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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 18, 2007 "~ .' '; 1,Wi~ d -(-01 0 PARKAND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 18,2007 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Masloski on January 18,2007, 7:03 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Dan Masloski, Wendy Albee, Jeremy Boyer, Ted Butler, Jim Lindahl, Peggy Scott, and Tony Kowalewski Commissioners Absent: None. Also Present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas SWEARING IN OF NEW PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEMBERS Chair Masloski administered the oath of office to Ted Butler, Peggy Scott, and Tony Kowalewski as new Park and Recreation Commission Members. ...' .~ .:. .,-~ .~. RESIDENTS FORUM There were no comments at this time. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Masloski noted that because there were not enough commissioners present to approve the minutes due to absences and Commission turnover, the approval process was not to go according to convention. Motion by Albee, seconded by Boyer, to approve the December 21,2006 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 4-ayes (Masloski, Albee, Boyer, Lindahl), O-nays, 3-present vote (Scott, Kowalewski, Butler). Motion by Lindahl, seconded by Albee, to approve the January 4, 2007 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 2-ayes (Albee, Lindahl), O-nays, 5 present vote (Scott, Kowalewski, Butler, Masloski, Boyer). 0 Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 18, 2007 0 Page 2 CONSIDER ADDITIONAL 2007 SOFTBALLlBASEBALL TOURNAMENT APPLICATIONS Mr. Haas indicated that these 2 applications were submitted with the original tournament applkation submittal but did not have required signatures. The 2 proposed tournament applications by Andover Baseball Association are scheduled for June 15-17, 2007 and June 22-24, 2007. There are no conflicts with other tournaments so staff recommends approval. Motion by Lindahl, seconded by Scott, to approve the additional 2007 Softbal1/Baseball Tournament Applications. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. PARK DEDICATION IMPROVEMENT FUND 4TH QUARTERLY REPORT/FINANCE DEPARTMENT Chair Masloski stated that this item was reviewed four times a year. He requested that Mr. Haas walk the Commission through the report to benefit the new commissioners. Mr. Haas responded the funds came from new developments. Every year the Commission would go through a process to recommend improvements based on what funding is available. The Finance Department has already reviewed these items. Ace 0 Solid Waste was a local company that makes a donation for the parks for every new residential account. Commissioner Lindahl mentioned that residents should keep the donation process in mind when haulers for contracts approach them. Chair Masloski in~ the scoreboards. Mr. Haas answered that he would contact Andover. 'l\.ssociation concerning the status and make an effort to reimburse footbalh the City's share of the cost of the scoreboards. ArYLu'Uild ~-l-Ol , f'O rz. Country Oaks Park has not yet been closed out but staff will continue to work with the developer to do so and reimburse the developer as required. Chair Masloski questioned if Andover Station North ball fields had been paid for. Mr. Haas assured the Commission he would check with Finance if it had been fmaled. Chair Masloski inquired about the reason for going over budget by $4,000.00 in regards to Woodland Estates Park. Mr. Haas stated that the cost of concrete increased, in addition there was more landscaping on site. Due to the amount trees that were removed by the park improvements, additional tree plantings were necessary to help screen the park from the neighbors. 0 Commissioner Kowalewski questioned if the bleachers at Prairie Knoll Park were used by all sports. Mr. Haas responded that football and soccer used the bleachers. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 18, 2007 0 Page 3 Motion by Albee, seconded by Kowalewski, to approve the Park Dedication Improvement Fund Fourth Quarterly Report. Motion carried on a 7-ayes, O-riays, 0- absent vote. ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT 4TH QUARTERLY REPORT Mr. Haas reviewed the item. He indicated that Prairie Knoll Park has had more issues due to individuals loitering in the park. In addition, there were problems recently at Hawk Ridge Park with the portable toilets being tipped over. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed outstanding items. CHAIR'S REPORT Commissioner Scott indicated she believed that Hawk Ridge Park needed more parking spaces. Chair Masloski stated a upcoming tour would be a helpful visual of the number of concerns that the Commission is addressing as part of the park comprehensive plan and the improvements that are needed. 0 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Scott, seconded by Albee, to adjourn the meeting at 7: 18 p.m. