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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 14, 2001 o o o CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w.. ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304. (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION SPECIAL WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 14, 2001 A Special Work Session of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Valerie Holthus on November 14, 2001, 6:03 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: - Chairperson Valerie Holthus, Grabowski, Chris English, Paul DeLaForest and Dave Blackstad. Commissioners AI Anderson, Chris Commissioners absent: Commissioner Jim Lindahl. Also present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas Public Works Superintendent, Frank Stone Others r-" [0 DISCUSS 5-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (2002-2006) Chairperson Holthus questioned the audience as to who was present representing Wild Iris Park, Shadowbrook East Park, Hidden Creek East Park, and the Verdin Street Trail proposal. Residents that were present stood stating which park they represented. She explained that the Commission would like one spokesperson from each park to 'stand up and express their concerns and list what it is that they would like to see add to their park. Carla McCoy Johnson spoke on behalf of Wild Iris Park residents. She stated that she herself has been a resident of Andover for 17 years. They have approximately 300 kids in the neighborhood and there is nothing to do for them at the park. She stated that they currently have an outdated slide and 3 swings. She stated that every year they are promised that there on list for improvements, however nothing ever happens. She stated that they were on the schedule for improvements to take place in 2002, however now that's in question. She presented the Commission with a petition from residents in the area. She mentioned that they would love to see a hockey rink, picnic area, or anything that would give the kids something to do. - ! () '--..I Mr. Haas explained that the project was on hold for a couple years, because a grant was applied for but never received. '- o o /~ '_,I Special Work Session Andover Park & Recreation Minutes - November 14, 200 1 Page 2 Commissioner Anderson stated that Wild Iris Park is in the plan for 2003, however the plan is only a draft. Mr. Haas explained that Ms. Johnson is referring to a plan that was submitted in March when they were on the list for 2002, however since then they were switched with Shadowbrook East Park. Commissioner Anderson listed the improvements that are planned for 2003 at Wild Iris Park. Dave Jaeger spoke on behalf of the residents for Shadowbrook East Park. He questioned if Shadowbrook East is in the plan for 2002. Commissioner English stated that it currently is in the plan for 2002, however that could change. Chairperson Holthus stated the improvements that are planned for Shadowbrook East in 2002, which total $225,000. Mr. Jaeger questioned if a warming house and hockey rinks are going to be built at Shadowbrook East Park. Chairperson Holthus stated that those improvements are not being considered as part of the plan. ~) Mr. Jaeger questioned if the Commission plans to spend an additional $225,000 at Shadowbrook East. Mr. Haas stated that that is correct. He went on to state the items to be considered in 2002. Mr. Jaeger questioned the reason Hawkridge Park is getting so much focus from the Commission. Commissioner English explained that a grant was originally applied for to do the improvements at Hawkridge, however the grant was never received. He suggested Mr. Jaeger stay for the meeting to hear the Commission's discussion on where to spend the funds and for what reasons. Jim Olson was present to speak on the behalf of the Verdin Street residents. He stated that he attended an informational meeting along with a number of other residents and unanimously they were opposed to the trail. He stated that the trail would start nowhere and go nowhere. Commissioner English questioned how many residents attended the meeting. Chairperson Holthus stated that there were 18 members from the community present, and not one liked the idea of the trail. ~) Mr. Olson also mentioned that they don't have very many children in the neighborhood. Commissioner English questioned the residents in attendance on whether or not they have any kids in the elementary school. None of the residents in attendance have kids attending the elementary school. o Special Work Session Andover Park & Recreation Minutes - November 14, 200 J Page 3 o (J Victoria Doyle represented the residents from Hidden Creek East Park. She stated that they are in the same situation as Wild Iris Park. She reviewed the equipment they currently have, and requested the metal slide be replaced with a playground structure of some sort. She mentioned that the residents don't want a baseball field and/or soccer field. Commissioner Blackstad stated that the residents need to understand the Commission has to look at what's best for the City as a whole. Commissioner Blackstad explained that the City would be required to have curb and gutter installed since the park is in the MUSA boundaries. Ms. Doyle questioned why the Commission would want to put in fields when there isn't even money to put in playground equipment. A resident from Hidden Creek East suggested the Commission