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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 15, 2005 C I T Y 0 F NDOVE PARKAND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING -DECEMBER 15,2005 MINUTES The regular Bi-monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Lindahl on December 15, 2005, 7:10 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chairman Jim Lindahl, Ernest Bedor, Wendy Albee, and Devon Walton Commissioners Absent: Dan Maslowski, and Dave Blackstad Also Present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas RESIDENTS FORUM There were no co=ents at this time. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Walton, seconded by Commissioner Bedor, to approve the November 17,2005 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Maslowski and Blackstad) vote. APPROVAL OF REVISED AGENDA Parks Coordinator Haas stated that he would like to add the following items to the agenda: Approve Application for scheduled Use of Recreational Facilities/Coon Rapids Free Church Youth Group as Item 4a and Consider Tennis CourtsfPine Hills Park as Item 4b. Motion by Commissioner Bedor, seconded by Commissioner Walton, to add 4a and 4b to the agenda Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Maslowski and Blackstad) vote. UPDATE OF 2006 TOURNAMENTINORTH METRO SOCCER ASSOCIATION Parks Coordinator Haas noted Judy Densmore of the North Metro Soccer Association was present, and stated City Staff and the North Metro Soccer Association (NMSA) has attempted to contact the Andover Baseball Association over the past few weeks to determine if there would be any conflicts for the tournament that NMSA requested in June 2006. Staff did receive a response on December 2, 2005 from the President of the Andover Baseball Association. He indicated they planned to have a tournament the same weekend. Parks Coordinator Haas reco=ended the commission approve both Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 15, 2005 Page 2 tournaments, because there should be adequate parking with the schools nearby. It was suggested that baseball and soccer work together to communicate this to the teams where parking will be available. He suggested that some of the championship games (if possible) on Sunday could be played in the Prairie Knoll Park. Chair Lindahl clarified the last time they addressed the Commission it was a tentative plan. He mentioned that Andover Baseball Association could make concessions, because there were two other parks nearby that could be used for their games. He reminded the Commission that the Baseball Association's schedule was still tentative because the baseball association had not submitted the required tournament application form to the City for consideration. Motion by Commissioner Walton, seconded by Commissioner Albee, to approve the North Metro Soccer Association tournament. Motion carried 4-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Maslowski and Blackstad) vote. APPROVE APPLICATION FOR SCHEDULED USE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES/COON RAPIDS FREE CHURCH YOUTH GROUP Parks Coordinator Haas stated that the same group as last year. This year they needed the facility for two nights. They would have to pay the $36.00 fee for the adults on the first night, but no fee for the second, because it was for youth. Last year, the group used the facilities past II :00 p.m. so the police were called to let them know of the activities going on in the park. Commissioner Walton inquired if the facility was lighted. Parks Coordinator Haas responded they had lights. Motion by Commissioner Walton, seconded by Commissioner Albee to notify the neighbors and approve the application. Motion carried 4-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Maslowski and Blackstad) vote. CONSIDER TENNIS COURTSIPINE mLLS PARK Parks Coordinator Haas introduced Don Jacobson, Chair of the Meadow Creek School Board of Trustees. Mr. Jacobson stated the new site for the school would be across from Pine Hills Park on the north side of 161st Avenue NW. Originally they proposed 4-6 tennis courts on there own site. But due limited space, the school is requesting the City to consider the concepts to build the courts in Pine Hills Park. The school will ask for exclusive use of the courts during their tennis regular season and for tournaments. Each year they would bring the schedule to the Commission for approval. He inquired if they were in favor of the concept. The City Attorney would write up the agreement, which would then go to Council for consideration. They would not be built until about 2008. Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 15, 2005 Page 3 Chair Lindahl inquired when the school is established, would the crossing be adjusted at the intersection. Parks Coordinator Haas stated a traffic study is currently being done by the church., but there were no plans for a change in the intersection except for some turn lane improvements and probably crosswalks. Chair Lindahl questioned if the courts would be used during school days for gym classes. He requested that one or two courts be left open for public use. Mr. Jacobson answered they would be used for practice from generally 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the week. He asked if the houses at the school site would be removed. Mr. Jacobson responded that most likely the existing houses where the school would be built would probably be removed. Commissioner Bedor inquired if the courts would be located beyond the outfield. Mr. Jacobson responded that they would be beyond the outfield, but the area would need to be regarded to accommodate the courts. Chair Lindahl indicated he did not want to remove many trees to protect the adjacent neighbors' views. Commissioner Walton questioned if there was a need to expand the parking lot. Mr. Jacobson noted there would be a parking lot across the street at the school that they could use if parking was short at the park. At the present time, it was merely at the conceptual level. Chair Lindahl requested that when the blacktop is put in could they pave the parking lot in the park at the same time they pave the tennis courts as well. Commissioner Walton indicated he would like to revisit the asphalt parking lot issue at a later date. Motion by Commissioner Bedor, seconded by Commissioner Albee to recommend approval of the concept of the plan for tennis courts at Pine Hills Park. