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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK July 10, 1996 CITY of ANDOVER JOINT CITY CO UNCI LIP ARK & RECREATION MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 10, 1996 6:30 PM I. Call to Order 2. Discuss 1997 Park Capital Improvement Budget 3. Consider Using Contingency Fund for Water Usage & Cleaning at Sunshine Park 4. 5. Adjournment at 7:00 pm , ~ 51lD ¡c1(p CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (612) 755-5100 SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL/PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - JULY 10, 1996 . MINUTES A Special Joint Meeting of the Andover City Council and Andover Park anJ Recreation Commission was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on July 10, 1996, 6:40 p.m., at Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Dehn, Jacobson, Knight Councilmember absent: Kunza Park Commissioners present: Chairperson Lindahl, Grabowski, O'Toole Park Commissioners absent: Anderson, Kieffer, Paulson Also present: Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Parks, Kevin Starr Community Development Director, Dave Carlberg Finance Director, Jean McGann City Administrator, Richard Fursman Others DISCUSS 1997 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET Mr. Haas reviewed a report given to the Council comparing the park capital improvement funds allocated in Andover wi th those of similar sized communities in the area. It shows that other cities are allocating considerably more funds for park improvements than Andover. He explained last year only $25,000 was allocated for park improvements, all of which was spent on the new Sunshine Community Park. No money was available from the General Fund for playground equipment. Park Commission Chairperson Lindahl explained they are getting more pressure from the residents for park improvements and for walking trails in particular. With such a limited budget, it is difficult to update and maintain existing parks and equipment. The population in Andover includes a lot of children, and the park facilities are being used. Park Commissioner O'Toole appreciated the contributions from the TIF fund and the Lions Club for the development of the new Sunshine Community Park, but there are about 50 other parks that need to be upgraded. Only $25,000 per year in the General Fund doesn't even do one park. The amount received from park dedication is an unknown each year because it depends on development, and they try to earmark those funds toward the development of the new parks. He'd like to see an increase in the amount of Park Capital Improvement Funds in the General Budget. Mr. Starr noted 32 parks are developed. They maintain 38 parks, but the City owns 55 parks total. Councilmember Jacobson suggested that some of the parks that are not maintained or used be sold. The Commissioners generally had no problem with that if it can legally be done. Mr. Starr also stated the increased Park Capital Improvement Funds would be used to complete items identified at the time of the bond. Joint Andover City Council/Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - July 10, 1996 Page 2 (Discussion 1997 Park Capital Improvement Budget, Continued) The Park Commissioners again noted the increased demand from residents to improve the parks. Funding is still needed to complete Kelsey-Round Lake Park, to develop a trail system, to upgrade existing parks to meet safety and ADA standards, and to light the fields at Sunshine Community Park. They have worked with a $25,000 Capital Improvement Fund budget since 1989, and it doesn't go very far. After further discussion, the Council generally felt there is a need to increase the Capital Improvement Fund for parks. A figure of $60,000 for the 1997 budget was suggested; however, because the Council had not yet reviewed the proposed 1997 budget, it was understood that that may not be a firm figure. Park Commission Chairperson Lindahl stated they were not looking for a specific number at this time, but came to inform the Council of the increased demand from residents and to point out the funding needs. Park Commissioner Grabowski stated there has been discussion about having a park fee added to the building permit fees. Mayor McKelvey didn't believe that is legal at this time. (Mayor McKelvey left the meeting at 7:10 p.m.; Councilmember Jacobson served as Acting Mayor for the remainder of the joint meeting.) Mr. Starr stated the most requests are for a trail system. Acting Mayor Jacobson suggested the Commission look at the comprehensive trails map again, as he felt it is not feasible or desirable to have trails alon9 all of the major roadways in the City. Mr. Haas stated the Park Commission has established a Pathway Task Force that will review the needs and recommend a trail system. The concentration will be in the urban area, leaving the trails along the existing shoulders of county roads in the rural areas for now. CONSIDER USING CONTINGENCY FUND FOR WATER USAGE AT SUNSHINE PARK Acting Mayor Jacobson expressed surprise at the high cost of watering the fields at Sunshine Park. He asked about the cost of installing a separate well just for that park. Commissioner O'Toole stated that was originally discussed and rejected by the Council. He recalled the cost would be about $20,000. At this time Acting Mayor Jacobson thought it may be more economical to install a well than to pay the cost of watering through the City's municipal system. He urged Staff to research the specific costs of installing a well, to determine the costs of watering through the municipal system, and to find the breakeven point. Park Commission Chairperson Lindahl also pointed out the concern with the municipal system is the water restrictions. There is thousands of dollars worth of sod on the fields that could be destroyed of not watered as needed. He felt the cost of a private well would haV2 to come out of Park Dedication funds. - -. -- --"- Joint Andover City Council/Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - July 10, 1996 Page 3 (Discuss Using Contingency Fund for Wa ter Usage at Sunshine Park, Continued) Acting Mayor Jacobson asked if it is legal to forgive the costs of watering the fields at Sunshine Park. Ms. McGann explained the water fund is supposed to be self-supporting, paid strictly by user fees. The General Fund is paid for from resident taxes and other fees. By forgiving the fees for parks, the water fund would be contributing to parks; and she didn't know if there are sufficient funds to do that. She noted there is about $35,000 remaining in the Contingency Fund. After further discussion, Staff was directed to research the cost of installing a private well with the possibility of installing it yet this fall. While there was some support to pay for the costs already incurred for water usage at Sunshine Park from the Contingency Fund, no specific action was taken on the item. Acting Mayor Jacobson asked for a motion to adjourn the joint City Council/Park and Recreation Commission Meeting. MOTION by Knight, Seconded by Dehn, to so move. Motion carried on a 3- Yes, 2-Absent (McKelvey, Kunza) vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~~ Recording Secretary ~ -----