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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 20, 2025 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORK SESSION MEETING – FEBRUARY 20, 2025 MINUTES The Work Session Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Stenzel on February 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1885 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Shane Stenzel, Commissioners Ryan Dawson, Emily Honer, Bruckner Johnson, Kristin Lackie, Jim Lindahl, and Liza Shafto. Commissioners Absent: None Also Present: Parks & Streets Operations Manager Jason Baumunk DISCUSS 2026-2030 CIP – PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Baumunk reviewed the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to begin discussing the 2026-2030 Park Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The target date for the draft CIP is Friday, June 6, 2025. A projected fund balance sheet that was prepared by the Finance Department was provided for Commission consideration. This projected fund balance does show the final payment for the $1,000,000 that was approved by the City Council to be used for the construction of the Community Center Expansion from the Park Dedication Fund. The Park & Recreation Commission should review the future improvements in zones A- D and determine what projects should be considered for the next 5 years. The following was identified in the 2025-2029 CIP. 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 $65,000. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2025 Page 2 2026  Annual Misc. Projects - $25,000.  Kelsey Round Lake Park Master Plan Additions. Building w/Bathrooms, Wayfinding and Interpretive Signs - $230,000.  Skate Park Expansion - $125,000.  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 2029  Annual Misc. Projects - $25,000.  Parking Lot Paving TBD - $100,000.  Zone C Improvements TBD $150,000. Funding for these projects comes from the Park Dedication Fund. The Finance Department has indicated to Staff that the ending fund balance for each of the 5 years should have a minimum positive balance of $50,000 or more. Also provided for Commission consideration were 2025-2030 Park Improvement Fund Projected Fund Balance Sheet, Future Facilities Chart by Zone from the 2021 Park Dedication Study, and Staff Recommendations from 2021 Future Facilities Chart. Commissioner Lindahl asked if maintenance is included in the budget. Mr. Baumunk stated it is included along with replacement costs. Commissioner Johnson asked how long the value stays in place. Mr. Baumunk stated it is adjusted each year. It increases slightly each year. Mr. Baumunk asked the Commission for their comments starting with 2026. The list is from the CIP with staff recommendations. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2025 Page 3 Commissioner Honer asked if the year noted is the staff recommendation for when it happens. Mr. Baumunk stated it is when it is proposed in the CIP. Commissioner Lindahl suggested possibly a bike loop in Fox Park. If the skating loop continues at Hidden Oaks more lighting would be needed. Mr. Baumunk noted there is a grant available for 2027. A grant had been received for Kelsey Round Lake Park. Commissioner Lindahl noted once a grant is received for an area there is a good chance the grant monies will continue for that area. Commissioner Lindahl asked if the neighbor has been contacted to share the plan and Mr. Baumunk stated he will find out. The addition of some tree screening may be needed. Northwoods West tennis courts have no parking lot. It was resurfaced and changed to one tennis curt and two pickleball courts. May wish to add the paved parking lot in 2028. Rose Park is heavily used for baseball, but there is not enough parking to support it. The possibility of adding some parking may be beneficial. There is no parking on the street. Chair Stenzel suggested no CIP monies be spent here. There are dedicated revenues that come in ($41,000) can only be used at Rose Park. These revenues are from the cell tower rental fees. A parking lot would could cost $70,000 - $75,000 TBD. Strootman Park by the river has a canoe access. The parking lot has a gravel lot that is used by softball for practices. This would be eligible for DNR funding. Andover Station North has expanded concessions, and they have asked for more tables and seats for people to sit. The Tom Anderson trail connects the corridor from Hanson to Prairie Road. Coon Creek did some restoration a few years ago and there were requests for benches. Commissioner Honer stated there are always people on that trail. Commissioner Lindahl noted Tom Anderson was a Park Commissioner years ago who passed away. Hidden Creek East has been brought up a number of times over the years. It is available for practice fields only. There is no irrigation currently. It has a big dry space and was previously known as the sticker patch. Shadowbrook East is heavily used with a parking area. There could be a shelter or something added there. Commissioner Dawson asked about the basketball court at Prairie Knoll. There is a basketball court and small warming house next to it. Football uses this as their home facility. The basketball court was on the list but was taken off. The Football Association is attempting to make plans to expand the building to be used for storage. This piece is on hold pending future conversations. There is a trail going through the park. Parking was an issue in the past but has been better recently. The sunflower field will not be happening going forward due to parking issues. Chair Stenzel asked if the sunflower field might be Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2025 Page 4 something the City would want to do in partnership with the land owners. This could be a program idea through the Andover Community Center. Commissioner Lindahl suggested the 7.16 acres near Hawkridge. There was discussion about partnering with organizations for a sunflower field. Mr. Baumunk stated there is no recreation department within the City with staff to do programming, etc. The Community Center is owned by the City and managed. Staff’s role is facility maintenance. The Facilities Manager, Erik Sutherland, reports to the City Administrator. The Sunshine Basketball Court Improvements probably would not be done in 2025 due to the condition of the court. Commissioner