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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 7, 2000 o o o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - SEPTEMBER 7,2000 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lindahl on September 7, 2000, 7:32 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Al Grabowski, Jim Lindahl, Dave O'Toole, Paul Anderson, Valerie Holthus, and Tom Anderson. Commissioners absent: Jeff Kieffer Also present: Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Zoning Administrator, Jeff Johnson RESIDENTS FORUM o There was none. o APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Grabowski, seconded by O'Toole, to approve the August 17, 2000 regular Park Commission meeting minutes as written. Motion carried on a 4 - ayes, 0 - nays, 2 - present, and I - (Jeff Kieffer) absent. UPDATE OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Mr. Haas reviewed the fmancial statements through June 30, 2000 with the commission as listed in the staff report. He explained that there will be another update the fIrst meeting in October that will include everything through September. Commissioner Holthus questioned on page I of the Preliminary Project Commitment Listing as to why Sunshine Park was not included. She questioned if Sunshine Park should be listed below Pine Hills Park. Mr. Haas agreed and stated that he would have that correction made. O'Toole questioned the Farmstead Trail. Mr. Haas stated that the project hasn't been completed. He explained that there should be no cost towards the city, but instead it should all go to the county and the farmstead. Commissioner Holthus questioned where Sunridge is located. Mr. Haas explained where Sunridge is located. ~) : \ V Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 7, 2000 Page 2 o Commissioner Tom Anderson questioned if there was another grant that is outstanding. Mr. Haas explained that the transfer hasn't actually taken place, however it will be done soon. Mr. Haas stated that the City also received a grant for one of the soccer fields down at Hidden Creek North Park. Chair Lindahl suggested the commission meet at Hidden Creek North Park for the next Park and Recreation Commission meeting. Mr. Haas agreed and stated that everyone should meet at Hidden Creek at 7:00 p.m. on September 21,2000. APPROVE APPLICATION FOR SCHEDULED USE OF FIELDS/ANDOVER JAYCEES " "0 ) Mr. Haas explained that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to approve the application for scheduled use of recreation facilities as requested by the Andover Area Jaycees. He stated that the Andover Area Jaycees would like to request to use a field at Sunshine Park for the punt, pass, and kick competition on September 23,2000. He mentioned that the Jaycees will be contacting North Metro Soccer Association to see if there are any conflicts on Field #5. Susie Thorson, President of the Andover Area Jaycees, stated that the field has been changed to the field north of the tower at the City Hall. Commissioner Grabowski suggested advertising it in the newspaper, which would help promote the program. Ms. Thorson explained that they have talked with the Andover Schools to coordinate having a letter sent home with each student. Commissioner Grabowski stated that the newspaper goes to every household and therefore would be a more effective way to advertise. Motion by Tom Anderson, seconded by Grabowski, to approve the request by the Andover Area Jaycees to use the field north of the tower at the City Hall on September 23, 2000. Motion carried on a 6 - ayes, 0 - nays, 1- (Jeff Kieffer) absent vote. REVIEW ORDINANCE 270/ANTENNAS & TOWERS Mr. Johnson requested the commission to review Ordinance No. 270, an ordinance regulating the construction and maintenance of private and commercial antennas and towers, as presented in the staff report. He stated that a resident task force was recently created to review and re- o . '\ draft the existing antenna/tower ordinance. "-~ u u ~J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 7, 2000 Page 3 Commissioner Paul Anderson listed some of the changes that the committee is recommending. He stated that one problem they ran into is how to camouflage a park when the tower is as large as it is. Commissioner Holthus questioned if the committee discussed how the towers affect the parks. Commissioner Paul Anderson stated that they did discuss the towers and how they would affect the parks. Commissioner Holthus questioned if there was talk about the possibility of reimbursements or leases with the telecommunication companies. Mr. Johnson explained that Section 1 of the ordinance ties everything together. He explained that everything requires a special use permit above and beyond what the ordinance allows. Commissioner Holthus questioned what the odds