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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 17, 2007 ~cL/..L..-- ~'\ b-l-O'l 0 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - MAY 17,2007 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Masloski on May 17,2007, 7:38 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Dan Masloski, Jeremy Boyer, Peggy Scott, and Tony Kowalewski Commissioners Absent: Wendy Albee, Ted Butler, and Jim Lindahl Also Present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas RESIDENTS FORUM 0 There were no comments at this time. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The following change was made to the minutes: Page 1, second paragraph, "Commissioners Present: Chair Dan Masloski, Jeremy Boyer, Ted Butler, Jim Lindahl, Peggy Scott, and Tony Kowalewski" Motion by Scott, seconded by Boyer, to approve the March 1,2007 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 3-absent (Albee, Butler, Lindahl) vote. Motion by Boyer, seconded by Scott, to move the item #5 to follow the approval of minutes. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 3-absent (Albee, Butler, Lindahl) vote. Motion by Boyer, seconded by Scott, to add item #5a to the agenda following the discussion of playground equipment. 0 Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 3-absent (Albee, Butler, Lindahl) vote. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2007 0 Page 2 DISCUSS ANDOVER STATION NORTH BALL FIELD FACILITY/STATUS OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT/07-16, CONTINUED Mr. Haas introduced Harlan Lehman ofMN- WS Playground to discuss the playground equipment. He indicated that there was $65,000.00 allocated for the playground equipment. Mr. Lehman stated that his calculations included the shade fabric roof with four posts. After a discussion with staff, it was decided that an asymmetrical off-center roof would be the most appropriate in this instance. There would be an eight-foot fence with netting above on two sides, bringing the total to $63,000.00-64,000. The posts used for the formula were 5-inches in diameter, but did not include the fencing. If the Commission chose to use posts that resembled trees, the cost would be more. Chair Masloski inquired about the additional cost. Mr. Lehman responded it would be about $22,000.00 more than plain posts. Chair Masloski asked for confIrmation that the entire project would be about $85,000.00 without fencing or concrete. Mr. Lehman answered that he could remove the roofs on the equipment to save some money. 0 Commissioner Scott questioned the cost of the fencing. Mr. Haas responded that it would be $6,500.00-7,500.00 for fencing and there is also costs for the wood chips. Chair Masloski inquired if there was money left over from the other parts of constructing the park. Mr. Haas responded it was to go to the construction of the building. Chair Masloski asked if they had saved money on the bleachers. Mr. Haas answered that it was over budget by about $2,200.00. Commissioner Kowalewski questioned if there was any money available from other parks or the miscellaneous category that could be used for this purpose. Mr. Haas responded that no quotes have been received and none would be known until mid- summer. Chair Masloski stated he would like to see some hard figures on the concrete work or wood fiber. He suggested that they move forward with the trees and the posts as a contingency. He indicated the park would be used often because it could be seen from Hanson Boulevard. Mr. Haas noted the playground had to run from East to West. He stated the hedge could go on the south side by the parking lot if so desired by the Park Commission. 0 The Commission discussed various rotations of the plan and discussed the options. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes-May 17,2007 0 Page 3 Mr. Lehman explained that the center posts would go straight up with the tree-like posts on the four sides. He inquired of the time frame for completion. Mr. Haas stated he would like the numbers then bring it back to the Commission. He questioned Mr. Lehman about the lead time on the custom tree-like posts. Mr. Lehman indicated he was unsure of the lead time on the custom posts. Commissioner Kowalewski inquired about the walkway for the handicap access. Mr. Haas stated there would be wood fiber, so all the equipment would be handicap accessible. Chair Masloski stated that benches could be added at a later date. Mr. Lehman presented a photograph of the equipment. CONSIDER REQUESTINEIGHBORHOOD PARK CLOSING TIMES Mr. Haas stated that he received a written request from Marc Angell requesting a change in the park closing times. At present, parks were open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. 0 Mr. Angell of 16070 Quay Street N.W., thanked the Sheriff's Department and other residents from the neighborhood crime watch. He suggested that the times could change to close a half hour after sunset, of course exempting lighted parks such as Pine Hills Park off of Tulip Street. There were incidences of vandalism, stolen bleachers, the tipping over of portable bathrooms, etc. The Sheriff's Department wanted to stress they did not have all incidences reported. Trends that were mentioned were 22% of the crimes took place between October and March during the winter months, with 4/5 taking place in daylight hours. However from April to September, 45% of the crimes took place from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. The DNR used the half hour after sunset as their close times, and the city could have theirs in agreement with that. He requested the close times to change to a halfhour after sunset. Anita Reinitz of 155 Bluebird Street N.W. indicated that she had witnessed vandalism at 10:30 p.m. in Chesterton Commons Park. Chad Kenning of 15930 Avocet Street N.W. expressed concern about the equipment costs, and agreed that the change would bring the City's ordinance in line with the county. He had seen kids hide in the woods when the police come and then go back out after the police had left. Commissioner Boyer inquired about how the 11 p.m. close time began. 0 Mr. Angell noted that if the parks closed earlier, the police could go in to investigate, and so it would be easier for the deputies to enforce. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2007 0 Page 4 Commissioner Kowalewski suggested that different curfew times might be helpful. Mr. Angell responded he agreed, however it was a separate issue. On weekends, 15-17 year olds needed to be in by midnight, while kids as young as 12 could be out until 11 :00 p.m. Commissioner Scott agreed with a change in the closing times and gave an example. Chair Masloski thanked him for his presentation. He believed most vandalism took place after 11 :00 p.m.; however he agreed that the change would give the Sheriff's Department the ability to inquire. In his experience, most vandalism occurred between 11 :00 p.m. and 3 :00 a.m. He was willing to bring the issue to Council. Mr. Haas expressed the concern that Coon Creek Trail be exempt, because many do late night and early morning runs there. Chair Masloski indicated the trail system should be considered. He stated that the Commission could make recommendations, but Council decides, because it was an ordinance. He requested that staff add it to the agenda with the Joint Council Meeting. DISCUSS 2008-2012 PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 0 Mr. Haas stated that the Commission would look at projects for the next five years. He recommended that Woodland Crossing Park should have $50,000.00 worth of equipment to complete it this year since the shelter and basketball has already been built in 2006. Also, the Commission did receive a request last year from area residents near Hidden Creek East Park to construct a basketball court. The basketball court would be estimated cost around $15,000 to $17,000 for a half court. In addition there are a number of parks that need replacement or updating of playing equipment and other parks that needed to be updated to meet ADA requirements met in several parks. Some security lights should be installed at some parks. The Finance Department has noted that the fund ending balance should not be any less than $100,000.00 for any given year. Chair Masloski stated he did not want to make a recommendation with three Commissioners absent. He would like to continue the conversation in a work session following the June 7, 2007 meeting. Motion by Kowalewski, seconded by Scott, to discuss the 2008-2012 Parks Capital Improvement Plan at a work session following the June 7, 2008 meeting. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 3-absent (Albee, Butler, Lindahl) vote. DISCUSS MEMORIAL PLAQUE OPTIONS Mr. Haas stated that staff did more research and found that Three Rivers Parks in 0 Hennipen County. If you recall from last meeting staff present policy from the City of Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2007 0 Page 5 Chanhassen regarding memorial plaque policies. He offered to work on it and bring it back to the Commission at the next.meeting. Chair Masloski inquired if there was anything that could be removed or added. Mr. Haas responded that he believed that Chanhassen's policy would fit the City better. Motion by Scott, seconded by Kowalewski, to adapt the memorial plaque policy of the City of Chanhassen and bring back a draft to the Commission Meeting on June 7, 2007. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 3-absent (Albee, Butler, Lindahl) vote. DISCUSS PARK IMPROVEMENTSIPARK COMPREHENSIVE PLAN/06-46D, CONTINUED Chair Masloski called for a 2 minute recess at 8:28 p.m. Chair Masloski resumed the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Mr. Haas presented a diagram of Rose Park to the Commission. He asked the Engineering Technician to layout two hockey rinks and a free skating rink for Rose Park's redevelopment. The water tower would be removed in the next 2-3 years. The hockey rinks needed to be facing North-South. The soccer field would be a U10 youth field. 0 Chair Masloski inquired if it was a multi-use draft. Mr. Haas explained that if the Commission agreed with it, money needed to be allocated in the Park Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Kowalewski inquired if the parking lot would be paved. Mr. Haas responded it would not be paved. He added that the Crooked Lake School rinks would be eliminated. He has notified the principal, who did not disapprove of the change. The numbers would be worked out for Green Acres Park and the soccer complex at Hawk Ridge Park. REVIEW PARKS AND OPEN SPACE CHAPTERlPARK COMPREHENSIVE PLAN/06-46D, CONTINUED Chair Masloski summarized the background. Mr. Haas stated he consulted with the Planning Department. They agreed that the chapter should be shortened. The figures should be included and a map of the county. Overall, the planners were happy with the work the Commission had done. He noted that Commissioner Lindahl suggested the numbers of parks be included in each category, but they believed it would be difficult to have an accurate number because it was continually changing. 0 Motion by Kowalewski, seconded by Boyer, to move forward with the revised plan. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 17, 2007 0 Page 6 Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 3-absent (Albee, Butler, Lindahl) vote. UPDATE OF JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL After a brief discussion, the Commission decided to have a meeting with Council at 7 p.m. on June 14, 2007, with a meeting following. The regularly scheduled meeting for June 21, 2007 would be cancelled. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed outstanding items. The City was waiting for the agreement to come back to them from the MN DNR for the Crooked Lake Boat Landing. At Strootrnan Park, the City was completing the dugout areas. He requested that the users of the Skate Park respect the property and clean up after use. He noted that the EDA had named the new park with baseball fields "Andover Station North Fields." CHAIR'S REPORT Commissioner Kowalewski stated the 5K Run would take place at 10 a.m. He wanted to thank Coach Johnson, the Technology Department, and the Team. Mr. Haas added that at noon there would be a dedication for the section of Coon Creek Trail for Tom Anderson. Chair Masloski noted that parking should be in designated areas only, not on the grass. Mr. Haas added that the City was not required to post signs concerning parking. Chair Masloski suggested that people could park at the schooL Mr. Haas indicated that City Hall could be used as well. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Scott, seconded by Kowalewski, to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 3-absent (Albee, Butler, Lindahl) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Brigette Blesi, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 0