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Maslowski and Blackstad) vote. UPDATE OF PARK DEDICATION IMPROVEMENT FUND QUARTERLY REPORT/FINANCE DEPT. Parks Coordinator Haas stated he spoke with the Finance Department about the 3rd quarterly and questions some of the Commission members had at the last meeting. After discussing this with the Assistant Finance Director, it was determined to wait until the 4th quarterly report is finished. The Assistant Finance Director would be at the January meeting to go over the report with the Commission. UPDATE ON TWINS GRANT Parks Coordinator Haas indicated that Commissioner Walton had obtained a newsletter application that will not be available until January 14,2006. His impression was the grant was for ballparks needing improvements. Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 15, 2005 Page 4 Commissioner Walton clarified that the funding is for the installation of ball fields or retrofitting. One example was a renovation of a park with a new drain field. Examples of parks where this funding could be used for are Strootman Park and Andover Lions Park. Chair Lindahl inquired about the total amount being offered. Commissioner Walton responded the amount was $210,000. Chair Lindahl mentioned that Andover was a relatively affiuent community, and the target appeared to be more rural. Commissioner Walton answered that there were several other communities similar to Andover such as St Paul, St Francis, and Ham Lake that received funding for their facilities. CONSIDER 2006 OUTDOOR RECREATION APPLICATION ROUND/06-6 Parks Coordinator Haas stated this funding was available to cities, counties, and other agencies. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources decides the amount that each agency will receive. The City has been seeking funding for the past couple years for the Crooked Lake boat landing for parking lot reconstruction, and a new fishing pier at the same location. The City has applied for other grants for other parks, but it has been very competitive due to all the agencies applying, and in the past the City had not obtained any of those grants. Commissioner Walton questioned if there was a trail along the Rum River that could be a possible site for a grant Parks Coordinator Haas responded the terrain was not conducive for a trail along this section. Motion by Commissioner Bedor, seconded by Albee to pursue funding through the 2006 Outdoor Recreation Application for the Crooked Lake Boat Landing parking lot reconstruction and a new fishing pier. Motion carried 4-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Maslowski and Blackstad) vote. CONSIDER CONCERTS IN THE PARK/COMMISSIONER ALBEE Commissioner Albee inquired if there was any interest for the Commission to hold concerts in the park. She spoke with the Coon Rapids Arts Commission, and suggested a trial run of two concerts to be funded with concessions. The trial run would indicate if there was any interest by the community. Chair Lindahl mentioned Sunshine Park was possibility, to be located in the parking lot or the picnic area, at a time when it might be open such as a Wednesday. Commissioner Bedor suggested a Friday or Saturday night. Commissioner Albee stated that is was difficult to book bands on the weekends. Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 15, 2005 Page 5 Chair Lindahl noted there was a considerable difference in the amount the bands charged for a booking. Commissioner Albee clarified that it ranged from $200-1200 per booking, but that several were in the lower range. Commissioner Walton suggested cooperating with other groups. He gave the example of Tanner's sponsoring two bands for their funfest. The bands that were kids-oriented drew large crowds. POV's was another group to cooperate with that might do an outdoor concert. Chair Lindahl suggested another site could be between Festival Foods and Target. Commissioner Walton stated Tanners had a band in the parking lot in the fall that was well attended. Commissioner Bedor noted it was more of a rock band. Coon Rapids had their concerts by the dam, so it was not competing with sporting events. Chair Lindahl indicated it might not necessarily be in a park. Commissioner Bedor mentioned it would be helpful to find a part of the City to dedicate for the purpose. Commissioner Walton would like the site to be by the Community Center. Chair Lindahl noted the issues were concessions, a facility, the accommodations, and other distractions. Sites could include Bunker Hills Park or the Community Center. Funding was a concern for him. Possibly for the trial basis they might use money from the General Fund. They needed to consider concession availability. Chair Lindahl stated it should be brought back in the meeting in January. Commissioner Walton questioned which permits were required. Chair Lindahl added that it was necessary to address the available venues. Commissioner Albee inquired if electricity was available near Target. Commissioner Walton stated he would contact Tanner's concerning how they held their concerts. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Parks Coordinator Haas indicated that they are working on addressing the fencing design of Andover Station North Park ball fields. Country Oaks Park irrigation system would be installed in the spring. He spoke recently with the YMCA representative at the YMCA Edina facility about any recommendations on a new skate park. They will be at the January 19, 2006 Commission meeting to make a presentation. The Sign Advertising Task Force would meet sometime in the first two weeks in January. Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 15, 2005 Page 6 CHAIR'S REPORT Commissioner Walton noted that playground equipment had been ordered for Woodland Estates Park, and would be installed sometime this spring. Parks Coordinator Haas added that they had $15,000 budgeted in the CIP for the project. Commissioner Walton inquired if it would be ready for use in April. Parks Coordinator Haas clarified it would be ready sometime in the middle of May. Commissioner Walton noted it was a positive experience with the cooperation they received from the neighbors, and the playground equipment was purchased was on sale. Parks Coordinator Haas stated there were 4-5 applicants that have applied for the 2 open positions on the Commission. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Bedor, seconded by Commissioner Albee, to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m. Motion carned on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Maslowski and Blackstad) vote. Respectfully submitted, Brigette Blesi, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, 1nc.