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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 18, 1998 (j CJ , " , '-.-/ u o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - JUNE 18,1998 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Al Grabowski on June 18, 1998,7:30 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Brian Barringer (arrived at 7:36 p.m.), Dave Blackstad, Jeff Kieffer, Jim Lindahl, Dave O'Toole Tom Anderson Park Coordinator, Todd Others Commissioner absent: Also present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 4, 1998: Page 5, Well at Hawk Ridge park - Delete "Chairperson Grabowski", insert "Acting Chairperson Blackstad..." Motion by Kieffer, Seconded by Blackstad, to approve the Minutes of June 4 with that correction. Motion carried on a 3- Yes, 2-Present (Lindahl, O'Toole) 2-Absent (Anderson, Barringer) vote. DISCUSS 1999 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET/STRATEGY The Commission and Mr. Haas discussed a presentation for the City Council at the June 29 budget meeting. Mr. Haas indicated he would present bar graphs depicting the park dedication received over the past five years from development, the park improvement budget allocated by the City Council over the last five years, the actual amount spent for park improvements over those years, and those anticipated amounts by the end of 1999. The City has just received a $50,000 matching grant for the continuing development of Kelsey-Round Lake park, so $50,000 of City funds must be allocated as well. That project must be completed by the end of September, 1999. He has requested $250,000 for park improvements in the 1999 General Fund budget based on the Commission's Five- year Capital Improvement Plan. (Commissioner Barringer arrived at this time, 7:36 p.m.) The Commissions suggested the following bar graphs also be presented: one graph comparing the anticipated park dedication to be received in 1998, the park capital money, and amount spent on park " ,_.I ,,) , / Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 18, 1998 Page 2 (Discuss 1999 Park Capital Improvement Budget/Strategy, Continued) improvements. Also summarize the major projects completed each year since 1995 to show what has been accomplished with the funds available. Compare the growth in the City with the park dollars expended per capita on the average over the past five years. Compare Andover's park expenditures per capita with that of the other growing cities such as Eagan, Woodbury, Plymouth and Maple Grove. Chart the amount of matching grant monies received for park and trail improvements in recent years. Another cost that should be brought up is that of vandalism in the parks. Mr. Haas stated he will also provide the Council with a copy of the Commissions Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. He urged the Commissioners to attend that budget meeting. DISCUSS LUND'S NORTH PAKlREDEVELOPMENT OF PARK , / The Commission reviewed a proposed layout of a parking lot and ball field at Lund's North Park. The general consensus was that 20 parking stalls is insufficient, and that a minimum of26 stalls are needed. The Commissioners pointed out one complaint of the neighbors is children pulling out plantings, etc., on their private property. It was felt that if the parking lot is constructed north-south along the west side of the park, that problem would be alleviated. The ball field would also have to be shifted further east and south. They asked that Staff look at that layout option to determine if there is enough room to put the parking lot along the western boundary line. Mr. Haas noted the new backstop for the field has been ordered but will not be installed until a layout is approved. The Commission asked if it can be a class 5 parking lot. With the ball field used only two times a week for six to eight weeks a year, it is hard to justify the cost of a bituminous parking lot. Mr. Haas stated he would have to check on that. He stated he will have the engineers look at the proposed layout, look at a location for playground equipment and review the surfacing requirements for the parking lot, then bring it back to the Commission for further review. The Commission asked for a cost estimate to upgrade this park but also recognized the funds may not be available to do the project next year. DISCUSS SHADOWBROOK EAST PARKlDEVELOPMENT OF PARK Mr. Haas explained the developer will grade the Shadowbrook East park and put in top soil, but a layout of park facilities must be approved first. The proposal is for two baseball fields. The north field would accommodate teams of ages 14 and under. The south field would be for ages 12 and under. The parking lot of 30 to 40 stalls would be located along the trail to allow handicapped accessibility. The Commission felt at least 50 parking stalls are needed. Mr. Haas said it can be expanded further to the east. \ / \ '..J \.J , I Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 18, 1998 Page 3 (Discuss Shadowbrook East Park/Development of Park, Continued) The Commission noted if one of the fields has a grass infield, the field must be irrigated. Mr. Haas stated that can be accommodated. The Commission also pointed out without the funding, this park will not be completed next year. The Commission generally agreed to the park layout as proposed with the expansion of the parking lot and with the understanding that as this is being constructed, the two soccer fields proposed for Prairie Knoll will also be constructed. DISCUSS PRAIRIE KNOLL PARKlDEVELOPMENT OF PARK Mr. Haas reviewed the proposed layout for Prairie Knoll to include two parking lots and two full- sized soccer fields, The full-sized soccer fields also provides the flexibility of being able to use half of the fields for the younger players, which then provides four small fields. , I The Commission preferred the parking lot on the north to go east-west and be closer to the western property line. Because of the past problems with vandalism and parties in the park, they felt that a parking lot that is more visible from the road would reduce such problems. They also felt that the number of stalls for both parking lots needs to be increased to a minimum of 40 stalls. The Commission asked for a cost estimate to upgrade the park with those changes, recognizing the funds may not be available to do the project in the near future and also agreeing it would be done in conjunction with the ball fields proposed in the Shadowbrook East Park. REVIEW OF TRANSPORTATION PLAN/TRAILS The Commission reviewed the proposed Transportation Plan of the City's Comprehensive Plan. They noted the section on Park and Ride, Page 7 of the draft, mentions a park and ride is located at Wild Iris Park. Because that is not an official park and ride location, they wondered if that should be included in the Plan. Mr. Haas stated he will discuss that further with City Planner. When reviewing the map of existing and proposed trails, the Commission noted the trail through Woodland Estates, this year's project in Hills of Bunker Lake, the trail in Prairie Knoll, and the fire emergency road in Crown Pointe should be added. They also suggested that a larger map be provided that is color coded for the existing, short-range and long-range proposals. Mr. Haas