Honer asked if there have been resident complaints about the condition of the court. The court is well used the attempt was to make it better. The asphalt would need to be replaced and the fencing done after. The CIP will be on the agenda for future Park & Recreation Commission meetings. Chair Stenzel thanked Mr. Baumunk for putting this together. Staff recommendations are very much appreciated. He asked if staff could prioritize what is needed. Chair Stenzel thinks safety is important and paving things to reduce maintenance is a win. There is a lot of money and it should be spent in the community. If we don’t spend it someone will spend it for us. Prices increase 3-5% every year. We should do everything we can in 2026. Commissioner Shafto stated it would be prudent to prioritize the items the residents are asking for. Chair Stenzel asked if it would be worth exploring community engagement on park projects. It would be nice to get input from the residents. The QR Codes in the parks to gather information would be a good idea. Commissioner Johnson suggested a request for feedback be included in the newsletter. Commissioner Honer stated there is a controlled way of rating what is liked to help standardize the answers. Commissioner Johnson suggested anything that can be moved up to 2026 should be looked at for the clearly defined items. Mr. Baumunk stated there will be more potentially more park dedication monies coming in from future projects. Commissioner Honer stated an idea of what can feasibly be done in a year would be helpful. Mr. Baumunk will discuss with staff. Mr. Baumunk stated the larger projects are spread out due to staff time requirements with planning the larger projects. In 2026, the skate park expansion is proposed. The current structures are made out of wood and wearing out. Concrete would be much better and longer lasting. It would be nice to find an actual consultant that deals with skate parks. Chair Stenzel will let Mr. Baumunk know the names of some consultants. More features and areas would be added. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2025 Page 5 Commissioner Honer stated she likes the ideas of getting the student users involved in the planning. Commissioner Honer stated the crossing guards use the parking lot and they should be asked for feedback. Additional lighting is planned. Any Commissioners with comments should get ahold of Mr. Baumunk. DISCUSS PINE HILLS NORTH SHELTER USAGE Mr. Baumunk reviewed the Commission is requested to begin discussions on the usage, rental rules and regulations and reservation policy for the new reservable space at the Pine Hills North Shelter. Policies from other cities were provided for Commission review. With the new shelter expected to come online this spring, many items need to be discussed and decided on for various items at that shelter. The following are to be discussed:  Hours of Operation – The shelter has two indoor bathrooms that are planned to be on electronic controls. These could be open for park hours (6am – 11pm) a shortened schedule, or only open with reservations. o Rental Hours – Do we limit the hours it is available, so it does not go too late. Anoka for example, facilities are available from 11am – 8pm on weekends, one reservation allowed per day. Hourly rentals 9am – 8pm weekdays.  Rules and Regulations, Reservation Policy – The City of Champlin Rules and Regulations and the City of Anoka Park Facility Rentals & Reservations are a good starting point for the discussion. Staff is requesting the Commission discuss any additions, subtractions, and revisions to these.  Cleaning Checklist/FAQs – The City of Ramsey has a nice checklist of expectations which were provided for review. Staff recommends reading through this and be ready to discuss any additions, subtractions, and revisions. The Park and Recreation Commission is requested to discuss the usage, rental rules and regulations, reservation policy, and any other suggestions for the Pine Hills North reservable shelter and give staff direction on how to proceed. Mr. Baumunk stated Andrews Park in Champlin is similar to Pine Hills North Shelter. He would like to adopt the Champlin policies and use in Andover. He will bring it back to the Commission for review. The City of Ramsey has a great cleaning checklist. Having the checklist and holding the deposit if it is not cleaned would ensure people would clean up. The hours of operation needs further discussion. There are concerns about having the restroom open after dark. The porta-potties are utilized and paid for by Boreal Soccer Club. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – February 20, 2025 Page 6 Commissioner Honer stated it is helpful to have porta-potties everywhere within the parks. She feels they are sufficient, and the restroom would not need to be open late. It would not be an issue to open the restroom at 8 a.m. Commissioner Lindahl suggested this shelter not be kept open late as there have been problems. Chair Stenzel stated the restroom should be closed half an hour after dusk and adjusted as needed. Commissioner Honer asked if we can require a special event insurance. Many people are not aware this is available. Mr. Baumunk stated the shelter would accommodate approximately 40 people. Commissioner Honer suggested the event insurance be recommended if not required. Mr. Baumunk stated he will research. A key will be checked out at City Hall. Commissioner Honer asked if there is staff available on-call for parks and Mr. Baumunk stated he is the one for parks along with the parks leadperson. The cleaning will be contracted out. Cameras will be on the inside of the shelter to remotely monitor. Commissioner Shafto asked if there is a policy about dogs in parks. Mr. Baumunk stated they have to be leashed and they need to be picked up after. The dog policy should be included in the information for reservations. Deposits and Hourly Rates seem more appropriate in what Champlin is charging. Ramsey’s rates seem very low. Commissioner Honer asked if there will be a dumpster for garbage from the rentals and Mr. Baumunk stated it will be behind the building in an enclosure. OTHER TOPICS - NONE ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 p.m. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, 0-nays. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Wolfe, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.