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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 20, 1998 o u o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - AUGUST 20, 1998 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson AI Grabowski on August 20, 1998,7:30 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Jeff Kieffer (arrived at 8:08 p.m.), Jim Lindahl, Dave O'Toole (left the meeting at 8:50 p.m.) Tom Anderson, Brian Barringer, Dave Blackstad Parks, Kevin Starr Public Works Superintendent, Frank Stone City Engineer, Scott Erickson Others Commissioners absent: Also present: RESIDENT FORUM (j Zeke Zdenek. Andover Invaders Soccer - thanked the Park Board for all their support this year. They had a very successful year and their program has grown. They held a free soccer clinic for everyone from Andover, which was very successful. They will have another one in the future. APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 6, 1998: Page 4, Motion to approve baseball/softball schedule, change vote to "Abstain from the part that affects the Andover Athletic Association (Grabowski)." Page 5, Park Patrol, fourth line, change to: "He then talked with the Sheriff..." Motion by O'Toole, Seconded by Lindahl, to approve the Minutes with those changes. Motion carried on a 3- Yes, 4-Absent ( Anderson, Barringer, Blackstad, Kieffer) vote. REVIEW FENCING BIDSffP97-51/VARIOUS PARKS Mr. Erickson stated only one bid was received, but it was less than had been estimated. If the Commission accepts it, they will proceed with the project. The firm did some work for the City last year, and he was happy with their performance. Chairperson Grabowski stated he did review that bid Motion by Lindahl, Seconded by O'Toole to recommend acceptance of the bid for fencing of the parks, low bid to Mid Metro for $8,008. Motion carried on a 3- Yes, 4-Absent ( Anderson, Barringer, Blackstad, o Kieffer) vote. \. ~) '0 Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 20, 1998 ,J Page 2 DISCUSS ORDINANCE 10BBIMARKET VALUE OF LANDS Chairperson Grabowski explained the Commission's concern that a developer not be allowed to select the same appraiser over and over again. There should be some system to alternate the appraisers used !Jy the developers. Mr. Erickson stated there will be a list of three appraisers. The appraiser must be agreed upon by both the developer and the City. If the City is not comfortable with the choice, it can turn it down or remove that name from the list. The Commission recessed at this time to hold a special meeting with the City Council, 7:42; reconvened at 8:53 p.m. (Commissioner Kieffer and O'Toole left during this time) BALL TOURNAMENT APPLICATION Mayor Jack McKelvey stated the Minnesota Recreational Parks Association would like to hold a tournament at Sunshine Park on Sunday, September 13. If the Park Commission would waive the cost until next month, the Andover Lions will make another $] ,000 donation to the parks. / Motion by Kieffer, Seconded by Lindahl, to so move. Motion carried on a 4- Yes, 3-Absent (Anderson, Barringer, Blackstad) vote. UPDATE CITY PERSONNEVCITY HALL Chairperson Grabowski noted Coon Rapids has about the same amount of parks to maintain as Andover and has ]2 full-time park employees plus six part-time in the summer. Andover has four full-time Staff and four part-time summer employees. He wondered if the Council sees the amount of activity that takes place in the parks and the tremendous amount of volunteer time given by the associations. Mr. Stone stated they are requesting an additional full-time person and two more summer employees. Mr. Starr stated the trails are the most time consuming now. Mr. Erickson suggested the Park Board send a letter of support for additional staffing to the Council during the budget process. It was also suggested that the Council be invited to tour the park facilities. The Commission agreed. DISCUSS ADULT SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT APPLICATION FORM Chairperson Grabowski acknowledged the agenda material regarding maintenance for tournaments. , , ~J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 20, 1998 I Page 3 PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Mr. Starr provided a handout on the items that have been damaged or destroyed in the City's parks the past few years. Most of the destruction is caused by vandalism. He did not have a total cost figure; but because the City has a $500 deductible, most items are not covered by insurance. This year has been the worst for misuse or vandalism. The Commission felt this is a good argument for the need of some park patrol, even if it is just a few hours a day during the summer months. Mr. Erickson stated the Sheriff's Department should be infonned that additional time is desired in the parks. He suggested the Park Commission invite Captain Andersohn to one of their meetings to discuss the problems. The Commission agreed. Chairperson Grabowski also felt that the City should adopt a policy of payment for restitution and a zero tolerance. Mr. Starr stated the irrigation system at City Hall is about 80 percent complete. They spend a lot of time repairing the irrigation system at Sunshine Park. Lightening hit the park for the fourth time last weekend. The soccer field at City Hall will be ready to go within the next few weeks. Chairperson Grabowski suggested a small maintenance fee be charged for youth tournaments. Mr. Starr stated a deposit could be taken. If the parks are cleaned up after the tournament, the deposit would be returned. Requiring a deposit may give people a greater incentive to be more responsible in the parks. No specific action was taken on this proposal. / Mr. Starr suggested all glass containers be banned from all parks. It is a safety hazard. Chairperson Grabowski noted it is not necessarily the people in the parks causing the problem, but people driving by at night and dropping those containers. No specific action was taken on the suggestion. Mr. Starr stated last week about 80 percent of the guidelines were sliced off. More lighting is needed at Sunshine Park. APPLICATION FOR FIELD USE A gentleman asked that the Anoka Youth to be allowed use a combination soccer/football field. The Commission agreed as long as it does not interfere with the soccer associations' use of the fields. Motion by Kieffer, Seconded by Lindahl, to so move. Motion carried on a 4- Yes, 3-Absent (Anderson, Barringer, B1ackstad) vote. SCHEDULE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY/COON CREEK TRAIL Several of the Commissioners stated they were unable to attend the September I ribbon cutting ceremony which was set up by the City Council. Because the Park Board has been so involved in the trail projects, it wanted to be present for that ceremony. It was generally agreed to ask the City Council to change the ., date of the ceremony to either a Sunday or at 6:30 p.m. September 15, just prior to the Council meeting. , J , , " ',-..J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 20, 1998 Page 4 ISSUES LIST The Commission reviewed the items on the Issues List. They asked that Staff contact the soccer associations as to when they will be able to use the City Hall soccer field. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Bond referendum - It was suggested that the ratio of soccer to ball fields be reviewed for the bond referendum. Mr. Stone also noted that football is becoming more popular. Dock at Timber Rivers park - The Commission discussed the dock that was put in the Rum River at Timber Rivers park by the developer. It does not meet ADA standards and has numerous other corrections that must be made. Now it is a hazard and a liability. While it would be desirable to have a dock there, most were doubtful that an ADA access could be made to the dock because of the steep slope. Also, how would it be removed? They also didn't know the depth of the river and whether a fishing pier is something that will get used. Mr. Erickson stated he will talk with the developer and look at options and bring back some options to the Commission. ./ Appraisers' fees - Commissioner Kieffer stated when the ordinance was updated in the past, the City Attorney stated the City cannot charge more than 10 percent for park dedication. That 10 percent includes the fee and the appraisers' fee. Mr. Erickson stated Staff will look at that item again. Motion by Lindahl, Seconded by Kieffer, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 4- Yes, 3-Absent (Anderson, Barringer, Blackstad) vote. The meeting adjourned at 10: 1 0 p.m. Respectfully submitted, \~~~~ Recording Secretary "