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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 5, 2006 (~~ (.t.~ WLI~ 11-00..-0<.0 o PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - OCTOBER 5, 2006 MINUTES The regular Bi-monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Masloski on October 5, 2006, 7:38 p.m., at Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Dan Masloski, Wendy Albee, Jeremy Boyer, Dave Blackstad, Jim Lindahl, and Bill Hupp Commissioners Absent: Ernest Bedor Also Present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas RESIDENTS FORUM o Barb Griel of 13992 Eagle Street W. and a resident of Bunker Lake Village Townhomes expressed the concern she shared with her neighbors that underage drinking and petty vandalism was occurring in the Hills of Bunker Lake West Park. She suggested that lighting and paving the parking lot could deter this. Commissioner Lindahl inquired about the specifics. Ms. Oriel responded that satellites had been tipped over several times. Chair Masloski requested that Parks Coordinator Haas check to see if a light could be installed. Parks Coordinator Haas assured the Commission he would. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Page 4, paragraph: "He indicated that Chuck Traum was open to discuss the issue with staff. " Motion by Commissioner Blackstad, seconded by Commissioner Boyer, to approve the September 7, 2006 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Bedor) vote. RECONSIDER PROPOSED 2007-2011 PARK CIP Chair Masloski inquired if there were any changes to reconsider for 2007 of the Park ClP. o Commissioner Boyer stated that there was a desire for a building for concessions more than lights. Chair Masloski added that pull tabs was also an issue. o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2006 Page 2 Commissioner Lindahl stated there was a need for more specific numbers from the associations. In addition, the City Council expressed concerns about irrigating fields instead of lighting fields. He inquired if the soccer fields could be located at one central location. lfirrigation were installed, Timber Trails, Fox Meadows or Hawk Ridge Parks could be playable throughout the year. Andover Station North ball.field facility could be a good central location with irrigation and lights. Chair Masloski responded that he believed the money should be kept where it was because it had been bonded for that purpose. He noted the subsequent years could be adjusted. Commissioner Blackstad noted that irrigation was a hot topic, and the associations could assist the City in funding for it. Commissioner Lindahl stated that Rose, Terrace and Andover Lions' Park are examples that could be irrigated for the fall soccer program. Commissioner Hupp inquired if it was in Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA). Parks Coordinator Haas responded that these 3 parks are currently located within MUSA boundaries. Commissioner Blackstad clarified that it would be the least costly to irrigate within the MUSA boundaries. For an example, Hidden Creek North baseball and soccer fields were redesigned and irrigation was installed. o Chair Masloski recommended a tour of all the parks in the spring, late March or early April. He requested a map of all the parks from staff. Commissioner Blackstad requested that the money for Andover Station North ballfield facility should be used there. He believed that when the Commission buiIds a new park they should compIete it. Commissioner Lindahl recommended noting in the ClP that irrigation should be addressed. Chair Masloski clarified that it should be discussed in June or July of 2007 for consideration for the 2008 or the 2009 Park CIP. Commissioner Hupp requested that more discussion take place before passing the ClP. Chair Masloski noted that the 2007 ClP was the important focus, and the following years were fluid. Motion by Commissioner Blackstad, seconded by Commissioner Boyer to approve the ClP as proposed. Motion carried 5-ayes, I-nay, I-absent (Bedor) vote. UPDATE OF SCOREBOARDS AT PRAIRIE KNOLL PARK/06-39 o Parks Coordinator Haas stated that the scoreboards came in this week and would be installed early next week. o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2006 Page 3 Chair Masloski questioned the amount of the City's contribution, and requested that the numbers be brought to the Commission when available. UPDATE OF SKATE PARK FACILITY Parks Coordinator Haas stated that he received an estimate of $11 ,500.00 from the city engineering department to pave the northern part of Sunshine Park. Commissioner Blackstad inquired about the status of the equipment. Parks Coordinator Haas responded that the moving of the equipment has weakened it. A permanent home was needed. The neighbors near Sunshine Park may need an opportunity to comment on this location if so considered by the Commission. Chair Masloski stated that the site should be added to the tour. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Parks Coordinator Haas reviewed the outstanding items. o Chair Masloski questioned who would determine the playability of Andover Station North ball field facility before it was used. Parks Coordinator Haas responded that Public Works would evaluate it in the spring. An Opening Day celebration is still being planned in the spring. Chair Masloski inquired about the budget for Country Oaks Park, Woodland Estates Park, and Oakview Park. Parks Coordinator Haas responded that it would be addressed in the next meeting. CHAIR'S REPORT Commissioner Lindahl thanked residents like Barb Oriel for coming to the meeting and making the Commission aware of issues. Commissioner Albee stated that Concerts in the Park would be addressed at a later date. Commissioner Boyer noted that the outfield in Sunshine Park Field #3 was very spongy. Commissioner Blackstad inquired about signage at Sunshine Park. Parks Coordinator Haas responded that the signage was installed and they were completing the striping today. Commissioner Lindahl indicated that a 10 foot fence was installed at Fox Meadows Park along the border. o o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2006 Page 4 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Blackstad, seconded by Commissioner Hupp, to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, l-absent (Bedor) vote. The Special Work Session of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Masloski on October 5,2006,8:10 p.m. DISCUSS GUIDELINES FOR FIELD USAGE BY YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS, CONTINUED Chair Masloski stated that the Commission met with Council, and a revised copy would be ready for the Park Commission for approval in November. He was seeking comments. Gary