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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 17, 1998 () o o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - SEPTEMBER 17,1998 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson AI Grabowski on September 17, 1998, 7:33 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Tom Anderson, Dave Blackstad, Jeff Kieffer (arrived at 8:11 p.m.), Jim Lindahl (arrived at 7:42 p.m.), Dave O'Toole Brian Barringer Park Coordinator, Todd Commissioners absent; Also present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES () September 3, J 998: Correct as written. Motion by O'Toole, Seconded by Blackstad, to approve the Minutes as written. Motion carried on a 4- Yes, 3-Absent (Barringer, Kieffer, Lindahl) vote. UPDATE OF PARK BOARD REFERENDUM/IP98-18 Commissioner O'Toole updated the Commission on the public informational meeting held on September 10 for the residents to explain the proposed park bond referendum. As a result, the Commission suggested the bond be on a special election in May. The City Council voted to put the bond on the November ballot, though some were concerned with having enough time to promote it. With the proposed changes to the project, the total park bond is $3.74 million. The next step is to promote it. Hopefully the youth associations will help. Chairperson Grabowski stated he and Commissioner Blackstad will contact the associations and provide the information they will need for a flyer. Mr. Haas stated a notice has been put in the City's newsletter. For the next meeting, he will have a draft brochure for the Commission to review. Chairperson Grabowski asked for the cost of the brochure and the cost to mail it to every single household in the City. u (Commissioner Lindahl arrived at this time, 7:42 p.m.) ) '\ \.~) / Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 17, 1998 Page 2 DISCUSS 1998 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET Mr. Haas reviewed the status of the projects of the 1998 Capital Improvement Budget. The Hidden Creek North Park project should be completed in about a week. Chairperson Grabowski suggested that the City have standard dimensions for two sets of backstops, a smaller one and a larger one. Mr. Haas agreed. Mr. Haas stated there is $9,114 remaining from the estimated budget for Sunshine Park, though the quotes for the concrete pads for the bleachers have not yet been received. He didn't know if the $6,000 allocated for that project will be enough. The Commission discussed possible uses for the remaining dollar amount. It was agreed to several items and to look at the remaining amount again at the next meeting. Motion by O'Toole, Seconded by Blackstad, to recommend we allocate $3,000 for landscaping, plus add an additional $500 to the concrete bids, plus $1,000 for benches at Hills of Bunker Lake East and Hidden Creek North to be put by the playground equipment. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 2- Absent (Barringer, Kieffer) vote. / APPROVE FALL SOCCER/FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Chairperson Grabowski suggested in the future the soccer and football associations will have to apply to use the fields for their fall activities. In the past, it was just assumed that the use of the fields in the summer would carry over to the fall leagues. Mr. Haas suggested a possible deadline might be the applications would be approved by the Commission at the second meeting in July. Tht: Commission suggested he contact the soccer and football associations regarding their sign ups for fall leagues and when they would know the number of fields they need to make application. They then agreed with the schedule as proposed. Motion by Blackstad, Seconded by Lindahl, to approve the fall soccer/football schedule. Motion carried on a 5- Yes, 2-Absent (Barringer, Kieffer) vote. UPDATE OF BIKEWAYIWALKWAY TRAIVIP98-17/BUNKER LAKE BOULEVARD Mr. Haas stated he was at the Anoka County Board meeting. This item was tabled to September 22. If approved, the cost for the trail along Bunker Lake Boulevard would be a split between the City and the county. Most of the field work is done, and plans are being prepared. It appears the trail west of Hanson Boulevard will be on the south side until Crosstown. Then it will be on the north side going west toward Round Lake Boulevard. Some of it will depend on the location of the storm . / ,--) \ \.j Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 17. 1998 Page 3 / (Update of Bikeway/Walkway Trail/1P98-17/Bunker Lake Blvd, Continued) water ponds and the bridge. He will keep the Commission updated as he finds out information. Chairperson Grabowski was concerned with the funding. If the bond does not pass, what happens to the trail? He was also concerned that the City has declared the existing trails officially open, though the signage is not completed. Mr. Haas stated the Street Department is in the process of making those signs now. He is encouraging them to keep the signage to a minimum. UPDATE OF DEVELOPMENT/COMMERCIAL PARK/IP97-2 Chairperson Grabowski noted the ponding area will be surrounding by a trail, but the pond is a requirement of the development. (Commissioner Kieffer, arrived at this time, 8:11 p.m.) '\ J Chairperson Grabowski also noted the City Administrator wasn't specific in some of the comments related to park dedication, such as "...excess TIF dollars which could be allocated..." He'd prefer to know how many dollars "will" be allocated" to the park/trails. Mr. Haas noted the land value before development is virtually zero, as no one would purchase that property and invest the millions of dollars needed to clean it up. The proposal is there would be no park dedication paid but the City will pay for the trails in the Park. Chairperson Grabowski stated as long as the Park Board doesn't fund the development of the trails and park in the development, he didn't have a problem with the proposal. Commissioner Lindahl also wanted to go on record that neither would the Park Board be responsible if something goes bad. Chairperson Grabowski stated in looking at the proposal, he wanted to be sure that the trails within the development link to others, and not just stop or dead end. The original intent was to have a recreational walkway for walkers and employees within the Park. The trails should also be such that the residents have access to them. No further action was taken. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Coon Creek Corridor Trail - Mr. Haas stated the bonding company has been called because the contractor has gone out of business. \ / Coon Creek Corridor Trail- The Commission suggested a post-card questionnaire of three to four questions which can be answered by checking a box be send to the neighborhoods on both sides of \ ; \. j . " ,-_J Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 17, 1998 Page 4 (Review Issues List, Continued) the Coon Creek trail. Also provide a place for them to comment. The card could then simply be returned to the City. The Commission also wanted to know if the trails have had any impact on the abutting property owners and suggested those questionnaires be coded differently to be able to determine those responses. Questions might include how they use the trails -- walking, biking, roller blading; how often they use the trails, etc. Mr. Haas stated he will draft a questionnaire and fax it to the Commissioners prior to the next meeting. Community Education - Mr. Haas stated he will follow up on this item with the Finance Director to see if it has been moved to a new location in the budget. Timber Rivers Park - Mr. Haas stated he will call the developer tomorrow. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT J Money from adult tournaments - Commissioner Blackstad suggested that the money that has been received from adult tournaments be earmarked for additional staff for maintenance of the fields for youth tournaments. Chairperson Grabowski noted the money is a donation from the Lions as opposed to a fee, so he felt it should be able to be put toward maintenance. Mr. Haas stated he will check into it. Maintenance for tournaments - Chairperson Grabowski noted the agreement with the Park Department regarding the amount of maintenance during youth weekend tournaments. He has received a call from a Park Department employee to cut back on the number of hours even further. He stated an agreement is needed for tournament maintenance for next year. He was also concerned that the City is getting more and more parks, is receiving more and more taxes, that the administrative staffhas doubled in the last five years but the park maintenance department has stayed the same. And the inability to maintain the parks properly has shown in the parks this year. More part-time help is needed in the summer also. Commissioner Anderson stated they need to send a clear message to the City Council that more help is needed in the Parks Department. Mr. Haas noted the Council is discussing the budget for 1999 on September 29. He suggested the Commission be represented at that meeting. M"otion by Blackstad, Seconded by Anderson, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. . / Respectfully submit.t:ed \'(\~~~~ Marce"Ha A. Peach, Recording Secretary