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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 17, 2006 o CITY OF NDOVE ~ W1.-t. tJc...rl ~ q-l-olo PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING -AUGUST 17,2006 MINUTES The Regular Work Session of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission had no issues to discuss. ~ The regular Bi-monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Masloski on August 17, 2006, 7:32 p.m., at Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Dan Masloski, Wendy Albee, Dave Blackstad (arrived at 7:52 p.m.), Jim Lindahl, Bill Hupp, and Ernest Bedor Commissioners Absent: Jeremy Boyer Also Present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas RESIDENTS FORUM There were no comments at this time. o APPROVAL OF MINUTES The following changes were made to the August 3, 2006 Park and Recreation Commission minutes: Page 4, third paragraph: "Commissioner Hupp spoke with city staff about a broadband connection for a Hot Spot." Page 4, eighth paragraph: "A member of the group noted in Anoka, the charge was $25.00 per soccer team, not individual." Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Hupp, to approve the August 3,2006 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, 0- nays, 2-absent (Blackstad and Boyer) vote. APPROVAL OF REVISED A GENDA Parks Coordinator Haas added "Consider 2006 Fall SoftballlBaseballlFootball Schedule" under item #7. UPDATE OF FOX MEADOWS PARK o Parks Coordinator Haas indicated the family had decided to donate a fence to the City. In addition, basket #6 would be relocated 20 yards to the north from its current location and o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 17, 2006 Page 2 he has spoke with Public Works Parks Department to adjust the mowing pattern. Signage regarding the rules of the park were in the process of being fabricated by Public Works Sign Department and would be installed at tee #1 in the very near future. Commissioner Hupp inquired if a decision was adopted to close the Frisbee Golf until the fence was installed. Parks Coordinator Haas clarified that the City could shut it down if there was trouble before the installation of the fence per the City Administrator. UPDATE OF JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL Parks Coordinator Haas stated the joint meeting is still scheduled for September 21, 2006. He indicated it might be necessary to add the joint meeting agenda regarding proposed park in the new Kodiak development (Hickory Meadows) to the agenda. This will be determined once the discussion takes place on a future agenda between the developer and the Park Commission. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Parks Coordinator Haas reviewed the items. The landscaping in Country Oaks Park would be completed in early September. The prairie restoration is still being planned at Kelsey Round Park yet this fall. The weeds have been recently mowed. o Chair Masloski inquired if the Sheriff s Department had been contacted concerning parking at Prairie Knoll Park. Staff did indicate that the Sheriffs Department is aware of the new parking lot and signage. Parks Coordinator Haas stated that one piece of the skate park was still being repaired, and would be finished by the beginning of September. CONSIDER 2006 FALL SOFTBALVBASEBALVFOOTBALL SCHEDULE , Parks Coordinator Haas indicated the ABA was requesting to use the one field at Hidden Creek North Park and the north field at Shadowbrook East Park on Sundays from September 10, 2006 to October 1 5,2006. Chair Masloski inquired if staff knew that it needed to be graded. Parks Coordinator Haas responded that staff was aware. Motion by Commissioner Bedor, seconded by Commissioner Albee, to approve the 2006 Fall Softball/Baseball/Football Schedule. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Blackstad and Boyer) vote. CHAIR'S REPORT o Commissioner Hupp inquired about the football scoreboards at Prairie Knoll Park. Parks Coordinator Haas answered that the plans have been completed, and meetings were being o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 17, 2006 Page 3 scheduled with staff. The signs should be up and functioning for the beginning of September. Commissioner Bedor posed the question concerning the status of advertising on outfield fences. Parks Coordinator Haas responded that there has been no interest or inquiries as yet but at anytime the associations can get started, Commissioner Hupp questioned if the associations knew about the issue. Parks Coordinator Haas indicated the associations were aware of the issue. Commissioner Hupp inquired if any committees had been formed in the associations about seeking advertising. Parks Coordinator Haas responded that no committees had formed to City staffs' knowledge. He stated he would send a notice to the associations. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Albee, seconded by Commissioner Hupp, to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 p.m, Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Blackstad and Boyer) vote. o CALL TO ORDER The Special Work Session of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order immediately following the regular meeting. DISCUSS GUIDELINES FOR FIELD USAGE BY YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS, CONTINUED Chair Masloski stated the purpose of the meeting was to brainstorm the pros and cons and attempt to form a consensus, but not necessarily mutual agreement. He wanted to deal with one issue at a time. With the issue offield allocation, he posed the question of how to move forward when there are two competing groups within the sport such as soccer and baseball. Commissioner Blackstad stated that the softball program had twice the participants compared with the baseball program. Ms. Brouse of the Andover Area Lacrosse Association asked for clarification that he was seeking the residency numbers. o Commissioner Blackstad noted baseball was seeking more fields, but the need was for ages 15 and older, and the associations had more numerous younger kids that should be the focus. He indicated that the most recent baseball fields created should have been smaller fields. He gave the example that when his children were young, there were 22 teams twelve and under, while there were only 8 teams for 13-14 year olds. o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 17, 2006 Page 4 Ms. Mely of AALA stated that the soccer association displaced lacrosse at Prairie Knoll Park. Ms. Brouse added that the general number for lacrosse was about 225 for this year, and has been gaining about 40 kids each year. The field needed was the same size field as football at Sunshine Park. The boy's lacrosse season was in the spring. Chair Masloski inquired if lacrosse representatives had ever met with soccer association representatives. Ms. Mely responded they had not. She gave the example of one occasion lacrosse had reserved a field and soccer players came onto the field. Lacrosse had to stop the game. In reality, soccer had another field reserved. Mr. Dietz of Andover Baseball Association indicated that he had to double up on fields, and they had to park on the streets, as there was not enough parking in the existing parking lot to accommodate the overlap between games. It was necessary to run two games at Andover Lion's Park.' He indicated that they had always been able to work with softball, and had a good relationship. The teams did not practice during the regular season, and there were no activities during the weekends except for the traveling teams with their tournaments. Chair Masloski mentioned that Sunday nights were becoming more popular. o Mr. Graham of the Minnesota Revolution stated that there were about 1,000 kids in the outdoor program, and of those 1,000 kids, 44% were residents of Andover. Previously in Anoka, 3 out of 7 of the Board members were Andover residents. He indicated they would need two full-sized fields. Anoka mentioned they would build new fields. They also had an indoor program at the YMCA in Andover. The organization has had to stop developing programs because there weren't enough fields. He would like to discuss plans for more fields. Chair Masloski inquired if anyone knew how many participants there were for North Metro Soccer Association. Mr. Ross of Andover Football Association offered up the estimate of 1100-1200 kids. Commissioner Blackstad mentioned that out of that number there were probably 1000 from Andover. Mr. Grahain stated that Andover Invaders merged with Anoka United Soccer to form the Minnesota Revolution. He explained that the recreation program had a training program that could move kids on to the next level where they could qualify for college scholarships. Commissioner Hupp noted there were differing philosophies. o Ms. Brouse asked for clarification. Mr. Marks of Blaze Baseball said their focus was on development, and they wanted to travel outside of the Twin Cities Area. They had a good year last year. Accommodations work well to have games at Strootman Park. o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 17, 2006 Page 5 Commissioner Lindahl wanted to have a process established where unused fields allotted to an organization could be used by other teams or organizations. Mr. Dietz responded if the traveling team did not need a field it was used for another team within the organization. Commissioner Lindahl inquired ifhe would be willing to offer it to other organizations. Ms. Amundsen of A YSL indicated that there used to be 22 teams in the league, and they played at City Hall. They wanted to have Wednesday night games for their High School co-ed team. Chair Masloski inquired about the number of Andover residents on the team. Ms. Amundsen responded that it was not a majority, they had residents from Blaine, Coon Rapids, Anoka, and Andover. They also utilized Epiphany's field in Coon Rapids. There was a tournament in August that they participated in. Chair Masloski inquired of the ratio of residents in the other associations. They responded that Blaze had 90%, Softball had 80-90%, AF A was 90%, and North Metro Soccer was estimated at 70-75%. o Ms. Brouse indicated now that the state high league has sanctioned lacrosse as a varsity sport program, it would now be up to School District #11 to take the lead to start setting up the program within their district. AALA will now most likely become the feeder programs to the area high schools. Currently AALA follows the USA Lacrosse rules. Chair Masloski clarified that the associations had various boundaries such as school, community and open. He inquired about the present percentage of Andover residents in the association. Ms. Brouse indicated it was about 40% residents of Andover. Chair Masloski inquired if there were any fears. Ms. Amundsen expressed concern that they were not an official association, and they did not meet the criteria. Commissioner Blackstad suggested one option was they could rotate the cities for the games. Chair Masloski reiterated he did not want multiple groups vying for fields and the Commission trying to be fair. Commissioner Hupp stated he was in favor of accommodating residents, because residents paid for the fields. o Mr. Graham indicated that from his experience in New Jersey, they were required to quote the percentages, and the fields were allotted accordingly. Mr. Dietz of Andover Baseball Association responded that would encourage teams to break off. o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 17, 2006 Page 6 Chair Masloski stated that he wanted to know how the issue should be dealt with. it could be based on percentages, equal, or recognize certain associations and allocate then the leftovers for the break off organizations. Commissioner Bedor noted his desire to discourage break off organizations. Commissioner Lindahl added that he believed associations should be endorsed by the Park Commission. Commissioner Hupp was in favor of the percentage used for the percentage of opportunity. Mr. Graham of the Minnesota Revolution stated that in soccer, a splinter group had to have four teams to be recognized. Chair Masloski noted there were no splinter groups in hockey because the Minnesota Hockey Association organization was strong. o Mr. Marks stated for the Blaze Baseball the issue was fields. Chair Masloski responded that each association needed to come up with criteria, and the Commission and City staff would find out how other communities have dealt with the issue for the next meeting. They would deal with field allocation first, then users' fees. He reminded the association representatives that the next meeting would be on September 7,2006. ADJOURNMENT The Commission unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. , Respectfully submitted, Brigette Blesi, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. o