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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 20, 2001 o o o CITY of ANDOVER 'ARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - SEPTEMBER 20, 2001 MINUTES Chairperson Valerie Holthus called the Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission to order on September 20, 2001, 7:34p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Chairperson Valerie Holthus, Al Grabowski, Jim Lindahl, Chris English, Chris DeLaForest, Paul Anderson, and Dave Blackstad. Commissioners absent: There were none. Also present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner English requested Chairperson Holthus introduce and welcome the newly appointed Commissioner to replace Commissioner O'Toole. He also suggested the meeting (J adjourn and/or be postponed until after the President's address at 8:00 p.m. . Motion by English, seconded by Blackstad, to adjourn or postpone the meeting at 8:00 p.m. to hear the President's address. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. o Chairperson Holthus introduced and welcomed Chris DeLaForest as the newly appointed Commissioner to replace Commissioner O'Toole. Commissioner DeLaForest thanked the Commission and stated that he looks forward to the position. Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Lindahl, to approve the minutes from the September 6, 2001 Park Commission meeting. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. RESIDENTS FORUM Victoria Doyel, 13511 Swallow Street, stated that she would like to comment on the memo written by Kevin Starr. She explained that only 25% of the people that were there 10 years ago are still there now, therefore the neighborhood has changed and many residents that live there now would like a park. She mentioned that they do appreciate what is there in terms of park equipment. She also mentioned that she plans to go around to businesses in the area and askfor donations. She questioned ifthe Commission would commit to matching funds. Chairperson Holthus explained that Item 9 on the agenda will address how much money is available to be spent in 2002 and where the Commission decides to. spend it. o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 20, 2001 /\ Page 2 I '--/ o Commissioner English suggested waiting to receive the report from Mr. Starr on the condition of the existing facilities at the parks around the City before determining which parks would receive improvements in 2002. Mr. Haas explained that what the Commission previously requested from Mr. Starr is actually in the packet. Ms. Doyel stated that as she understands it their park is at the bottom of the list along with about eight other parks. Commissioner Blackstad mentioned that some of the other parks that are also at the bottom of the list have also had petitions in the past, however they still have the same park equipment as they did when the petition was received. Ms. Doyel questioned if anyone from the City is following up with those petitions. ,- " ,~ Chairperson Holthus questioned if the Commission would like to see this park on the agenda for a future park meeting to discuss the possibilities further. Commissioner English suggested staff provide the Commission with information on each park including the kind of equipment, condition and age. He suggested the Commission create a list of criteria to determine which parks should be upgraded and in what order. Chairperson Holthus questioned if this is different than the Park Capital Improvement Plan. Commissioner English stated that it would be helpful if the Commission could provide the residents an order of parks in terms of replacement and the reasons to justify the order. Mr. Haas stated that the Commission did create a list of priorities over the past winter when the 5- Y ear Plan was presented to the City Council. Chairperson Holthus questioned if this plan is different than the Capital Improvement Plan. Commissioner English stated that there is $50,000 in the Capital Improvement Plan, however the Commission has recently learned that the Park Dedication Fund can also be used to replace whole structures. Commissioner English stated that the play structures are definitely a concern of the residents; therefore if someone is asking if and when they can be repaired we could provide that information with specific reasons. Mr. Haas mentioned that there are three Commissioners on a subcommittee in October. He suggested waiting until after they've met to discuss the issue any further. u Dory Peterson, 13904 Norway Street, thanked the Commission for moving Shadowbrook up on the priority list. o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 20, 2001 '-j Page 3 '---' o Dave Jaeger, l42nd Avenue NW, questioned how final the plan is for Shadowbrook. He stated that he finds it surprising that he has to drive almost 4 miles to get to the closet rink. He questioned the possibilities of including a skating rink in the design. Mr. Haas mentioned that the City is looking at the old landfill along Hanson Blvd. for outdoor hockey rinks. Commissioner Anderson mentioned that it's difficult to put in a hockey rink without a warming house. DISCUSS TULIP STREET PARK, CONT. Chairperson Holthus explained that this item is being tabled indefinitely since Mr. Bennett has indicated to staffthat he is satisfied with the maintenance schedule that Public Works has put into place. REVIEW SHADOWBROOK EAST PARK LAYOUT ':J Chairperson Holthus explained that included in the packet is a layout that has been approved by a previous Park & Recreation Commission for review by the current Commission. Commissioner English suggested moving the parking lot down so it would be parallel with the road, in addition to putting in play equipment for the 2-5 age group and a basketball court. Chairperson Holthus suggested putting in play equipment for 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds. Commissioner English agreed. Commissioner Grabowski questioned what is the distance between the property lines and the ball fields. Mr. Haas stated 40 feet. Commissioner Grabowski suggested putting in a berm. Mr. Haas stated that it would be possible to put in trees, however reminded the Commission that a trail will need to be there as well. Commissioner Grabowski stated that that would be fine. REVIEW HAWKRIDGE PARK LAYOUT Chairperson Holthus suggested tabling this item until the next Park and Recreation meeting. UPDATE OF 2002 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET/FINANCE :-J Chairperson Holthus explained that the intent of the $40,000 programmed into the Park and Recreation budget is to be utilized by the Parks and Recreation Department to maintain or enhance existing parks within the City of Andover and not to be used for the creation for new parks. o c) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 20, 2001 r ' Page 4 I " , REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas reviewed the items on the issues list. Chairperson Holthus mentioned that the last meeting for the proposed ice arena was canceled. She stated that there was no meeting held for the focus group or the skateboard task force. She mentioned that on October 4, 2001 there would be a meeting held for the 2002 Park Capital Improvement Budget Group. Mr. Haas updated the Commission on the recent meeting with the ball field task force. He stated that the school has indicated that they do need electricity at the varsity field. LIGHTING OF HOCKEY RINK AT HAWKRIDGE PARK This item was postponed until the next Park and Recreation meeting. CHAIR'S REPORT There was no Chairman's Report. , , j ADJOURNMENT Motion by English, seconded by Grabowski, to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Sara Beck, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. " )