Fund for the first quarter of 2021. He stated there aren't many expenditures for the first quarter and the fund has approximately $345,000 available. Mr. Haas reiterated that new developments would start this year paying for Park Dedication Fees up front. OUTSTANDING ITEMS 1. Update of the Goals and Role of the Park and Recreation Commission Regarding the Andover Community Center: Mr. Haas provided the Commission with the report from the Community Center for March and upcoming activities for April and May. Commissioner Strombeck (previous park liaison to Community Center on Advisory Board) feels uncomfortable however being that the position is eliminated. She was hoping that this paragraph be removed from future agendas. If it were to stay on the agenda, her recommendation was to give it to the Chair. 2. Completed Projects: nothing new to report. © 3. On -going Projects: Mr. Haas reviewed the remaining on -going items. Mr. Haas stated Prairie Knoll Park north parking lot and the Tom Anderson Trail are under construction and Connexus Energy crews are working on the security lighting. Sunshine Park H Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — May 6, 2021 Page 3 playground replacement will be done later this spring or early summer. Mr. Haas reported Hawkridge Park playground equipment community build is May 15 and Woodland Meadows Park playground equipment community build is May 8. Playground equipment has been ordered for Wild Iris Park. The Bike/Youth Trail is open and ready for use by the public and signs are in process of being installed. 4. On -Hold Projects — nothing new to report. 5. Other Items of Interest — Mr. Haas stated Kelsey Round Lake Park Trail reconstruction will be put off for another 3-5 years. The Commission decided to meet at Wild Iris Park at one of the meetings in June. 6. Parks Maintenance Update: Mr. Haas introduced Jason Baumunk, the new Parks & Streets Operations Manager. Mr. Baumunk reviewed the weekly park maintenance report. CHAIR'S REPORT Chair Lindahl stated the parks are busy with youth activities and cautioned drivers to be aware and safe. Assistant Public Works Director Haas requested to reschedule the next Park and Recreation Commission meeting. Motion by Lindahl, seconded by Miskowiec, to cancel the May 20, 2021 Regular Meeting and schedule a Workshop Meeting on May 27, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Miskowiec, seconded by Widmyer, to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Shari Kunza, Recording Secretary Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MAY 6, 2021 MINUTES The Workshop Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order © by Chair Lindahl on May 6, 2021, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. DWI Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — May 6, 2021 Page 4 Commissioners Present: Chair Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Jake Widmyer, Tracy Strombeck, Mark Miskowiec and Scott Roth Commissioners Absent: Sophia Newton and Shane Stenzel Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas Parks & Streets Operations Manager, Jason Baumunk DISCUSS 2022-2026 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN The Park and Recreation Commission is requested to review and discuss the 2022-2026 Parks Capital Improvement Plan and provide recommendations. Mr. Haas stated he met with the parks crew to get their opinion on improvements which are listed in the staff report. Mr. Haas reviewed the recommended park projects over the next five years. Mr. Haas stated the Finance Manager has approved increasing the Parks Miscellaneous Fund from $15,000 to $30,000 coming out of the Park Dedication Fund. Mr. Haas explained the remaining balance in the Park Dedication Fund should be $50,000 or higher at the end of each year. Commissioner Miskowiec stated he hears a lot of requests from residents for shelters and ® security lights. He asked if the City would get a discount if they purchased security lights in bulk. Mr. Haas replied the City would not get a discount because the cost is based on footage of wiring. Mr. Haas stated the City purchases shelters off the State Contract and receives a good deal, however, the cost of steel and lumber are rising. He said there may be some cost savings on labor. Commissioner Strombeck asked if the EDA can cover any of the park costs for Andover Station North. Mr. Haas replied he doesn't believe the EDA can cover park costs, but he will look into it. Commissioner Widmyer asked if the Pine Hills North parking lot is getting done in 2022. Mr. Haas stated it is in the CIP to be completed in 2022. Commissioner Widmyer would like to put CIP dollars towards additional items at Pine Hills North if the parking lot is going to be constructed. Mr. Haas stated residents requested irrigation at Sophie's Park. The park has sand burrs, and the turf is in poor shape. He estimated the cost would be around $5000 and would be completed inhouse. Mr. Haas received a petition from neighbors around Strootman Park asking for the playground back. Mr. Haas reviewed the changes to Strootman Park and explained the City did not receive any feedback from the neighborhood regarding a playground when the park was improved. © Tonya Swede stated she went house to house and residents did not understand the City was going to take the playground away. She said the neighborhood has turned over and there are lots of kids. Chair Lindahl responded the Commission doesn't see the usage and relies on the U Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — May 6, 2021 Page 5 Parks Department to tell them how much it gets used. He stated the Commission did not receive input from the neighborhood and acted on the lack of interest. Mr. Haas stated there may not enough room to add