Passon of Andover Area Lacrosse Association (AALA) inquired if there had been any revisions on the format. Chair Masloski inquired ifhe had concerns about Lacrosse. not being accommodated. He assured Mr. Passon that because no one else was doing Lacrosse, they were exempt. o Commissioner Boyer inquired when the Lacrosse season took place. Mr. Passon replied that the season was spring and summer. Tom Hoopes of North Metro Soccer Association indicated he was satisfied with the document as presented. Mr. Passon stated that Lacrosse is anticipated to continue to grow which will result in needing more fields in the future. Jerry Ledin of Andover Baseball Association (ABA) inquired if Lacrosse was growing right now. Chair Masloski responded that few cities would be able to accommodate the boom. He stated that the Guideline Statement and the first paragraph of Procedures would remain as written. Since the meeting with Council, it was suggested that Section 2.1.2., Section 2.1.7., and Section 2.1.8. could be eliminated. Commissioner Blackstad objected to eliminating Section 2.1.8. Commissioner Albee and Commissioner Hupp responded that it should be removed because it gave too much power to the associations. In addition, the two groups could have different philosophies or foci. Commissioner Hupp indicated that he did not want to eliminate competition among the associations. o Parks Coordinator Haas noted that staff and Council agreed that Section 2.1.7. should be removed. o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2006 Page 5 Commissioner Lindahl recommended that Section 2.1.5. on mandatory minimums should be kept as written. In addition, church groups and others weren't addressed because they were not functioning as youth associations within the City. Commissioner Blackstad stated that with the exception of hockey it had to do with the associations, and were not meant to address church groups. Commissioner Lindahl indicated that if an association wanted to be the best, they would recognize all the levels. Chair Masloski noted that Section 2.2 merely stated that the City would not run programs. Commissioner Lindahl stated that Section 2.1.4. could be reworded, by saying "50IC3 or comparable." Commissioner Hupp suggested it state non-profit. Chair Masloski inquired if a renegade could have a 501 status. He recommended it be reworded to state, "501C3 or equivalent." and allow the City Attorney address it. o Parks Coordinator Haas assured the Board that he would speak with Jim Dickinson and have information available at the next meeting. Commissioner Blackstad suggested that Section 2.1.1. state, "unless sanctioned or specified by governing body." because it would address fast pitch program. Chair Masloski stated he wanted to protect the majority. Commissioner Hupp stated he wanted total numbers of residents instead of percentages. Commissioner Albee if user fees were collected from non-residents, it would alleviate some of the pressure. Chair Masloski indicated user fees would be addressed after November 7,2006 election. Commissioner Lindahl suggested eliminating the "must" and substitute the phrase, "targeted at 51 %." Chair Masloski indicated he did not believe that Andover needed to affiliate with other communities, and predicted that as Lacrosse grows, Andover would have its own association. Mr. Hoopes ofNMSA noted that they paid for fields in other cities. Mr. Passon of Lacrosse indicated that the majority of the participants were from Andover at about 850 residents. o Chair Masloski clarified that the 51 % did not affect Lacrosse. He indicated that for soccer, the Minnesota Revolution sent out a mailing inviting Andover residents to play o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2006 Page 6 soccer with them. It could potentially push NMSA out of Andover. His concern was that two associations created confusion for the residents. Mr. Ledin of ABA stated that they were turning people away because they did not have enough fields to accommodate all the interested residents. Mike Keeney of ABA added that they had 1000 already participating in their in-house baseball program. Chair Masloski indicated that as it was written it would protect NMSA for now, but they could be pushed out. Mr. Keeney asked for clarification if there was 100 residents with higher percentage, the fields would be allocated according to the number of residents. Commissioner Blackstad stated that field usage was a separate issue. Commissioner Albee clarified that the 5I % was for the recognition, but not address access. Mr. Hoopes believed if an association was recognized, they should be given preferential treatment. Commissioner Lindahl suggested changing the "must" to ''targeted to." o At 9:01 p.m. Commissioner Blackstad excused himself. Mr. Hoopes stated that at present the field usage was worked out among the associations. At 9:02 p.m. Commissioner Blackstad returned. Commissioner Lindahl clarified that sign-ups, postings, and flyers were examples of targeting for Andover residents. Chair Masloski inquired among the Commissioners their opinion about Section 2.1.8., and two believed it should be retained, two believed it should be removed. Mr. Keeney of ABA stated he believed that both associations would be weakened. Commissioner Blackstad gave an example where the association leadership was overturned. Chair Masloski commented he was not in favor of competition in a business sense when it came to the kids who play to have fun, learn rules, and good sportsmanship. Mr. Keeney agreed that each association wanted to address the needs of its membership and to accommodate their needs. o Commissioner Hupp reiterated his belief that a choice was beneficial. o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 5, 2006 Page 7 Commissioner Boyer mentioned that the Commission needed to take care of the fields and should strengthen the associations. Motion by Commissioner Blackstad, seconded by Commissioner Albee to retain 2.l.8. as written. Mr. Keeney stated that the two associations competed at the same level, but in different leagues. Commissioner Blackstad recommended changing "permissible" for "if more than one recognized association offers the same level of competitiveness, this shall trigger the field allocation clause." "Number of residents will determine the percentage of fields allocated for each association." The Commission agreed that the amendment proposed by Blackstad should be stated in the document under Section 2.1.8. ADJOURNMENT o Motion by Commissioner Blackstad, seconded by Commissioner Albee, to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Bedor) vote. Respectfully submitted, Brigette Blesi, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. o