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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 20, 2000 o o o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING-APRIL 20,2000 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lindahl on April 20, 2000, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Paul Anderson, Tom Anderson, Al Grabowski, Valerie Holthus, Jeff Kieffer, and Jim Lindahl, and David O'Toole. None. Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Commissioners absent: Also present: RESIDENTS FORUM There were no residents who requested to address the commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES o Motion by Grabowski, seconded by T. Anderson, to approve the April 6, 2000 regular Park Commission meeting minutes as written. Motion carried on a 5 - ayes, 0 - nays, 0 - absent, and 2 - present (Kieffer and O'Toole) vote. CHESTERTON COMMONS NORTH 2ND ADDITION SKETCH PLAN Mr. Haas stated the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to review the proposed sketch plan of Chesteron Commons North 2nd Addition as being presented by Ashford Development. He stated this plat was east of Woodland Woods. Mr. Haas asked the Commission to consider a bike path route along the County Road at some point in the near future. Commissioner Grabowski asked if this plat was adjacent to Woodland Woods. Mr. Haas stated there were two parcels between Chesterton Commons North 2nd Addition and Woodland Woods. Commissioner T. Anderson asked how far this plat was from Hanson Boulevard for a connected bike path. Mr. Haas noted the proposed development was several hundred feet from Hanson Boulevard and explained that crossing the designated wetland would be impossible due to the fact DNR approval would not be granted. o The Commission recommend approval of the Chesterton Commons North 2nd Addition Sketch Plan with park dedication fee to be set at final plat approval. o o C) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 20, 2000 Page 2 ANDOVER OAKS SKETCH PLAN Mr. Haas stated the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to review the proposed sketch plan of Andover Oaks as being presented by Grey Oaks, Inc. He reviewed the location of this plat as being west of Hanson Boulevard with 474 units proposed for the development. Mr. Haas stated this item was submitted to the Planning Commission for their discussion and that they were not in favor of the high density or layout of the development. He indicated the Andover Oaks sketch plan is to be reviewed as a new plan before the Commission. Commissioner T. Anderson asked if this item was before the Park Commission at another time. Mr. Haas stated this was before the Commission earlier this year with a density of approximately 350 units. There was a consensus among the Commissioners to require no park land from the Andover Oaks Development and that the City adjust the cash amount rendered under the current ordinance. RECOMMEND ORDERING PLANS AND SPECS/OO-17ffRAIL ALONG 'J'h A VENUE () Mr. Haas explained the Park and Recreation Commission was requested to approve the ordering of plans and specs for Project 00-17 for a trail along Seventh Avenue between Bunker Lake Boulevard and the service road south of l45th Avenue. He indicated this item has been discussed with the Commission in the past. Mr. Haas stated this trail is of interest to the neighborhood on the east side of Seventh Avenue to allow those residents a safe route in Andover to Bunker Lake Boulevard. He explained this access allows them to also gain safe access to the new Anoka County Library, which is located north of the Anoka High School on the north side of Bunker Lake Boulevard. Mr. Haas noted the City of Anoka is struggling to find funds to build their section of the trail. He explained that if Andover constructs the trail on Seventh Avenue it puts the burden on Anoka to fmish their section. Mr. Haas explained that the City of Ramsey was also interested in pursuing their portion of the proposed trail along Bunker Lake Boulevard. . Commissioner Kieffer asked why the City of Anoka would want to continue this trail to service Andover residents. Mr. Haas stated this is a major corridor within their City and would serve the Anoka County Library within their City. Commissioner Grabowski stated he would not like to put pressure on the City of Anoka if they have no funds for this trail and if it does not serve their residents. He explained he would like to see the County take part in this issue. Mr. Haas noted the County does not have this item .r) within their Comprehensive Plan for the next five to ten years. '-..J o o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 20, 2000 I"~ Page 3 o Commissioner O'Toole stated this trail could be a waste of time if the cities of Anoka and Ramsey are not interested in completing the safe passageway. Commissioner Grabowski concurred. Commissioner O'Toole asked if the nearby undeveloped land, once developed, would reimburse the City for the trail expense. Mr. Haas stated he was uncertain if this would be an acceptable procedure. Chairperson Lindahl asked if the lot on the corner of West Seventh Street and Bunker Lake Boulevard may have the tri-city Community Center. Mr. Haas stated this was correct. Mr. Haas asked if the Commission would be interested in offering the City of Anoka funds to complete a trail down Seventh Street and to the library. Commissioner Grabowski asked for a rough estimate on the fee for the completion of each trail section. Mr. Haas noted the expense for Andover to be $29,000, with Anoka's share of the trail being $57,000 from Seventh Avenue to the river. He explained the cost of the trail to the