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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 19, 2024 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Strombeck on September 19, 2024, 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1885 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Tracy Strombeck, Commissioners Bruckner Johnson, Kristin Lackie, Jim Lindahl, Chuck Naughton, Liza Shafto, and Shane Stenzel. Commissioners Absent: None Also Present: Parks & Streets Operations Manager Jason Baumunk. RESIDENT FORUM No one appeared to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 18, 2024, Regular Meeting Chair Strombeck noted on page 4 the last paragraph should read “the majority of the Commission was in favor of AFA pursuing the concept”. Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Stenzel, to approve the July 18, 2024, Park Commission Regular Meeting minutes as revised. Motion carried on a 7- ayes, 0-nays, 0-present and 0-absent vote. July 18, 2024, Workshop Meeting Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Stenzel, to approve the July 18, 2024, Park Commission Workshop Meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, 0-nays, 0-present and 0-absent vote. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – September 19, 2024 Page 2 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Commissioner Stenzel, seconded by Commissioner Lackie to approve the September 19, 2024, Park Commission Regular Meeting Agenda as presented. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, 0-nays, and 0-absent vote. DISCUSS 2024 TREE LIGHTING Parks & Streets Operations Manager Jason Baumunk reviewed this item was discussed at a previous meeting. There is a committee forming to plan the details for the 2024 tree lighting event. The Park & Recreation Commission members have been included on any correspondence with the group that helped put the 2023 event together. There have been a number of people interested but only two committing to being on the Committee. He suggested the Commission may wish to plan the event. The Lions are going to help with the event. Commissioner Stenzel asked if there is a rec coordinator for the City and Mr. Baumunk stated there is a Recreation Facility Manager for the Community Center, but not a program cordinator. Mr. Baumunk stated he was hoping there would be volunteers to head the planning. Chair Strombeck suggested discussing at the next workshop meeting. Commissioner Lackie stated she would be willing to assist in the planning of the event. Mr. Baumunk was requested to try to gain more volunteers for the Committee. Chair Strombeck stated she would also assist. Commissioner Stenzel stated he feels this is the job for the rec department as programming the community center may be necessary. Friday, December 6 is the planned date for the tree lighting. ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE QUARTERLY REPORT The Andover Park Activity Quarterly Report from April 2024 – June 2024 was provided for Commission review. Mr. Baumunk noted there have been some issues with the sunflower fields regarding parking, etc. Staff had met with the organizer of the sunflower fields to try to develop a plan. The first weekend there were a number of complaints and the complaints have been ongoing. This is the last weekend for the sunflower fields. Parking tickets have been issued. Staff has been told this is the last year for this event. ND PARK DEDICATION IMPROVEMENT FUND 2 QUARTER REPORT / FINANCE DEPARTMENT The 2024 Second Quarter Financial Report including the Project Commitment Listing Report, Balance Sheet, and Revenue and Expenditure Reports for the Park Improvement Fund as of June 30, 2024, were provided for Commission information. Any questions can be directed to the Finance Department. DISCUSS 2025 – 2029 CIP – PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – September 19, 2024 Page 3 Parks and Streets Operations Manager Jason Baumunk reviewed the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to review the proposed 2025-2029 Park Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The public hearing for the 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan is on the 9/17/24 City Council Meeting Agenda. Staff will report back to the Park and Recreation Commission with any public input pertaining to the park improvements listed in that plan. Council removed some of the items. Mr. Baumunk suggested the Commission continue to include items in the plan. Taxes are being raised for infrastructure and new construction may not be timely. The proposed plan is: 2025  Annual Misc. Projects - $25,000  Park at Fields at Winslow Cove - $170,000. This is a new park that is identified in the development plans.  Contribution to ACC - $159,107. Final payment for the ACC expansion contribution.  Sunshine Basketball Court Improvements – Sport Court surfacing, fencing and improved backboards. Possible lighting as well (Lighting to be evaluated with parking lot lighting projects) - $65,000  Anoka County Dog Park Improvements - $25,000 (fencing). 2026  Annual Misc. Projects - $25,000.  Kelsey Round Lake Park Master Plan Additions. Building w/Bathrooms, Wayfinding, and Interpretive Signs - $230,000 (includes design fees previously identified for 2025).  Skate Park Expansion - $125,000 – Design and survey in 2025.  Sunshine Parking Lot Lights, West and South Lots - $30,000 (Actual costs TBD in 2025).  Oakview Park Irrigation - $20,000.  