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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 18, 2001 o o o CITY of ANDOVER 'ARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - JANUARY 18,2001 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was calIed to order by Chairman Jim Lindahl on January 18,2001,7:00 p.m., at the Andover City HalI, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Al Grabowski, Jim Lindahl, Tom Anderson, Jeff Kieffer and Paul Anderson. Valerie Holthus arrived at 7:13 p.m. Commissioners absent: Dave O'Toole Also present: Park Coordinator, Todd Haas RESIDENTS FORUM There was none. o APPROVAL OF MINUTES o Commissioner Grabowski clarified that what Commissioner Holthus stated in the Chairman's Report at the last meeting was in reference to the local football booster clubs. Motion by Tom Anderson, seconded by Grabowski, to approve the January 4,2001 regular Park Commission meeting minutes as amended. Motion carried on a 3-ayes, O-nays, 2-present (Kieffer and Paul Anderson), 2-absent (O'Toole and Holthus) vote. DISCUSS ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY TRAIL, PROJECT 00-17 Mr. Haas reminded the Commission that the Anoka County Highway Department would not . issue the City a permit in their right-of-way for the bikeway/walkway trail because a curb did not exist along that section of the road, which is the reason the project was cancelled. He explained that MNDOT's road design manual indicates that the offset area from the road preferably should be 2.4 m to 3.6 m with 1.2 m being the minimum. He mentioned that staff is not sure what the County will allow but it appears at this point at a minimum that a curb will be required and that the Commission may want to reconsider that a lO-foot wide bikeway/walkway trail be constructed. Connnissioner Grabowski questioned if the area in question is just south of County Road 116 on the right. Mr. Haas stated that that is correct. Commissioner Grabowski questioned if it is possible that the road would ever be widened. Mr. Haas explained that it could happen that an additional right turning land would be added if o o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 28, 2001 Page 2 o necessary. Chairman Lindahl suggested sending it back to the County Highway Department for their recommendation as to how it should be constructed. He mentioned this since they would know what the needs are for the intersection. He recommended that the project be constructed in conjunction with the County project. Chairman Lindahl questioned if a retaining wall would be necessary. Mr. Haas stated that staff believes it would work without a retaining wall and gave reasons to support that opinion. Chairman Lindahl suggested letting the County give the City direction on how it should be constructed. Mr. Haas stated that he would contact the County and get a recommendation in writing from them. Commissioner Kieffer mentioned that he doesn't see the need for a 1O-foot trail since it would be coming off a sidewalk. Chairman Lindahl agreed and stated that an 8-foot trail should be sufficient. Commissioner Grabowski questioned what would happen if the City stayed to the right-of-way. Mr. Haas explained that if that were the case the trail would be right up to Slim's building. o Commissioner Grabowski suggested also putting in a trail as a sidewalk north of Bunker on ih Avenue since it is being redone anyway. Chairman Lindahl stated that the item would be tabled until direction has been received by the County. DISCUSS HIDDEN CREEK NORTH PARK BALL FIELD Kim Mellem, 13760 Zilla Street NW, questioned when the decisions will be made regarding Hidden Creek North Park Ball Field. She questioned what could be done to turn the field into an all grass field for baseball, since it would benefit the City greatly. She mentioned that the Andover Baseball Association will do whatever it takes to help get it going. Commissioner Grabowski mentioned that the Commission discussed the issue at a previous meeting and decided that whatever is done it needs to be done right the first time. Mr. Haas suggested Ms. Mellem create a layout with the association and once completed present it before City staff. Commissioner Kieffer agreed that it would be a great idea to have the ball field as an all grass field especially since the park is so visible. (, '--) MS.Mellem stated that the association will do whatever it takes to help with the project, whether it be funding or labor or something else. o 0 Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 28,2001 Page 3 r\ I I '....../ Commissioner Grabowski suggested the association assist with the laying of the sod. Commissioner Holthus arrived at 7: 13 p.m. DISCUSS 5 YEAR PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, CONT. Mr. Haas explained that the Commission is being requested to continue discussing a proposed 5 Year Park Capital Improvement Plan for the use of the park dedication funds. He presented a revised plan, which includes Prairie Knoll Park in the year 200 1 as requested by the Commission at a previous meeting. Commissioner Kieffer questioned if $10,000 would be enough in the year 2004 for the playground equipment for the 2-5 year old age group. Mr. Haas agreed to increase the dollar amount to $15,000 for the