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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 5, 1999 o o o CITY of ANDOVER '7lRK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING -AUGUST 5,1999 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Dave Blackstad on August 5, 1999, 7:38 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Dave Blackstad, Al Grabowski, Valerie Holthus Jeff Kieffer, and Dave O'Toole Tom Anderson and Jim Lindahl Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Commissioners absent: Also present: RESIDENTS FORUM None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES o July 15, 1999 Commissioner Kieffer stated that under Commissioners present, it should read Jim Lindahl instead of Jeff Lindahl. Motion by O'Toole, seconded by Grabowski, to approve the Minutes as amended. Motion carried on a 5 - ayes, 0 - nays, 2 - absent (Anderson and Lindahl), and 0 - present vote. MEET WITH SOCCER ASSOCIATIONS Mr. Haas stated that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to meet with the soccer associations to talk about the 1999 soccer season. Mike Benner of the North Metro Soccer Association, stated that the summer went well including the tournament during FunFest. Commissioner Grabowski suggested, in the future, having the fields set-up a couple weeks ahead of time before a tournament. 1'" V Chairperson Blackstad stated that at the beginning of the year, the Park and Recreation Commission requested a schedule of when fields were going to be used and questioned why the schedule was not submitted. I ;' \ " /. (~ Regular Andover Park'aJd Recreation Commission Meeting (J Minutes - August 5. 1999 Page 2 \ , J Mr. Benner explained that it is hard to give a set schedule because the schedule changes frequently. Chairperson Blackstad explained that the Commission would need only an approximate schedule. Mr. Benner stated that he will give the Commission a schedule of the previous three months and for the fall schedule. Ron Moore. Andover Invader Soccer Club, stated that they are in the process of putting a schedule together and that the schedule will be submitted by the next Park and Recreation Commission meeting. He explained that because they only have a traveling team, they usually don't receive a schedule until a week before the season starts. Commissioner Grabowski questioned how the soccer teams know if a field is available. Mr. Moore explained that two people have a master list of who is using the fields. Commissioner Lindahl suggested having the teams submit a pre-season schedule and then, at the end of the season, submit the actual schedule so that the Commission can keep track of how the fields are being used and if there is a need for more fields. Mr. Benner stated that they will meet with all the associations to get a full schedule. M:-. Haas suggested including when the fields are used for practice so that is also on the . 1 schedule. -j O'Toole asked about field availability this year. It was mentioned that sometimes there are too many games scheduled and not enough fields, but the communication between the three clubs made it a good year. Commissioner O'Toole questioned ifthere are enough fields to support all the games this year. Mr. Benner stated that there were a few occasions when there were to many games scheduled and not enough fields, but communication between the three clubs made it for a very good year. Mr. Moore noted that the complaint he hears the most from parents is that they would prefer to have a central location for all the fields so if they have more then one child playing they wouldn't be spread throughout the City. Commissioner Grabowski explained that there has been an extreme problems with pets at Sunshine Park and requested that the associations help patrol the parks, noting that the Commission is requesting that security be hired to patrol the park. Mr. Moore stated that there is also a problem with golf balls on the fields. He explained that a letter was sent out to the parents not to bring pets to the games. '\ Commissioner Grabowski encouraged the associations to report anyone they see breaking the / rules at the park. Regular Andover Park ~)d Recreation Commission Meeting (J Minutes -August 5.1999 Page 3 \ , " Commissioner Lindahl suggested sending the Park and Recreation Commission a copy of any letter that is sent out to the players. ACCEPT FALL SOCCER APPLICATIONS Mr. Haas stated that the Park and Recreation Commission was requested to accept applications from North Metro Soccer Association and Andover Invaders Soccer Club for the fall schedule. Commissioner Grabowski stated that there is a state softball tournament scheduled on September 11 t\ and questioned if the soccer associations would be willing to use the fields at City Hall for their tournament. Mr. Benner stated that the fields at City Hall would work for their tournament. Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Grabowski, to accept applications from North Metro Soccer Association and Andover Invaders Soccer Club for the fall soccer schedule with the schedule being submitted by Friday August 13, 1999. Motion carried on a 5 - ayes, 0 - nays, 2 - absent (Anderson and Lindahl), and 0 - present vote. APPROVE FALL SOFTBALL APPLICATION j / Mr. Haas stated that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to approve the fall softball application from Rum River Valley Softball Association. Motion by Commissioner O'Toole, seconded by Commissioner Lindahl, to approve the fall softball application from the Rum River Valley Softball Association. Motion carried on a 4 - ayes, 0 - nays, 2 - absent (Anderson and Lindahl), and 1 - present (Grabowski) vote. UPDA TE OF TRAIL FUND/FINANCE DEPARTMENT Mr. Haas updated the Park and Recreation Commission on the status of the trail fund. Commissioner O'Toole stated that he would like to see outstanding trail projects be paid for by the trail fund. Mr. Haas stated that he will bring the item back for the next meeting and determine what projects the trail fund should be used for. DISCUSS TRASPORTATION SYSTEM/BIKEWA Y-WALKWAY TRAILS, CONTINUED \ ) Mr. Haas stated that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to continue discussing the transportation system bikeway/walkway trails as part of the Comprehensive Plan. I ( ) ( ) Regular Andover Park''utl'd Recreation Commission Meeting "--- Minutes - August 5, 1999 Page 4 '. , " Mr. Haas reviewed the future off-road trail plans that included the changes suggested by the Park and Recreation Commission. The Commission directed Mr. Haas to move forward with the plan. DISCUSS ORDINANCE 229, SECTION 2K (PETS IN PARKS) Mr. Haas stated that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to reconsider amending Ordinance 22, Section K (Pets in Parks) specifically Sunshine Park and City Hall Park Complex #1 since the ordinance refers to these two parks only. Chairperson Blackstad stated that people walking on the trails with their pets is not the problem, but pets should not be allowed near the fields and he was unsure of how it should be worded in the ordinance. Commissioner Grabowski stated that pets should not be allowed anywhere near the fields and suggested having a pet exercise area off the trail, if needed. He also noted that he has never asked anyone to leave the park, only to remove their pet from the park. Commissioner Grabowski suggested including for all parks that pets are not allowed near the ') fields. _/ Commissioner Grabowski requested Mr. Haas research ordinances from Blaine, Fridley, and Minneapolis. Mr. Haas stated that he will ask the Zoning Administrator to amend the ordinance and bring it back for the Commission to review. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas reviewed the items on the issues list, removing Transportation SystemlBikeway- Walkway Trails and Update on Trail Fund. Commissioner Grabowski stated that the Park and Recreation Commission needs to be notified one month in advance of the FunFest schedule. Mr. Haas stated that the FunFest Committee requested that a Park and Recreation Commission member attend the FunFest. Chairperson Blackstad stated that he will attend the meetings. Commissioner Grabowski requested adding security staff for athletic fields to the list. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT \ ,. Regular Andover ParkC.1 Recreation Commission Meeting U Minutes - August 5, 1999 Page 5 Bill Huoo. 1650 Andover Boulevard, stated that he has a boy on a Little League Team and it would be beneficial for the players if the City would consider installing a batting cage. Chairperson Blackstad stated a batting cage is included in the plans for the new Andover Park. Mr. Haas noted that Kevin Starr was present for a recent tournament and a number of the fields were not used that had been scheduled for use so it was felt it was a waste of time for the fields to be prepped by Staff. Commissioner Grabowski stated that a pitching rubber was removed at Sunshine Park during the tournament also. Chairperson Blackstad requested that the team be billed. ADJOURNMENT Motion by O'Toole, seconded by Blackstad, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9: 10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Nanci Libor, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. \ ./