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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 6, 2025 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – MARCH 6, 2025 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Stenzel on March 6, 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: Also Present: Parks & Streets Operations Manager Jason Baumunk. RESIDENT FORUM No one appeared to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 6, 2025 Regular meeting and Workshop, and February 20, 2025 Workshop. Motion by Commissioner Lindahl seconded by Commissioner Shafto, to approve the February 6, 2025 and February 20, 2025 Regular Meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, 0-nays, 0-present and 0-absent vote. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Commissioner Shafto, seconded by Commissioner Dawson, to approve the March 6, 2025 Park Commission Regular Meeting Agenda as presented. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, 0-nays, and 0-absent vote. ACCEPT DONATION – MEMORIAL BENCH Parks & Street Operations Manager Jason Baumunk reviewed staff received a request to accept a donation from the Joe DeMaio family for a memorial bench in the honor of Joe DeMaio. The bench is to be located at Prairie Knoll Park, along the trail that overlooks the center football field. The location has been looked at and approved by the Parks Department Maintenance Staff. The bench would be consistent with the type of bench that is typically installed within the City of Andover parks. The amount of the donation is Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2025 Page 2 $1,000 which will be placed in an escrow to complete the project per the City of Andover Policy for Memorial Plaques and Benches. Unused funds will be returned to the applicant. The Park and Recreation Commission is requested to make a recommendation on accepting the donation by the family of Joe DeMaio for a bench in his honor. The City policy was provided for Commission review. Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Honer, to recommend the City Council accept a donation by the family of Joe DeMaio for a memorial bench. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, 0-nays, and 0-absent vote. DISCUSSION – 2026-2030 PARK CIP The Commission is requested to continue discussing the 2026-2030 Park Capital th Improvement Plan. The target date for the draft CIP is Friday, June 6. 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 draft of the 2026- 2030 CIP including staff’s notes was provided for Commission review. Also provided was a condensed version of the 2021 Future Facilities Chart based on staff recommendations. 2026-2030 Draft CIP w/Staff Notes Every year has Annual Misc. Projects budgeted for $25,000 2026  Skatepark Expansion - $125,000 – Ask for approval to hire a consultant, then work with local youth on input for design options.  Sunshine Park 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.  Meadowood North – Remove sand volleyball court and add basketball court? Engage neighborhood this summer with a survey. Look at need for a security light at the same time.  Additional benches along Tom Anderson Trail – Public request for one by the new rapids near RR bridge.  Fields of Winslow Cove East Park. 2027  Kelsey Round Lake Park Master Plan Additions, Building w/Bathrooms, Wayfinding and Interpretive Signs - $230,000 – Moved from 2026 – Figure out design in 2026 and apply for a DNR Grant.  Zone A Projects TBD - $150,000 Fox Park Additions? Suggestions?  Pine Hills North Master Plan Additions – TBD $100,000 – Possibly move to 2028 and determine needs after a master plan review.  Pave Timber Trails Park Parking Lot - $52,000. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2025 Page 3  Fields of Winslow Cove East Park. 2028  Northwoods West Parking Lot. Possibly look at upgrading to a small shelter. Currently single picnic table with a roof.  Pleasant Oaks Sidewalk – ADA Access trail from the street to the playground $4,000.  Zone D - $100,000 Prairie Knoll Park? Additional parking and trails. Warming house will need to be addressed/remodeled at some point. 2029  Parking Lot Paving TBD - $100,000 – Lunds is gravel, but is there a need with limited use of the park?  Lunds Park additions? Small shelter, outfield fencing potentially with ABA.  Zone C Improvements TBD $150,000.  Langseth Park – Large space with no other parks in the area. Shelter and picnic table identified in plan. Neighborhood engagement to determine demand? 2030  Strootman Park.  Strootman Canoe Landing and lot. – Possibly eligible for DNR Grant.  Gazebo Replacement/Upgrade at Sunshine Park? Not on the Future Facilities Chart but a project to possibly look into. Chair Stenzel asked for Commissioner comments. Commissioner Lackie asked if all parking lot needs are identified. Mr. Baumunk stated the heavily used parks have parking lots. The gravel parking lots are dragged once a month during the season. Chair Stenzel asked where additional parking would be at Prairie Knoll. Mr. Baumunk stated there is a gravel lot that could be paved and adding more trails. Parking is always an issue at that park. There is currently no paved trail at this time. Parking expansion will be looked at. Parking lot lighting will also be looked at including signage to direct users to additional parking. Fields of Winslow Cove East plan will be put together for this small park. It is a limited small green space. This park is currently not irrigated but hookup will be done with the development. Commissioner Honer asked if maybe just a bench would be appropriate, and Commissioner Shafto brought up the idea of a fitness trail. Mr. Baumunk stated there would most likely not be a playground. Tom Anderson Trail – Chair Stenzel asked about additional trails. Mr. Baumunk stated this is actually a park and would fall under what park dedication funds can be used for. Sunshine Park – Would the gazebo be upgraded with a restroom? Mr. Baumunk stated there are portable restrooms at that park. Upgrades would need to be looked at in the future. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2025 Page 4 Sunflower field – Commissioner Lackie asked if this is a possibility. Mr. Baumunk stated would need to be a discussion Council at a work session, possibly the joint meeting in June. This would require extra staff time to manage even if a volunteer group wanted to participate. Chair Stenzel noted this CIP draft will come before the Park & Recreation Commission again for review. Mr. Baumunk stated he can start putting some prices together for the items listed. Commissioner Lindahl asked about the basketball court at Sunshine Park. Mr. Baumunk stated the asphalt may need to be replaced which would come out of the general fund. The other upgrades could be made with park dedication funds. Chair Stenzel directed staff to go ahead and start pricing the items. He encouraged the Commissioners to provide any ideas they have to Mr. Baumunk. Commissioner Dawson noted he has heard some requests for water type features (splash pad). Chair Stenzel also noted there had been talk about a performance stage area. Mr. Baumunk stated that is still being discussed along with the relocation of the public works building. Fox Park is a large, underutilized space. Commissioner Dawson asked if any of the parks have flower gardens or pollinator gardens. Commissioner Dawson asked if there are any other sources of revenue for the parks. Mr. Baumunk stated the Rose Park tower is the main source, but those fund can only be used at Rose Park. DISCUSSION – PINE HILLS NORTH SHELTER POLICY Mr. Baumunk reviewed the Commission is requested to continue discussions on the reservation rules and regulations, and reservation policy for a new reservable shat the Pine th Hills North Park. At the February 20 Park & Recreation Commission Workshop, the Commission and Staff reviewed information from neighboring cities for reserving outdoor shelter space. From the recommendations at that meeting, staff prepared a draft of a reservation policy, cleaning checklist, list of FAQs, reservation costs, and hours of operation. Hours of operation will be as follows: Bathrooms will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (or dusk, whichever is earlier). Reservations will be available from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Timing of both items will be monitored and adjusted as needed if issues arise. Fees: Shelter Reservation $200 / 4-hours. Additional Hour $40 per hour Damage Deposit $500 Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2025 Page 5 The Commission is requested to discuss the drafts and give staff recommendations and feedback on the items. Mr. Baumunk noted these fees are slightly less than Champlin’s fees. Commissioner Johnson asked if the restrooms can remain open when there is a rental and Mr. Baumunk stated that can be done. Cameras will be used to monitor the shelter. Mr. Baumunk will add to the checklist that photos can be taken after cleanup and submitted as proof of cleaning. To have food trucks at an event, City Code would need to be modified. City Council will be asked how this should be handled. Chair Stenzel stated for a private event he does not feel a special permit would be needed. Allowing alcohol during reservations at the shelter would need no be discussed further. THC drinks would also need to be addressed as well if it is decided to allow alcohol. Currently no alcohol or THC products are allowed in Andover City parks. Chair Stenzel asked about radios, recordings, DJs not being allowed. Mr. Baumunk stated that the rules allow for music, just not in excess as stated in City Code. It is up to City staff to determine and the Sheriff’s Office to enforcement. Mr. Baumunk reviewed the cancellation policy and Frequently Asked Questions that may come up. Staking of inflatables will also be added to the policy. Commissioner Lackie asked if there is a late fee for returning a key late. Mr. Baumunk stated he will add that to the list. OUTSTANDING ITEMS Parks and Streets Operations Manager Jason Baumunk reviewed the Outstanding Items Report along with pictures of most of the items: th On-going Projects: Outdoor rinks opened on December 14 and just closed for the season on February 23, 10 weeks in total. Ice conditions stayed in great shape except for a couple of warm days when we were forced to close the rinks. Overall, it was a great outdoor rink season, and they were heavily used. Staff are working on clearing out the warming houses and deep cleaning them for the off-season. Time is being spent repainting hockey goals, washing nets, and cleaning and servicing outdoor rink maintenance equipment. Staff is refinishing and repainting our rotating inventory of spring-ride toys that get installed in the park playgrounds. 2024 CIP Projects – Pine Hills Multipurpose Building: The structure is complete and the plumbing and electrical are installed inside the building. The well was drilled and found good, clean water. Final connection to the building will be made this spring. A septic contractor has been confirmed and are waiting for installation this spring. The electrical connection to the building is scheduled this spring when the ground thaws. The target is to have the project completed and open by June of 2025. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2025 Page 6 Updates on 2025 Park CIP Projects – New Park at Fields of Winslow Cove East Park – The playground equipment has been delivered, and the contractor is scheduled to install the playground, sidewalk, and picnic table pad early in the spring. Parks staff are planning on installing the irrigation right after the playground is completed. Sunshine Basketball Court Upgrades – Item is part of the CIP discussions and will likely need to be removed from the plan. 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 has brush mowed the trail and survey and design work has started. Staff have started the bridge design with the bridge contractor. Parks Maintenance Update: Mr. Baumunk reviewed the Weekly Parks Maintenance for 2/7/25 and 2/14/25. The Commissioners commended staff on their plowing efforts and trail maintenance. CHAIR’S REPORT Chair Stenzel suggested the movie for Movie in the Park be selected and put on the upcoming agenda. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Lackie to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, 0-nays. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Wolfe, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.