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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 20, 2001 o o CITY of ANDOVER PARKAND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING-DECEMBER 20,2001 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Valerie Holthus on December 20,2001, 7:02 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chairperson Valerie Holthus, Commissioners Jim Lindahl, Al Grabowski, Paul Anderson, Chris English, and Chris DeLaForest. Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Dave Blackstad. Also Present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas Others RESIDENTS FORUM There was none. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Commission mentioned that the minutes from the December 6,2001 meeting were not included in the packet. Motion by Lindahl, seconded by DeLaForest, to table approval of the December 6,2001 minutes. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Blackstad) vote. UPDATE OF THE 5 YEAR CIPITRAILS & PARKS Motion by English to adopt the 5 Year CIP Trails & Parks Plan as presented in the packet. Further Discussion Mr. Haas mentioned that the City Council did approve the CIP Plan for both trails and parks at the recent Council meeting. He mentioned that what is in the packet is the revised CIP Plan including the changes made at the workshop. Regular Andover Park & ReOtion Commission Meeting Minutes - December 20, 2001 Page 2 o There was motion to adapt the 5 year CIP but Motion fails, due to lack of a second. Mr. Haas indicated to the Commission that the City Council approved the CIP at the December 18, 2001 meeting therefore a motion is not necessary from the Commission. Mr. Haas suggested reviewing each park and what improvements are scheduled to take place in 2002. Mr. Haas stated that there were no changes made to the Sunshine Park picnic shelter. He stated that Wild Iris Park was added to the list. He went on to review the improvements. He stated the changes made to Strootman Park. Commissioner English mentioned that the City Council's recommendation was to verifY with each neighborhood whether or not they would like to see 2-5 year old playground equipment. Mr. Haas stated that the 2-5 year old equipment is already out there. Commissioner English mentioned that the City shouldn't waste money on 2-5 year old equipment if the neighborhood doesn't want it. Mr. Haas agreed. Chairperson Holthus questioned if anyone has been out to the canoe landing recently. She questioned the condition of it and whether or not a grant could be considered. Commissioner Grabowski stated that there wouldn't a whole lot to do to change it. Mr. Haas stated the improvements scheduled for Shadowbrook East Park. He reviewed the changes that were made to Pine Hills Park and The Hills of Bunker Lake West Park. Commissioner English suggested Mr. Haas inform the Commission on when the neighborhood meetings will be held. Mr. Haas stated the improvements to Hidden Creek North Park. Commissioner Grabowski questioned the status of the mow strips on the field at City Hall. Commissioner English questioned if the Commission really wants to spend money on areas that are being considered for the recreational facility. Mr. Haas stated that the 5-12 year old playground equipment was removed for Timber Rivers Park, however the security lighting will stay in place. He mentioned that the existing trail will be paved around the park. He went on to state the improvements scheduled for Hidden Creek East Park. Commissioner English questioned if the City is liable if there is 5-12 year old playground equipment in a park and a parent brings a 2 year old to play and the child ends up hurt. Mr. Haas stated that he would check into it. Regular Andover Park & RecCion Commission Meeting Minutes - December 20. 2001 Page 3 Commissioner Grabowski questioned if the Council didn't put the trail along Verdin St. on a contingency. Mr. Haas stated that the trail is left in the CIP but with the possibility that it may not ever happen. o Commissioner English questioned if the understanding at the workshop was that the preferred location of the trail is to keep it off of V erdin St. The residents in from the area that were in attendance agreed. Chairperson Holthus questioned if the intention is to put up a new sign at each park once the park is completed. Mr. Haas stated that that is the intention. He explained that they would use money left over that was set aside for the project or use money out of the annual miscellaneous project fund. Commissioner Grabowski mentioned that the Commission needs to select a "standard" format to be used at every park. Commissioner English agreed and suggested the issue be revisited at a future meeting. CONSIDER 2002 GRANT APPLICATION ROUND, CONT. Chairperson Holthus explained that the Commission is requested to consider DNR grants available for 2002 application round. She reviewed the grants that are possibilities. Chairperson Holthus questioned if it would be possible to lump together all the playground equipment as one project for all the parks on the 2002 list and apply for the outdoor recreation grant program. Mr. Haas stated that it probably has to be project specific. Commissioner English agreed with Chairperson Holthus. Chairperson Holthus questioned if the Crooked Lake hockey rink couldn't also be a possibility for the Outdoor Recreational Grant Program. Mr. Haas stated that it might be a stretch since it's school owned property. Mr. Haas stated that the Commission could apply for a grant for every project, however he suggested picking those that would be a high priority for the DNR. Chairperson Holthus explained that lumping them together would be much easier. Mr. Haas recommended applying for Hawkridge and a couple of other ones. Commissioner English suggested grouping the projects together into a comprehensive grant proposal to give it a higher priority. He suggested putting all the ADA requirements into one project. Commissioner English suggested going over the inventory at each park at a future meeting to determine what equipment is needed to be ADA compliant and then lump it all together as one project when applying for a grant. Regular Andover Park & ReC"'ion Commission Meeting Minutes - December 20, 200}J Page 4 Mr. Haas explained which parks currently have older equipment and aren't ADA accessible up to the equipment. Commissioner English recommended lumping the parks together and applying as one grant. o Chairperson Holthus questioned if outdoor fencing for the ball field would be appropriate for the outdoor recreational grant. Mr. Haas stated that it would likely be a very low priority. Chairperson Holthus suggested combining Coon Creek and Round Lake Boulevard and apply for as one grant under the natural scenic program. Chairperson Holthus questioned if the City is considering continuing the trail along Coon Creek. Commissioner Lindahl agreed that the trail from Hanson Blvd. to Crosstown along Coon Creek would be a good choice. Commissioner Grabowski agreed. Mr. Haas agreed, but recommended it fall under local trail connections. Chairperson Holthus questioned