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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 18, 1997 '\ \J () f '...~ '-..J u () CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - DECEMBER 18,1997 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Dave O'Toole on December 18, 1997, 7:33 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Tom Anderson, Brian Barringer, Dave Blackstad, Al Grabowski, Jeff Kieffer, Jim Lindahl None Parks, Kevin Starr Park Coordinator, Todd Commissioners absent: Also present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 4, 1997: Correct as written. Motion by LindaW, Seconded by Anderson, to approve the Minutes as written. Motion carried on a 5- Yes, 2-Present (Blackstad, Kieffer) vote. TIMBER RIVER ESTATES/PARK DEDICATION DISCUSSION The Commission agreed to table the item to January 15, ;, 998, because the appraiser has not had an opportunity to review the items from the last meeting. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Mr. Starr stated they have just completed a total inventory of the parks for 1997 through 1998. He will be providing that inventory report to the Commission shortly. He then provided a report updating the Commission on the status of the ice rinks. They have been flooding the rinks since the first week in December, so there is a good base. They are hoping to open the City Hall and Hawk Ridge rinks this weekend, weather permitting. The warm weather and lack of snow is making it difficult to maintain the rinks. The ice is melting in those rinks with blacktop under them because of the warm weather. The warming house attendants and schedules are all in place. There will be problems with the ice if it snows before it gets cold. \...../ v Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting \ i Minutes - December 18, 1997 Page 2 (public Works Update, Continued) Mr. Starr stated they have been doing a lot of painting and interior work recently. There will be no additional Staff for parks this year, but they are getting a large capacity sweeper for the trails. It is expected that one person will maintain the trails full time. Not all of the lights on the Concession Building in Sunshine Park are working because someone deliberately used a hockey stick or pipe to destroy all ten of those lights on the main level. Until a protective cover can be placed over those lights, such as a wire mesh or drill a vent in the glass, those lights will not be replaced. Those lights cost $29 each. Mr. Starr stated he will continue to report on one aspect of the parks each month. 1998 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET/CONTINUED Mr. Haas reviewed the 1998 Park Capital Improvement Budget. In Hills of Bunker Lake East (Hills 5th), he estimated $16,000 for a parking lot, $7,500 on playground equipment for 2 - 5 year olds and $7,500 on playground equipment for 5 - 12 year olds. About $3,000 for the playground equipment would come from park dedication. He also had a proposed layot't for the playground equipment for the younger age group. The original intent was to go with a railroad theme, but that gets to be very expensive. Instead he proposed going with dark greens, blues or browns to blend with the neighborhood. The Commission felt it would be a good idea to install the equipment for both age groups at once. Mr. Haas also stated the intent is to take down a portion of the backstop fence on the ball field at the Hills of Bunker Lake East because it is too high and obtrusive. The fence will then be used in the Hidden Creek North Park. The Commission agreed. Mr. Haas noted the proposed layout to move the ball field in Hidden Creek North Park. He estimated a cost of$8,200 for a new backstop, mow strips and pad for dugout areas and $4,500 for preparing the infield and installation of ag lime. He felt that the park could be done this spring and be usable in 1998 because much of the grass is already in place. Mr. Starr felt the ice rink will be lost if the field is moved as shown. The Commission felt that the ball field could be shifted further east to save the ice rink. They asked Mr. Haas to look at that again. Mr. Haas also noted the proposal of $7,500 for new playground equipment for 2 - 5 year olds in Northwoods East Park plus $2,200 for disking and reseeding the outfield. Another $7,500 for new playground equipment for 2 - 5 year olds is proposed for Green Acres Park, plus $7,000 to finish the driveway in Kelsey Round Lake Park and $4,100 for the driveway and parking lot of Oak Bluff Park without curb. \~ j . ) ~ Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commissionlvfeeting -' Minutes - December 18, 1997 Page 3 (1998 Park Capital Improvement Budget, Continued) The Commission questioned the age group in Green Acres Park. It was determined that there are several day cares in the neighborhood, plus there are many smaller children of the families who come to watch the youth leagues. Mr. Starr stated they have doubled the size of the parking lot in Green Acres Park, and there is no more room to expand. The Commission talked about whether just the driveway or the entire parking lot in Oak Bluff Park should be done. It was felt that the entire parking lot should be considered because of the erosion unless funds become an issue. Chairperson O'Toole noted nothing is being proposed for Sunshine Park. Mr. Haas felt that can be considered once the final costs are known for the proposed projects. If there are additional funds, they could be used for Sunshine Park. Motion by Blackstad, Seconded by Kieffer, to approve the 1998 Park Capital Improvement Budget as proposed. Motion carried unanimously. REVIEW ADULT SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT APPLICATION FORM , / The Commission reviewed the Adult Softball Tournament Application Form and made