put in something small now and when the money is available figure out the best use of the park. ': ) Commissioner English stated that there is a long-term plan taken into consideration when developing the parks around the City. He stated that the Commission needs to look at what the City needs as a whole instead of just the community. He agreed that if the funding wasn't available that the Commission would look at making improvements on a smaller scale. A resident from Hidden Creek East questioned the Commission on how many meetings they need to attend before seeing any results. Ms. Doyle questioned what the City will commit to ifthe residents were to request donations from the area businesses. Commissioner Blackstad stated that in the past the City has matched the funds. Ms. Doyle stated that if that's the case they will move forward with requesting donations from area businesses. Ms. Johnson questioned if the residents could build the hockey rink if they were willing to put forth their time and efforts. Commissioner Blackstad stated that that wouldn't be possible for liability reasons. Ms. Johnson questioned if the residents received the materials donated then would they be able to put for their time and efforts to build it. Frank Stone stated that to his knowledge that would be fine. C) " o Special Work Session Andover Park & Recreation Minutes-November 14,2001 Page 4 o .rj '--' A resident from Hidden Creek East questioned if business were to donate is there some way the City could give them the credit or advertise for the business. Commissioner Blackstad stated that it could be noted in the newsletter. Commissioner English suggested something be done for the highest donor, with the other businesses listed on a plaque. A member from Wild Iris Park mentioned that if the park and trail were upgraded it wouldn't attract teenagers looking for trouble. She stated that many times the police have been called for a number of reasons, however ifthere were more traffic it wouldn't happen nearly as often. Commissioner English suggested the Commission go through a process to rate the parks on a numerical scale and once each park is given a score they can be prioritized in an order. He suggested that each park be rated be each Commission member on a list of objectives created by the Commission. Mr. Haas presented the Commission with the objectives and goals that are stated in the Comprehensive Plan. He mentioned that these goals and objectives have been adopted by the City Council. , '\ 'J Commissioner English suggested the Commission create a list of projects and prioritize them in what order they would be completed. He suggested there not be a year behind every project since it will depend on the amount of finances available. Commissioner English stated the mission statement as it is stated in the Comprehensive Plan. Chairperson Holthus suggested one goal be that the Commission keep in mind the original CIP plan. Commissioner English suggested the goal state "Be Consistent". Chairperson Holthus suggested another goal be to take the results of the survey into consideration. Commissioner Blackstad suggested one objective be to meet the needs ofthe youth associations. Chairperson Holthus suggested one objective be to plan for recreational facilities for all age groups. Commissioner Blackstad suggested one objective be to meet the abilities of all residents. C) Commissioner DeLaForest suggested one objective be to take the citizens input into consideration. o Special Work Session Andover Park & Recreation Minutes - November 14. 2001 Page 5 o .'--" ,-_.' Chairperson Holthus suggested another objective be to insure that the recreational facilities are maintained. Commissioner Anderson suggested another objective be to consider the suitability of the site. Commissioner English suggested other objectives be the impact on the local area, nature, costs, and environment. The Commission prioritized and weighted the objectives on a sale of 0-1000 with 1000 being the rated the highest. " \ '-~ 1 - Meet Citizen's Needs 2 - Associations 3 - Cost 4 - Plan Facilities for All Age Groups 5 - Maintenance 6 - Meet ADA/Ability Needs 7 - Environmental Impact 8 - Consider Site Suitability 9 - Regional Impact 10 - Nature Impact 11 - Local Impact Commissioner Anderson suggested Hidden Creek East Park be added to the list of parks to be evaluated. Mr. Haas suggested Terrace Park stay in the evaluation but for only $5,000 to be used for bleachers. He reminded the Commission of the CDBG funds that will be used for playground equipment. The Commission went on to evaluate each park based on a list of objectives. Since there were a large number of figures that needed to be tabulated, each park wasn't given a final score before the end of the meeting. Instead Commissioner English took the data home to be tallied on a computer. He stated that he would present the final score of each park to the Commission at the next regularly scheduled Park Commission meeting on November 15th. OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. () 1;---". j '- / ,~ ( ') ./ :J Special Work Session Andover Park & Recreation Minutes - November 14. 2001 Page 6 () ADJOURNMENT Motion by Blackstad, seconded by DeLaForest, to adjourn the meeting at 9: 15 p.m. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Lindahl) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Sara Beck, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. "