a playground but there is room for a couple pieces of equipment. He explained if the Commission were interested in replacing the playground, the cost would come out of the Playground Replacement Fund, which is limited. The Commission discussed adding a structure for younger kids and surveying the neighborhood again. The Commission discussed a Community Build for a structure for 2-12-year-olds. The item will be scheduled at the next meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission for further review. Chair Lindahl asked the Commissioners to state their priority for the CIP dollars. Commissioner Roth stated his priorities are installing shelters and finishing parks. He supports staff recommendations. Commissioner Widmyer would like to see the safety netting at ASN and Shadowbrook. He supports more skatepark equipment and additional amenities at Pine Hills North. ® Commissioner Strobeck was not in recommendation spending on projects as costs are too high for supplies and equipment so she is erroring on caution for spending on big ticket items. Commissioner Strombeck supports adding benches in open space. Mr. Haas stated the open spaces are not funded through the Park Commission but through the Open Space Commission. She would like to see basic necessities like benches and lights. Staying within the budget is key to her. Commissioner Miskowiec stated the Commission could pay off the Community Center debt early and wait on park improvements until the cost of steel and lumber come down. He would like to know the cost of a trail from Kelsey Round Lake Park to Pleasant Oaks Park. Mr. Haas stated there are existing wetlands and constructing a trail is not feasible and Park Dedication Funds should not be used for a trail outside the park. Commissioner Miskowiec would like to pay off things early and not have debt to prepare for larger projects in the future. Chair Lindahl stated his preference is to finish Pine Hills North, look at Pine Hills South, and add a picnic shelter and restrooms to Kelsey Round Lake using grant funding in addition to City funding. He supports staff s recommendations. Chair Lindahl stated pickleball courts are in the CIP currently but there is not much support on the Commission nor the Council to implement the project. He recommended the pickleball group identify City residents that are interested in having the courts and lobbying for the courts. © He explained if pickleball courts are constructed, other items the Commission wants to implement will be pushed back or taken off the CIP. S Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — May 6, 2021 Page 6 Chair Lindahl stated he supports pickleball remaining in the CIP for 2025 at $400,000. He polled the Commissioners for their opinion on pickleball. Commissioner Widmyer stated if pickleball courts are in the CIP, it wipes out other park projects. He supports taking pickleball out of the CIP. Commissioner Roth supports removing pickleball from the CIP, gather more usage studies, and revisit the option next year. Commissioner Strombeck supports taking pickleball out of the CIP. She said Arbor Oaks has 3 courts and suggested the pickleball group partner with them. Commissioner Miskowiec supports removing pickleball from the CIP. He cannot justify putting all that money into one use and not improving other parks in the system. Jeff Smith, 1527-139' Lane NW, came forward and stated there is more interest in pickleball than the Commission thinks. He would like to see it in the 5-year plan at the lowest price. Mr. Haas will remove it from the spreadsheet and update the document for the next workshop meeting. Merle Prochniak came forward and stated people think Park Dedication Fees are free money. He said someone is paying the fee and in turn they don't get anything. He said there are busy streets that are difficult to cross to get to parks. He doesn't think it's right that the City is taking Park Dedication money from one area and using it in another area. © Lindahl explained how the Park Dedication Fund works. He stated the public can come in and request a project from the Park Commission. He said Andover has one of the best park systems in the north metro. The Commission discussed paying off the Community Center debt and asked staff to return with an option to pay it off early. DISCUSS 2022-2026 TRAIL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Mr. Haas stated he spoke with Mr. Berkowitz and there will not be any funds for new trails in 2022. Commissioner Strombeck asked to move Segment 3 to the top of the trail list. Mr. Haas stated it is an expensive trail because there are existing wetlands, and the City will need to build an elevated bridge similar to what was built by Fire Station #1 on Crosstown Boulevard north of Bunker Lake Boulevard. DISCUSS PROGRAMMING ACTIVITIES Commissioner Strombeck stated she did not recall asking for this item to be on the workshop agenda. She believes Commissioner Stenzel put in the request. She would like to defer it until he is present. Commissioner Strombeck would like to have a movie in the park event again. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes —May 6, 2021 Page 7 S Mr. Haas stated the Park Commission will be receiving informational updates from the Community Center and Mr. Dickinson has indicated that he would like to meet with the Commission to discuss their role at some point. Chair Lindahl stated he would like to see data with usage comparisons from the past three years. The Commission requested a joint meeting with the City Council. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Strombeck, seconded by Widmyer, to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Shari Kunza, Recording Secretary Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. u 01