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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJCC March 2, 1995 , (i CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N,W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 Joint City Council/Park and Recreation. Commission Meeting March 2, 1995 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Residents Forum 3. Approval of Minutes 4. Park Bond Discussion/project 94-28 5. Tulip Street NW Park Discussion 6. . 7. Chairman's Report 8. Adjournment " . .... " . " ., "- q[ <::.'.',-: ~"'" ;~ CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW.. ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (612) 755-5100 ,'-.. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MARCH 2, 1995 MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on March 2, 1995, 7:07 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota, to meet jointly with the Andover Park and Recreation Commission. Councilmembers present: Dehn, Jacobson, Knight, Kunza Councilmembers absent: None Park and Recreation Commissioners Present: Chairperson Tom Anderson .-- Commissioner Dave.Erickson Commissioner Al Grabowski Commissioner Jeff Kieffer Commissioner Jim Lindahl Commissioner Dave O'Toole Commissioner Roger Paulson Also present: Springs ted, Inc. , Bob Thistle City Engineer, Scott Erickson Public works Superintendent, Frank Stone Parks Department, Kevin Starr Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Others RESIDENT FORUM Merlvn prochniak - understood the soccer field north of the Public works building is to be taken back by Public Works. He and Bill LeFabvre were on the Park Board when the City Hall site was developed; and there was an understanding between Public Works and the Park Board that at some point that soccer field would probably be taken over by Public Works. As a resident and previous Park Board Commissioner, he asked that the City Council fund the construction of another soccer field to offset the loss of that field, whether it is in this year's budget or next. There was a lot of volunteer help in sprinkling that field plus other enhancements to it. He acknowledged the City is expanding and running out of area, but he'd appreciate if the loss of that field could be offset with another one. He thought it was mostly park dedication monies that developed the site, and monies should be available to offset the loss. PARK BOND DISCUSSION/PROJECT 94-28 Mr. Haas reviewed the history behind the proposed park bond discussion and what has been accomplished to date. The costs shown for the proposed improvements that have been reviewed by the Park and Recreation Commission include the installation costs. If the park bond is approved, Mr. Stone estimated a need to increase the 1996 budget by 8 to 10 percent. One additional full-time employee would be needed for parks, plus two seasonal workers. Mr. Erickson also noted the contingency item includes the dollars needed for additional equipment for maintenance. M~ ~ d"Y'- ô/:lI~5" if" Special Andover City Council/Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 2, 1995 Page 2 (Park Bond Discussion/project 94-28, Continued) Mr. Starr felt some additional funding will be needed for maintenance. The trail system will be very labor intensive. They also have a program in place to inspect all playground equipment quarterly. Mr. Haas noted the $80,000 for Kelsey-Round Lake is the City's share with the assumption that matching grant monies would again be received. That would complete Phase 2 of that park development. Commissioner O'Toole also noted the hope is to obtain grant funds for the trail system as well. In discussing the dollar figure for a park bond, the Commissioner noted the revised figure of $3,631,800 is what is needed for parks. Mr. Thistle reviewed the specifics of a bond issue itself as to the cost of issuance and impact to the homeowner depending on the size of the bond and number of years for which it is issued. It is based on a true interest rate of 5.8 percent on a 10-year issue and 6.0 percent on a 15- year issue. A 10-year issue will result in higher payments for a shorter period of time but less interest. A IS-year issue will result in lower payments, but it will cost more in interest. The length of the issuance would be set by the Council, though it cannot be any longer than the life expectancy of the equipment. Typically the length of issuance will be 10 to 15 years. Also, it is difficult to point to an amount that will be accepted by the residents. If there is something frivolous in the proposal, people will tend to vote against it. If it meets the needs of the community and that is represented through the athletic associations, the residents may approve it. He did suggest, however, that all of it be done at one time; as it is difficult to go back and ask a second time. Mayor McKelvey was concerned with the amount of the proposal and wanted the Commission to look at reducing it. Councilmember Jacobson noted that approximately $500,000 is for blacktopped parking lots and thought there may be some room to cut there. Park Commission Chairperson Anderson noted the ordinance requirement for the paving of parking lots. Also, a large portion of the cost is for the Field of Dreams and the trail system. He has found there is a great demand for trails in the City which would serve people of all ages. Mr. Starr felt blacktopped parking lots are needed in the urban area because Class 5 is a maintenance problem. He questioned the need for concrete curb and gutter. Also, the parking lot at Hawk Ridge is a maintenance problem with ruts and dust. There are a lot of complaints about that parking lot. Very few park parking lots get maintenance in the winter, so he did not think bituminous curb would be a problem. It was determined that the average home valued at $125,000 would pay $90 the first year on a $3 million, ten-year issue. A change in the