Pave Hawkridge Park Parking Lot - $150,000. 2027  Annual Misc. Projects - $25,000.  Zone A Projects TBD - $150,000.  Pine Hills North Master Plan Additions – TBD $100,000.  Pave Timber Trails Park Parking Lot - $52,000. 2028  Annual Misc. Projects - $25,000  Pleasant Oaks Sidewalk – ADA Access trail from the street to the playground - $4,000.  Zone D - $100,000. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – September 19, 2024 Page 4 2029  Annual Misc. Projects - $25,000.  Parking Lot Paving TBD - $100,000.  Zone C Improvements TBD - $150,000. Commissioner Lindahl stated funding is dedicated to the parks. Mr. Baumunk will clarify the difference between park dedication and general fund. Chair Strombeck stated the Commission was established to allocate park dedication funds. There was a discussion of the skateboard park which has been in place for several years. Commissioner Stenzel asked about the dog park improvements. Mr. Baumunk stated the 2025 plan was for fencing. Commissioner Stenzel stated other cities charge for use and those funds go back to the dog park. Mr. Baumunk will check to see what other cities are doing and speak with the City Administrator. The Park at Winslow Cove still has funding available through grant funds for the playground. There would be no neighborhood involvement in selecting equipment if done with grant funds. Mr. Baumunk described the grant program in detail. Commissioner Lindahl suggested information on that be provided to the public. The consensus was to have Mr. Baumunk apply for the grant immediately. OUTSTANDING ITEMS Parks and Streets Operations Manager Jason Baumunk reviewed the Outstanding Items Report: 1. On-going Projects: The contractor finished the resurfacing of the tennis/pickleball courts at Northwoods West Park. The new LED lights were installed. We are having trouble with the lights and the decision was made to upgrade all the lights to LED. They are directional lights to keep as much of the light on the courts and not extend past the park. Since the courts have been resurfaced for pickleball, and the new lights, we have received no complaints from the neighborhood. Staff will look at installing permanent pickleball nets for next season. The LED upgrade was funded by Park Dedication Funds identified in the annual miscellaneous park projects from the 2024 – 2028 CIP. The courts are seeing heavy use and staff will evaluate options for upgrading the small gravel parking lot for possible improvements. 2. Updates on 2024 Park CIP Projects: Pine Hills Multipurpose Building – The contract for the building has been signed and the building ordered. We are still expecting work to start this fall. Staff is waiting to hear back on the time and date of an onsite meeting with the contractor. New Trail Segment Along Crosstown – The new trail segment project along the south side of Crosstown Boulevard from Bluebird St. to Xeon St. is complete and open for use. th New Trail Segment Along 7 Ave – This trail is complete and open for use. Staff is monitoring the need for bollards or partial gate to deter vehicle traffic from using Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – September 19, 2024 Page 5 the trail. Staff installed a small section of fence with an end-of-road marker, and it has seemed to help with some initial issues that were being reported. Irrigation Improvements – Irrigation improvements in Sophie’s South and Hickory Meadows Parks were planned for spring of 2024. Work has been completed on the addition at Sophie’s South Park. Staff has overseeded the park and is working on establishing turf grass now that irrigation is complete. Hickory Meadows installation will be done in-house by Parks Staff as time permits. The plan is to still have this finished this season. Hills of Bunker Lake West Parking Lot Paving – The project is nearing completion with only some irrigation work and landscaping to complete. GameTime Playground Grant – The grant for the 2025 equipment replacements has been submitted for the three playgrounds identified in the 2025 CIP. 3. Other Items of Interest New Trail Segment Along Coon Creek – The easement has been secured and a DNR Local Trail Connection Grant was awarded in the amount of $250,000. The grant funds must be used by June of 2026. Staff will begin design work after Council provides approval of the grant. 4. Parks Maintenance Update: Mr. Baumunk reviewed the Weekly Parks Maintenance for 7/26/24, 8/2/24, 8/9/24, 8/16/24, 8/23/24, 8/30/24, 9/6/24, and 9/13/24. Mr. Baumunk noted his assistant Jake Griffiths is leaving Andover and his last day is Wednesday. CHAIR’S REPORT Commissioner Lindahl stated the parks are busy now with Fall sports. Commissioner Naughton thanked City Staff for their work on the clean-up. Commissioner Stenzel asked if field usage is tracked from the different associations. Mr. Baumunk stated there are two associations competing for one field. Commissioner Stenzel asked if the associations could track the usage and number of participants. Commissioner Shafto had no report. Commissioner Johnson had no report. Commissioner Lackie had no report. Chair Strombeck had no report. She offered thanks to Jake Griffiths. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – September 19, 2024 Page 6 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Stenzel, to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, 0-nays. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Wolfe, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.