Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 18, 2002 o ~ o o ~ CLQ--- l0'LttQn 5', ~ -0 ~ CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING -APRIL 18, 2002 MINUTES 'The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Jim Lindahl on April 18, 2002, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chairman Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Al Grabowski, Valerie Holthus, Dorrie Peterson,' Chris DeLaForest, Paul Anderson, and Dave Blackstad. Commissioners Absent: There were none. Also Present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas Others RESIDENTS FORUM There were no comments at this time. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Grabowski, to approve the April 4, 2002 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 5-ayes" O-nays, 2-present (DeLaForest and Holthus),O-absent vote. Commissioners Holthus and DeLaForest abstained from voting, as they were not present at the April 4, 2002 meeting. . QUARTERLY REPORT/SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT Commissioner Grabowski commented that reporting any suspicious activity helps and urged residents to continue calling 911 to do so. APPROVE APPLICATION FOR SCHEDULED USE OF FIELDS. Mr. Haas explained that the church has been informed that, if tournaments are running o late, the games will be pushed back or may have to be rescheduled. (J (-) o o Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 18, 2002 Page 2 Commissioner Blackstad told the League Director that there was an issue with dogs at the City Hall Complex last year and asked him to make sure that the coaches are aware that no dogs are allowed. The church representative indicated he had met with the coaches and asked them to tell the kids and parents that play in the league that there are no dogs allowed. He then commented that he only saw people with dogs at the volleyball court and that is not a group related to the softball teams. Commissioner Grabowski indicated there were kids spinning donuts in the dirt parking lot last year and asked the League Director to remind them that such activity will not be allowed. The church representative indicated that he could speak to the coaches concerning the mater. Commissioner Grabowski said he feels it is the responsibility of the League Director to take care ofthe matter not the coaches. He then suggested that any violators and/or their friends be removed. Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Holthus to approve the use of City Hall Fields # 1 - 4 on Sundays from 4:00 p.m. to dusk beginning on June 16,2002 and ending on August 18, 2002. The approval is subject to the Church placing "No Dogs Allowed" on the bottoms oftheir schedules before they are handed out. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, O-nays, 0- absent vote. Chair Lindahl requested that the application for use of the field be turned in earlier next year. RECOMMEND USAGE FEES/SKATEBOARD PARK Mr. Keith Rischer of 16157 Hanson Boulevard addressed the Commission and suggested that since the City is unable to fund an attendant at the skate park that the City not charges user fees. He then suggested that the City attempt to implement a registration policy for all children and require the kids to carry the cards with them when at the park. He also suggested that the City request extra patrol ofthe area and recommended that violators be warned and then removed from the park and parents contacted. Mr. Rischer suggested the City add the Tier 1 half pipe to the equipment because, in his opinion, the kids need more of a challenge to feel they have a vested interest in following the rules out at the park. He also commented that the money is available for the half pipe (~ and provided vendor information on the product. V " o o Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 18, 2002 Page 3 , -'\ '-J Commissioner Holthus asked how the rules at the skate park in Coon Rapids are enforced. Mr. Rischer explained that there is no enforcement and nobody wears helmets. He then commented that there is a disclaimer on a sign that says: "skate at your own risk". Commissioner Holthus inquired as to how high off the ground the half pipe is. Mr. Rischer explained it is Tier I equipment and said it is about 6 to 8 inches offthe ground. He also commented that the half pipe is an easily navigable piece of equipment for most skateboarders Commissioner DeLaForest commented that Mr. Richard seemed to be comfortable with the user fees provided that the City employs an attendant. Mr. Rischer indicated the user fees were brought up as a way to fund the attendant and, if that is not going to happen, he does not feel user fees are warranted. He also commented that in communities with Tier 1 equipment it is the community standard not to charge user fees. C~) Commissioner DeLaForest said he favors user fees of some type because it is a community facility and the users should pay in part. He then said he would like further information as to what the user fee would need to be in order to fund an attendant. He also said he is concerned for the extra liability the City is exposed to and would like the City Attorney to comment on whether additional insurance is needed when the half pipe is added. Mr. Rischer commented that the half pipe is Tier 1 equipment and 90% of the kids using the equipment are capable of using the equipment. Commissioner Peterson indicated she had made several calls to other communities for information on their skate park facilities. She then updated the Commission on the outcome of those calls. Commissioner Peterson asked whether anyone had discussed the skate park with Laura. Commissioner Blackstad indicated that the Task Force had spoken to her and her suggestion was to put chains across the half pipe when the park is not open to keep kids off of it. Commissioner Peterson suggested seeking Laura's opinion with regard to how to curb some of the undesirable behaviors at the park. o o o /-~ V Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 18, 2002 Page 4 Commissioner Blackstad indicated he would work with the Skateboard Task Force to see what, if anything, the Task Force can do to correct or limit the undesirable behaviors. He then said he did not agree with charging user fees without an attendant. He further commented that the kids might take better care of the equipment if the City upgrades it. Commissioner Grabowski indicated the older kids intimidate the younger kids with the bad language and other activities. He then said he thinks the chain would help but he does not think the additional equipment will change the behaviors. He further commented that he feels a fee would give kids a vested interest in the park and hopefully improve their behavior. Commissioner Blackstad commented that there are no funds in the budget for an attendant and the user fee would need to be too high to fund one. He also commented that the Commission needs to approach Council next year to make sure the matter is placed on the agenda for discussion of adding an attendant to the budget. Commissioner Grabowski suggested charging user fees to contribute half of the funds for the attendant to