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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 18, 2000 () o o o o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING-MAY 18,2000 MINUTES The Regular Bi-MontWy Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jim LindaW on May 18,2000, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Paul Anderson, AI Grabowski, Jeff Kieffer, David O'Toole and Jim Lindahl. Valerie Holthus arrived at 7:45 p.m. Tom Anderson Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Commissioners absent: Also present: RESIDENTS FORUM Cheryl Portesan, 2619 136th Avenue NW, stated her concern with Hidden Creek North Park and its appearance. She mentioned frustration with the upkeep of the park since it is in current need of playground equipment, misc. park equipment, and the landscaping. She questioned the reasoning for the warming house plans falling through since it would have been a great addition to the park. Chairperson LindaW stated that planting trees at the park has been discussed as an option. Ms. Portesan questioned why the parks located off Bunker receive the maintenance and upkeep required, while all the other parks in the City are not priority. Commissioner Grabowski explained that Bunker Lake Boulevard itself is in the hands of the county. He stated that the City has had an influence in putting in a turning lane and paving the parking lot. Commissioner O'Toole stated that this is the only park up to the state handicap requirements. Commissioner Grabowski stated that there are 6 park employees that maintain 40+ parks within the City of Andover, however most neighboring cities have many more employees. He explained that the sand in the parks is usually only raked twice a year due to a lack of staff. Commissioner O'Toole stated that the board appreciates hearing the concerns of the people, since that is the only way to make everyone happy. Ms. Portesan questioned if there are plans for a walking path on the east side of the park in the near future. Commissioner Anderson explained that a path is to be added in the future. Ms. Portesan stated that the baseball field at the park is beautiful. / , '_/ " l.,J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 18, 2000 Page 2 o Mr. Kieffer stated that the Hidden Creek North Park has come a long way in recent years. He also mentioned that without the park bond the City is restricted greatly in terms offunds. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Lindahl stated that the approval of minutes from the May 4,2000 meeting is tabled since the minutes have not been available for review. DISCUSS PINE HILLS PARKlPLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT Launa Erickson-Streed, 3368 l62nd Lane NW, stated that they are seriously looking at the playground equipment, however fmal approval has not yet been given by the Andover Lions Club. She mentioned that if the Park and Recreation Commission can come up with the other 50% of the cost then the Lions Club will pick up the other half. It was mentioned that the playground equipment is the oldest in the City. Chairperson Lindahl stated he visited the park this evening and noticed that there is sufficient room on the east end of the parking lot. He looked at the security lighting and mentioned concerns since there is no transformer near the park. ,- ) ,-_/ Mr. Haas stated that the amount we are looking at is between $15,000 and $16,000. He pointed out that there is a similar playground structure at another park in the City and requested Ms. Streed check it out. Mr. Haas mentioned that the equipment is divided into two age groups, one side for the older children and the other for the small children. Ms. Streed stated the swing set is fme and would be able to stay. Mr. Haas explained to the Commission that Ms. Streed would now be able to report back to the Lions Club that the City is willing to support 50% of the cost. Chairperson Lindahl mentioned that some of the better equipment such as benches, etc. would be able to remain at the park. Mr. Haas explained that installation would cost approximately $400. Motion by O'Toole, seconded by Kieffer, to recommend approval to the City Council to support 50% of the cost up to $9000 for the playground structure at Pine Hills Park. Motion carried on a 6 - ayes, 0 - nay, 1 - absent (T. Anderson) vote. COMMUNITY SCHOOL UPDATE ;') '--../ Nancy Knop, representing the Community School, thanked the City for their fmancial support since that is what allows the program to have a full time coordinator on staff. She gave an update on the success of the program in addition to the wide variety of activities that are offered o o ,r-, \.J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 18, 2000 Page 3 through the program. It was mentioned that the activities are rotated between three different school sites, those being Crooked Lake School, Andover Elementary, and Oakview Middle School. Commissioner Grabowski questioned why cities other than our own have priority OVer Andover for gym activities. Ms. Knop stated that is incorrect and explained the procedures that take place when scheduling the events that require the gym. Ms. Knop stated there are two tournaments that interrupt the girls' season in the fall and one tournament that interrupts the boys' season in the winter. Commissioner Grabowski questioned why the Coon Rapids programs don't use their own facilities in Coon Rapids even though there are students that attend Coon Rapids programs from Andover. He questioned if things will change once the new high school is built. Ms. Knop stated that ifhe were to speak with the director of the individual athletic programs he would fmd out that our own City does have priority. ,- '\ '-_/ Commissioner Grabowski questioned if Andover can go to Anoka or Coon Rapids. Ms. Knop explained that Andover would not be able to since we do not have a traveling association. Commissioner Grabowski questioned how much revenue the program brings in every year. Ms. Knop stated that during the week there is no cost for the activities, and she was unsure of the exact revenue dollars. Commissioner Grabowski questioned who runs the summer program. Ms. Knop stated that there is a coordinator that runs it in Coon Rapids. Ms. Knop explained that the usage figures presented do not include the usage numbers for the outside activities. Commissioner Grabowski stated the amount of usage the outdoor fields have encountered has been super. Commissioner O'Toole asked Ms. Knop to rate the program. Ms. Knop stated that she feels they are the highest, however the City of Ramsey is also exceptional. She mentioned that it helps to have a full time person on staff to assist with coordinating the events. Commissioner O'Toole questioned what she sees in the future with the new school. Ms. Knop stated she is unsure of what will happen exactly; however, she mentioned that she has heard of problems in the past with high schools using up all the time. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if she will be involved at all with the high school. Ms. ~-) Knop stated that she would be more involved with the Elementary School. ( ) \.~ (j Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 18, 2000 , '\ Page 4 ,~ Commissioner Holthus questioned how students, adults, and others in the community are informed of the community education program. Ms. Knop explained that if they attend one of the schools they will see it in the newsletter, and if one is home schooling it is requested the parent call at the beginning of the year to be on a mailing list where the teacher will send out a monthly newsletter. Commissioner Holthus questioned how they reach the citizens in Andover that do not attend Anoka-Hennepin Schools. Ms. Knop explained that those individuals are informed either by attending another event, or by requesting to be on a mailing list. Commissioner Holthus stated that residents who attend St. Francis schools are not being informed of the activities that are available. Ms. Knop stated that she would check into sending out information to all those that have youth that do not attend Anoka-Hennepin Independent School District schools. Commissioner Holthus questioned if there has ever been anything in the Andover Times newspaper. Ms. Knop stated that there hasn't; however it would be a good idea since it is a monthly issue. " ') '---- Commissioner Holthus explained that her children attend St. Francis schools and also have not been informed of the activities available. Reed Mortenson, Community Schools Program Supervisor, expressed his appreciation for the City in helping to make the program a success. He stated that different communities do fund differently. He mentioned that the City of Andover contributes $61,000 per year, however the budget is $210,000 for the events. He explained that they are trying to accommodate everyone's needs and requests. Commissioner Grabowski stated he feels that some cities tend to abuse the program instead of putting the money into their own program like Andover has done. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if each City is separated out when it comes to the budget. Mr. Mortenson stated that the Andover funding stays within the Andover activities. Chairperson Lindahl questioned where the funding comes from. Mr. Mortenson explained the source of the funding in addition to mentioning that it does vary from community to community. HARSTAD SKETCH PLAN CO ) '-J Mark Harstad, representing Harstad Companies, gave a brief presentation of the sketch plan. He explained that it is 16 acres, and they are proposing 50 single units or one level townhouses. He explained that the typical homeowner would be a retired individual who does not want the responsibility of a yard and outside maintenance of a home. ,-\ \. ' ,~I u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 18, 2000 C) Page 5 Commissioner Holthus questioned the price range of the townhouse. Mr. Harstad stated from approximately $230,000 to over $300,000. Commissioner Grabowski stated that he does like Homeowner Associations since they take care of the neighborhoods. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if there is any other land in the area that he is planning to develop. Mr. Harstad explained that this is the only development. Commissioner Holthus questioned the location of the single-family homes in the development. