Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 16, 2002 /-, U u C) OJ l o anwll1tiA b.(p.o~ CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING -MAY 16,2002 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Jim Lindahl on May 16, 2002, 7:35 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chairman Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Al Grabowski, Dorrie Peterson, Dave Blackstad, Chris DeLaForest and Valarie Holthus. Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Paul Anderson. Also Present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas Others RESIDENTS FORUM There was no none. APPROVAL OFMINUTES Motion by Blackstad,. seconded by Grabowski, to approve the May 2, 2002 Park & Recreation Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 1- present (DeLaForest), and I-absent (Anderson) vote. . Mr. Haas requested the Commission add to the agenda under Item 9. the scheduling of a special meeting on May 29th. RECOMMEND PRELIMINARY 5 YEAR CIP (2003-2007), CONT. Mr. Haas explained that this is just a preliminary 5- Year CIP Plan. He reviewed the proposed projects tentatively scheduled for 2003. The 5-Year CIP will be back for adjustments and a formal recommendation in July or August. President of the Andover Football Association Chuck Trom requested to expedite the fields that are planned for Prairie Knoll Park. He stated that there is a need in Andover for more irrigated fields. He suggested a complex be built at Prairie Knoll. He proposed that there be three full size fields where soccerwOlild use all three throughout the summer and football and soccer would share them in.the fall. He suggested there be a field house to store equipment, bathrooms, irrigation equipment, and possibly o (-. u o o o Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May J 6. 2002 Page 2 concessions. He mentioned that the building could also be used as a warming house in the winter. He offered to fund approximately 50% of the cost to help build the building, through supplying product and/or labor to build it. If the project comes together it would be great to be able to start the building this fall. Commissioner Peterson questioned Mr. Trom on what it would cost. Mr. Trom stated that the irrigation would be the greatest expense, since it would cost $150,000 to $160,000 for the pump. Commissioner Blackstad stated that the City does plan on doing Prairie Knoll in 2003. Mr. Haas stated that it's possible that some of the grading work be done this fall. Commissioner Blackstad questioned if Hidden Creek would work. Mr. Haas mentioned that it isn't a full size soccer field. Mr. Trom stated that a full size soccer field is 120 feet by 80 feet. Commissioner Blackstad stated that the only thing that could be done to move up the time table is to do the grading this fall and then next spring it might be possible to put in the pump. Mr. Trom mentioned that once the complex is built that field would be gone, therefore they'd lose the use of one full size field. He also mentioned that Steve Frietag is in full support of his proposal. Commissioner Grabowski stated that to expedite the project at Prairie Knoll would be very difficult. Commissioner Peterson questioned Mr. Trom if they are willing to fund 50% of the field house. Mr. Trom stated yes. Commissioner Peterson questioned what the field house would cost. Mr. Trom stated that some of the parts could be donated. Chairman Lindahl questioned if Prairie Knoll is inside the new projected MUSA line. Mr. Haas stated that Prairie Knoll Park would be just to the south of the line. Commissioner Blackstad suggested Prairie Knoll get started right away from the spring. Commissioner Holthus stated that she likes the idea of a multi-use building. Mr. Trom stated that he feels he may be able to get a good portion of the building done. He stated that his concern is that their first year they have about $30,000 in equipment, however once this is paid for the association has no problem doing fundraising for something like this. CJ o o o o Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 16, 2002 Page 3 Commissioner Peterson suggested starting with a garage with most of it being built by the association and then expand on it later. Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Holthus, to approve the Preliminary 5- Y ear CIP (2003-2007) with a change to Prairie Knoll Park so that it reflects an amount of$380,000 for 2003. Further Discussion Commissioner Peterson questioned what the City is expecting from the associations. Commissioner Blackstad stated nothing at this point. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Anderson) vote. APPROVE APPLICATION FOR SCHEDULED USE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES/BASKETBALL Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Holthus, to approve the Application for Scheduled Use of Recreational FacilitieslBasketball as requested by Scotty Aldrich's Outdoor Basketball Association for Sunday Afternoons at Sunshine Park, with the condition that no dogs are allowed in the parks. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Anderson) vote. DISCUSS PARK DEDICATION FUNDS/ANDOVER STATION Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Holthus, to approve the request from the City Council to use the Park Dedication Funds from Andover Station in the amount of$500,000 to go towards the Community Center. Further Discussion Chairman Lindahl questioned the time frame on the Community Center. Commissioner Holthus stated that if the project doesn't go through the money would go back into the park dedication fund. Commissioner Blackstad stated that he would support the idea of adding a time frame of 2 years. Commissioner Peterson stated that it won't be possible to develop the land completely in 2 years. Chairman Lindahl suggested putting something in the motion that if the trail costs exceed the trail funds that the Commission is able to draw from the $500,000 park dedication money. Commissioner Peterson questioned if the City Council isn't