parks where $10,000 was listed for playground equipment. Commissioner Paul Anderson questioned what the Commission was basing the budget on for the next five years. Chairman Lindahl explained that the Commission is basing it offthe wish list along with the suggestions from Kevin. o Mr. Haas explained that a lot of Kevin's suggestions are regarding the replacement of equipment which would fall under the next issue, 5 Year Park Capital Improvement Replacement Plan. Commissioner Paul Anderson stated that one thing that needs to be discussed with the City Council is the park dedication fund and the replacement funds. Mr. Haas agreed to make the changes on the plan and present it again at the next meeting for discussion. He suggested the Commission fine-tune the proposal; therefore it could be discussed at the joint meeting with the Council in February. DISCUSS 5 YEAR PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT REPLACEMENT PLAN, CONT. Mr. Haas explained that from here on in the funds received from the general fund will go towards replacing old or outdated playground equipment at various parks throughout the City. He presented before the Commission staffs recommendation regarding funds to be allocated in the next five years. Commissioner Paul Anderson mentioned that this area has been extremely under funded in the past and defmitely needs to be discussed with the City Council. He stated that someday park dedication funds will run out which explains why we need a budget. Commissioner Kieffer suggested the increment go up by $10,000 each year instead of $5,000. Commissioner Paul Anderson suggested the increment be adjusted by need. o Mr. Haas explained that all the equipment that is from 1993 or newer meets the requirements. ~-, ( 1 '-.../ o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 28, 2001 Page 4 o Chainnan Lindahl mentioned that the City would need to do two parks every year to come even close to meeting the requirements. He also mentioned that since each park would cost a minimum of$40,000 it's obvious there isn't enough money budgeted. Commissioner Holthus stated that she is concerned as to why staff is recommending such a low number, that being $5,000 to increase the budget each year. Chairman Lindahl questioned why the Park Department budget is not growing at a rate that the other departments in the City are. Commissioner Paul Anderson questioned where the money comes from to maintain the existing trails. Mr. Haas explained that Public Works covers the maintenance of all trails. Chairman Lindahl stated that the Commission is not accepting the numbers as presented by staff. He suggested finding out the percentage of increase for other departments and make a comparison at the next meeting. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas reviewed the items on the issues list. ( \ 'J CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Commissioner Paul Anderson reported on the task force meeting held in regards to the Skateboarding Facility. He stated that there were approximately 7 kids and 5 parents in attendance. The ages ranging from 9 to 14. He stated that the kids would rather see a Tier 2, but will settle for a Tier 1. He mentioned that everyone is going to do a layout for the next meeting to show exactly what he or she is looking for. In addition someone is going to do a list of user rules, and someone else is going to look at funding possibilities. He stated that another possibility is for the City to build their own kits; however there could be some liability issues. He mentioned that the next meeting is on January 23, 2001. He also mentioned that a different location may be necessary, since the equipment isn't very mobile and would need to stay out all winter. He also recommended that the facility be lighted. Commissioner Grabowski suggested the lighting be limited since the lights would shine on the homes in the neighborhood. Chairman Lindahl stated that those will be issues that will be addressed as it gets closer to being developed. Commissioner Grabowski questioned what the plans are for the sidewalkJtrail along Andover Blvd. and Hanson Blvd. Mr. Haas explained that currently the City is surveying the area, and requesting to use state aid funds, however once those issues are addressed it should be able to move forward. CJ COlmnissioner Grabowski questioned if the trail would only be on the north side. Mr. Haas stated that that is correct. () Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 28, 2001 Page 5 t) ,----, r.. . J Commissioner Grabowski suggested a 3 to 4 foot sidewalk on each side instead of an 8-foot trail. Mr. Haas explained that if the City uses state aid funds then we have to follow the state aid standards, which means it has to be so far off the curb. Commissioner Grabowski mentioned concerns about the possibility of people being on the streets if there isn't a traiVsidewalk on both sides. Chairman Lindahl mentioned that he found a 2000 directory for all the parks. He suggested using the directory when going before the Council. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Kieffer, seconded by Tom Anderson, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sara Beck, Recording Secretary , ". TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. " j - , \ I 'J