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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 19, 1998 o o .:J u o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - MARCH 19, 1998 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Al Grabowski on March 19, 1998, 7:32 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Also present: Tom Anderson, Brian Barringer, Dave Blackstad, Dave O'Toole Jeff Kieffer, Jim LindaW Park Coordinator, Todd Others APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 5, 1998: Page 3, 2nd paragraph, first line, change "need" to "meet". Motion by Blackstad, Seconded by O'Toole, to approve the Minutes with the change. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 2-Absent (Kieffer, LindaW) vote. PREVIEW PROPOSAVSHADOWBROOK 3RD ADDITION/PARK DEDICATION Mr. Haas stated the ordinance allows the developer to submit a proposal for park dedication fees. The market value for Shadowbrook 3rd Addition has been proposed by Bunker, LLC at $13,269 per acre. The value for Phase I of Shadowbrook was $9,700 per acre and $14,000 per acre for Shadowbrook 2nd Addition. The City has not had a land appraisal done since the developer did Shadowbrook 2nd. The most recent was for Chesterton Commons, which came in lower than this proposal. Mike Quigley Bunker LLC - stated the difference in the per-acre value for the three phases is based on the amount of wetland. An appraisal was done for Phase I; and they increased the proposed market value for Shadowbrook 2nd, which was accepted by the Commission. The proposal for Shadowbrook 3rd is even higher. Nothing has taken place in the past six months to compare. The Commission discussed the possibility of tying this phase with the next phase when the park land will also be dedicated. The next phase will be approximately 45 acres, and a total of 23.1 acres is being dedicated, 7 of which are high land. After further discussion, the Commission decided against looking at the next phase ofthe development at this time, as potentially it could end up having to give , ) \ \.) I Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 19, 1998 Page 2 , (preview Proposal/Shadowbrook 3rd Addition, Park Dedication, Continued) credit to the developer. They also agreed to accept the developer's proposal of$13,269 per acre for park dedication for Shadowbrook 3rd, feeling it was a fair proposal in relation to the other phases and other appraisals done around the City. Motion by Blackstad, Seconded by Barringer, to approve the request of Bunker, LLC for $13,269 per acre for park dedication. Motion carried on a 5- Yes, 2-Absent (Kieffer, LindaW) vote. APPROVE SOFTBALLlBASEBALL FIELD SCHEDULE Chairperson Grabowski stated the contract for concessions has not yet been completed. Mr. Haas stated he talked with the Finance Director yesterday. The concessioner is willing to open the concessions during the day. The Commission asked why the Community School is having class at Sunshine Park versus at the school. . "\ . / Fran Me~any Community School - stated she has a program at the schools as well. It was thought this would be a good relationship between the City and the school district because they are partly funded by the City. Chairperson Grabowski stated the concern has been that when the fields are used during the day, it leaves very little time for Public Works to drag the fields for the evening games. He also asked why the school district raised its fees to use their facilities yet it uses the City's facilities for nothing. Ms. Megany - stated they will be done at 12: 15, Monday through Thursday. She was not aware that the children are charged to use the elementary schools. They do not charge groups to come into their building unless it is on Saturday or Sunday. They don't check on where the people are from for th~ir program, but they are there to service the City of Andover. Mr. Haas stated he will change the time of the application that they will be done at 12:15 p.m. Chairperson Grabowski stated Andover AtWetic Association and Andover Baseball Association are in agreement over the schedule that has been submitted. There are some times available if other organizations such as church groups would make application. Most of the remaining times are ~m weekends. Mr. Haas also noted that Hidden Creek North will not be available after July 6 because of the construction. Chairperson Grabowski stated Andover AtWetic will vacate the fields at the City Hall complex to allow Andover Baseball to use them for the tournament after July 6. Motion by O'Toole, Seconded by Blackstad, to recommend the baseball/softball schedule as written. Motion carried on as-Yes, 2-Absent (Kieffer, LindaW) vote. " ) \ , J ~J , J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -March 19, 1998 Page 3 r " APPROVE SOCCER FIELD SCHEDULE Zeke Zdenek Andover Invaders Soccer Club - stated their organization and North Metro Soccer have been in agreement the last several years over the scheduling of the fields, and the two groups have had a good working relationship. The president of the Anoka Soccer Club has told him they really don't need a soccer field in Andover this season. If they do, they will let him know, and the organizations will work it out. The Anoka club wants to work with the two clubs in Andover. Both soccer clubs are growing and they are in dire need of soccer fields. He was glad to hear the Commission is considering additional fields in the future park in Shadowbrook. Mr. Zdenek provided information on how the two soccer clubs have grown independently but are now working _ together, even looking at sharing players when possible. The Andover Invaders has grown from 12 teams last year to 16 teams this year, plus they are organizing an adult group. Their goal has been to rotate the fields. They have had numerous volunteer efforts on the part of soccer parents from both Andover and other cities, and they are willing to continue to help in any way possible. He asked if there is any consideration of irrigating the field at Hidden Creek. They are also uncomfortable using that field because it is so close to the neighbors on the east end. - " J Chairperson Grabowski stated Public Works has said it is easy to maintain a field on the east side of the City Hall. Another field that hasn't been used much is in Timber Trails park. The ball field at Hidden Creek North will be moved this summer, but there are no plans to irrigate the soccer field because of the lack of funding. Possibly the soccer field could be turned at an angle once the ball field is moved. Mr. Zdenek stated they would look at that more closely. It may also help to turn the field the other way. Mr. Haas asked the Commission to consider getting two sets of soccer goals for Northwoods park. The field would also have to be fenced along the roadway, plus top soil to dress it up. The field on the east side of City Hall could also be an under 8 field, which would need a set of goals. Timber Trails hasn't been used very much, but there are no goals out there either. The soccer goals are about $2,000 per set. Mike Benner North Metro Soccer - stated they paid $250 for soccer goals in Oak Grove. Mr Zdenek stated someone built a pair for them for $600 or $700 last year. He could talk to that person to see ifhe is interested in building more. He will do that research and get back to the City. He will also check with the Blaine Sports Center to see if they have any used sets available. The Commission did not wish to have a soccer field at Northwoods park mainly because of the problem with parking on the street and the additional cost to make it a usable field. They also wanted to know the plan for irrigating the soccer field immediately west of the City Hall and when that field will be available for use. If the field east of the City Hall can be used, as well as the one to the west, \ that would eliminate the need for the field at Northwoods for this year. Chairperson Grabow~ki ) \ , / "J , ;' Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 19, 1998 Page 4 (Approve Soccer Field Schedules, Continued) stated the club have done a good job using the fields for practice and maintaining the game fields, and he expressed appreciation for their efforts. Motion by O'Toole, Seconded by Blackstad, to approve the soccer schedule for the 1998 season with the clubs being in agreement. Motion carried on a 5- Yes, 2-Absent (Kieffer, LindaW) vote. REVIEW PLANS AND SPECS/IP97-43/VARlOUS TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS Al Koester, Engineering Tech IV, reviewed the draft plans for the trail improvements along Hanson Boulevard NW, Crosstown Boulevard NW and the Hills of Bunker Lake 1-4 Additions, Project 97- 43. Mr. Koester noted the plans are being send to the county and the school district for their comments. The Commission made general comments as they reviewed the plans and specs. One concern was on the trail to cross Coon Creek in the Hills of Bunker Lake that if the adjoining property owner is allowed to use motorized vehicles on the trail, it is a safety and liability issue if some child riding a bike happens to be on the trail and gets struck. The owner has been using that area to access the back of his property, but it has always been dedicated park land. The confusion came when Public Works thought it was a utility easement, not park land. The Commission was against allowing the property owner to access that trail with motorized vehicles to get to the back of his property. They suggested this issue be discussed with the City Council at the joint meeting on April 2. The Commission also suggested that the trail along Crosstown Boulevard be brought to Hanson Boulevard and tied into the other trails to the north and east at that intersection. Also, the trails within Sunshine Park should connect with the trails along Crosstown Boulevard. Mr. Koester stated the entrance to Andover Elementary doesn't meet the county requirements. That will be corrected with this project at the school district's expense. Mr. Haas estimated the total project cost for these trails will be between $200,000 and $250,000. The Council will be asked to approve the plans and specifications and bids will be ordered at the April 21 Council meeting. . REVIEW PLANS AND SPECS/IP97-34/VARlOUS PARKING LOT CONSTRUCTION Mr. Haas explained the specs will be written so the Commission will have the right to remove any part of the bid. The old parking lot is being removed in Red Oaks West and a basketball court installed with trails for handicapped accessibility using the CDBG funds. Commissioner Grabowski recalled Public Works was to pay for part of removing the parking lot because of the installation of the watermain through there. Mr. Haas stated he will check on that further. The Commission had no further comments on the plans and specs. , ) '..j ~) J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -March 19, 1998 Page 5 , -- REVIEW HAMILTON SQUARE APPRAISAVPARK DEDICATION The Commission agreed to add this item to the agenda of the joint meeting with the City Council on April 2. REVIEW ITEMS LIST FOR JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIVAPRIL 2, 1998 The Commission suggested the following items be added to the Agenda: -' The sale of undevelopable park property. The cost to upgrade parks to meet ADA requirements and the difficulty of doing so with only $8,000 in CDBG funding each year. Maintenance resources - equipment and labor. Maintenance and equipment have not increased in several years, yet there has been a substantial increase in the number of parks and trails. Neighbor in Hills of Bunker Lake - park trail to access back yard. Snowmobiles - the damage done to the new trails. It was suggested the City Council be asked to meet at the trail in front of Oak View Middle School at 6:40 prior to the joint meeting to view the damage. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Benches for Andover Elementary School - Chairperson Grabowski noted Public Works is in the process of making 50 or 60 benches which will be used throughout the City. He asked that Mr. Starr contact Tom Redman of the school district prior to installing any of the benches at the schools. Storm insurance - The Commission asked that this item be added to the Issues list and that Staff determine whether or not insurance money received for parks from last summer's storms was put back into the Park Department budget. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Meeting dates - Chairperson Grabowski stated he has talked with Commissioner Kieffer, who is having difficulty attending Thursday evening meetings, especially in the summer. He wondered if another night might be better for Commission meetings. Mr. Haas stated a change in the meeting dates would require an ordinance change. No action was taken. . l \._.J , \ \ -) i Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 19, 1998 Page 6 , , (Chairman's Report, Continued} Concession stand contract - Chairperson Grabowski asked Mr. Haas to check on the status of the contract. The contract was written that the concessioner would be responsible for stocking the bathrooms with paper towels, etc. That is not his job. He felt the contract should be in placed before the first of each year so the concession is open when the fields are first used. Mr. Haas stated he will talk with the Finance Director tomorrow and will place it on the next agenda. Pleasant Oaks Park damage - Chairperson Grabowski felt the issue of vandalism in the Pleasant Oaks park needs to be discussed with the City Council. Commissioner Blackstad expressed frustration that the boys have admitted to causing the damage but now the police are saying there is no proof He felt there needs to be restitution and that items of this nature need to be handled in a timely manner. Motion by Blackstad, Seconded by O'Toole, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 2-Absent (Kieffer, Lindahl) vote. '. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p,m. Respectfully submitted, f(\~{~L Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary \