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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 4, 2002 u - '\ o ~) o CITY of ANDOVER o .~ (ML.J W1U:L-n :.-t -l~ -0 )... PARKAND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING -APRIL 4, 2002 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Jim Lindahl on April 4, 2002, 7:33 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown BoulevardNW, Andover, Minnesota. Chairman Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Al Grabowski (arrived at 8:15 p.m.), Dorrie Peterson, Paul Anderson, and Dave Blackstad. Commissioners Present: Commissioners Absent: Valarie Holthus and Chris DeLaForest Also Present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas Others RESIDENTS FORUM There were no comments at this time. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Blackstad, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the March 21,2002 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, 0- nays, 3-absent (DeLaForest, Grabowski, and Holthus) vote. PRESENTATION OF THE NEW ANDOVER FOOTBALLASSOCIATION Chuck Trom, the President of the Andover Football Association addressed the Commission and gave a presentation concerning the establishment of an Andover Football Association. Mr. Trom told the Commission that the Association was holding a community information meeting on Sunday, April 7, 2002. Mr. Trom asked for permission to Use two fields for football, one smaller field ahdone full size field. He then explained that if the. Association has to rent fields from another City the cost is $500.00. ,~ C) / " .\._~ Kegutar Anaover f'ark & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 4, 2002 0 Page 2 o Mr. Trom asked for assistance with establishing the fields and for a place to store equipment. Mr. Trom told the Commission that the Association would like to move toward providing a lighted field in the future. Chair Lindahl asked whether the Association had considered starting with the upper grades and expanding the program later. Mr. Trom indicated the Association had not considered starting only with the upper grades. He then indicated that the Association was looking for two fields for use on weekends because there are no lights. Commissioner Peterson asked when the football season would start. Mr. Trom indicated the football season ran from August through October. Mr. Haas indicated that he and the Public Works Staff were looking into which fields would accommodate the Association. Commissioner Blackstad suggested that over the summer Staff would determine what fields would be available to be shared with soccer. He then indicated that lighting a field would cost approximately $75,000 to $100,000. He further indicated that the Commission has considered lighting one of the fields but would need to budget for that making it at least three to five years in the future. Commissioner Peterson asked if the Commission had budgeted to light Sunshine Park. Commissioner Blackstad explained that the lighting was not in the budget at this time but noted that the conduit is under the slab at the park. Commissioner Peterson asked whether the field at the south side of Sunshine Park would be large enough for football. Mr. Haas explained that there are three soccer fields and said the City can accommodate the Association with the use of fields. He then said that lighting would be looked at in the future. Mr. Schmitt asked what the process would be to ensure that the lights are on the table and considered for installation in three to five years. Commissioner Blackstad indicated the Commission would need to consider the proj ects already on the table but would look at adding lighting to the list of items to work toward. " '\ \--~ (J u KegUlar AnaOver l'ark & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 4, 2002 0 Page 3 o Mr. Schmitt asked if all the funding goes through Parks or if the Commission could tap into City funds to fund the lighting. Chair Lindahl indicated that the Commission has park dedication funds as well as a set budget number set up though the City. Commissioner Blackstad explained that the City receives park dedication funds anytime there is a new development to be used for the establishment of a park in that development or a regional park. He also explained that the Commission has permission to bond for a certain amount. Commissioner Anderson indicated that if the revenues come in higher there would be more money to work with. He then suggested that the Association keep making its presence known at the City so that the issue does not fall off the table. Chair Lindahl asked the Association to advise the Commission of the outcome of the community meeting. He then asked whether the Association had asked Anoka for space to store equipment and suggested that since the Association would take 1/3 of Anoka's players the equipment should come with them. Mr. Schmitt indicated that the Association had made a bid for purchasing the equipment because it feels that their kids have an investment in that equipment but the price Anoka came back with was too high and the Association feels it can provide new equipment for not much more money. Chair LindaW explained that the sports complex facility is in the planning stages and suggested that the Association meet with the task force to give input as to its storage needs. Commissioner Peterson asked whether the City had any available storage space. Mr. Haas indicated the City is out of storage space. Commissioner Blackstad suggested asking the City of Anoka for space. He also suggested contacting someone out at the old hospital facility to use one of the buildings for storage. Mr. Haas indicated that applications for use of fields are due the first part of July and indicated the City could accommodate the Association with the use of two fields. He then said that the Commission would need to have a copy of the practice schedule and what fields are to be used because it is not acceptable to just go out and use a park. Mr. Tram indicated the Association would be handing out a flier surveying interested participants at the community meeting and said he felt that may provide better " ,- ') \'_-j ( ') \_' /-- '\ \_~ .....l5'.....f n.fIl.4UVt;r F.J..lrf(, 0.:: f(ecreatlon Commission Meeting Minutes - April 4, 2002 (J Page 4 lJ participation numbers for them. He then indicated the meeting was scheduled for April 7, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. at Andover Elementary in the big gym. Commissioner Peterson asked whether the Association had contacted Soderville or Blaine. She also asked how the Association is contacting private school kids to determine the interest in playing. Mr. Trom indicated that the President of the Blaine Football Association had come to a monthly meeting to discuss equipment and fees. Mr. Haas told the Association they would need to set aside time for chalking the fields because Public Works does not have time to do so. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed outstanding items. The Commission discussed the issues with the skate park and Mr. Haas reported he had met with some of the skate park users to discuss a one time fee and registration to use the park in an effort to eliminate the issues. The Commissioners agreed that the park should be closed when not supervised and asked Mr. Haas to look into whether there would be funds available that were not used for supervising ice skating rinks to pay an attendant at the skate park. The Commissioners agreed that a once per year fee and registration of skaters would help but did not agree on what that fee should be. Commissioner Peterson asked why Sunshine Park and City Hall were the only two parks where dogs are not allowed. Mr. Haas indicated that those two parks are the most heavily used parks. Mr. Haas indicated that any Commissioners with questions concerning Andover Station should contact the City Administrator directly. CHAIR'S REPORT Chairman Lindahl had no report. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Blackstad, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent vote (DeLaForest and Holthus): " '\ ) -' \ ,_ .J ... J' n.egwar Anaover rark & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 4, 2002 () Page 5 '-- ( ') .'~ Respectfully Submitted, Joan Lenzmeier, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. "