if the trail along Round Lake Blvd. would work for the local trail connections. Mr. Haas stated that it might be a low priority by the DNR. Chairperson Holthus stateClthat the City could apply for the Coon Creek trail under regional trail connection as well. Commissioner Grabowski mentioned that the advantage with the regional grant is that the ceiling is much higher. Chairperson Holthus questioned which grant the City would have a better chance of getting it for. Mr. Haas stated that the City would have a much better chance under local trail connections. Chairperson Holthus questioned if dredging the north end of Crooked Lake would qualify for the water recreation development program. Commissioner Lindahl stated that it would probably be a long stretch. Commissioner Grabowski mentioned that the DNR has done work on Crooked Lake the last few years. Commissioner English suggested staff contact the Watershed District since they may have an interest in the problem. Mr. Haas mentioned that one of the concerns with dredging the lake is the risk of puncturing it, which could cause the lake to drain. Commissioner Grabowski agreed that staff should contact the Watershed District to inform them of the problem. Chairperson Holthus summarized the Commission's recommendations. One recommendation was to combine all playground equipment into one project for ADA accessibility and health safety and apply for the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program. The second recommendation was the Sunshine Park picnic shelter, which also needs to be " Regular Andover Park & ReCion Commission Meeting Minutes - December 20, 2001 Page 5 ADA compliant. The third recommendation was for the trail between Hanson Blvd. and Crosstown under the local trail connections grant program. Final recommendation is to contact the Coon Creek Watershed District regarding the possibilities with Coon Creek. o Motion by Lindahl, seconded by English, to recommend to the City Council applying for the following grants: . To combine all playground equipment into one project for ADA accessibility and health safety and apply for the outdoor recreation grant program. . The Sunshine Park picnic shelter, which also needs to be ADA compliant. . The trail between Hanson Blvd. and Crosstown under the local trail connections grant program. . To contact the Coon Creek Watershed District regarding the possibilities with Coon Creek. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Blackstad) vote. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas reviewed the items on the issues list. Commissioner English suggested changing the title of the "Issues List" to "Outstanding Items". Commissioner English agreed to volunteer for the skateboard task force. Commissioner English questioned if the Commission should revisit the security cameras and possibly consider a silent alarm system. Commissioner Grabowski agreed that this might be the way to go. Mr. Haas stated that he spoke with a vendor and found out that for $3,000 the City can get a monitor and camera that can be moved around in one specific area. Commissioner Grabowski stated that he's concerned about the issues with the gazebo, however is unsure whether or not cameras are the answer, Commissioner English suggested funding to replace all the doors on the building and install cross bars over the doors with a padlock. Commissioner Grabowski stated that Kevin Starr has already ordered new doors. Commissioner English suggested putting a lock bar on the outside of the door with a padlock. Mr. Haas stated that Mr. Starr first wants to try the new doors. Regular Andover Park & Re"tion Commission Meeting Minutes - December 20, 200~J Page 6 Commissioner Grabowski mentioned that the fence is also a problem since it allows kids to climb on top the building. Mr. Haas agreed to explore with the Public Works Department on what can be done to stop the climbing. o Commissioner English recommended installing a silent alarm system and climbing guards on the fence. Mr. Haas agreed to check into it. Motion by English, seconded by Grabowski, to recommend to the City Council that the security camera purchase be revised to a portable camera that can be transported between parks, a silent alarm system for the concession building, and climbing guards for the fence. Further Discussion Commissioner Grabowski stated that the portable camera is $3,000 itself and there isn't any place to hide it. He suggested removing the portable camera from the motion. Commissioner English agreed to the amendment. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Blackstad) vote. Commissioner English suggested staff contact everyone in the surrounding area for the public meeting regarding the trail in the Verdin St. area. Mr. Haas stated that staff first needs to identify potential connections to see if there is interest in the donation of easements. He agreed to including the whole area when it comes time for the public meeting. Mr. Haas mentioned that the City has no control over the juveniles when they go to court. Commissioner Lindahl questioned the reason there can't be restitution. Commissioner English suggested the juvenile theft letter be discussed at the next joint City Council and Park Commission meeting. He recommended that at that time the City Attorney draft a letter that everyone signs. Mr. Haas suggested he invite them to a future meeting so the Commission can ask questions regarding the program. Ice Arena/Community Center Task Force - Chairperson Holthus suggested it be changed to Multi-Task Sports Facility instead ofIce Arena since that is the actual name of the task force. She explained that they discussed different financing and fundraising options. Commissioner English questioned if the task force is still looking at doing other types of funding to avoid a referendum and the public's input. Chairperson Holthus stated that they are not looking at avoiding a referendum. Skateboard Task Force - There was no report. Regular Andover Park & Re:- 'tion Commission Meeting Minutes - December 20, 20o';J Page 7 (J Crooked Lake Elementary School Hockey Rink Update - Chairperson Holthus stated that Mr. Starr gave her a breakdown of what it would cost to fix the warming house. She mentioned that she faxed the information over to the principal. Commissioner English questioned when the next PTO meeting is. Chairperson Holthus stated that she is unsure at this time. CHAIR'S REPORT Commissioner Anderson questioned if there is an update regarding the meeting that took place a few weeks ago on trails put on by some University of Minnesota students. Commissioner Grabowski gave an update on the meeting, and summarized that the number one thing that people want is trails. Chairperson Holthus mentioned that there was also a report made that was done very well. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Lindahl, seconded by Grabowski, to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 p.m. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Blackstad) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Sara Beck, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.