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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 2, 2000 o o o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING -NOVEMBER 2,2000 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Jim Lindahl on November 2, 2000, 7:31 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Al Grabowski, Jim Lindahl, Dave O'Toole, Valerie Holthus, and Tom Anderson. Commissioners absent: Paul Anderson and Jeff Kieffer. Also present: Park Coordinator, Todd Haas RESIDENTS FORUM o There was none. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the minutes for the October 5, 2000 meeting was tabled since they have not yet been reviewed. UPDATE OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Mr. Haas updated the Commission with the current fmancial statements. He asked the Commission to review the information thoroughly and ask any questions if necessary. Chairman Lindahl questioned if the trail funding should also be an item that is touched on. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if the expenditures for Hidden Creek were ever brought before the Commission for approval. He spoke concerns about where the money is coming from and ifit's out of the Park Dedication Fund then it needs to be monitored more closely since that is not the purpose of the fund. Mr. Haas agreed that he would check into it further to fmd out what the money was spent on and where it actually came from. ('I '-/ Commissioner O'Toole stated that the City needs to get away from using the Park Dedication Fund as a slush fund if things are not approved. :J / "- <) o (j Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 2, 2000 Page 2 Commissioner Tom Anderson arrived at 7:35 p.m. Chairman Lindahl agreed that the Park Dedication Fund should be used only for special projects and not maintenance or upkeep of the parks. CONSIDER CONTRIBUTION FOR 2001-2003/ANOKA AQUATIC CENTER Mr. Haas explained that the Park & Recreation Commission is being requested to consider and recommend to the City Council to either continue the contribution to the Anoka Aquatic Center or to discontinue the contribution. He mentioned that after discussing with Finance Director Jim Dickinson, it appears that if a recommendation is made to make a contribution then the 2001 contribution will need to come from Park Dedication Funds, however beginning the year 2002 it would be recommended to come from the general fund, since it would already be in the budget. Commissioner Grabowski commented that it would be a good deal for the City. Chairman Lindahl mentioned that the Center has defmitely been well used. Motion by Grabowski, seconded by O'Toole, to approve continuing the City's contribution to the Anoka Aquatic Center for 2001 to 2003, with the funds coming out of Park Dedication Funds for the year 2001 and out of the General Fund for 2002 and 2003. Motion carried with a 4 to 1 (Anderson) vote. Commissioner Anderson explained that he is opposed to the idea since he doesn't feel the money should come out of the Park Dedication Fund. Commissioner O'Toole suggested there be additional advertising to infonn the citizens that the City is making a contribution to the facility. Commissioner Anderson agreed. DISCUSS FISHING PIER AT ANDOVER LAKE/COON CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT Mr. Haas explained that staff has discussed this with the Coon Creek Watershed District since the watershed is the owner of the parcel. He mentioned that they are currently reviewing this request and staff hopes their response will be available for the next meeting on November 16th. Commissioner Anderson suggested the incorporating a trail into the parcel. Chairman Lindahl questioned what would be the size of the pier. Commissioner Grabowski commented that the pier wouldn't need to extend out very far, since the water is extremely deep. ,~--\ \.J DISCUSS SELLING OF EXISTING PARKS :~) (J CJ o o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 2, 2000 Page 3 Chainnan Lindahl suggested a specific area on the map that seems to collect garage and is surrounded by farm fields. Commissioner Grabowski suggested there be a lease agreement for X amount per year where they have to maintain the property. Chairman Lindahl stated that the one problem with leasing is that the City wouldn't gain anything other than that responsible party caring for the property. COlmnissioner O'Toole questioned area #1 on the map. Mr. Haas explained that it's an open space designated for wildlife. Chairman Lindahl questioned area # 1 8 on whether it is land locked and if it was a tax forfeit or not. Mr. Haas stated that the property was a tax forfeit. Chairman Lindahl mentioned that if the land is land locked that it isn't much use since the City can't control what happens to the land in terms of upkeep. Commissioner O'Toole questioned areas #6 and #7 on the map. Chainnan Lindahl stated that #7 is a pond and is used for skating purposes in the winter. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if either lot could be sold. Mr. Haas explained that it could be picked up as a tax forfeit. Chairman Lindahl stated that the only people that would be interested in the property would be the neighboring property owners. Commissioner Grabowski suggested the suggested selling the area as a whole lot or possibly splitting it down the middle. Chairman Lindahl suggested there be a minimum bid, for example 75% of the appraisal. Commissioner Grabowski suggested selling area #6 as two lots and see what happens. He suggested there be a minimum value. Chairman Lindahl suggested the minimum value be $5000 net. Mr. Haas questioned ifit is possible to start the bidding process at $5000. He mentioned that he would check with the City Attorney as to the proper way to handle it. Chairman Lindahl agreed with splitting the lot up front, charging $5000 for the whole lot or $2500 for half. Mr. Haas suggested the split take place after the bids have been received. Commissioner Grabowski suggested the two still sell separately, subject to the other half selling for a minimum of$2500. Mr. Haas questioned area #13 on the map. Commissioner O'Toole agreed that #13 should also be sold. u o ,r-) \.....- Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 2, 2000 Page 4 Mr. Haas explained that #13 is an outlot that was given to the City. He stated that he would check with the City Attorney as to how to handle the selling ofIots #6 and 13. He mentioned that from that point he will bring it before the Council on how to proceed. RECOMMEND DATES FOR JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL Chainnan Lindahl suggested the joint meeting take place on December 7,2000. Mr. Haas stated that in regards to Ordinance lathe City Attorney has suggested he submit the same letter as previously done. APPROVE QUOTES / SWING SET / PINE HILLS PARK Mr. Haas presented the quotes as listed in the staff report for the purchase of a swing set at Pine Hills Park. He explained that the City Council has approved the purchase, therefore it is up to the Commission from here. Motion by Grabowski, seconded by Anderson, to approve purchasing a swing set for Pine Hills o Park with the money coming out of the Park Dedication Fund. Motion carried unanimously. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas reviewed the review issues list. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if the City can put curbing on a County Road. Mr. Haas explained that if the City puts a curb in the City would be responsible for half and the county the other half. Chairman Lindahl suggested putting in the sidewalk, as long as the curb needs to be done anyway. Mr. Haas explained that the only problem is that the sidewalk needs to be as far back as possible. He mentioned that if the sidewalk is put in the wrong spot, the City would then have to pay for 100% of the reconstruction of that sidewalk, however ifit is done correctly but still needs to be redone then the county would pay for the reconstruction. Chairman Lindahl stated that it would only make sense to match the sidewalk up with the already existing sidewalk. o Mr. Haas explained that the bike guidelines recommend that there be a barrier between the sidewalk and the roadway. ,~ \ " -... ; .\. , \ '---' ' ." \J I') -...J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 2, 2000 Page 5 Commissioner Grabowski agreed the sidewalk should be installed to match the existing sidewalk. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if the costs are higher to put in a sidewalk versus a trail. Mr. Haas stated that he would do further research on the subject. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Commissioner Valerie Holthus arrived at 8:25 p.m. Commissioner Grabowski commented on a letter received regarding the policy on a Parents Clinic that was mandated due to an incident from last year. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Anderson, seconded by Holthus, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sara Beck, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.