library would be approximately $20,000. Mr. Haas noted the City of Ramsey would incur roughly $66,000 for their share or the trail. o Commissioner Grabowski stated that without knowing what will be developed on the vacant lots this trail project is in limbo. He explained the trail expense may be able to be negotiated with the City of Anoka in exchange for use of their pool. Commissioner T. Anderson asked that the Commission wait until next year when the land developments are known on the adjacent vacant lots. Mr. Haas stated that John Hinzman, the City Planner, was present to review the zoning and developments proposed for this area. Mr. Hinzman noted the zoning of this intersection is commercial and multiple family residential. He stated the owner is interested in turning the multiple family residential to commercial. Connie Beckman, 4172 - l46th Avenue, explained she was the initiator of this request. She appreciates the concerns of the Commission and for their wise use of City funding. Ms. Beckman stated that by finishing this trail a great need of her neighborhood would be met, which is heavily populated with small children. She added that a larger area than her neighborhood would benefit from this completed trail. Ms. Beckman encouraged the Commission to initiate conversations with the County to work on.this project ifnot this' year, for 2001. She stated this would show the residents that the Commission is interested in the needs oflocal neighborhoods. r, U Chairperson Lindahl thanked Ms. Beckman for her comments and stated this trail would be a great connection, but there are pending commercial developments at the intersection of Bunker Lake Boulevard and Seventh Street. He explained once these developments are certain, they would be responsible for funding the connection without the use of Andover Park funds. He stated that it would be impossible for the City to complete the trail this year due to budgetary and contractor concerns. o o C_J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 20, 2000 Page 4 Commissioner Kieffer stated without knowing what was going to happen at the nearby parcels this trail would need to be pushed off to 2001. He agreed with the need for the trail but that many issues would need to be discussed between the City of Anoka, the City of Ramsey and Anoka County. Mr. Beckman asked if the trail were to be planned for next year, that the City of Andover Parks Commission meet with the City of Anoka so funding can be set aside for their portion of the project. Chairperson Lindahl stated the Commission would continue to pursue this issue as the library is an asset to the area. He noted the area could be polled this fall on the ballot to determine the actual interest in this trail connection. Commissioner Kieffer asked that this item be added to the Issue List so the Commission reviews it on a regular basis. Commissioner Grabowski concurred. Mr. Haas stated the County is not interested in pursuing this trail but it could be brought in at a committee level with the County Commissioner's as it would provide access to a County library. r -...., U Chairperson Lindahl stated the cities of Ramsey and Andover would benefit from this trail much more than the City of Anoka yet they would be responsible for their own portion of the trail. He stated it would be beneficial for the Park Commission to initiate the trail with the stakeholders involved. Commissioner O'Toole encouraged the County to be contacted on this issue. Mr. Haas explained that if the three cities were joint on this issue the County would commit to a trail from Seventh Street to Round Lake Boulevard in the City of Andover. Chairperson Lindahl advised staffto draft a letter on behalf of the Commission to the County for advice on how to get this trail started. He asked that the City of Anoka's Park Commission be contacted as well as the City of Ramsey. Mr. Haas stated he would draft a letter and have it signed by Chairperson Lindahl before sending out. DISCUSS MAINTENANCE OF TOT LOT PARKS/PUBLIC WORKS Mr. Haas stated Kevin Starr, the Public Works Supervisor, was present to discuss maintenance of the tot lot parks. Mr. Starr noted he put a map together for the Commission and reviewed the location of parks and tot lots within the City. r-', U Mr. Starr asked what mamtenance issues the Commission was looking for. Commissioner Grabowski stated the Commission is concerned with the maintenance of City parks and equipment while not over extending the current staff. Mr. Starr stated there have been numerous parks added quickly but only one extra staff person was been added at the staff level. , , ,-_J r " <-.J o o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 20, 2000 Page 5 He stated the park department is getting further behind on safety checks and routine maintenance. Mr. Starr indicated there is a saturation of parks in the southern portion of the City throughout the newer developments. He stated the playgrounds and recreational areas are needed throughout the City but the number of these parks is growing faster than the staff can maintain. Mr. Starr noted the life expectancy of park equipment is 15 years and several parks are at this limit. Mr. Starr noted the turf maintenance was done in 28 to 32 hours with three men working. He stated the playgrounds are raked and weeded within an hour to an hour and a half. He stated his department would like to do this more often and all equipment thus far has passed safety measures this year. Mr. Starr noted an audit would be completed within the next two weeks on the park to gather additional information on safety. Commissioner Grabowski asked how many hours the maintenance of a