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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 4, 2001 o CJ C) o o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - OCTOBER 4, 2001 MINUTES Chairperson Valerie Holthus called the Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting ofthe Andover Park and Recreation Commission to order on October 4,2001, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Chairperson Valerie Holthus, Commissioners Al Grabowski, Chris English, Chris DeLaForest and Dave Blackstad. Commissioners absent: Paul Anderson and Jim Lindahl. Also present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas RESIDENTS FORUM There was none. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner DeLaForest stated that he should be listed as being present on the voting ofthe September 20th minutes since that was his first meeting. He suggested there be an amendment to the minutes. Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Grabowski, to approve the September 20, 2001 Park & Recreation Commission minutes as amended. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2- absent (Anderson and Lindahl) vote. CONSIDER GUIDELINES FOR OFFERING REWARDS, CONT. Mr. Haas explained that he obtained information from three separate sources regarding programs offering rewards: Williamson County, Texas Crime Stoppers; City of Minneapolis, regarding graffiti; and City of St. Paul, regarding graffiti. He stated that based on the information gathered most cities don't have a reward program available. U Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 4.2001 Page 3 o ~) Commissioner Blackstad suggested the City Attorney be involved to make sure the kids are held responsible. Mr. Haas stated that to his understanding once the kids are convicted the cities insurance company could go after the parents for restitution. Commissioner DeLaForest suggested that the City Attorney be directed to make sure restitution is included. Commissioner English stated that he supports the Fast Fifty Program with Crime Stoppers. He stated that with this program the parents would receive an award upon arrest and conviction. Commissioner Grabowski stated that he also supports the Fast Fifty Program. Commissioner English stated that it appears that the $1,000 reward program with Crime Stoppers is complicated and would take more work from the City Attorney, however the Fast Fifty Program seems much simpler. Commissioner DeLaForest questioned if staff has researched the possibilities of receiving any state money to fund the program. Mr. Haas stated that he would research this possibility. , ' \,j Commissioner English suggested the Commission consider a budget that would allow posters, stickers and other promotional information to be distributed at the school level. Commissioner Grabowski suggested staff do research to determine what the initial costs would be for the program. Commissioner English stated that the reward would be $100 per crime, no matter how many individuals come forward. Commissioner English questioned ifthe Commission would still want to prosecute. Commissioner Grabowski stated that the Commission should prosecute. Commissioner English questioned ifthe Commission would still want to include restitution. Commissioner Grabowski stated yes. Commissioner English suggested that as part of the restitution the parents receive a reward. Mr. Haas stated that the dollars should come back to the City, furthermore it sounds like park dedication funds can be used for the reward program. 8 Commissioner Grabowski suggested doing research to determine the costs. He also suggested discussing the program with the sheriff's department. /-\ "_I ~) ~) U Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 4. 2001 Page 4 () Commissioner Blackstad something also be added to the website. Commissioner English suggested something be included in the November newsletter to announce that a contest is taking place to determine the logo for a parks crime watch Program. He suggested the prize be a skateboard or $50 to a sporting goods store. The Commission agreed. Motion by English, seconded by Blackstad, to recommend to the City Council a Resolution consisting of a Fast Fifty Reward Program, with a contest to be advertised in the Park Place of the Newsletter to determine the logo, furthermore that staffbe allowed to do the research from a legal perspective and to determine what would be involved to implement the program. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, a-nays, 2-absent (Anderson and Lindahl) vote. DISCUSS OF LIGHTING OF FREE SKATE RINK AT HAWKRIDGE PARK, CONT. Chairperson Holthus first questioned the Commission on whether or not it's desired to have additional lighting at the free skate rink at Hawkridge Park. She suggested that if the Commission does want to pursue this that more bids are obtained. Mr. Haas mentioned that only one more quote is necessary to meet the City requirements. Chairperson Holthus mentioned that the skate rink is very dark. Commissioner Grabowski questioned if the other free skate rinks around the City are lit. Mr. Haas listed which rinks currently have lighting. Commissioner Grabowski questioned whether or not the Commission would receive requests to light other rinks ifthis rink is approved for lighting. Chairperson Holthus questioned which parks currently have warming houses. Mr. Haas listed the parks that currently have warming houses. Commissioner DeLaForest stated that it would be money well spent since it could end up being a liability issue. Motion by English, seconded by DeLaForest, to recommend to the City Council to light the Free Skate Rink at Hawkridge Park, contingent on receiving a total of 3 quotes. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, a-nays, 2-absent (Anderson and Lindahl) vote. o Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 4, 2001 Page 5 o ,-'\ , ) '--, UPDATE OF 2002 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND 5 YEAR CIPIPARK COMMISSION SUB-COMMITTEE Chairperson Holthus suggested the Commission review the 2002 Park Capital Improvement and 5- Y ear/CIP Park Plans and at the next Park Commission meeting they will be discussed and any changes will be made at that time. She went on to review the information provided in the report. She also mentioned that the report is not cast in stone and can be changed at any time with the exception of the year in progress. REVIEW HAWKRIDGE PARK IMPROVEMENTS, CONT. Mr. Haas explained that the total project improvements will be anywhere between $275,000 to $325,000 and currently is included in the proposed 5- Year CIP Plan for 2002. He suggested the Commission hold off discussing any further until the City Council has approved the CIP Plan, at which time it could be discussed for the year 2002. DISCUSS SIGNAGE AT VARIOUS PARKS /, , ""~ Chairperson Holthus stated that this item has been on the issues list for quite some time. She stated that included in the staff report is a quote from Sign Station and the design of the signage for various parks, which are regional parks, or a highly visible park. She stated that this is not included in the 5- Year CIP Plan. Commissioner English suggested the symbol representing the Crime Stopper Program also be included on the sign. Motion by English, seconded by Grabowski, to recommend to the City Council that the new Park Sign Policy be adopted for all new parks, and that funding be evaluated at the next CIP meeting to work all signs for existing parks into the 5- Y ear CIP within the next few years, furthermore that the signs include a list of symbols representing the various amenities that are available at each park. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Anderson and Lindahl) vote. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas reviewed the items on the issues list. Commissioner English mentioned that he recently had a conversation with some bicyclists regarding the skateboard park. He stated that they are frustrated since the City hasn't done anything for them. He suggested the Commission keep in mind and possibly consider Complex #1 to be a Bike Park at some point in the future, with the understanding that all insurance requirements are met. He also suggested that anyone " '\ skateboarding in the Skate Park be required to wear a helmet, however those in the park '-J but not skating not be required to wear a helmet. / " ,,/ r- ".., f \__J " --'. (J o Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 4, 2001 Page 6 o Chairperson Holthus mentioned that a Bike Park has been discussed in the past and the big issue has always been the insurance. Commissioner English suggested a sign up sheet or ill card is required in order to have access to use the Skateboard Park, and that in order to obtain privileges the parentis must sign an agreement that the rules have been reviewed. Commissioner Grabowski stated that the only problem with having a sign up sheet or ill card is that the facility would then have to be supervised. Mr. Haas stated that he would bring the suggestions before the Skateboard Task Force at their next meeting. Commissioner Grabowski suggested Mr. Haas recommend to Captain King with the Sheriffs Department that any new and/or recent vandalism be reported to the Commission at the next Park Commission meeting. Chairperson Holthus stated that the Ice Arena/Community Center Task Force is waiting to meet until the survey information has been received. Commissioner Grabowski stated that the Focus Group Task Force hasn't met since the last Park Commission meeting. Chairperson Holthus stated that the Skateboard Task Force is scheduled to meet in November. Chairperson Holthus stated that the 2002 Park Capital Improvement Budget was already discussed earlier in the meeting. Chairperson Holthus mentioned that the Ball Field Task Force has stated that the City will finance the electricity to the ball fields, however not the nets. CHAIR'S REPORT There was no report. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Blackstad, seconded by English, to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 p.m. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Anderson and Lindahl) vote. Respectfully submitted, Sara Beck, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.