give the lGds some ownership in the park. o Commissioner Anderson commented there are no funds available for an attendant and, without an attendant, some kids would pay to use the park and some would not and that is not fair to those that do. There is no way to enforce the rules without an attendant. He then commented he would like to see the CSO at the park more. Jamie Schlough commented that when the Commission decided on the City Hall site it was largely because of the availability of a phone. Commissioner Blackstad commented that City Staff removed the phone at city Hall. Commissioner Grabowski asked Mr. Haas to investigate the cost versus revenue generated for the telephone out front of City Hall. Motion by Commissioner Blackstad to go out for bids on the half pipe and to speak to Captain King to request an increase of patrol at the skate park. Commissioner Anderson asked whether the Commission wanted to require parents be present for those children under 12 years of age and incorporate a training session a couple oftimes per year. Commissioner Blackstad amended his motion to include the requirement that Staff devise a chaining system to lock down the equipment when the park is not open. ~) Commissioner DeLaForest said he feels there is a need for an attendant for enforcement and for someone to put the chains up and take the chains down. He then said he is not o o Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 18, 2002 Page 5 ,,- '" ~) convinced that it is acceptable to have the park open without someone from the City being there. Commissioner Blackstad commented that the League of Minnesota Cities has said as long as the City uses Tier 1 equipment no attendant is needed and no additional insurance. Commissioner DeLaForest said he would like to hear from the City Attorney. Finance Director Jim Dickinson indicated that the League of Minnesota Cities has said that Tier 1 equipment does not increase the liability but, if an attendant is hired, there could be an expectation of supervision causing an issue as to when there is an attendant and when there is not. Jamie Schlough indicated that loss prevention indicates that equipment generally less than three feet in height can be treated like any other playground equipment and requires no fencing but should require signage to indicate that personal protective equipment is required. () Commissioner DeLaForest said he thinks his or her needs to be somebody at the park sometimes to open and close the park. He then commented he does not want to make the user fees expensive but he does not think a few dollars is asking too much. Chair Lindahl commented the City would be paying for the attendant on days when there is nobody at the park such as stormy days. Commissioner Blackstad withdrew his motion. Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Anderson to order plans and specifications for the half pipe equipment. Commissioner Holthus asked whether it would be possible to use the money earmarked for the equipment to fund the attendant. Commissioner Blackstad indicated that the Lions raised $5000 and the City agreed to match it. He then said he thinks having the additional equipment will bring more users to the facility. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. o Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Anderson to direct the sheriffs department to increase patrols with the CSO specifically on weekends, coordinate with the crime specialist to put together safety training, to place notice of that training in the newsletter and post the rules and safety information at City Hall, and to direct Staff to make any change in signage deemed necessary per information from the League of Minnesota Cities. " /--, ; , \._' () (J o o Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 18, 2002 Page 6 It was the consent of the Commission there would be no user fees and no identification cards. Commissioner DeLaForest indicated he would be voting no on the motion because he would like to see more information on user fees funding the attendant. Commissioner Grabowski indicated he has issues with what happened last year. Commissioner Holthus suggested getting the school liaison officer from Oak View Middle School involved in the training. Commissioners agreed to monitor usage at the park to determine approximate numbers for users. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, I-nay (DeLaForest), O-absent vote. Mr. Haas indicated the park would open as soon as the equipment could be readied. He also noted he would schedule the training for May 13, 2002 at 6:30 at City Hall. UPDATE OF COMMUNITY SCHOOL USAGE Commissioners briefly discussed the School District's consideration of user fees. Mr. Haas indicated that it appears that the School District will approve an $8.00 to $20.00 per player fee per season and suggested that Commissioners may want to attend the School Board Meeting on April 22, 2002. Commissioner Blackstad indicated he would be attending the Board meeting. STATUS OF BUNKER HILLS UNDERPASS/ANOKA COUNTY Mr. Haas reported that the Bunker Hills underpass would be going out to bids and construction should begin shortly. PARK DEDICATION FEES/ANDOVER STATION/MARKETPLACE Mr. Haas reported that the cash park dedication fee would be $160,608.96 and asked whether the Commission wished to approve cash in lieu of land dedication. Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Anderson to accept the $160,608.96 cash in lieu of land park dedication fee. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. C) o Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 18, 2002 Page 7 ( .1 Mayor Gamache addressed the Commission and explained the City's proposal for a Community Center. He also reviewed the proposal for funding the Community Center with both private donations and public contributions. Staff provided a drawing ofthe proposed Community Center site for review. Mayor Gamache explained that some ofthe existing fields and services would be lost when the Community Center is constructed but said the City would work to replace anything that is lost. A couple ofthe Commissioners expressed concern with the loss of fields since there is already a shortage of fields. Another concern that was also expressed was the replacement costs for what is being lost are not being considered. REVIEW OF OUTSTANDING ITEMS The outstanding items were not discussed due to the length of the meeting. CHAIR'S REPORT Chairman Lindahl had no report. ( " ) , ....--, Commissioner Peterson asked whether the Commission was interested in reviewing the City's ordinance to require that dogs must be leashed in public not on voice command. The Commission determined it was not necessary to do so and asked that a reminder about dogs in public be placed in the newsletter. Commissioner Grabowski asked Mr. Haas to find out who rented the meeting room at Sunshine Park last because the room was left a huge mess. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Anderson, to adjourn the meeting at 10:06 p.m. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. Respectfully Submitted, Joan Lenzmeier, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. ~J "