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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 6, 1999 o o .~ CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - M4Y 6,1999 MINUTES The RegularBi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was.called to order by Chairperson Dave Blackstad on May 6, 1999,7:34 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Tom Anderson, Dave Blackstad, Al Grabowski, Valerie Holthus, Jim Lindahl, and Dave O'Toole Jeff Kieffer Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Commissioners absent: Also present: RESIDENTS FORUM Winslow Holasek, 1159 Andover Boulevard, stated that he is part of the Gasline Taskforce for the City and wanted to make sure that the Park and Recreation Commission understood that the proposed gasline will run very close to the play equipment at Prairie Knoll Park. Mr. Holasek explained that if the play area was not already installed they would not be allowed to do so if the pipeline is installed and may affect future plans the Commission may have for the park. :J Chairperson Blackstad stated he was aware that the pipeline was being proposed to go through the park, but did not know it would be placed that close the play equipment. Mr. Holasek suggested that the Park and Recreation Commission consider this and make a recommendation noting that all recommendations would have to be received by Friday or no later than Monday. Commissioner O'Toole stated that he was unaware of the pipeline issue with Prairie Knoll Park and felt it should be discussed. Chairperson Blackstad suggesting adding this issue as item #15 to the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 15, 1999 Motion by Anderson, seconded by Lindahl, to approve the Minutes as written. Motion carried on 5 - ayes, 0 - nays, 1 - absent (Kieffer), and 1 - present (Holthus) vote. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE ~ Kevin Starr. Public Works Supervisor of Parks, reviewed pictures of proposed designs for the park signs and noted that it has been agreed to name the Lions park, Andover Lions Park. Regular Andover Park Q Recreation Commission Meeting 0 Minutes - May 6, 1999 Page 2 (J Commissioner Grabowski suggested some colored examples of the signs for the Commission to reVIew. Commissioner Grabowski suggested going with a 4x8 sign and to try and use consistency for all of the City signs. Mr. Starr reviewed the locations of where parks bathrooms were located for the summer. Mr. Starr also noted that he trying to get a 4x6 DARE flag for Sunshine Park but as not been successful as of yet. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if there will be any more benches installed at the parks this year. Mr. Starr stated that several have been built and will be installed soon. CONSIDER REQUESTIBIKEWAY JUMPSffIMBER TRAILS PARK Mr. Haas explained that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to consider a request by Danny Hogan on behalf of neighborhood teenagers to consider allowing the construction or building of a bicycle jump at Timber Trails Park located near 177th Avenue Northwest and Aztec Street Northwest. o Mr. Haas noted that Staff is checking on the feasibility of allowing this type of facility in the City's park system. He stated that the City of Blaine is in the process of bidding a skateboard facility (50 feet x 60 feet) at one of their parks. Dannv Hogan. representing neighborhood teenagers, stated they would like the Commission to consider allowing bike jumps at the park for the reason that some kids are too old for swing sets but too young to drive and it would allow them to have some outside activity and keep them out of trouble. Mr. Hogan explained that many local churches are making skateboarding parks but the jumps are not big enough for bikes. He noted that the soccer field at Timber Trails Park has been empty for years. Mr. Hogan stated they already have a dirt source, DNL Excavating, so they wouldn't leave holes all over the park. He explained that they wear safety helmets when they are jumping. Ryan Hoge - reviewed all the safety items that are currently required before they are allowed to jump. He explained that all the kids sign a waiver stating the facility is not responsible for llljunes. Eric Chase stated he has been jumping and racing for four years. He reviewed all the parts of the bikes and noted they build jumps to have fun and stay out of trouble. o Mr. Hogan reviewed rough sketches of jumps they are proposing to build at the soccer field, o 0 Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 6, 1999 Page 3 o Commissioner O'Toole questioned if they are aware of any other cities that allow for bike jumps. Mr. Hogan explained that both Champlin and Blaine do. Commissioner O'Toole questioned if they are unsupervised. Mr. Hogan stated yes. Commissioner O'Toole explained that the biggest issue is liability. Mr. Haas stated he is looking into more information on risk factors and noted that he will talk to Champlin and Blaine. Mr. Haas also noted that Blaine is building skateboard facility without raising their liability insurance. Commissioner O'Toole stated that he supports the idea but wants to make sure there isn't a big liability issue. Mr. Hogan stated that the risk of being injured on bike jumps is the same as being injured on a baseball fields or playing on the playground equipment. Mr. Haas suggested tabling the issue until more information is received. Commissioner Anderson questioned if it is okay to have someone bring in dirt from the outside. Mr. Starr indicated that was okay, but noted they probably would have enough dirt. '0 Commissioner Lindahl stated that he would prefer not to lose the soccer field, and asked if it is possible to set up around the field. Commissioner Grabowski suggested having the property staked before the next Park and Recreation Commission meeting so the Commission can meet at Timber Trails Park before the next meeting to look at the options. DISCUSS ADOPT-A-PARK PROGRAM Mr. Haas explained that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to discuss the Adopt- A-Park Program in regard to the agreement form and description materials. Mr. Haas reminded the Commission that they requested to forward a copy of the City's current Adopt-A-Park Program to the League of Minnesota Cities for their review and