state law also means that commercial property is taxed at the same rate as residential on bond referendums. Councilmember Knight thought the proposed trail system would benefit a small area of the City and preferred that consideration be given to constructing the trail under the power line easement which runs all -- ~---~ l Special Andover City Council/Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 2, 1995 Page 3 (Park Bond Discussion/Project 94-28, Continued) through Andover. Councilmember Jacobson stated that can only be used for utility purposes and that easement would have to be acquired from the individual landowners. There was discussion on the expressed desire by residents for trails, their multi-use and the fact that they are multi- seasonal. The Commission pointed out they have asked the Staff to look at the cost of the warming houses again. Mr. Starr stated that even with the money from a bond, it would not bring the city into complete compliance with the ADA Act. They have a plan in place for that purpose. They will also be setting up a plan for replacing play equipment. There was some debate on whether it would be better to concentrate on the City Hall complexes and the regional parks as opposed to trying to do something for all of the neighborhood parks as well. Commissioner Lindahl stated as a Commission they see more response and involvement from residents for their own neighborhood parks. It makes them owners of the park. He did not believe the feeling would be behind the regional parks. Others agreed, and Mr. Starr noted the most positive program has been the Adopt-A-Park program which is in its third year. Mr. Haas also reported there is approximately $235,000 in park dedication funds which are earmarked for the lighting of two fields at City Hall Complex #1 and for the development of the Field of Dreams site. Commissioner O'Toole stated the Andover Recreational Development Association has collected about $50,000 plus about $10,000 in materials for the building on the Field of Dreams site. The electrical within the building will be a big expense. At this time Mayor MCKelvey presented a check to the Park and Recreation Commission and the City of Andover in the amount of $1,000 from Jerry windschitl, Ashford Development, as a donation to the Field of Dreams fund. He also reported the Andover Lions will be presenting a check to the City for 50 percent of the profits from the pull tabs at Pov's Sports Bar. The first two month's worth is approximately $12,000 which is to be dedicated to the parks. It was generally agreed that an election for the park bond referendum should take place prior to school getting out. Mayor McKelvey noted the owner of pov's Sports Bar has requested a special election on May 7, 1995, on the issue of Sunday liquor. Both questions should be on the same ballot. It was agreed the Park Commission would review the proposed project list this evening and have a revised copy for the Council to consider at their March 7, 1995, regular meeting. Mr. Haas stated he will also have a resolution calling for the referendum at that meeting. The Council agreed. Merlvn prochniak - asked why the capital budget was so low for the past five years, as it was $60,000 when he was on the Park Board just prior to that. He did not think it was fair to the Park Board to continually cut their capital budget and have to depend on park dedication, which varies from year to year. The Council explained the cutbacks needed in the budget because of the reduction in aids from the State. Plus park dedication funds are received from developers every year. _n_ .~__ ! ~ ¡ Special Andover City Council/park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 2, 1995 Page 4 (Park Bond Discussion/Project 94-28, Continued) The Commission also asked about the $30,000 that the Council had placed in contingency in the event the bond failed. They understood that funding is no longer available. Mr. Haas explained that the former Finance Director was directed by the Council to balance the budget, and the contingency was one item that was cut. The Commission expressed concern that that was done without discussing it or informing them of that action. Mr. Thistle also noted the City has three years in which to spend the bond funds. If plans are in place, it would be possible to issue the bonds in the fall, which would place the bond levy on the 1997 taxes. He recommended the issuance of the bond be placed when the City is ready to begin construction. The Council noted the plans for the Field of Dreams is already in progress. Mr. Thistle stated then it may be better to issue the bonds in late summer; though the earliest they could be issued is 70 to 80 days after the election, making it about August. August, September or December are good times to be in the bond market. The Commission was concerned with the possibility of losing Ball Field No. 1 because of the proposed construction of a new City Hall. They urged the Council to position the building such that that field is not destroyed. Even with the additional fields at the Field of Dreams, that field is still needed. Mayor McKelvey also hoped to move the building closer to the road so the field is not disturbed. Commissioner Grabowski also expressed concern with the growing demand for fields and the need for more. The fields in the next complex are needed in addition to what they have now, not in replacement of a field. He didn't think the residents would be happy about a park bond issue when the City is building on top of an existing ball field that was built with park dedication funds. Other Councilmembers did not see the sense in destroying an irrigated field if the new building can be moved to save it. There being no further discussion on the park bond issue, the special City Council meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 1\\~~ c,,-~~L Ma~lla A. Peach Recording Secretary - - ~--------