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. The Special Work Session of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Masloski on January 18,2007, 7:20 p.m. DISCUSS PARK IMPROVEMENTSIPARK COMPREHENSWE PLAN/06-46D The Commissioners introduced themselves. Mr. Haas explained that they were attempting to review eight to ten parks each meeting, and explained the meaning of the spreadsheets. The sum of all the final numbers would help determine the Park Dedication Fee for new developments. Some parks needed to be updated for compliance with the ADA standards. Hawk Ridge Park was the only park that had recommended changes from the fIrst nine parks that were reviewed. The goal is to construct a park that would be similar to Prairie Knoll Park. Chair Masloski inquired about the costs involved in upgrading Hawk Ridge Park. Mr. Haas responded they were still working on this. The updates included regrading of the 0 site for additional soccer fields and lighting of 2 hockey rinks, ect. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -January 18,2007 0 Page 4 Commissioner Kowalewski questioned if the restrooms would be permanent. Mr. Haas stated the restrooms would be permanent. He mentioned that since North Metro Soccer Association encompasses such a large area (including other cities such as Oak Grove, Ham Lake and Burns Township) it would be nice to have a centrally located park for their association. Commissioner Lindahl stated they were in need of more soccer fields. Mr. Haas responded at Hawkridge Park there are currently two mid-sized fields and there is a possibility for a couple of larger fields or a few smaller fields depending on what is needed by the association where the existing ball fields is. This area will need to be regraded if soccer fields are being considered. If the Commission is interested to have soccer field improvements, then it will necessary to identify these as part of this Comprehensive Plan update. Woodland Meadows Park Mr. Haas stated that they wanted to install some playground equipment for 2-5 year olds and security light. Because it was a small lot, there was not much room for anything else. Commissioner Scott inquired about signage. Mr. Haas answered one park sign was about 0 $400-500. Commissioner Boyer questioned if they were in each park in the City. Commissioner Kowalewski inquired if the parks had been checked recently for safety. Mr. Haas responded that Public Works Parks Department checked each park for safety on an annual basis. Commissioner Lindahl inquired if there was access requirements for ADA standards. Mr. Haas answered that Public Works knew the standards and they do check for them. Valley View Park Mr. Haas stated the park was on a floodplain and mostly contained wetlands within the park. Commissioner Kowalewski requested that some duck houses be installed. Mr. Haas answered that it was somewhat difficult to get to the river. Lunds North Park Mr. Haas indicated that staff recommendations included a security light, playground 0 equipment, landscaping, and paving the parking lots but not with curb and gutter. In addition, a fence for the outfield and bleaches was desirable. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 18, 2007 C Page 5 Commissioner Butler inquired about how the estimates were derived. Commissioner Lindahl noted playground equipment for 2-5 year olds was necessary, but perhaps not for older kids. Commissioner Kowalewski suggested $35,000 be set aside for playground equipment. Mr. Haas stated they could probably install the equipment for $25,000 for the younger age group of 2-5 year olds. Commissioner Lindahl added that the school was very close and had excellent equipment for the older kids. Tulip Park Commissioner Lindahl indicated with the alignment of TuliP: Street improvement, this has modified the park to be smaller in size. Mr. Haas responded that the only type of improvement that really can be made in this park is a wildlife pond. Pine Hills Park Mr. Haas expressed concern that the parking lot was too close to the street. The right of way was wider than it than it should have been. As a result, he thought at some point the 0 playground equipment may need to be moved. Chair Masloski questioned if Meadow Creek School had contacted the City recently about this park. He believed the City should encourage cooperative efforts if all possible if and when the park is to be further developed. Chair Masloski inquired ifbleachers were there. Mr. Haas answered there were bleachers. Commissioner Lindahl mentioned the ball field was for 12 years and under with a short fence and had a portable mobile pitching mound. Oak Hollow Park Mr. Haas mentioned that the park had been at the site for over 25 years, and there was still no development of the park. There is access from the existing street. Staff suggested removing the playground equipment from Nordeens Park and install it here, and possibly provide equipment only for 2-5 year olds at Nordeens Park. Chair Masloski suggested making Oak Hollow Park a dog park. Fox Meadows Park 0 Mr. Haas stated there was a new fence installed at the south end of the park and that this is the park that has a Frisbee golf course. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 18, 2007 0 Page 6 Commissioner Albee inquired about the fence. Mr. Haas answered the fence is ten feet high and was donated by the adjoining property owner who lives adjacent to the park on the south side. Staffhad suggested maybe another hockey rink facility be installed in this part of the City. Commissioner Albee mentioned she believed that the soccer fields had been abandoned. She also stated the Frisbee golf course was going to remain. Commissioner Kowalewski questioned if the Frisbee golf course was used only in the summer. Mr. Haas responded that they would play all year round. Commissioner Albee inquired if the hockey rink could go where the soccer field was located. Chair Masloski noted the storage building would also have bathrooms and warming house. Commissioner Lindahl expressed concern about removing a soccer field. Commissioner Albee inquired about hockey. Commissioner Lindahl answered if there 0 was well the field could be irrigated. Commissioner Scott questioned where the soccer players were going to play. Mr. Haas responded North Metro Soccer Associations stated if the field were not to be irrigated, they would not use it due to the condition of the playing areas. Chair Masloski suggested in the winter, since there would be an attendant, there could be cross-country skiing and ski rental on site. A vendor could be approached about the cost and maybe an equipment donation. Commissioner Butler inquired where else the soccer could be played. Chair Lindahl noted that with irrigation, the field would be playable. Chair Masloski suggested moving dirt from the playground to the west side of the shelter for both. Mr. Haas mentioned it could be paved for summer use. Commissioner Albee suggested the Frisbee golf course could be altered to allow for the hockey rink facility. Commissioner Lindahl expressed concern about the possibility of losing the soccer field. 0 Mr. Haas stated a tour would help to identify if any of the proposed improvements should be implemented. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 18, 2007 0 Page 7 Commissioner Lindahl inquired if a hockey rink was to be added. Chair Masloski noted that additional money would be needed for the building. He agreed a hockey rink would be nice to have at this location. Mr. Haas mentioned the City as part of the 2002 park dedication study, the City Council was interested in one larger park complex. Commissioner Lindahl indicated it might be dedicated for lacrosse. Mr. Haas stated it would be nice to use the park for both lacrosse and soccer, because the soccer field could also accommodate a lacrosse field. Chair Masloski was looking forward to the tour of this site. Moores Estates Park Mr. Haas stated there was no municipal services to the site, but could be allocated some day. Ifmunicipal services came to the area, the park could be irrigated. Landlocked Park 0 Currently there is no access to the park, and it is mostly wetland. Nordeens Park Mr. Haas indicated he would like to see some new equipment at this park for the younger ages. The park over the past few years has been flooded for a skating rink. Kelsey Round Lake Park Mr. Haas stated that the City in the past has received funding from the DNR for various improvements. He indicated this park has been ideal for cross-country skiing. He would like to get some playground equipment available somewhere in the park, but the intent is to keep the park as more of a nature park. Commissioner Scott inquired about irrigation. Mr. Haas answered that the City was only on Phase II, and there was still some improvements that need to be made at the park. Commissioner Kowalewski questioned if there was enough handicapped parking. Mr. Haas responded there was only one because the requirement was only 1 handicap parking stall for every 50 regular parking stalls. 0 Commissioner Butler inquired about wood chip trails. Mr. Haas responded wood chip trails were difficult to maintain. In addition, it would be problematic to add chips because of the wetlands. There are also possible Indian burial grounds within the park Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -January 18,2007 0 Page 8 boundaries of the site. As part of future development of the park, the City should consider having an interpretive center. Chair Masloski indicated that $250,000 seemed low for a building. He suggested $500,000. Commissioner Kowalewski agreed because it would represent the City. Chair Masloski suggested that meetings could be held on site. He requested the tour take place with a van. Commissioner Lindahl added that footage could be taken and could be used to create a virtual tour online. Mr. Haas stated there were 30 more parks to be reviewed. The largest would be in the rural reserve area, in the farmed areas east of Round Lake Boulevard and may consist of a couple thousand units. Chair Masloski suggested having associations discuss field usage prior to the meeting, because he expressed concern about having it occur at the meeting. Mr. Haas answered that North Metro Soccer Association has indicated that they will need to would work with Lacrosse to schedule fields, but he was not sure necessarily if North Metro Soccer Association will get together with Minnesota Revolution to work out a schedule. The applications were due the first week in March, to be presented at the second meeting in 0 March. If there is a disagreement amongst the Associations of the schedule for use of the fields, a few commissioners may need to get involved. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Butler, seconded by Scott, to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Brigette Blesi, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. C