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if there would be walking paths. Mr. Harstad stated that at this time walking paths are not in the sketch plan, however they are willing to work with the City if that is a request. o Commissioner O'Toole stated that it would be nice if the people in this neighborhood would have the access to the county trail that will extend near the development. Mr. Harstad stated that typically the kind of people in these communities are unique and usually don't utilize trails. Commissioner O'Toole stated that he would suggest walking paths as part of the sketch plan. He mentioned that ifthe development is considered a PUD, then often times a walking path is a requirement. Mr. Harstad stated that he is willing to work with the City if that is what they request. Chairperson Lindahl stated concerns with the trail existing along the frontage of the county road. Commissioner Holthus questioned the location of the driveway. Mr. Harstad pointed out the main road through the development. He explained that the City would only be required to plow to the first cul-de-sac. The additional private drive would be plowed and maintained by the association. He explained that parking would not be allowed on the street, but instead only in the homeowner's garage and the two spots directly behind the garage. Commissioner Holthus questioned if there could be a walkway through the private driveway. Mr. Harstad stated the way the plan is now people would be trespassing if there were a path on the driveway. (j Chairperson Lindahl explained that there needs to be access to the other trail; therefore he suggested a path on the south side of the development. Commissioner O'Toole supported the sketch plan, however wanted the PUD looked at since there are things that could be done. ~-) o c-J o o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 18, 2000 Page 6 Commissioner Holthus stated concerns with the private driveway since it could cause future problems. Chairperson Lindahl questioned who would be responsible for the trail. Commissioner Grabowski mentioned it would be good to see what the estimated cost would be for the trail. UPDATE FINANCIAL STATEMENT/INTEREST Mr. Haas updated the Park and Recreation Commission with the Financial Statement and Interest as presented in the staff report. UPDATE OF CDBG FUNDS Mr. Haas updated the commission on the CDBG Funds as presented in the staff report. UPDATE OF ELECTRICAL WORK AT AAA BUILDING Mr. Haas updated the commission on the electrical work that has recently been done at the AAA building. He mentioned that there always were electrical outlets. Commissioner Holthus mentioned a conversation she recently had with Frank Stone, Public Works Superintendent regarding the number of electrical outlets available in addition to the number of accessible generators. Commissioner Holthus stated that she recently went to a Fun Fest meeting and realized that they think they are using generators and do not know that outlets exist. She stated that there are a limited number of generators available, however they want one for emergency purposes only. Commissioner Grabowski spoke concerns that it should really be a Park issue, however was confused since it was not stated that way in the staff report. Commissioner Holthus stated that Mr. Stone had said they used sports related equipment in the past, however it is not possible to use those anymore. Commissioner O'Toole stated that at the very least the association should be contacted. He suggested that maybe they could calculate the electrical use used during the Fun Fest and then bill the costs to the City. Commissioner Grabowski requested a letter be written to the association and presented to the commission at the next meeting for review. UPDATE OF FENCINGIWEYBRIDGE 2ND ADDITION ACCESS r-, U (J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 18, 2000 /~) Page 7 "- Mr. Haas updated the commission with the FencinglWeybridge 2nd Addition Access based on what was presented in the staff report. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas reviewed the items on the issues list. UPDATE OF TRAIL FEES/COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Mr. Haas updated the commission on the trail fees and commercial property as presented in the staff report. Chairperson Lindahl stated that he approached the Anoka Park and Recreation Commission explaining what they want and the route the trail should take. He advised they are willing to go along with this, if we want to take the risk of putting the trail in without any reimbursements. Mr. Haas stated that they also indicated that they are not interested in splitting any of the engineering fees and instead would like to just put}t in themselves. r\ o Chairperson Lindahl stated that there has been discussion with the county, and they have indicated there is a lot more funding available. He stated that if we do our part they would put in the rest of the traiL Commissioner Grabowski stated that the city needs to determine if there can be any assessments. Chairperson Lindahl stated they were going to put a trail in, but the Comprehensive Plan was part of the discussion. Commissioner O'Toole questioned the estimated costs for a sidewalk. Commissioner Grabowski requested Mr. Haas to have a price list for the next meeting. Mr. Haas questioned if the commission would like to take it to the CounciL Commissioner Grabowski questioned if the property itself would be assessed. Mr. Haas stated that yes, it would be assessed. Motion by Kieffer, seconded by O'Toole, to recommend to the City Council approval to assess the property owners of vacant parcels and existing businesses through the MN Chapter 429 assessment procedure in order to collect 100% of the costs. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nay, 1- absent (T. Anderson) vote. (~) CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Chairperson Lindahl stated that he liked the new format. _.r~\ , I . ,---,J ,-, '-J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 18, 2000 / ", Page 8 I ADJOURNMENT Motion by Kieffer, seconded by O'Toole, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sara Beck, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. \..j ,,\ . J ~-"