tot lot added for each employee. Chairperson Lindahl stated the Commission is requesting this information to know the hours needed as the City is looking to develop the area more intensely. Mr. Starr noted he did not have an exact figure at this time. Commissioner Grabowski stated park dedication has been used to repair parks and that this will not be possible forever. He explained this is a maintenance issue and should be budgeted as such. Mr. Starr agreed noting the manpower of the park department needs to be increased before additional parks are added to the system. Commissioner Kieffer asked for the maintenance time needed on a tot lot. Mr. Starr stated this would be roughly an hour to an hour and a half and was done three times a year. He noted it would be more effective for the City to keep up than continue to try and catch up. Mr. Starr stated there were currently six full time park personnel and three part time employees would be hired for this summer. He noted that after the audit this spring the actual maintenance would be better known. Mr. Starr explained the fencing and signage of the parks could be a concern this summer for meeting state regulations. Conunissioner T. Anderson stated the Council should be told that the Park Commission is not interested in additional tot lots until the park department personnel situation was balanced. Mr. Starr stated the City's park funds may be better used if put towards regional parks where the use is higher. Commissioner P. Anderson asked how the tot lots were placed throughout the City. Chairperson Lindahl stated the placement depends on the size of the development and strategic CJ plan of the City. lJ o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 20, 2000 r " Page 6 '-} Chairperson Lindahl stated the Met Council has standards for park development as well. Mr. Haas stated that through Met Council standards a tot lot should be every y.; mile radius based on the radius in an urban area. Chairperson Lindahl noted this would be extremely difficult for the City to fund and maintain. Commissioner Holthus asked how the Council reacted to the park department's needs for additional personnel. Mr. Starr stated they understood the need but offered no solutions for the shortfall of manpower. Commissioner Holthus encouraged the Park Commission to refer all new developments asking for a park to go directly to the Council. Mr. Starr stated this could be done to keep them aware of the situation and hold them accountable for the developments that they pass. Commissioner Grabowski stated those responsible for setting the budget need to be held accountable for routine maintenance for the benefit of the City. Chairperson Lindahl stated it reflects on well on the City if the parks are maintained and used. Chairperson Lindahl thanked Mr. Starr for his information on the park department. He asked that this item be continued on the agenda for continued discussion. () DISCUSS KELSEY-ROUND LAKE PARKffREE PLANTINGS Mr. Haas stated that Kevin Starr, the Public Works Supervisor, was present to present his ideas on the tree planting program and the plan he has proposed for Kelsey-Round Lake Park. Mr. Starr reviewed the planting program with the Commission and stated the proposed planting area is 4.5 acres. Mr. Starr noted the plantings would be under $500 with numerous tree species and shrubs on the site. He explained numerous trees would be planted next Saturday for Arbor Day with the help of several crews. Chairperson Lindahl encouraged that a portion ofth-e land be preserved for prairie land. Mr. Starr stated a part ofthe park would be untouched to meet the Park Commission's plan of a prairie section. Mr. Starr distributed the park department budget for the Commission's review and to clear up the misunderstanding of ball field fees among the residents. He stated the fees residents pay for baseball or softball, do not go for maintenance of the ball fields. Mr. Starr asked if the Commission would like to meet at a park again. Chairperson Lindahl asked that the Commission meet at Polaris Park for the next meeting. The Commission members concurred to meet at this park. r--\ '\.j APPLICATION FOR SCHEDULED USE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES / ANDOVER ELEMENTARY /---, <. J '-) ,-,,\ ~ . -, ,------.. . I \....' ,-" \..... Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 20, 2000 Page 7 Mr. Haas explained the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to approve the application for scheduled use of recreational facilities as requested by Andover Elementary School 4th graders. He noted the request was to use all facilities at City Hall Park Complex #1 on June 8, 2000 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Motion by O'Toole, seconded by T. Anderson, to approve the scheduled use of recreation facilities for the Andover Elementary School 4th graders. Motion carried unanimously. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas reviewed the items on the issues list. Commissioner T. Anderson asked ifthe roadway for the high school was known at this time. Mr. Haas stated the Council was working on this and that the roadway was still not placed. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Chairperson Lindahl asked that the Commission visit Timber Rivers Park in June. The Commission members concurred to meet at Timber Rivers Park in June. Commissioner Holthus reviewed the next article in the park place with the Commission members. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Kieffer, seconded by T. Anderson, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Guenther, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.