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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 18, 2025 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Vice Chair Lindahl on August 7, 2025, 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1885 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Vice Chair Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Ryan Dawson, Emily Honer, Kristin Lackie, and Liza Shafto. Commissioners Absent: Chair Shane Stenzel, Commissioner Bruckner Johnson. Also Present: Parks & Streets Operations Manager Jason Baumunk. RESIDENT FORUM – NONE. No one appeared to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. August 7, 2025 Park & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Commissioner Shafto referred to line 35 on page 1, approval of the agenda, she made the motion for approval. Motion by Commissioner Honer, seconded by Commissioner Shafto, to approve the August 7, 2025 Park & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes as revised. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, 0-nays, 1-present (Lindahl). AGENDA APPROVAL. Motion by Commissioner Shafto, seconded by Commissioner Dawson, to approve the agenda for the September 18, 2025, Park & Recreation Commission Regular Meeting as presented. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, 0-nays. th DISCUSS REMOVAL OF 138 AVENUE PLAYGROUND – TOT LOT. Mr. Baumunk reviewed that the Park & Recreation Commission is requested to discuss the th possible removal of the playground located in the 138 Avenue Bunker Lake Blvd Workshop Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – September 18, 2025 Page 2 Redevelopment Area, often referred to as the Tot Lot. He showed a photograph of the equipment. As properties in this area become available, the City has been purchasing properties to redevelop this area. There is a playground on city-owned land in the center of this area that is currently 16 years old. Staff have noted that they do not see many signs of use at this playground and asked when the appropriate time would be to remove the equipment. This area will most likely be redeveloped as Commercial space. There are just a few houses in the immediate area. There are other parks in the area. Vice Chair Lindahl asked when the staff was proposing to remove the equipment, and Mr. Baumunk stated the maintenance staff would like to see it removed sooner rather than later. The EDA meeting attendees agreed to remove the equipment. Staff is requesting directions on how to proceed with the removal of equipment at the Tot Lot. Also provided for Commission consideration were Area Maps and Playground Pictures. Mr. Baumunk asked the Commission if they would like to have letters sent to the surrounding neighbors or do a QR Code at the park to gather resident input. The remaining fourplex will be removed by the end of the year. Commissioner Shafto suggested a QR Code be used to gain resident input. Mr. Baumunk stated he will add a sign, so residents are aware that the plan is to remove the park. Commissioner Honer asked if that neighborhood had received any notice about what was going on in that area. The playground was built in 2003 with some additions in 2009. When removed, the fence will come down, and the EDA will take over the mowing and maintenance. Commissioner Lackie suggested keeping the QR Code through the Fall. Commissioner Honer stated she would not want to give the impression that if a resident scans the QR Code and says they use the park, that it would not be removed. She suggested the sign read “This park is planned to be removed”. RECOMMEND REQUEST TO WAIVE TOURNAMENT FEES FOR MSMA FOUNDATION SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT. Mr. Baumunk reviewed that the Park & Recreation Commission is requested to recommend a request to waive the tournament application fees for the MSMA Softball Tournament at Sunshine Park Fields 1-4 for the weekend of September 12-14, 2025. Everything at the tournament went well. rd This is the 3 year this organization has held a portion of this tournament in Andover, and th the 10 year overall. The request was submitted late due to the applicant not knowing how many teams were signing up, as the Andover fields are used as the overflow site. Team registrations have increased dramatically over the last year. Workshop Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – September 18, 2025 Page 3 The MN Softball Military Appreciation (MSMA) Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization founded in 2015 to provide an avenue for the softball community to give back to veterans throughout Minnesota and the Midwest while building on the long-standing traditions of softball in Minnesota. It all started with a small softball tournament to thank our military veterans in Minnesota and help a single family in need. As the tournament has continued to grow in popularity, the focus has shifted to supporting local veteran organizations, which allows us to help more veterans each and every year. To date, they have donated over $300,000 to these organizations and hope to continue this partnership for years to come. The fees requested to be waived are:  $275 tournament fee for park use.  $800 field use fees ($200 field use fee per field – 4 requested). The $500 fully refundable damage deposit will still be required. Staff recommends that for future waiver requests, the application be submitted a minimum of 8 weeks in advance of the tournament, so the approval does not have to occur after the tournament. The application was provided for Commission consideration. The Park & Recreation Commission is requested to recommend the request to waive the tournament application fees for the use of Sunshine Park softball fields on September 12- 14, 2025, for the MSMA Softball Tournament. These fees have been waived in the past two years. Staff is developing a policy to handle these types of requests in the future. Motion by Commissioner Shafto, seconded by Commissioner Honer, to recommend that the City Council approve the request to waive the tournament application fees for the use of Sunshine Park softball fields on September 12-14, 2025, for the MSMA Softball Tournament. Motion carried 5-0. OUTSTANDING ITEMS. Parks and Streets Operations Manager Jason Baumunk reviewed the Outstanding Items Report: On-going Projects: Parks Staff have started on the playground replacement at Hidden Creek South. Tree Lighting Event – A Meeting will be scheduled before the end of September to kick off the planning of the 2025 event. The date of the event is December 5, 2025. Commissioner Honer asked if the planning meeting would be separate from the Park and Recreation Commission meeting. Mr. Baumunk stated it would be for those volunteering to help plan the event. The plan is to obtain a permanent tree. Workshop Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – September 18, 2025 Page 4 2024 CIP Projects – Pine Hills Multipurpose Building: Building is complete, and the final Building Department inspection has been approved. We will begin advertising it for reservations for the 2026 season. Updates on 2025 Park CIP Projects Sunshine Basketball Court Upgrades – The new asphalt for the court has been paved, and the new hoops installed. The sports court finish should be applied within the next couple of weeks, now that the asphalt has cured. Playground Replacements – Red Oaks West and Country Oaks playgrounds have been removed and replaced, including a new EWF. Hidden Creek South is expected to be finished by September 19, 2025. Other Items of Interest: New Trail Segment Along Coon Creek – Staff is working to procure the bridge this year. Design is near completion, and the project will be put out for bids by the end of the year for spring 2026 construction. New Trail Addition – Crosstown Blvd from Xeon to Prairie Rd - Plans have been submitted to BNSF for the pedestrian crossing of the railroad tracks, and comments have been returned. Staff is currently addressing the BNSF comments and working with property owners to acquire easements. Staff is developing a 5-year plan for trail replacement within the City. CHAIRS REPORT. There were no reports. ADJOURNMENT. Motion by Commissioner Shafto, seconded by Commissioner Dawson, to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, 0-nays. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Wolfe, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.