are of having a new telecommunications tower installed in a park within the area. Mr. Johnson explained that the requirements would need to be followed as they are listed in the ordinance. He mentioned that they are strongly encouraging co-locations which would eliminate multiple towers. () Commissioner O'Toole questioned if the request would need to be approved by the commission in order for it to move on to the City Council. Mr. Johnson stated that it would be up to the commission whether or not they would like language listed in the ordinance that would state the request must be reviewed by the Park and Recreation Commission prior to approval by the City Council. Commissioner O'Toole suggested there be language in the ordinance that the Park and Recreation Commission review the request prior to approval by the CounciL Commissioner Grabowski questioned if it is possible to deny putting up a tower in a park that consists of approximately 10 acres and is surrounded by farms and/or residential homes. Commissioner O'Toole suggested that there be language in the ordinance that states any revenue generated from a tower located on park grounds should go back to the City park funds. Mr. Johnson agreed with Commissioner O'Toole's suggestion. Commissioner O'Toole explained that in doing so those funds could be used to keep up the land surrounding the tower or any other expenses that may occur. Mr. Johnson explained that when the ordinance was written it had to be 20 acres or more, r '\ however it would still allow the private property owner and the commercial districts to do it as t I '--/ well. " ') '-J :~) C) o u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 7, 2000 Page 4 Commissioner Paul Anderson mentioned that if a tower is located within a park then we would have to meet our own setbacks as well. Chair Lindahl stated that in Section 10 of the ordinance it should also include that the FCC regulations would have to be implemented as well. He mentioned that disclosure of the exact radio frequency waves should also be identified. Mr. Johnson agreed that it would be wise to include it in the ordinance. Commissioner Grabowski thanked Commissioner Paul Anderson and the rest of the individuals that were involved in making the changes. UPDATE OF ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY TRAIVOO-17 Mr. Haas updated the Park and Recreation Commission on the Anoka County Library Trail, Project 00-17. He explained that the City Council did order plans and specs for the project. He stated that at this point a lO-foot bituminous trail should be constructed to allow for bike traffic, in hopes to keep them off 7th Avenue. Commissioner Grabowski questioned if the City needs to have estimates for the project. Mr. Haas stated that typically the City needs two, however the Council seems to give Butch more authority. It could happen that Butch would just go ahead with the project. Chair Lindahl stated that there is no safe area to cross 7th A venue unless the person goes up to the light at the corner of Bunker Lake Boulevard and 7th Avenue. REVIEW LETTER TO ASSOCIATIONS REGARDING DOGS IN PARKS/ORDINANCE 229 Mr. Haas explained that the Park and Recreation Commission is being asked to review the letter as presented in the staff report which will be sent out to all associations in regards to domestic animals such as dogs, cats and similar animals in Sunshine Park and City Hall Park Complex #1. Commissioner Grabowski suggested the letter be sent out again in April of 200 I. Mr. Haas stated that it should go out now and again in the spring of 200 I. Chair Lindahl also agreed that the letter should go out now and in the spring. Commissioner Tom Anderson suggested the letter be included with every application that is sent out. Mr. Haas agreed that it would be a good idea. Mr. Haas stated that he would also forward it to the City Council. , ) o 0 Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 7, 2000 Page 5 UPDATE REGARDING USE OF CUSHMANIPUBLIC WORKS Mr. Haas explained that included in the staff report is the Cushman Truckster Agreement that was drafted by Frank Stone of the Public Works Department. He asked for any comments from the commission in regards to the agreement. Commissioner Grabowski stated that he previously talked with Frank Stone and he had suggested raising the age to 21. He also suggested the training sessions become mandatory. Chair Lindahl explained that there is one training in the spring and one in the summer, and if additional trainings are needed, then they are scheduled. Commissioner Grabowski explained that the people that are unable to attend either meeting are often times falling through the cracks. Commissioner Grabowski questioned how the $350 would work. Mr. Haas explained that it would cover the entire weekend. Commissioner Grabowski questioned if it would be possible to staple the $350 deposit to the / -) application. Mr. Haas explained that the finance department doesn't allow anyone to hold a "J check that long, instead they want it deposited right away. Commissioner Grabowski stated that it shouldn't be a big deal to hold the check even for the entire year. Commissioner Holthus questioned how many associations would use it. Mr. Haas stated two associations. Commissioner Holthus questioned if it doesn't get inspected all season then how is it monitored as to who did what. Commissioner Grabowski explained that every Monday morning it is inspected. He suggested a list be added in order to know what is actually included. Commissioner O'Toole questioned whether or not they are expected to pay "x" amount if something is damaged instead of using the deposit money. Chair Lindahl explained that it would be up to the groups at the beginning of the year as to whether or not they want to extend it for an additional 3 months or whatever they would need to meet the requirements of the [mance director. .~) Commissioner Grabowski suggested the City do a background check on the driver's license of the individual. He mentioned it would be a safety precaution for the City. o o ,r) '-->" Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 7, 2000 Page 6 Commissioner Grabowski suggested that it not be given to non-residents. Commissioner O'Toole stated that he disagrees and doesn't see a problem if they are a non- resident. Chair Lindahl agreed and didn't see a problem if the vehicle is issued to a non-resident. Chair Lindahl suggested sticking to those individuals that are trained. Commissioner Grabowski suggested keeping a portion of the deposit, for example $100 to $150 to pay for the expenses of the vehicle. Chair Lindahl questioned how it would be monitored if an individual used the vehicle for one time or for the whole year. Commissioner Grabowski explained that he just thinks there should be some fee since it is a privilege to use the vehicle. ~ ) Chair Lindahl suggested a $25 usage fee for an entire weekend or per usage. Commissioner Holthus questioned if it would be a separate check or if it would come out of the deposit. Commissioner Grabowski stated that it should be a separate check. Commissioner O'Toole suggested the money generated should go directly to the maintenance department. Chair Lindahl suggested the money go back into the Cushman fund. Chair Lindahl summarized the changes requested by the commission. The changes were the trainings, an additional usage fee, a background check on the driver's license, and the age be changed from 18 to 21. INFORMATION REGARDING ACCESSIBILITY CONCERNS/CITY HALL PARK COMPLEX #1 ~) Mr. Haas stated that included in the staff report is the report of review of the playground structures at Andover City Hall Park Complex #1. He asked the commission to hold on to the report to be used at the Joint Park and Recreation Commission/City Council meeting on October 19, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. o o / '\ , ) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 7, 2000 Page 7 Commissioner Paul Anderson questioned where the revenues would come from. He questioned it out of concem that if it comes out of the Park Dedication Fees, then it is important to remember that it is expensive. Chair Lindahl stated that it shouldn't come out of the Park Dedication Fees. He stated that it should come out of the maintenance fund. Commissioner Grabowski mentioned that there are a lot of parks right now that need up keep. Chair Lindahl stated that the first thing should be to eliminate the fall points, pinch points, and hazard zones. Commissioner Grabowski questioned what has been done in the last three years for the ADA and what the City has done out of the Park Dedication fund. He requested Mr. Haas to generate a list prior to the joint meeting with the City Council to help support the commissions concerns. UPDATE OF FENCES FOR BALLFIELDS/LEAGUE OF MN CITIES :) Mr. Haas provided the Park and Recreation Commission with information that has been provided to the City by the League of MN Cities regarding outfield fences. He asked the commission to hold on to the information, which will be used at the regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission on October 19, 2000. Commissioner Grabowski stated that there is no recommended height for sidelines. He mentioned that out of play fences are not mandated on fields. Commissioner Grabowski mentioned that the fences at Sunshine Park are all five feet tall. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas reviewed the items on the issues list. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Commissioner Paul Anderson questioned if the Park and Recreation Commission will review the agenda for the joint meeting prior to the meeting. Mr. Haas stated that he would put together the items to be discussed at the joint meeting on the next agenda as a heads up. Commissioner Paul Anderson questioned the progress on the future expansion project on Bunker Hills Park. Mr. Haas stated that it is moving forward. /j '--j Commissioner Tom Anderson suggested putting a plaque up at Sunshine Park to commend ACE Solid Waste on ajob well done. C) u ,') '- Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 7, 2000 Page 8 Commissioner O'Toole suggested that if a Parks And Recreation Director position is created then the Commission should be involved. He suggested that maybe the hours of the position be 1-8 instead of being off by 5. He requested that it be discussed at the joint meeting with the City Council. He stated that the individuals salary could be paid for by a number of users. Commissioner O'Toole stated that the position doesn't need to be high paying or require a 4- year degree. Commissioner Grabowski stated that a concern of his is that the individual could be involved with the school district, which would cause problems since the City would probably get the shaft. Chair Lindahl suggested it be discussed at the next meeting, prior to the joint meeting with the City Council. / -, <) Conunissioner Holthus questioned if the Pine Hills and Sunshine Park playground equipment shouldn't be an ongoing thing on the issues list. Mr. Haas stated that it should be completed on Monday. Commissioner Grabowski questioned why the commission was not given the opportunity to review the letter that was sent to the Council regarding the items to be discussed. He stated that the Lions Park looks great. He spoke concerns regarding the gazebo at Sunshine Park and the quality of reconstruction that took place. He stated that people are parking on the grass at the City Hall, he suggested a letter go out next spring with the dog letter to inform people that it will not be tolerated. Mr. Haas stated that he had a few additional things that were not on the agenda that needed to be addressed. He recommended that the money left over from the unfmished projects, $2,863.91, be used for the Hidden Creek North Parking Lot. Motion by Grabowski, seconded by Holthus, to approve carrying over the $2,863.91 left from unfinished projects and to use it for the Hidden Creek North Parking Lot. Motion carried on 6- ayes, O-nays, I-absent vote. Mr. Haas recommended that the $10,000.00 leftover from the well at Hawkridge be carried into the year 2001. Motion by Tom Anderson, seconded by Grabowski, to carry over the $10,000 leftover from the well at Hawkridge to the year 2001. Motion carried on 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent vote. / ') '- Mr. Haas stated that the CDBG Funds estimates came in higher, he suggested cutting it back by paving some parks. o () ~-) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 7, 2000 Page 9 Chair Lindahl suggested doing the work in the spring. Commissioner Grabowski suggested putting a completion date of June 1,2001 on the project. He suggested bidding out the project. Mr, Haas recommended not bidding out the project now since it is a bad time of year to be doing such. He mentioned that he is not sure if the City could get an extension of the CDBG funds. Commissioner Grabowski suggested doing three parks and having one as an alternate. Mr. Haas questioned if the commission would just like him to pick the parks. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if it is assumed that the CDBG funds will not be enough. Mr. Haas stated that it would take more than what is left of the CDBG funds and any extra needed would come out of the Park Dedication Fees. Commissioner O'Toole suggested doing enough just to spend the CDBG funds and the rest be /'-, left for spring when it can be bid out. The rest of the commission agreed. ,_J Mr. Haas stated that the baseball association was interested in getting Hidden Hills an irrigation system. Commissioner Grabowski stated that when a park is added, the number of hours required for maintenance also needs to be figured. Mr. Haas stated that he has talked to a number of residents living in the development of Shadowbrook are requesting playground equipment at the Shadowbrook East park. Commissioner Grabowski stated that he wouldn't support any more parks until there are more people hired to care for them. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Tom Anderson, seconded by Paul Anderson, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p,m. Respectfully submitted, . \ , ,--_J Sara Beck, Recording Secretary f'\ '....../ , ) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 7, 2000 , '\ Page 10 \.._ J ,.-, \. -) .~ , I .~./ TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.