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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP April 20, 1999 ¿"Lff' IN C(¡\ .'" /'1 f1'1 CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL MEETING - APRIL 20, 1999 - MINUTES A Special Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on April 20, 1999,6:15 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Don Jacobson, Julie Johnson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel Councilmembers absent: None Also present: Park and Recreation Commission Chairperson, Dave Blackstad INTERVIEW PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPLICANTS The City Council interviewed the following applicants for the Park and Recreation Commission: Mary Jo Davich Valerie Holthus Tony Poole The Council alternately asked questions of the candidates regarding their background, special abilities they would bring to the Commission, conflicts of interest, the greatest asset of the existing park system and the greatest need in parks. Mary Jo Oavich - has lived in Anoka County all her life; has lived in Andover since 1977; has excellent communication and management skills to bring to the Board; has the time to serve her community to be a part of enhancing the quality of life in Andover; sees the biggest constraint as trying to keep everybody happy; liked the idea of increasing fees for park usage rather than having developers donate property; would like to see more educating of the public on the park facilities that are available; feels the lack of money is the greatest issue facing parks in the future; feels the parks need to be updated and made handicapped accessible, though there has been improvements in that area; and felt the trail system actually enhances property values. Valerie Holthus - has been in Andover 2\1, years; lives on 177th and Arrowhead with the closest park being Hawk Ridge; has children that are becoming involved in recreational activities; would like to be informed, learn how things are done and serve the community; has a background in education traveling to seven different schools as an advocate for students with severe behavior problems; would like to become aware of services for those children outside of the school district; is a runner and has ran through most ofthe neighborhoods and parks in the City; would like to get .. . Special Andover City Council Meeting Minutes - April 20, 1999 Page 2 more running paths and to connect the parks with trails within the City; really enjoys the new trails (Interview Park and Recreation Commission Applicants, Continued) (Valerie Holthus, Continued) in the City, especially the one along Coon Creek; feels money is the missing factor in being able to improve the park system; noticed some of the parks have very old equipment that should be upgraded; has no conflict of interest with serving on the board other than coaching her children's softball team with her husband; feels the parks have to have amenities for and be made available to all citizens of the City; speculated the increase in population and meeting their needs will be the most important issue in the next five years as well as the lack of money; did not think there would be a problem attending the Commission meetings; felt she should be appointed because she really wants to serve the community and knows quite a bit about the neighborhoods and parks already through running. Tony Poole - retired a year ago; has five children, three still at home; wants to get involved and has the time to serve now; felt the parks are quite nice and didn't know what was lacking in them at this time; felt the Council should choose the most qualified candidate, even if it was not him; felt all items should be considered realting to sports versus more passive amenities; did not have any conflict with attending the Commission meetings; loves to hunt and fish; is an outdoor person; does a lot of carpentry work and reads blue prints. The Council discsussed the qualifications of the candidates, noting there is one vacancy on the Commission, plus an alternate should also be chosen. Action was taken at the regular meeting later in the evening. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~~ Marc la A. Peach Recording Secretary --- . .