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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 21, 2000 o o o o o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - SEPTEMBER 21,2000 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Acting Chairperson Tom Anderson on September 21, 2000, 7:34 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Al Grabowski, Dave O'Toole, Valerie Holthus, and Tom Anderson. Commissioners absent: Jim Lindahl, Paul Anderson, and Jeff Kieffer. Also present: Park Coordinator, Todd Haas RESIDENTS FORUM There was none. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by O'Toole, seconded by Grabowski, to approve the September 7, 2000 regular Park Commission meeting minutes as written. Motion carried on a 4 - ayes, 0 - nays, and 3 - (Jeff Kieffer, Jim Lindahl, and Paul Anderson) absent. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Mr. Haas called on Kevin Starr to provide an update regarding the Public Works Department. Mr. Starr offered to answer any questions from the commission. Commissioner Tom Anderson questioned if the City plans to purchase any trees this fall. Mr. . Starr stated that the City does plan to purchase trees, since this is the time to do it if there is any money left. Commissioner Holthus questioned what parks have received additional landscaping. Mr. Starr explained that one park they have added additional landscaping to is Pine Hills Park. He mentioned that Sunshine Park is fInished. He also mentioned that the signs are basically done, and as future signs deteriorate they will install signs that resemble the style at Lion's Park. Commissioner Holthus questioned if the newertrees and shrubs are dying due to the dry summer. Mr. Starr stated that the dry year has been hard on them and therefore the City has lost some trees and shrubs. He mentioned that they have lost more shrubs than trees. C) , , \.) (J ,-, \J ,. \ \J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 21,2000 Page 2 Commissioner Holthus questioned if they plan to replace those shrubs and trees that died with new ones. Mr. Starr stated that they do plan to replace them, however most of it will take place in the spring. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if they plan to add anything to Hidden Creek North. Mr. Starr stated that they do plan to add some landscaping. Commissioner O'Toole suggested some shrubs be added around the parking lot. Mr. Starr agreed that they would add to what is already there since everything is now completed. Commissioner O'Toole questioned Mr. Starr ifhe believes there will be any extra funds for shrubbery. Mr. Starr stated that there were no shrubs bought last year in the fall. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if Mr. Starr would recommend planting some additional shrubbery if there is extra time. Mr. Starr explained that it is better to plantshrubs in the spnng. Mr. Starr questioned the commission on whether or not they had specifIc areas they would like him to concentrate towards. Commissioner O'Toole suggested the decision be left up to Mr. Starr as to where the shrubs and trees are planted. Commissioner Grabowski suggested picking up some trees or shrubs at the auction. Mr. Starr agreed that the last time they bought at an auction they did get a good deal. Commissioner Anderson agreed that it would be a good idea if they can get them. Mr. Starr mentioned that within the next month the nurseries will be looking to decrease their inventory of trees. Commissioner Grabowski suggested allowing $3000 for the Public Works Department to spend on planting trees. Motion by Grabowski, seconded by O'Toole, to approve $3000 to be spent on trees by the Public Works Department in the fall of2000. Mr. Starr questioned the commission as to what areas they would like him to concentrate on. Commissioner Holthus questioned if the majority of trees run approximately around $130. Mr. Starr stated that this time of year spending around $130 for a tree would be about right. Commissioner Holthus questioned the price of evergreen trees. Mr. Starr stated that evergreen trees would be even more expensive. u o ~) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 21,2000 Page 3 Commissioner Holthus mentioned that if the majority of the trees cost approximately $130, then $3000 would only give you approximately 23 trees. Mr. Starr stated that actually it would buy probably only 20 trees. Commissioner O'Toole suggested that if Mr. Starr feels that Hidden Creek North could use additional trees, then that would be fme. Mr. Starr mentioned that Hidden Creek North is defmitelyan area that could be added to in terms of trees. Motion carried on a 4- ayes, 0 - nays, and 3- (Jeff Kieffer, Jim Lindahl, and Paul Anderson) absent. Commissioner Anderson questioned ifthere are any other parks that the commission should be concerned about in terms of vandalism and/or the replacing of equipment. Mr. Starr stated that they fmished last month and now are just working on the climbers, etc. Mr. Starr stated that the joint meeting with the City Council on October 19 should be an eye opener for everyone. The gal that will be presenting that night concentrates on the ADA. He commented that for the most part the City is moving in the right direction. , , ) Commissioner Grabowski provided the commission with a picture of Sunshine Park with a truck driving on the soccer fields while putting up soccer nets. He mentioned that this is no way to take care of the fields. Commissioner O'Toole commented that if a truck is driving on the soccer fields there are sure to be a few sprinkler heads broken. Commissioner O'Toole questioned the budget. Mr. Starr mentioned that the budget is completed. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if there are were any new employees added to the department. Mr. Starr stated that there were no employees added. Mr. Starr questioned the commission as to what kind of trees they would prefer. Commissioner Grabowski suggested that he make the fmal decision. Mr. Starr mentioned that the commission should give him a call if they think of any specific areas. Commissioner Grabowski did suggest Hidden Creek North Park. /'\ \.) Mr. Starr questioned if the commission had any questions regarding the information provided at the last meeting, which will be discussed on the October 19 joint meeting with the City Council. Commissioner Grabowski suggested that something be done with the fencing. o (j / '\ , ) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 21, 2000 Page 4 Mr. Starr explained that it becomes very difficult to get into the fields. Commissioner Grabowski stated that he has concerns about the ball going over into the park area. Mr. Starr explained that they need to get all the fields the same, which will make it easier for everyone. Commissioner O'Toole questioned the fencing at Sunshine Park. Mr. Starr explained that the fence at Sunshine Park follows one in all the way. He mentioned that another thing to look at is the player protection. UPDATE REGARDING USE OF CUSHMANIPUBLIC WORKS, CONT. Mr. Haas presented the final draft of the Cushman Truckster Agreement that was put together by Frank Stone of the Public Works Department. He asked the conunission to review it and offer any suggestions. / '. Commissioner Grabowski questioned the reasoning they did not put in that a driver's license is required. He stated that if someone doesn't have a license for whatever reason than he or she probably shouldn't be driving. / The rest of the commission agreed. DISCUSS PARK DEDICATION FEES Mr. Haas mentioned to the Park and Recreation Commission that the information they requested regarding park dedication fees is included in the packet. Mr. Haas stated that it might be tough to get the fees raised. He mentioned that the commission should consider going back to using the 10%. He referred to Maple Grove as an example. Commissioner Grabowski stated that the commission agrees with using the 10%. He reminded Mr. Haas that the reason it was changed was because the Council was continuing to receive complaints. Commissioner O'Toole stated that he would prefer it go back to the 10%. Commissioner Grabowski conunented that if the City uses a flat 10% they would be able to stay with the price of land whether it goes up or down. He stated that when it was agreed upon the Council said it would be based on the past years sales. Commissioner O'Toole suggested that when it is presented, the figures shouldn't be from 1999. ~ ) He stated that the problem with the whole system is that there isn't a valid figure. Mr. Haas stated that there hasn't been any disputes on the residential only the commercial. u (j Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 21, 2000 /J Page 5 \.-..---' Commissioner Grabowski questioned what it would be based on if the City goes back to using the 10%. Commissioner O'Toole suggested the City base it on the assessment. Mr. Haas stated that before it had to be within 6 months of the fmal plat. Commissioner Grabowski stated that if the commission goes back to the Council than it is vital that we have a plan of action. Mr. Haas stated that he could get Jeff Johnson to pull the ordinance, make the changes, and forward them on to the City Council. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if there would be anyway to show how much has been lost before the joint meeting on October 19th. Mr. Haas stated that he could show the losses with the Woodland Estates 2nd Addition and Sunridge developments. Commissioner Grabowski suggested adding a 3rd column to the report and list what it would have been if it were 10%. Mr. Haas agreed that he would have Mr. Johnson draw up a draft. UPDATE OF ADA EXPENDITURES OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS ",.- -", '"j Mr. Haas explained that this item is being continued until the October 5, 2000 Park and Recreation Commission meeting to allow Finance to do more research on the issue. APPROVE USE OF CITY HALL TENNIS COURTS / OAK VIEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL Mr. Haas explained that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to approve this request for the use of City Hall tennis courts from September 12-0ctober 12. He mentioned that it is basically for overflow purposes. Motion by Grabowski, seconded by O'Toole, to approve the request for the City Hall tennis courts from September 12-0ctober 12, 2000 from the Oakview Community Education Program. Motion carried on a 4- ayes, 0 - nays, and 3- (Jeff Kieffer, Jim Lindahl, and Paul Anderson) absent. DISCUSS AGENDA FOR OCTOBER 19, 2000 MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL Mr. Haas presented before the commission the agenda for the joint meeting with the City Council on October 19,2000. He asked if they had any other additions. () Commissioner Anderson suggested adding Concerns regarding Park Maintenance to the agenda. Mr. Haas stated that he would add it to the agenda. Commissioner Holthus mentioned concerns regarding the grant for the underpasses. She questioned how the park board is involved with this issue. Mr. Haas explained that the park () '--' o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 21, 2000 / '\ Page 6 " j board would be a part of the trail systems, however the Council as of yet hasn't committed to the grants. Commissioner Holthus questioned if Mr. Haas is currently working on the issue. Mr. Haas stated that they are currently working with Anoka County Park Department, since the underpass would be a direct benefit to their park system also. Commissioner O'Toole questioned where the funding would come from. Commissioner Holthus also mentioned concerns regarding where the funding would come from. Commissioner Anderson stated that Anoka County Parks Department should be the one responsible. Mr. Haas stated that the county thinks it would be a benefit to both the county and the City. Mr. Haas stated that he would let the commission know as soon as he is notified. Commissioner O'Toole suggested adding the issue to the agenda on October 19,2000. Mr. Haas mentioned that he would add both of those issues to the agenda for the joint meeting. ~ -, Commissioner Grabowski mentioned concerns as to why he never saw the Recreation Internship Job Description. He mentioned that what is listed doesn't even explain the job responsibilities. " ~) Commissioner O'Toole stated that that is why it will be discussed at the joint meeting with the Council. Mr. Haas explained that what is included in the packet is just a draft and therefore the Council may not even approve it. Commissioner Grabowski stated that what is included in the packet should have never even been presented to the Council, since it could sway them. Commissioner Grabowski questioned when the last time there was a position added to the Public Works Department. Mr. Starr stated that the last time was in 1992. Commissioner Grabowski stated that the reason he is concerned is because he is afraid the position will be an administrative position instead of actually working out in the field. Mr. Starr agreed that the position would help the City overall. He mentioned that they do need more numbers. '~ ) Commissioner Anderson explained that input from the Public Works Department is what is needed. He suggested Mr. Starr provide some hard numbers the night of the joint meeting. ,". " J '-.,.' I '\ '. j Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -September 21, 2000 ;,"1 Page 7 '-. . REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas reviewed the review issues list. Commissioner Anderson questioned if Timber Rivers Park is completed. Mr. Haas stated that it is fmished. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if it is possible to get something going for this winter; at least for the ones we want to make available for towers. Mr. Haas mentioned that he would not be able to attend the upcoming Park Directors meeting. He stated that he plans to contact the Chairman and discuss the letter he was planning on writing and hopefully having everyone sign. He mentioned that he might weight until the meeting after the first of the year to write the letter. Commissioner Grabowski requested Mr. Haas to check to see if it would be possible to put a trail along the road and down by Andover Lake. He stated that it would be nice'to connect those two neighborhoods. ;' \ CHAIRMAN'S REPORT \. , J Commissioner Holthus questioned what the commission would like to have for a topic at the next park place. Mr. Haas suggested doing something on the snowmobile and/or cross-country skiing trails. Commissioner Grabowski questioned who is responsible for a specific newsletter. He questioned it because Scott had no idea that there was a write up on vandalism in the parks. He mentioned that since he is responsible he should be aware of what is written. ADJOURNMENT Motion by O'Toole, seconded by Holthus, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m, Respectfully submitted, Sara Beck, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. ! '. . I '-./