the following comments and recommendations: Require an Anoka County Sheriff's Deputy to be on duty during the hours of the tOllrnament - The consensus was to leave that provision on the form as is. Options were discussed such as having a Community Service Officer parol, though they are not able to issue tickets; have the City hire a security person and charge it back to the organization; or simply notifYing the Sheriff's Office when a tournament is being held so the Deputies will patrol it. It was felt that unless a uniformed officer is present and walking the grounds, just having a Sheriff's car patrol isn't much of a deterrent for liquor consumption, etc. Rental of Equipment for Tournament - The Commission asked that the entire rental section be placed on the first page. Accepting applications - The Commission asked Mr. Haas to change the wording in the first paragraph after the rental of equipment to reflect that applications will be accepted between January 3 and March 1 and that the sequencing of scheduling will consider in-City youth associations as first priority. , I Timingfor deposit and cancellations - The Commission agreeJ that there would be no refund for canceled tournaments and that the deposit should be paid at the time the application is submitted. " ) \ \..j Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commissionlvleeting J Minutes - December 18, 1997 Page -I (Review Adult Softball Tournament Application Form, Continued) Page 2, third paragraph, to read: "A $500 damage deposit (or $250 deposit fee for non-profit organizations) is due at the time of the application. Any equip:nent damaged or lost by renter will be deducted from deposit fee. The $500 (or the $250), less any money for damages, will be returned after inspection by the Parks Foreman." Reword the refund policy: "Fees for tournaments shall be paid no later than eight weeks prior to the tournament date. If the tournament is canceled, neither the Park Usage Fee nor the Non-intoxicating Liquor license Fee will be returned......" Mr. Haas stated he will bring those changes to the City Council for their review. RECOMMEND 1998 USER FEES/FIELD AND RINK USE Mr. Haas and Mr. Starr did not see a need to change any of the fees for 1998. '-_ -' Motion by Blackstad, Seconded by Barringer, to recommend the user fees for 1998 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. REVIEW ISSUES LIST Mr. Haas stated he has not yet compiled a list of issues that must be dealt with, though some items that need attention are the people mowing in the Redwood Park and a follow up on the fence issue in the park in the Hills of Bunker Lake. He stated he will have a list for the Commission for the next meeting. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Noise Ordinance - It was noted the Planning Commission is recommending the Noise Ordinance be rewritten to set specific decibel levels. Commissioner Grabowski felt it will be very difficult for anyone to meet those types of readings after 10 o'clock. Trails - Mr. Haas reported the Council approved the quote to have the survey work done for the trails along Hanson Boulevard and Crosstown Boulevard plus those alternates in the Hills of Bunker Lake area. That survey work should be done soon. , I \ "-j! . I '. ./ Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 18, 1997 Page 5 (Chairman's Report, Continued) Reappointments - Chairperson O'Toole reported the Council reappointed Commissioners Anderson and Kieffer, but did not reappointed Commissioner Grabowski because the Mayor had some objection. He recommended the Park and Recreation Commission make a recommendation to the Council to support Commissioner Grabowski's reappointment. There was unanimous agreement that Commissioner Grabowski's knowledge and dedication are a valuable asset to the Commission. It was also suggested that the Commission ask the Council to hold the interviews for the vacant position in February when there will be a full Council. Motion by B1ackstad, Seconded by O'Toole, to recommend the Council hold those interviews in February when they will have a full Council. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, I-Abstain (Grabowski) vote. Mr. Haas stated he will bring that recommendation to the January 6 Council meeting. Commissioner Lindahl agreed to draft a letter on City letterhead to the City Council in support of Commissioner Grabowski to be signed by all of the Commissioners. Players' benches at Oak View Middle School - Commissioner Kieffer suggested the school district be contacted now regarding the need for players' benches at the fields at Oak View Middle School. He felt it is a safety issue and needs to be pursued aggressively. Mr. Starr stated trash cans are also needed out there. City Staff is willing to construct the benches; then the school Staff can install them. Commissioner Grabowski committed the Andover Athletic Association to pay for the materials to construct the benches. Commissioner Blackstad stated he knows Tom Redmann of the school district and will discuss the issue with him. Donation.from Ace Solid Waste - It was noted that a representative from Ace Solid Waste presented a facsimile check to the City of Andover of $955 which is to be put toward the parks. The Commission asked that a special Thank You letter be sent to Ace Solid Waste. Sunshine Park flags - Mr. Starr stated the flags have been taken down and have been changed. Hills of Bunker Lake East - Mr. Haas suggested that prior to the next meeting, he will invite the neighborhood of Hills 5th to view the proposed playground equipment for the park to get their input. It would simply be an informational meeting. The Commission agreed. Motion by Baninger, Seconded by B1ackstad, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m. "{'WP~fuUY rubmi~~t lJra~~rdm[ Secre ary