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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 17, 1998 ::.J , '\ \.J , '\ V o o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - DECEMBER 17, 1998 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson AI Grabowski on December 17, 1998, 7:34 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Tom Anderson, Dave Blackstad (arrived at 8:03 p.m.), Jeff Kieffer, Jim Lindahl, Dave O'Toole Brian Barringer Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Others Commissioner absent: Also present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 3, 1998: Correct as written. Motion by Anderson, Seconded by Lindahl, to approve the Minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 3-Yes, 2-Present (Grabowski, Kieffer), 2-Absent (Barringer, B1ackstad) vote. WOODLAND MEADOWS 3RD ADDITION/SKETCH PLAN Mr. Haas noted the sketch plan for Woodland Meadows 3rd Addition consisting of six lots in the area of CoRd 59 and 169th. The City recently installed playground equip'ment in the park located in the development just to the north of this area. In the past the Commission has requested cash in lieu ofland for park dedication because of the large lots. The Park and Recreation Commission recommended cash be accepted in lieu of land for this development. CHESTERTON COMMONS REVISED PRELIMINARY PLAT/PARK DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS Mr. Haas explained the developer, Ashford Development Corporation, Inc., has made application to rezone a portion of the development near the southwest part of the development adjacent to Hanson Boulevard from residential to commercial. The original intent was for park dedication fees ~ " ) ,,~ '. Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 17, 1998 Page 2 (Chesterton Commons Revised Preliminary Plat/Park Dedication, Continued) to be based on residential development. Since a portion of the area is proposed to be rezoned to commercial, the appraisal will need to be revised to reflect the new market value of the commercial, assuming the City approves the rezoning. The developer would then pay the difference of what is owed to the City. The Commission suggested the developer be asked to make a proposal first of the fair and equitable value increase of commercial versus residential use. They also felt if an appraisal is to be done, it would be done at the expense of the developer. DISCUSS ORDINANCE 10, SECTION 9.07/PARK DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS Mr. Haas explained the current ordinance identifies the dedicated land minimum area for park dedication as 10 percent for residential and commercial. The Commission has expressed an interest in amending the ordinance to a unit charge similar to what is done in other cities. If interested in proceeding with that amendment, he suggested the City Council be approached first to be sure they are in agreement. If so, the Planning and Zoning Commission would hold the public hearing for the ordinance amendment. Then it would go to the City Council for final approval. / Chairperson Grabowski stated he presented copies of the City of Lakeville ordinance on park dedication and a survey of how other cities determine park dedication. In the mean time, Commissioner Blackstad has called 15 other cities regarding their park dedication schedules. Last Tuesday the City Council approved the three appraisers needed per the current ordinance. The Council appeared interested in a proposal to change the park dedication based on the number of units in the development. The advantage of the unit charge is that developers know up front exactly what the park dedication fee will be. That fee would be set at the beginning of each year by the City Council based on the valuation of property sold the preceding year. Chairperson Grabowski stated he discussed the unit charge with the City Attorney, who agreed it is a reasonable method of determining park dedication fees. The second part of the ordinance is the procedure when the land is to be appraised. He preferred the procedure outlined in the City of Lakeville ordinance. He asked Mr. Haas to research the acres and units in the plats that have developed in the City the last two to three years. That information is needed to determine the impact of the proposed change to the City's current ordinance. Mr. Haas hoped to have that research completed within a week. He stated he would ask the City Council to comment on the proposed change to a unit charge fee for park dedication at its January 5, 1999, meeting. He will then bring a proposed ordinance amendment to the Commission for their review at the January 7, 1999, meeting. The Commission generally agreed with Mr. Haas' proposal. ~.) u I Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 17, 1998 Page 3 (Commissioner Blackstad arrived at this time, 8:03 p.m.) REVIEW CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW TRAIL REQUIREMENTS AND PROGRAM Mr. Haas reported the City of Mounds View has dissolved their Parks Department, and everything is now going through the community school. He is still trying to find out how they set up their trail corridor. He will bring that information back to the Commission at the next meeting. DISCUSS THE 1999 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET/PROJECTS Mr. Haas stated the final amount for the 1999 Park Capital Improvement Budget is $60,000 plus an additional $7,500 carry-over for Sunshine Park. Also, the assessment for Fox Meadows will not be coming out of the Park fund. He asked the Commission to begin thinking about what projects are to be done in 1999. He suggested the $50,000 matching funds needed for Kelsey-Round Lake come from Park Dedication. The anticipated completion date for that project is the end of June, 1999. / The Commission noted some park development and improvements but wanted to see an updated financial statement before making any decisions. They also suggested Staff apply for another grant for the year 2000. Commissioner O'Toole hated to see the City go for grants if it ultimately costs the City more to meet the high standards versus doing the projects ourselves. Mr. Haas stated some grants do have high standards. He will gather further information on grants in January. Commissioner Kieffer stated the markers in Kelsey-Round Lake Park makes it look like it is a snowmobile trail. He suggested signs be placed that specifically state there is no snowmobiling in that area. Mr. Haas stated he will look into the matter. DISCUSS 1999 CDBG BUDGET/PROJECTS Before making a decision on the projects using the 1999 CDBG budget, the Commission asked that Kevin Starr of the Parks Department be asked for input as to where there is a need. Possibly some playground equipment can be replaced. Mr. Haas stated he will do so and bring the item back to the next meeting. DISCUSS 1999 PARK DEDICATION FUND/PROJECTS The Commission agreed to carry the item over until they receive an updated financial statement. . / o Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 17, 1998 Page 4 UPDATE FROM FINANCE/ASSESSMENTS TO PAST PARKS Chairperson Grabowski asked for a motion to recommend the City Council have the ordinance amended to have assessments for parks come from the General Fund. Motion by Kieffer, Seconded by Anderson, to so move. