Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 4, 2001 o o o CITY of ANDOVER 'ARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - JANUARY 4,2001 MINUTES The Regular Bi-MontWy Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Jim LindaW on January 4,2001, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Al Grabowski, Jim Lindahl, Dave O'Toole, and Valerie Holthus. Tom Anderson arrived at7:30 p.m. Commissioners absent: Jeff Kieffer and Paul Anderson. Also present: Park Coordinator, Todd Haas APPROVAL OF MINUTES o Motion by Grabowski, seconded by Holthus, to approve the December 21,2000 regular Park Commission meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, a-nays, 3-absent vote. UPDATE OF SELLING OF EXISTING PARKS, CONT. Mr. Haas explained that a recommendation by the Commission was not considered at the last meeting regarding the Cedar Crest Estates Lot 8, Block 4 (Park #6). He stated that both property owners adjacent to the park are interested and both would also be interested if the parcel was split in half and offered for sale. Commissioner Holthus suggested that staff inquire on whether or not there is a systematic method that the Commission should be following in the future. Mr. Haas explained that all that can be considered is tax-forfeited property. Commissioner Holthus questioned the size of the property. Mr. Haas stated that the property is approximately an acre. Chairman Lindahl stated that the City needs to look at the way they are updated, considering the location of the parcel, the potential usage of the property, and/or any potential problems. Mr. Haas stated that the Comprehensive Plan did identify the larger parks, however was unsure if it identified the smaller neighborhood parks. Chairman Lindahl mentioned the area surrounding Park #6 consists of larger lots, in addition there is a regional park close by. o Commissioner Grabowksi mentioned that the property currently is undeveloped and never will be since its unbuildable. He questioned the reason behind having it since it's only a maintenance liability issue. o o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - Janumy 4, 2001 Page 2 r .\ V Commissioner O'Toole suggested Mr. Haas take these comments and present them before the Commission at the next meeting. Chainnan Lindahl suggested the City auction off the property using a silent bid, with the property going to the one with the highest bid. He suggested checking with the state to see if there are any criteria that should be followed. Mr. Haas explained that if the City is going to sell the property it would have to go up for bid. Commissioner O'Toole agreed that the property should be for sale, however questioned if there is a criteria that should be followed in determining which properties qualify. Mr. Haas agreed and stated that he would check into it. Commissioner Holthus questioned the value of the property: Mr. Haas explained that Park #6 is valued at $6,500. Chairman Lindahl stated that the discussion is tabled until the next meeting on January 18, 2001. DISCUSS 5 YEAR PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (~ Mr. Haas explained that the Parks COlIunission is being asked to review the draft of the 5 Year Park Capital Improvement Plan. He presented the Commission with the draft. He explained that was is being proposed is for just new improvements. Commissioner Holthus mentioned that in the year 2002 the park equipment for Hawkridge Park should be for all ages and not just the 2-5 year olds. Mr. Haas stated that it will happen, however it just won't come from the Park Dedication funds. Any playground equipment that needs to be replaced will be most likely be funded from park capital improvement budget(general fund). Commissioner O'Toole suggested that Wild Iris Park be considered for a larger playground, since it's in a nice location and has potential for a excellent parking lot. Commissioner Grabowski suggested that a ball field would also be great at Wild Iris Park, however Commissioner O'Toole disagreed since it's located in the downtown area. Chairman Lindahl questioned if staff has evaluated the growth patterns for the future, which would help in detennining which parks to address first. Mr. Haas explained that a growth pattern would be very difficult to do since the developers are not required to develop in a certain time frame. 8 Mr. Haas stated that with the Park Dedication funds from this year and next year there should be enough to cover 2001 and 2002. Chainnan Lindahl mentioned that the WDE site has not been included in the plan. Chairman Lindahl stated that what has been presented before the Commission is pretty close to CJ Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -January 4, 2001 Page 3 o r-- \J what the board has been thinking. Commissioner Tom Anderson arrived at 7:30 p.m. There was some discussion regarding Red Oaks East Park and what should be done with that. Mr. Haas suggested that if the ballfield location was not safe to the Commission in it's current location it is recommended to make motion to have Public Works remove the backstop and benches. Motion by Grabowski, seconded by O'Toole, to remove all fencing at Red Oaks East Park. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent vote. Commissioner Anderson questioned Prairie Knoll Park. Mr. Haas explained that they are still evaluating it to determine ifwetIands can be created. He stated that if it's a good site it will end up coming back before the Commission. Chairman Lindahl suggested including it in the improvement plan with $40,000 since it is likely it would take at least that much. Mr. Haas agreed. RESIDENTS FORUM r---.. <) James Flannigan, 14171 Drake Street, questioned why the hockey rink was reserved for the Blaine Hockey Association and not the Anoka Hockey Association. He questioned if Anoka Hockey Association was informed. Chairman LindaW stated that there was public notification. He mentioned that the Blaine Hockey Association was the only application received, however the City did try to limit their use to two nights during the week at city hall and two nights a week at Crooked Lake School. Saturday was limited to city hall only. Commissioner O'Toole explained that over half of the kids on the Blaine Hockey Association are residents of Andover. COlmnissioner Grabowski suggested reducing the amount of time allowed for the teams, which would allow for more hockey time for the public. Mr. Flannigan questioned how much time would the City be willing to block out. Commissioner Grabowski suggested giving half the rink to Blaine and the other half to Anoka, instead of taking anymore time from the public. Mr. Haas stated that it's possible to request each team to back down to an hour, whether it be from 6:00 to 7:00 or 6:30 to 7:30. :~ Commissioner O'Toole suggested that for half the time each team practice on half the court and for the remaining time scrimmage against each other~ Commissioner Anderson agreed to reduce the time for the teams to just one hour. (~ 0 '-' Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - JanuQlY 4, 2001 Page 4 ,- \ , . , j Mr. Haas mentioned that if the teams would like additional ice time they could use the rinks at Hawkridge Park since they aren't being used. Chairman Lindahl suggested giving the teams the option to use the ice later, which would allow the local kids to have ice time as well. Mr. Haas mentioned that the rinks do close at 9:00 p.m. Mr. Haas stated that he would talk with the Blaine Hockey Association to try and shrink their ice time to one hour. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas reviewed the items on the issues list. Commissioner O'Toole suggested the Parks Commission become more involved with the Anoka and Blaine fund-raisers that take place in the spring, since there are kids from Andover attending both schools. Mr. Haas stated that he would check into it. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT " Commissioner Holthus questioned if it would be possible to put up temporary fencing at Prairie Knoll to prevent kids from sledding out onto the street. Mr. Haas stated that he would check into it. Commissioner Holthus suggested the graffiti on the slide at Fox Meadows Park be removed. Mr. Haas stated that he would take care of it. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Anderson, seconded by O'Toole, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sara Beck, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. '"J