HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP August 20, 1998
CITY of ANDOVER
Special City CouncillPark Board Meeting - Thursday, August 20,1998
Call to Order - 7:00 PM
1. Discuss Park Bond Referendum/98-18
2. Other Business
Adjournment
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CITY of ANDOVER
SPECIAL ANDOVER CITY COUNCIVPARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING-AUGUST 20,1998
MINUTES
A Special Joint Meeting of the Andover City Council and Park and Recreation Commission was
called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on August 20, 1998,7:42 p.m., at the Andover City Hall,
1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota.
Councilmembers present: Mike Knight, John Kunza
Councilmembers absent: Bonnie Dehn, Ken Orttel
Park and Recreation
Commissioners Present: Chairperson AI Grabowski, Jeff Kieffer (arrived at 8:08 p.m.), Jim
Lindahl, Dave O'Toole (left the meeting at 8:50 p.m.)
Park and Recreation
Commissioners Absent: Tom Anderson, Brian Barringer, Dave Blackstad,
Also present: City Engineer, Scott Erickson
Public Works Superintendent, Frank Stone
Parks, Kevin Starr
Others
DISCUSS PARK BOND REFERENDUM
Mr. Erickson outlined the needs facing the City in park development and redevelopment in the
future, the cost to the homeowner for a bond depending on the market value of his /her property and
the amount of the bond, and the time frame in which the referendum would be done. It is estimated
that a $1 million bond will increase taxes on a $100,000 home $22 per year; a $2 million, $43 per
year; a $3 million bond, $65 per year; and a $4 million, $88 per year. On September 3 the Park
Board will re-evaluate the issue. A public information meeting would be scheduled for September
10, with the City Council deciding whether or not to put the referendum on the November ballot at
their September 15 meeting.
Commissioner O'Toole apologized for not having a project list available to the Council at their
August 18 meeting. He thanked the Council for their support, noting the more visible
accomplishments of Sunshine Park and the trail system, both of which are heavily used by the
residents. The Commission feels they should continue with park improvements. The
Comprehensive Plan projects a population of 39,000 by the year 2020, and it is important that plans
be made to keep up with the recreational amenities in the City. Since the last attempt to pass a park
bond referendum, the Commission has been working off the project list to make improvements;
however, the funding is very limited. He then reviewed the proposed expenditures of a park bond
referendum starting with he upgrading of the regional parks plus many of the neighborhood parks,
various trails, the Crooked Lake boat landing, the City Hall park, Sunshine Park and the proposed
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Special City Council/Park and Recreation Commission Meeting
Minutes -August 20,1998
Page 2
(Discuss Park Bond Referendum, Continued)
development of the parcel south of the WDE landfill site. The estimated cost is $3,SOO,000. The
Commission thinks this is a good time to get these things done, as it will be more expensive in the
future and there will be a lot more demand.
(Commissioner Kieffer arrived at this time, 8:08 p.m.)
Items discussed included the impact on the Hidden Creek parking lot by the reconstruction of Bunker
Lake Boulevard, the desire to construct a baseball complex, the proposal for restroom facilities at
the City Hall site, bringing all parks up to ADA standards, the completion of Kelsey-Round Lake
park, lighting at Sunshine Park, the impact on the Crooked Lake boat landing by the reconstruction
of Bunker Lake Boulevard and the suggestion that a service road be constructed in that vicinity, trails
plus trail crossings and landscaping. In addition, about $300,000 to $400,000 in new equipment for
the parks would be needed. It was also suggested that consideration be given for an indoor ice arena
to be located at the parcel south of the WOE site. Another suggestion was to contact other cities as
to their policy on blacktopping parking lots in their parks. Increased maintenance costs will also
need to be determined.
Chairperson Grabowski stated with a bond, the City could get to the point of servicing the parks with
just dedication and the budget. As it is, very little park dedication is able to go toward park
development because of the other needs. Commissioner Lindahl noted now park dedication funds
are being used to upgrade and replace old equipment rather than to build new parks in the new
developments because there is not enough in the General Budget. Mr. Starr stated parks is getting
farther and farther behind, and the City keeps growing so fast.
Discussion was on means of informing people of the informational meeting and of the proposal
itself. A suggestion was to ask the athletic associations to deliver flyers throughout the City. Other
suggestions were to run a large notice in the Andover Times, in the Anoka Union, in the Shopper
and over cable TV and to utilize a phone tree method of passing the information.
(Commissioner O'Toole left the meeting at this time, 8:S0 p.m.)
It was agreed that the September 10 informational meeting will be held by the Park and Recreation
Commission, who will then report to the City Council.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
~~~L
Recording Secretary
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