taking over the expenses regarding the trails since it's under the transportation budget. '::J o o o \ U Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 16, 2002 Page 4 Chairman Lindahl suggested there be a clause on the motion that the Commission is able to tap into the $500,000 in case we're short funds. Commissioner DeLaForest stated that it's better to approve less and find out the cost of the trail and subtract that amount before a motion is made. Commissioner Blackstad agreed, however recommended the figures are obtained before the Commission makes a motion. Chairman Lindahl tabled this item until the next Park & Recreation Commission meeting, pending further information on the estimated cost of the trail. UPDATE OF ANOKA-HENNEPIN SCHOOL DISTRICT #ll/FEES FOR USE OF FACILITIES Commissioner Blackstad stated that it doesn't make sense that he pays taxes to the district to build and run the facilities and now they are going to charge to uSe the facilities too. Commissioner Grabowski mentioned that it's a way to generate revenue, however it doesn't make sense. Chairman Lindahl stated that if this were discussed in the original referendum it would be different, however it was never discussed. Commissioner Peterson stated that these fees would help to pay for the lights, etc. She mentioned that someone should contact the school to see if there's room for negotiation. Commissioner Grabowski stated that the City is maintaining the fields. Commissioner Peterson questioned if other cities maintain fields. The Commission stated yes. Commissioner Peterson suggested someone contact the school to see if the fees could be n~gotiated. She also suggested charging the association the fees. S I ACe.... -tile:..,~ SSI~Cl-hCY\S Ci.X'e pcu1L.l"'j 0:(5 CLfljl,vCUj ~ bvJfJl.J.{,1. i.)i" Lt1trt1.H\W LQ.p ~ ean CJuc)t..- Vl1-D U 'i1l.Un.QutJ'c)i, Commissioner Grabowski stated that it's likely the associations won't use the fields to W'Yl)..J1{luJ avoid paying for them. 10, 4'6~ Commissioner Peterson questioned how the associations find out about the fees. Mr. Haas stated that it's his understanding the school sends out the information. Chairman Lindahl suggested the City also send out the information to all the association presidents, o o Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 16, 2002 Page 5 " ..J REVIEW OF OUTSTANDING ITEMS SkateboardIRollerblade Facility - Commissioner Lindahl stated that the City Council didn't agree with the Commission's recommendation, therefore nothing is moving forward at this time. A discussion took place on how to solve the problems, however no decisions were made. Commissioner Grabowski mentioned that there are a few residents that are frustrated that the City won't upgrade the park, since some of the users helped raise money. He mentioned that it isn't right to punish everyone. Commissioner Peterson mentioned that in Thief River Falls there is an attendant on site, however the facility is also fenced in. They also have a storage building on the property. She stated that the City has a population of 8,900 people and many that use the park are from the country. Sunshine Park Batting Cages - Mr. Haas stated that he would say the Commission isn't interested in a batting cage unless it's 15 feet high, since that was the direction from the Commission. Commissioner Peterson stated that she would support the idea if they were willing to /." fund the whole thing. She stated that someday the softball association might want to put , \ \__j in their own batting cage. Commissioner Grabowski stated that it becomes more difficult when it's City property. Chairman Lindahl stated that it really should be a group project, so there aren't batting cages coming up all throughout the City. Commissioner Blackstad stated that the batting cage should be somewhere between 12- 15 feet in height. Multi-Sports Facility Task Force - Commissioner Holthus stated that there hasn't been a meeting since the last Park meeting. SPECIAL MEETING TO BE SCHEDULED Mr. Haas requested the Commission schedule a special meeting on May 29th to discuss a number ofissues. The Commission agreed to schedule the meeting for 8:00 p.m. Motion by Blackstad, seconded by DeLaForest, to schedule a Special Park & Recreation Commission meeting for May 29,2002 at 8:00 p.m. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Anderson) vote. " I \.J o o Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 16, 2002 Page 6 (', CHAIR'S REPORT Commissioner Peterson presented the Commission with pictures of the Skateboard and .BMX Parks in Thief River Falls. She also had pictures of the new Shadowbrook Park. Commissioner Grabowski suggested the sheriffs report in July show the locations of where the vandalism is taking place. He also mentioned that the "tree city" program is an excellent program that helps out the natural areas. Commissioner DeLaForest mentioned that the information on the City's website regarding the Park & Recreation Commission is outdated and should be updated. Commissioner Lindahl mentioned that the Park & Recreation Commission should be a subheading ofthe report given at the Goal Setting Workshop so people are aware of what the Commission does. Mr. Haas stated that currently two fields are being used at Hidden Creek East Park, however after June there will only be one field being used since the parking continues to be a problem. He suggested North Woods West Park have fencing installed so it could also be used for soccer. (~' Mr. Haas mentioned that on June 6th he will be out oftown. He questioned ifthe Commission still wanted to have their meeting. The Commission agreed to still have the meeting. Mr. Haas also mentioned that staff will be going out for quotes this week on the Hidden Creek fencing plan. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Grabowski, to adjourn the meeting at 9: 1 0 p.m. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Anderson) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Sara Beck, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. (' ;