comment. Chairperson Blackstad noted that anyone who has an Adopt-A-Park agreement will need to come back to the Commission. Commissioner Grabowski stated that power tools should not be allowed unless authorized by the City. Commissioner Lindahl suggested excluding all power tools with external blades. Commissioner Grabowski stated that it would get too complicated. Mr. Haas suggested adding the statement on the Adopt-A-Park agreement that power tools are o not allowed unless authorized by the City. ~) , '\ \J () Regular Andover Park ~2t Recreation Commission Meeting 0 Minutes - May 6, 1999 Page 4 Motion by O'Toole, seconded by Lindahl, to recommend to City Council approval of the amended Adopt-A-Park agreement with inclusion that power tools are not allowed unless authorized by the City. Motion carried on a 6 - ayes, 0 - nays, 1 - absent (Kieffer) vote. UPDATE OF TIMBER RIVERS PARK Mr. Haas updated the Commission on the status of Timber Rivers Park. He noted that the stairs will be removed because they do not meet Code. Chairperson Blackstad asked why they do not want to put another hand rail up. Commissioner Grabowski stated it is because of the expense. REVIEW COMP PLAN - TRAILS Mr. Haas recommended to table this item until the next Park and Recreation meeting. He noted that Staff has not been able to review the Comprehensive Plan and the location of on-road or proposed designated bike trail routes. The Commission agreed to table this item. REVIEW SITE PLAN/TRAIL AND SHELTER/SUNSHINE PARK Mr. Haas explained that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to review the site plan of Sunshine Park shelter and trail improvements, Project 99-21. Commissioner O'Toole stated that they had talked about moving the shelter closer to the volleyball court to allow more room for playground equipment. Commissioner Grabowski noted that the trail probably should not go through the shelter. Mr. Haas stated that he will get a cost estimates for the next meeting. Commissioner Grabowski suggested making the shelter as vandal proof as possible and to have lighting and electricity installed. REVIEW OF ESTIMATES/CONFERENCE/ROOM/SUNSHINE PARK BUILDING Mr. Haas explained that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to review the cost estimates to install new s-tred tile in the conference room at Sunshine Park. Commissioner Anderson questioned why Park and Recreation should have to pay for the replacement of the tile and indicated he felt it should be a maintenance item. Mr. Haas stated that he discussed the issue with maintenance. Regular Andover Park Q Recreation Commission Meeting 0 Minutes - May 6, 1999 Page 5 .f ) ~-,' Commissioner O'Toole stated that he would like to get the square footage of the area that needs to be replaced. If it has to be paid for by park dedication, he suggested looking into whether they could get it done cheaper from an outside company. Mr. Haas suggested checking to see if there would be any volunteers willing to do the work. The Commission agreed to table the item until Mr. Haas has a chance to talk to maintenance. UPDATE OF ORDINANCE 10, SECTION 9.07/PARK DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS Me Haas updated the Commission on the amendments made to Ordinance 10, Section 9.07. Mr. Haas explained that all new preliminary plats submitted will now be charged the new park dedication fees. UPDATE OF TRAIL FEE Mr. Haas updated the Commission in regard to the requirement of trail fees. UPDATE OF JOINT SPECIAL MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL .-' , V Mr, Haas explained that City Council at their May 4, 1999 meeting tabled the item until Staff has. an opportunity to meet at the site with the Coon Creek Watershed District to explore the possibility of constructing the trail along the south side of Coon Creek between Hanson Boulevard Northwest and Crosstown Boulevard Northwest. He noted that Staff will be meeting on Tuesday May 10th at 8 :00 a.m. and have an update to the City Council for their May 18, 1999 meeting. Commissioner Grabowski questioned how wide the wetlands are. Mr. Haas stated that some are 100 feet and some are over 1,000 feet, but noted the Watershed will identify exactly what the wetland are, and possible alternatives. Commissioner Grabowski suggested looking into the alternative of continuing the trail along the south of the WDE site and back up the west side. PRAIRIE KNOLL PARK Chairperson Blackstad stated that he is not in favor of running a gasline under play equipment. Commissioner Grabowski questioned if that would limit the building of the soccer field. Mr. Haas stated he was under the impression that it was only structures that could not be built over a pipeline, but he will get more information. . \ \,J Commissioner Grabowski made a recommendation that the Park and Recreation Commission is against the proposed placement of the pipeline if it would have a detrimental impact of any sort on the improvements of the park. " , \. j , " '--_/ -,-:, I -......, o 0 Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 6, 1999 Page 6 Mr. Haas stated that he will talk to John Hinzman regarding the Park and Recreation Commission's concerns and have them included in the recommendation. REVIEW ISSUES LIST The Commissioner discussed the storage problems for the Andover Athletic Association and the importance of getting the issue resolved soon. Mr. Haas stated that he will talk to the Building Department to see if they could draft some sketches for a possible addition to be built and place it on the next agenda. Chairperson Blackstad also noted that he feels it is important to plan restrooms for the addition. Mr. Haas explained that he received information on only one ticketed golfer and a court date is set for next week. Chairperson Blackstad requested the Commission review the Ordinance of what is and is not allowed in the parks and not items they feel should be considered a misdemeanor or a petty misdemeanor. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Commissioner Grabowski stated the City newsletter and the flag at Sunshine park looked excellent. ADJOURNMENT . Motion by Anderson, seconded by Lindahl to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:18 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nanci Libor, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.