agreed to prepare that map and bring it back to the Commission for further review. \.,./ () / Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 18, 1998 Page 4 APPOINT TWO INDIVIDUALS TO MEET WITH ANDOVER LIONS CLUB The Commission discussed a proposal of two Commissioners meeting with the Andover Lions Club regarding the possibility of making a donation to the City for park development. Possible projects in which the Lions Club may wish to participate may be the development of Shadow brook East park, the improvement of Prairie Knoll Park, the upgrading of Pine Hills park, the continuing project in Kelsey-Round Lake park, the upgrading of the Crooked Lake Boat Landing, the construction of lights on the fields at Sunshine Park, the construction of restroom facilities at the City Hall fields, or the addition of a water fountain at the City Hall fields. Mr. Haas suggested the county be contacted about the possibility of improving the parking lot at the Crooked Lake Boat Landing when they improve Bunker Lake Boulevard in 1999. There should be curbing around the parking lot. The Commission had suggested the need for new playground equipment at the City Hall fields, but Mr. Haas thought there may not be enough room. When the existing equipment is removed, that area is proposed to be used as a soccer field and as drainage for the City Hall. He recognized that play equipment is heavily used, but there is equipment at the school just across the street. He stated he will re-evaluate the area to see if playground equipment can be installed. , , , Commissioners Blackstad and Kieffer volunteered to call the Lions' Club president to meet with him or with the club, then report back to the Commission. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas apologized for failing to add those issues to the list that were suggested at the last meeting. Those issues to be added are: Community Education, Well at Hawk Ridge park, WDE site update, and Park patrol investigation. Mr. Haas stated he will have an update on the WDE site for the next meeting. He has also talked with the CSO regarding park patrol and has asked that they get out of their vehicles. They didn't realize there was a problem with vandalism in the parks. The Commission also asked that the following items be added to the Issues List: Coon Creek Trail - Mr. Haas reported the contractor has been notified regarding the items on this project. The Commission suggested in the fail a survey be taken of the residents adjacent to the trail asking how they feel about it now that it is completed, problems that the City should address, and benefits they have experienced. They asked that Staff check into how that survey can be distributed, either by mail or done as a project by some high school class or service or youth organization. Mr. , ) " ) :....) / Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 18, 1998 Page 5 (Review Issues List, Continued) Haas also noted that the rip rap on the project is completed and grouted. The Sheriff's Department and CSOs have been notified to monitor the trail the next couple weeks. Back stop repair - Mr. Haas was asked to check with the Parks Department regarding the repair of the back stops at Strootmans, Hawk Ridge and Timber Trails. Parking at Sunshine Park - Commissioner O'Toole noted the parking problem at the southern parking lot in Sunshine Park. The ditch is being destroyed with cars parking on it. The residents are starting to complain. Chairperson Grabowski felt the parking lot is too small. He felt that all problem areas where the parking lots are too small should be identified and "No Parking - Monday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m." signs be installed on one side of the streets. Commissioner O'Toole asked that the City Council be asked to approve such a sign on the south side of Sunshine Park before the fall soccer season starts. Mr. Haas stated he will add that item to the City Council agenda. License agreement - Hills of Bunker Lake trail - Chairperson Grabowski reported the City Council approved the license agreement for the two residents adjacent to the park trail in the Hills of Bunker Lake. Those residents will be able to use the trail with motorized vehicles to access their rear yards. He asked that the Commission get copies of the signed agreements and the insurance policies for both the vehicles and the homes. "No Pets" signs - Sunshine Park - Chairperson Grabowski stated there is a desperate need for another No Pets sign at Sunshine park this week. Similar signs are also needed at the City Hall fields. Mr. Haas stated he will contact the Parks Department Tournament policy - Chairperson Grabowski stated the policy of some other cities is that weekend tournaments not be held for more than three or four consecutive weekends while the league season is going on. He felt that provision should also be added to Andover's policy. Use of City equipment - Chairperson Grabowski suggested a policy be in place as to who is allowed to use City vehicles for maintenance. Mr. Haas suggested talking to the associations and teams. One consideration may be to use the profits from the Concession Stand to pay for maintenance. Other cities do charge the youth organizations to use the fields, which then goes toward maintaining the fields. Chairperson Grabowski stated he will try to put something together for the Commission to discuss. Housing for baseball equipment - Commissioner O'Toole stated the City Administrator had promised the Andover Baseball Association they could have a room in the old City Hall to store their equipment once the new building was completed. He asked that some place be found in the existing \ building. If that is not possible, there should be further investigation as to where a building can be \ '. ) .. ) "-- Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 18, 1998 Page 6 (Review Issues List, Continued) constructed for their use. There are some blocks left over from the building at Sunshine Park that could be used for a small building. Mr. Haas stated he will look into it and report back. The existing garage in the old City Hall is being used, as there have been instances of vandalism when vehicles are kept outside. Chairperson Grabowski also suggested that City vehicles be stored in the garage when there are tournaments on weekends. Parking at Crooked Lake Boat Landing - Chairperson Grabowski reported he received calls that residents from that area are parking their boats and trailers at the boat landing to prevent other people from coming in to use the lake. He suggested the Commission may want to consider parking stalls for boat trailers only. If someone brings a canoe, the car would have to park across the street at the school. Mr. Haas noted that would require a change to the ordinance. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Presentation of check - Chairperson Grabowski presented a $400 check to the City of Andover from the National Qualifier Tournament, and it is up to the Parks Department as to how they want to use it. He would like to see it put toward Sunshine Park. They had 58 teams in that tournament. Motion by Blackstad, Seconded by Kieffer, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~~,J Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary