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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 4, 2000 o o o . CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - MAY 4,2000 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lindahl on May 4, 2000, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Paul Anderson, Tom Anderson, AI Grabowski, Valerie Holthus, Jeff Kieffer, and Jim Lindahl, and David O'Toole. None. Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Commissioners absent: Also present: RESIDENTS FORUM o Launa Erickson-Streed, 3368 162nd Lane NW, stated she would like to address the playground equipment at Pine Hills Park on 161 st Avenue NW which City staff indicated was the oldest in the City of Andover. She stated she has four children and plans to start a daycare in the fall. Ms. Erickson-Streed stated she circulated a petition which was signed by 26 households representing 70 children who use that park. The ages of the children are also indicated on the petition. She stated she took photographs of the park for those who are not familiar with it. Ms. Erickson-Streed suggested that a street light would help prevent loitering. She offered the assistance of the neighborhood for installation of the playground equipment. Chairperson Lindahl explained the slide was removed due to the age of the equipment and there have been continuing problems with loitering and vandalism which was also a consideration in not replacing the playground equipment quickly. He stated his appreciation to Ms. Erickson- Streed for her work to gather the petition and explained that the City is currently well into their Year 2000 projects for budgeted items. Ms. Erickson-Streed stated she spoke with a representative with the Andover Lions Club for a donation with a possible fall installation. Chairperson Lindahl stated a donation would help but a security light would also be needed to discourage vandalism. Mr. Haas reviewed the cost estimates ($1,200 to $1,500) to install and maintain a security light. Mr. Haas suggested the Commission meet at that park prior to their next meeting. o Commissioner Grabowski explained the Park and Recreation Commission receives only $30,000 per year for capital improvements which is a minimal amount to work with. Also, the ,---. v o o o o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 4, 2000 Page 2 Commission expressed concern that this particular neighborhood did not support the recent park bond. Commissioner O'Toole suggested Ms. Erickson-Streed submit a written request for donations to the Lions. Commissioner Holthus agreed and suggested she also attend a Lions meeting with her neighbors. Mr. Haas stated that in other areas, neighbors have made financial donations toward a neighborhood park improvement. Ms. Erickson-Streed stated there were a few offers of donations but more offers to volunteer labor. Commissioner T. Anderson reviewed the City's Adopt-A-Park Program which is another option for the neighborhood. Chairperson LindaW stated this request will be considered at the next meeting after the Commissioners view the park prior to their next meeting. Motion by Grabowski, seconded by Keefer, to direct staff to install a security light at Pine Hills Park at a cost not to exceed $1,600. Motion carried on a 7 - ayes, 0 - nays, 0 - absent, and 0 - present vote. There were no other residents who requested to address the commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner P. Anderson asked if the County is ordering plans and specs along Seventh Avenue and if the project was going to be in the County's plan. Mr. Haas stated staff is working to get the east/west route in the County plan. However, the County is not interested at this point unless there is an agreement between the three cities. He stated that the County would probably frrst do the Round Lake Boulevard and Seventh Avenue project before the other trails located in Ramsey that are indicated in the Anoka County park comprehensive plan. Commissioner P. Anderson requested a correction to page 4, 5th paragraph to indicate: the plan to do the east/west. . ." after the words "pursuing this trail". " . ... ill Chairperson Lindahl requested a correction to page 4, 2nd paragraph, should be M~. Beckman, not Mr. Beckman. Motion by Keefer, seconded by T. Anderson, to approve the April 20, 2000 regular Park Commission meeting minutes as corrected above. Motion carried on a 7 - ayes, 0 - nays, 0 - absent, and 0 - present vote. o o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 4, 2000 /~. Page 3 \...) UPDATE OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Mr. Haas stated the Parks and Recreation Commission is requested to review the updated fmancial statements. Commissioner P. Anderson inquired regarding cash on reserve. Mr. Haas stated it can be used for whatever the Commission wants and explained there is no plan as yet. Commissioner P. Anderson noted there is $225,000 on hand in reserve and asked if it could be considered for Pine Hills Park as requested by Ms. Erickson-Streed. Chairperson Lindahl commented on the need to address the school issues which are a priority for reserve money. Commissioner Grabowski noted that with the current situation with the school, $225,000 will not go far. Chairperson Lindahl agreed that a lot of projects are schedule which will deplete this reserve. ~) Mr. Haas stated staff is checking into several of the projects which will be closed out shortly. The Commission requested an explanation of the interest earnings and option to establish a perpetual fund, to correct the date of the report, and indicate available CDBG funds with a separate graph. Commissioner P. Anderson asked if there is adequate funding for the trail projects. Mr. Haas advised of the possible qualification for use of state aid funds. He suggested that the report indicate the balance at the end of December and contributions made thus far. The Commission concurred. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Chairperson Lindahl noted the staff handout which indicates the work is progressing nicely. UPDATE OF TRAIL ALONG SEVENTH A VENUE/OO-17 Chairperson Lindahl stated he will be attending the City of Anoka Park and Recreation Commission meeting on May 16th and will attempt to persuade them to move forward with this trail so Andover can make a connection. () Commissioner P. Anderson asked staff to research what will happen if the area develops as commercial and if they would be responsible to replace the trail should it be torn up during construction. o o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 4, 2000 r~ Page 4 '---) Commissioner Grabowski asked staff to also determine if there would be an assessment for the cost. Commissioner Keefer asked that this item be added to the Issues List. He advised that there is a good-sized road shoulder in that area so if the north/south trail is constructed, the shoulder could be used for that section. Discussion occurred regarding the heavy level and high speed of traffic and the desire to support this joint venture for an easUwest trail corridor. Commissioner Grabowski commented on the scenario of Andover continuing the trail to County Road # 116, Anoka continuing the trail west, and Andover continuing the sidewalk south of Bunker Lake Boulevard which would benefit Anoka residents as well. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas reviewed the items on the Issues List and advised that the school layout will be reviewed at the City Council meeting of May 17,2000 at 7:00 p.m. C) Chairperson Lindahl asked that the Issues List be organized into projects on hold, projects underway, and projects completed. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Commissioner P. Anderson stated that City Hall Park, which was toured tonight, is quite old and inquired regarding liability issues. Commissioner T. Anderson noted staff indicated they would be meeting with the City's insurance agent to determine the issue ofliability. Commissioner Grabowski stated if there is liability, the insurance agent will inform the City if the equipment should be removed. He suggested that a meeting be held in the fall to address the need for equipment replacement, ballfield improvements, etc. Commissioner T. Anderson suggested that the Commission identify funds as reserve for a particular park to assure those projects are funded. It was mentioned that playground equipment replacement should be funded from maintenance funds, not new park dedication funds. Commissioner T. Anderson asked about the work progress at Shadowbrook East Park. Mr. Haas stated the development project is almost done but a punch list regarding the grading has not been completed. Commissioner T. Anderson suggested the parking lot be allocated from o undesignated funds. .----.. o I l,~/ C) r' , ) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 4, 2000 Page 5 Commissioner O'Toole suggested the Council consider other funding sources, perhaps TIF, o since they created the school park. Chairperson Lindahl noted it is not yet known what the school needs will be so funds received next year could be designated for the school park. Mr. Haas stated he believes the Council will address those issues at their May 17th meeting. Commissioner O'Toole stated he received a telephone call about a resident who lives along an access to Coon Creek, by the railroad tracks, on the north side of the Creek, who talked with staff about wanting a fence along his property to keep out trespassers. He noted that the City installed a split rail fence for a different neighbor further west along the trail in the same development. Mr. Haas stated he will research those issues and report back. : ') '-/ Commissioner Grabowski reported on some electrical work done by the hockey rink which was tied into the Andover Athletic building and their electrical meter. He stated that during the work, the telephone wire was cut. Commissioner Grabowski explained that this electrical work was done for Fun Fest events and asked how that work will be funded. He asked if it will be paid from the park maintenance fund and if so, why that fund would be burdened with this cost for the Fun Fest. He expressed concern that maintenance funds should be used. Chairperson Lindahl thanked those responsible for the recent newsletter article. Mr. Haas reported that the triangular message board has been ordered, electrical work is underway, and a concrete pad will be laid. He advised that a trail is needed to the shelter and staffhas found that concrete is about the same cost as blacktop since the contractor will be there anyway. He asked if a colored stamped concrete is desired for the trail so it matches the message board pad or if it should be plain concrete. The Commission asked staff to obtain price estimates for both options. Mr. Haas presented a picture depicting the message board, pad configuration, and trail. ADJOURNMENT Motion by T. Anderson, seconded by O'Toole, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carla Wirth, Recording Secretary o TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.