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, I-Absent (Barringer) vote. UPDATE FROM ADMINISTRATION/COMMUNITY EDUCATION '_ I Chairperson Grabowski disagreed with the statement from the City Administrator's December 16, 1998, memo, that the school district provides coordination for much of the youth recreation in Andover. He stated the community school runs the middle school athletics and recreation but has nothing to do with the other athletic programs, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H clubs, etc. They work with community education programs, not what is necessarily meeting the needs of the City. His concern is that the approximately $50,000 for community schools distorts the Park Budget when it is included there. He stated at a special meeting with the City Council, the Council asked to have that item moved from the Park Budget. He will be talking with the City Council members about this item. The other Commissioners agreed that the Park Budget is distorted when community schools is included and that the request of the City Council to take it out of the Parks Budget should be followed through. Mr. Haas stated he will talk with the City Administrator and Finance Director about this item again. UPDATE OF CDBG/PLANNING DEPARTMENT Mr. Haas stated he did not yet have the information on this item and will bring it back to the Commission at the January 7, 1999, meeting. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Hawkridge - Mr. Haas stated he talked with the Fire Chief yesterday. He will also meet with Public Works and Oak Grove representatives next week to find out if there is an interest in a well. He will bring the item back to the next meeting. Timber Rivers Park - Mr. Haas stated the developer is looking at moving the dock further north along with a trail that meets ADA requirements. Chairperson Grabowski stated he talked with the developer who apologized for the problems, stating he will correct it. Also, because the soccer field wasn't corrected last fall, it probably won't be able to be used for games next year. \ \...~ , \ , \~j Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 17, 1998 Page 5 (Review Issue List, Continued) Need to discuss out/ots/parks - The Commission asked for clarification on the insurance coverage for those groups or organizations that adopt a park. Also, are individuals who use power equipment in City property covered. The Commission did not want to pay for coverage for each incident. Add to Issues List - The Commission asked that a special meeting be held with the City Council in February or March after the new Commissioners are appointed. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Ice rinks - Mr. Haas stated the ice rinks will be opened for winter vacation if the weather turns cold. Chairperson Grabowski asked that the Public Works Superintendent report on the cost savings in the budget for rink attendants, snow plowing, etc. -' Joint venture to construct benches - Commissioner Blackstad stated he was approached by a youth association to buy benches for the baseball fields. The Public Works Superintendent talked to the Council about joint ventures between cities. He asked what the labor costs would be to build benches if the association purchased the materials. Mr. Haas suggested he call Kevin Starr, Parks. Department, to discuss the proposal. Charge for youth tournaments - Chairperson Grabowski stated the Public Works Superintendent reported to the Council that Anoka was charging fees to play on their fields. He clarified that the fees are for maintenance, and Anoka is the only City that he knows of that charges that maintenance fee. With that fee, Anoka grooms and limes each field in the City every day. Some cities do charge field usage fees, but not for youth teams. Tournament application - Chairperson Grabowski stated if someone runs a one-day weekend tournament, they still pay for the entire weekend. The fields are still used and maintenance must be done on them. It also eliminates the ability of another organization using the fields for a weekend tournament. It is unlikely another group would want to use the fields on the other day. He recommended a multiplier be used for one-day tournaments, possibly 70 or 75 percent of the fees. The Council approved the tournament application but asked that some provision be made for one-day tournaments. The Commission agreed to the following language written on the bottom of the tournament application: "The event of a scheduled one-day tournament will be charged 75 percent of the above fees." , \ '-) . \ \'_.J Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 17, 1998 Page 6 (Chairman's Report, Continued) Chairperson Grabowski also stated in the survey of other cities, the question was asked who does the weekend tournament maintenance and how much is charged. In 75 to 80 percent of the time, it was done by City Staff. Fence between the City Hall park and the Middle School - Chairperson Grabowski reported the school district assured the City they would keep the students out of the City Park without the need for a fence along the City Hall boundary. There has been a lot of vandalism in the park in the past by youth cutting through or hanging out there during the day. Tower Road is very unsafe during the day. The school district would like to see a path along there; however, the City does not have the money. He suggested the issue be watched for another year. If it continues to be a problem, a fence should be installed next year. Motion by Blackstad, Seconded by Anderson, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 6- Yes, I-Absent (Barringer) vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, \f\~~: C\'~~L Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary