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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 5, 1998 / " o /"- ,----,..I - o u o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - NOVEMBER 5, 1998 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Al Grabowski on November 5,1998,7:35 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Also present: Tom Anderson, Brian Barringer, Dave B1ackstad, Dave O'Toole Jeff Kieffer, Jim Lindahl Parks, Kevin Starr Park Coordinator, Todd Others APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 15, 1998: Correct as written. Motion by Blackstad, Seconded by O'Toole, to approve the Minutes as written. Motion carried on a 4- Yes, l-Present (Anderson), 2-Absent (Kieffer, Lindahl) vote, FOX HOLLOW SKETCH PLAN REVIEW Mr. Haas presented the sketch plan of Fox Hollow being developed north and west of the Oak View Middle School. The property is currently zoned R-I; however, it is proposed to be rezoned to R-4. There is park adjacent to the plat to the south, plus park and open spaces in the development of Grey Oaks to the north. A portion of this plat was reviewed previously by the Park Commission when it was presented as a sketch plan for Burr Oak Run. Mike Quigley, representing the developer - stated the sketch plan will change somewhat, as the Council has asked that the entire development consist of single family homes. They also asked that there be only two entrances onto Nightingale, not three as shown. The Commission discussed some options for trails in the plat. It was suggested that 155th be widened to allow for trailslbike lanes along both sides of the road, as that will be a main route to the convenience store being proposed just north of the plat. Trail access should also be provided to the park system at City Hall and into the school on the north and west sides. It was thought the school already has some trails in place that should be connected '- / (J Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 5, 1998 Page 2 (Fox Hollow Sketch Plan Review, Continued) Mr. Ouigley - stated they will be working with the school on providing access to that facility. They can also look at the proposal to widen 155th to provide for bike lanes and trails. With the reconfiguration of the area, he wasn't sure how much more the streets could be widened given the constraints of the property. The Commission discussed the location of the trail along Nightingale. Mr. Haas noted the trail is on the west side right now through Woodland Estates. It would be clear to continue bringing it up the west side of the street even past this proposed plat. There are some wetland areas on the east side of Nightingale that would prohibit the construction of a trail. The Commission generally felt a trail is needed on only one side of the street and that changing from one side to the other would not be desirable. Mr. Haas stated they will look at this further and make a recommendation as to which side of Nightingale the trail should be constructed. The Commission advised Mr. Quigley that they will be talking to the Cotmcil about these trails being a transportation issue. They would be included in the platting process and be paid for entirely by the developer as a part of the transportation, not parks. Therefore, there would be no cost sharing on the , , trails. They felt the trails are more of a transportation issue than a park issue. The Commission would pay for interior trails on a 50-50 cost share basis. Because of the other parks in the area, the Commission suggested cash would be accepted in lieu of land for park dedication on the plat. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Mr. Starr updated the Commission on the trees purchased and planted this fall. He also reviewed some of the locations for future tree plantings in Sunshine Park. The Commission wanted to be sure an area was left to the west of the park for a future access road to the Concession Building from that direction. An area should also be kept open for a shelter. Mr. Starr also reviewed some of the work done at Sunshine Park, including moving the monument, plus proposed projects in the Concession Building over the winter. The benches at Hills of Bunker Lake 5th and at Timber River have been installed. The hockey rinks will be done the same way as last year. He is also taking applications for rink attendants. Commissioner Blackstad asked to increase the ag lime area by the dug outs at the City Hall fields. Mr. Starr agreed there should be no grass in that area. The Commission suggested Staff contact the soccer associations for their input in numberiag the soccer fields at Sunshine Park and at City Hall. / " i., ./ 'J . / Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 5, 1998 Page 3 RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF REVISED APPLICATION FOR SCHEDULED USE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES lt was agreed that the application due date for fall use of the fields must be submitted and will be approved the second Park and Recreation Commission meeting in July, which is the third Thursday in July. Mr. Haas stated he has already talked with the Anoka Hockey Association to inform them the City will not be accepting applications from individual teams to use the hockey rinks. The association must submit an application for all of its teams. Also, the rinks will be scheduled such that there will be time available for the neighborhood children to use them. The Commission suggested a sentence be added to the form that "No team or individual on a team may reserve the field or rink for more than two days in anyone season." The Commission suggested the notation at the bottom of the form be deleted completly. Under the bottom sentence, "Applications will not be considered complete unless all information is provided." add "This application does not apply to weekend tournaments." . / Mr. Haas stated he will redraft the fornl for the Commission's review at the next meeting. RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF REVISED SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT APPLICATION FORM The Commission recommended the following changes to the form: Change the title to "Softball Tournament Application Form", as it is intended to apply to both adult and youth tournaments. Park Fees and Usage - add boxes to check relating to youth fees. It was suggested that youth organizations that are based outside of Andover should be charged one-half the adult fees for the use of the fields: $75 per field (per the Resolution discussed in the next Agenda item). Clarify the first "Note" to "...will be charged double the field usage fee..." Page 2, second paragraph, fourth line, change to: "...A penalty of 50 percent of the field usage fee will be assessed for applications made less than eight weeks prior to the tournament date"," The Commission noted the intent was that there would be an additional fee of $200 if maintenance was required. The discussion was that the $200 would be the cost of having City Staff or some attendant available for the weekend. Mr. Haas stated he will verify intent. The Commission also discussed . / \ / \ o Regular Park and Recreation Commission A1eeting " ) Minutes - November 5, 1998 Page 4 (Revised Softball Tournament Application Form, Continued) the penalty clause as proposed. Commissioner O'Toole was concerned that this would prevent some local businesses or organizations from having last-minute private tournaments. If the fields are available, he didn't have a problem allowing them to be used without charging a late fee to reserve them. Others argued that most organizations know a considerable time in advance when the tournaments are to be held, so there is no excuse for not requesting the fields early. It also provides a safeguard for the City and so the concession stand will be open, especially in the fall. Mr. Starr stated they need to know about tournaments at least two weeks in advance. After further discussion, it was agreed to leave the penalty clause as proposed. Mr. Haas stated a statement will be added that tournaments will be allowed for no more than three consecutive weekends during the months of May through July. The intent is to eliminate playing on the fields seven days a week for three months in a row. The Commission agreed. Mr. Haas stated he will redraft the application form for the Commission to review at the next meeting. / -, , -' RECOMMEND APPROVAVESTABLISHING 1999 USER FEES FOR TIlE USE OF FIELDS AND HOCKEY RINKS The following changes were recommended: Under Type of Fee, Adult Rec Play - move "$75 per team, per season" to the Fee column. It was thought this would apply to tournaments that are not sanctioned. Youth Rec Play under the Type of Fee column - It was felt that any youth organization outside of the regular Andover associations, including but not limited to Andover Athletic Association, Andover Baseball Association, Andover Invaders, North Metro Soccer and Anoka Area I3a<;cbaU Association, should bc charged one-half the adult usage fee. In the Fee column, show half of the adult field usage fees. Field w/o Lights under Type of Fee column - move $15 Fee per hour to Fee column. Delete the category of Miscellaneous Youth Leagues. Delete the category of Miscellaneous Adult leagues. Mr. Haas stated he will draft a Resolution with the changes for the Commission to review at their next meeting. , / - \, --) o Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 5, 1998 Page 5 REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas updated the Commission on the items shown on the Issues List. The Commission noted that some people are mowing very close to the Coon Creek Corridor Trail. The intent was to keep the area around the trail natural. Mr. Haas stated he will have the Code Enforcement Officer check on whether or not residents are encroaching onto park property. The Commission suggested that the City send a notice to everyone along the trail reminding them of the City's policy and the desire to keep a natural buffer zone around the trail. Mr. Starr stated Staff will have to look at some means of keeping vehicles off that trail. Mr. Haas reported the dock has been removed at Timber Rivers Park. He has not been in contact with the developer about how the trail will be reconstructed to make the dock ADA accessible. Mr. Starr stated the developer should be told that the stairs to the dock are still there. They will get destroyed through the winter if they are not removed. Chairperson Grabowski asked to see a copy of what was given to the residents in Emerald Glen allowing them to maintain the outlot. He also wanted to know how that impacts the maintenance of the parks by residents_ A distinction is needed between parks and outlots. Mr. Haas stated he will check with Mr. Erickson about that policy and will add it to the Issues List. Chairperson Grabowski stated the issue on whether the City or the developer pays for the appraisal fees to determine land value for park dedication purposes must be resolved within the next couple weeks. Mr. Haas stated the Attorney has said in the past that the City cannot charge beyond the 10 percent, so the current ordinance should be changed. He will review that further. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Transmission lines project - The Commission asked to be informed of the route of the transmission lines being proposed by UPA and Connexus Energy. Mr. Haas stated he will get a map for the Commission to review. De.feat of the park bond re.ferendum - The Commission expressed disappointment that the proposed park bond referendum did not pass. Discussion noted the intent was to plan for the future. The park systcm may be sufficient now, but it will get further and further behind as the current equipment ages and because of the increased growth and demand. Discussion was also on how to proceed. Should the Commission look at scaling back the projects and ask for a smaller bond, then ask for more in the future rather than one large bond? Commissioner O'Toole had a copy of an extensive survey done in Champlin. Commissioner Blackstad suggested it may be beneficial to survey the residents as to whether or not they voted for the bond; and if not, why. Commissioner Barringer felt much of I / <) Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting J Minutes - November 5, 1998 Page 6 (Chairman's Report, Continued) it has to do with education, informing the public about funding sources and needs. No decisions were made, but it was suggested that the item should be discussed further. The Commissioners also asked to see the survey done in Champlin. Budget workshop - Mr. Haas reminded the Commission that the City Council will be meeting on the proposed 1999 budget on November 24. A number of park issues related to that budget will be discussed. If there is time, some of the other items on the list generated by the Park Board will be discussed. If there is no time, a special meeting will be set for the City Council and Park Board to meet. Motion by B1ackstad, Seconded by Barringer, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 5- Yes, 2-Absent (Kieffer, Lindahl) vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted. ~~~J- Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary