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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 18, 2007 ~~ ~ 11-IS--o--Y 0 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - OCTOBER 18, 2007 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Masloski on October 18, 2007, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Dan Masloski, Jeremy Boyer, Ted Butler, Bill Hupp, Jim Lindahl, and Tony Kowalewski Commissioners Absent: Peggy Scott Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas 0 RESIDENTS FORUM There were no comments at this time. APPRO V AL OF MINUTES Motion by Butler, seconded by Kowalewski, to approve the September 20, 2007 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Scott) vote. UPDATE OF 2008-2012 PARKS CIP Mr. Haas reviewed the background and reminded everyone the discussion the Commission had with the City Council at the joint meeting that was recently held in September regarding the Park CIP. Based on that discussion between the Commission and Council, Forest Meadows Park was removed as a park improvement for 2008. Commissioner Butler noted they were still in need of additional. funds for the playground at Andover Station North Ball Field Facility. At this point, Mr. Haas indicated they are still planning on installing a fence on the north and east sides of the equipment. Mr. Haas also indicated that he was going to contact the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust representative to evaluate the new potential location of the playground equipment at 0 the facility. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 18, 2007 0 Page 2 Commissioner Butler inquired if there was some flexibility to the numbers in the evaluation of the skate park. Mr. Haas responded that there was and the funds identified in the CIP could be revised for 2008 but would need City Council approval. Motion by Lindahl, seconded by Butler, to approve the Parks CIP as amended. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Scott) vote. UPDATE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND DEDICATION FEE SCHEDULEl06-46D Mr. Haas reviewed the background noting the City Council wanted clarification on current development trends vs. ultimate development numbers compiled and presented. They had differing thoughts on the matter. Staff at this point has not modified the proposed improvements to Hawk Ridge Park or Kelsey Round Lake Park. Some of the parks identified in the overall park improvement comprehensive plan could be included in a possible future park bond referendum. Items that will be completed in 2008 could be removed from the overall park improvement comprehensive plan, as these items will be completed prior to the adoption of the entire City of Andover Comprehensive Plan. A workshop meeting of the City Council meeting has been planned for October 23rd to 0 discuss the overall park improvements and it was encouraged by city staff that the Park Commission Chair to attend the meeting to represent the Commission and answer any questions the City Council might have. Other Commissioners interested in attending are also encouraged to attend the City Council workshop meeting to participate. Commissioner Lindahl stated that the Commission has looked at the whole park system and found that ball fields were a pressing need. The trails and neighborhood parks make the City, but the residents did not have a voice because they were not an association. Mr. Haas indicated that Council could offer to fund for the replacement of playground equipment with property tax dollars. Chair Masloski asked for clarification that it was not coming out of the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Butler inquired if there was some flexibility in funding. Chair Masloski noted that other funding was welcomed however Council was using it for the computation of the dedication fees. Mr. Haas answered the items could still be included in the Comprehensive Plan fund and note the funding was from some other source. Chair Masloski noted it could be in the CIP but not the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Haas responded that the goal to complete the items would still be accomplished. 0 Chair Masloski stated there were other ways to justify the numbers in the dedication fees. He recommended it be left in and changed in the CIP. He invited other Commissioners Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 18, 2007 0 Page 3 to the October 23rd City Council workshop meeting in the City Hall Conference Room at 6:00 p.m. It was the first item on the agenda Mr. Haas reminded the Commission that the Parks Department currently receives about $40,000 to 50,000 a year from property taxes for replacement of playground equipment. Chair Masloski questioned if it was a benefit to speak of a bond referendum at this time. CONSIDER CHANGES/GUIDELINES FOR FIELD USAGE BY YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS Mr. Haas stated that there have been some concerns about the accuracy of the participants from one of the associations this past year as part of their application for field use, which has caused staff to wanting to see a change in the guidelines. The suggested amendment was to have the scheduling based on the numbers of participants from the previous year from their affiliated state organization that the association is registered with or allow the president of the association to sign an affidavit based on the number of participants from the previous year. The second change that is being recommended by staff is in regards to the concerns about vandalism that has been raised by the Public Works Parks Department. There were incidents where balls have been hit against the fencing most 0 recently at Andover Station North Ball Field Facility. Once they get a bow in the fence the only to repair them is to replace them and the fences are expensive to replace. For this reason, staff is suggesting a $2,500 damage deposit fee, which will also to be used to pick up litter from either league play or tournament play. Commissioner Butler stated he was in support of the first change. The second seemed to be a high amount, and was not variable to the number of parks used. He inquired about tracking the damage, perhaps neighborhood kids were responsible and not the associations. Mr. Haas indicated there were litter issues and damage that had been witnessed. Commissioner Butler indicated he agreed with the principle of the amendment. Commissioner Hupp noted there was a policy concerning cleaning up of litter. He suggested using fees. Mr. Haas responded that letters are always sent to the presidents of each association prior to the start of each season to remind them to let coaches and parents know that the park is to be cleaned up after use of the facility. Commissioner Lindahl agreed with both items, he suggested for the second item staff put together a unit cost and the amount per time to clarify the charges. Chair Masloski stated he agreed with Lindahl however he would like to add an opportunity for a warning. In addition, the $2,500 for one field or ten fields used could be addressed. On the first topic 0 there could be some leeway for a major growth in a program from the previous year. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 18, 2007 0 Page 4 Mr. Haas stated that the easiest way was to have the president sign an affidavit as to the number of participants in their association. Commissioner Kowalewski suggested having Andover residents separated from other groups within the associations. Tom Hoopes from North Metro Soccer Association stated he would rather have a fine given out to those that litter or damage the fields. Their association representatives do remind their coaches the policies of using the city facilities. He suggested that cameras could be installed for $700. He added that field allocation could be affected if the affidavit the president signed was inaccurate, to put some teeth into the policy. Commissioner Hupp agreed with Mr. Hoopes. Mr. Hoopes stated he wished the 51 % requirement of Andover resident participants were left in the fmal adopted version of the guidelines. Chair Masloski inquired of Mr. Hoopes concerning the number of fields short for Andover kids. Mr. Hoopes answered that he believed there were enough city fields if there was a decent grass surface on the fields. 0 Mr. Haas indicated he would revise the guidelines and bring them back for the Commission to review. Chair Masloski reviewed that there was a Commission consensus on the first item, and the second item should be itemized to justify the deposit. Commissioner Hupp stated that they could be policed better, and have staff use a checklist. Commissioner Butler added that there should be a fair manner for assessing fmes. Commissioner Kowalewski mentioned in his experience to visiting team was often the culprit. Chair Masloski indicated that perhaps the concession people could pick up garbage. Often there are 2-3 games at a time, the concessions and the teams could clean up. Commissioner Lindahl recommended a list of troubled areas be compiled. Commissioner Boyer indicated the representatives of the associations could walk the area. Bert Kohler is the Recreation Director for North Metro Soccer Association stated that he worked closely with the coaches and was willing to distribute any information. At the present time, the coaches bring garbage bags with them to the games. Mr. Haas added that the two concerns were that there should be no dogs and the issue of 0 litter. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 18, 2007 0 Page 5 APPOINT PARK COMMISSIONERS TO SKATEBOARD TASK FORCE/08-08 Chair Masloski inquired if anyone was interested in serving on the Skateboard Task Force. Commissioner Kowalewski and Commissioner Hupp stepped forward to serve. Motion by Butler, seconded by Lindahl, to approve the appointments of Kowalewski and Hupp to the Skateboard Task Force. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Scott) vote. ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT QUARTERLY REPORT Mr. Haas noted there was an article in July concerning vandalism. Chair Masloski stated there was a need for due diligence for all parties. PARK DEDICATION IMPROVEMENT FUND 3RD QUARTERLY REPORTIFINANCE DEPARTMENT 0 Mr. Haas noted the big shelter at the Crooked Lake Boat Landing was condemned and would be replaced with a wooden structure. Chair Masloski indicated he agreed with the replacement of the shelter, however requested to review it again to go along with protocol concerning expenditures. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed outstanding items. He indicated that the construction punch list had been completed for the parking lot and ball fields at Andover Station North and not Terrace Park. In addition, he would be receiving an update this week concerning the building. The plumbing needs to be in before the floors are poured. PARKS DEPARTMENT SPECIAL REPORTS Mr. Haas stated that at Fox Meadows Park all the T box signs had been removed and three needed replacement as they were no where to be found. The rule sign that is located near the parking lot has also been stolen. He inquired if the Commission would want to shut down the Frisbee Golf Course, in the same way the skate park could be. Chair Masloski inquired if staff was certain that it was the patrons of the golf course and not residents or others passing by and noticing the park. Commissioner Hupp noted there was vandalism in many of the parks. 0 Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 18, 2007 0 Page 6 Commissioner Lindahl suggested itemizing the costs and putting it in the paper. Commissioner Butler added that it could be used for major incidents, and asking for information. Commissioner Lindahl noted that the costs add up to a $25,000 playground set. If it was itemized, neighbors could be more alert. He inquired if the bleachers could be stored for the winter. Mr. Haas answered that some of the bleachers were large and would be difficult to move them a couple times a year. He spoke with city staff personal from the City of St. Cloud Park and Recreation Department and they indicated that they do have a group that monitors the Frisbee golf course, but they are not receiving pay for this doing. An option this Commission has is to hire a part time attendant to monitor the park. Commissioner Lindahl believed a notice would be appropriate indicating if there were problems, it would be shut down. The serious players would monitor the area Mr. Haas stated concerning irrigation that it would tie into the park usage study. Chair Masloski inquired if water fees were being paid to the Water Department. Mr. 0 Haas responded that fees were being paid, however they were addressing if a well was feasible for this park. Chair Masloski inquired if they were being handled internally. Also, he was receiving requests for more portable toilets. Mr. Haas answered that the City was only budgeting for them at Sunshine Park. Chair Masloski stated it should be mandated. Commissioner Kowalewski inquired about the multiple fields. Mr. Haas responded that all the associations have a key for Prairie Knoll. Chair Masloski indicated that if the associations should pay for one if they are present. Mr. Haas requested that Chair Masloski raise the issue in the discussion of the spring field schedules. CHAIR'S REPORT Commissioner Kowalewski congratulated the Andover Huskies Football team for their victory, as well as the Huskies Volleyball team as conference champs. Football has a home game against Forest Lake Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. 0 Commissioner Butler stated the Facilities Policy changes were addressed in the Community Center Meeting. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 18, 2007 0 Page 7 Chair Masloski stated he was eager to see things consistent. In addition, he attended the North Metro Soccer Association Jamboree and had a great time. Mr. Haas thanked Public Works for all their work. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Lindahl, seconded by Kowalewski, to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 p.m. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Scott) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Brigette Blesi, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 0 0