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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 4, 1997 , '\ V o () u o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - DECEMBER 4, 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 4, 1997, 7:30 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Tom Anderson, Brian Barringer (arrived at 8: 18 p.m.), AI Grabowski, Jim Lindahl Dave Blackstad, Jeff Kieffer Park Coordinator, Todd Others Commissioners absent: Also present: RESIDENT FORUM Zeke Zdenek Andover Invaders Soccer Club - presented the Park and Recreation Commission a check for $500 from the Andover Invaders Soccer Club to be put toward the Cushmon. He thanked the Park Board for their support last year, stating they had a very good season with a lot of playing time. They worked with Kevin Starr, Parks, to rotate the use of the fields so the sod was not damaged. The organization is willing to volunteer its time for any activities the City may need such as seeding, fertilizing fields, etc. He asked if there was going to be a change in policy regarding the assignment of fields in the City. It has worked out very well in the past between the Invaders Soccer Club and North Metro Soccer. He has heard it will be opened up to organizations and teams from other cities. He also expressed fiustration that they worked with the Anoka club last year to provide them with fields; but it appears those fields were not used. There were no nets nor lines on the fields. They could have used them for practice fields. The Commission discussed the policy, noting they will continue to advertise for application, but priority will be given either to those organizations that are sanctioned in the City or that have used the fields in prior years. APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 19, 1997: Correct as written. Motion by O'Toole, Seconded by Grabowski, to approve the Minutes from November 19. Motion carried on a 2-Yes (O'Toole, Grabowski), 2-Present (Anderson, Lindahl), 3-Absent (Barringer, Blackstad, Kieffer) vote. \.. ) :,J Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting ,J Minutes - December 4, 1997 Page 2 TIMBER RIVER ESTATES/PARK DEDICATION DISCUSSION Mr. Haas explained the Council requested the Staff work with the developer to come to an understanding of the value on the six-acre Rum River property designated on the plat of Timber River Estates as park. An appraiser was hired by the City. The question in this case is whether or not the value of the land is equally valued throughout the property. In negotiations with the developer, it was concluded that the property along the Rum River is more valuable than the property on the interior of the plat. A letter from the City-hired appraiser confirms the property along the Rum River is at least twice the value of the interior property. However, it was the developer who chose the river property for a park; the City did not request it. The rest of the park dedication is to be cash in lieu ofland. The developer wants the City to give credit for the increased value of the park land on the river. The City Administrator has suggested the Commission may want to stay with the philosophy used the past eight or nine years of using the average raw land value to determine park dedication. " ) Commissioner Grabowski did not want to vary from the policy, as it would set a precedent for other developers to ask for similar credit claiming high land or woodeclland, etc., has a greater value than some of the other areas of the plat. He also felt this is after the fact, and possibly the Park Board would not have chosen the river property ifit had been known up front that there was a concern with valuation and the amount of the cash dedication. There would be no objection to Mr. Westlund's request if the City had chosen the river lot. Chairperson O'Toole also agreed that the overall land value should be used. He felt the developer's proposal means the City, in effect, is ending up having to buy the lot back. Commissioner Anderson also felt it is a dangerous precedent to credit more for the river property. He too felt the Park Board may have taken interior property for the park. Byron Westlund, Woodland Development - stated the property had two different zoning districts on it. There were two different values on the property; one for the Scenic River zone and one for the R-l zone. They paid more for the Scenic River zoning than for the R-l zone; but they recorded the average of both parcels, which is the valuation the assessor used. The park is a river lot, which gives the City almost instant equity. One river lot which is smaller in size sold for $100,000. His problem with the Commission's philosophy is he feels he is being punished because he gave the higher priced property as park. The City doesn't want wetland, so he offered a nice piece of ground. Now the City is not willing to increase the value, though it is considerably more valuable than the remainder of the property in the plat. Mr. Westlund stated the issue did come up with the Staff at the beginning of the plat. They wanted to wait until the appraisal process was completed, but they agreed to keep the plat process going. He agrees with the appraiser that the river lot has a higher value. As proposed, the City is still getting \ cash and getting a prime piece of ground for less value, plus improvements. He felt the ordinance ) ,-) <J '\ / Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 4, 1997 Page 3 (Timber River Estates/Park Dedication Discussion, Continued) needs to be reviewed for cases such as this where a portion of the land is twice the value of the remaining portion. He didn't think it is setting a precedent where there is something that is this obvious. They are asking that the City look at the value of the park, which is higher than the $6,800 per acre, and decrease the cash dedication they have given to the City for that difference. Mr. Haas also noted that it was the Council that asked the Staff to look at the park dedication when the PUD came to them because the park was prime land. Commissioner Lindahl wondered if the acreage along the river is included in the overall average of the appraisal. The parcel is a great gesture on Woodland's part, but he is looking for more clarification on how the appraisal was done and whether the lots along the river were included in the overall value the same as the park parcel which was dedicated. (Commissioner Barringer arrived at this time; 8: 18 p.m.) Mr. Westlund understood the proposed park area is prime land. He could have gotten two more river lots from it. He could have offered park land under the power lines, but he personally doesn't think ) the City would want it. He enjoys this the most because the residents are getting money or land. As the process moved along, they didn't get an appraisal for quite some time. It was after he was before the Commission about the curbing in the park, and at that time he noted he'd be back to discuss the appraisal. He agrees with the practice of averaging the cost of parcels for appraisals, but this is a very unique situation and he didn't think the appraisal reflects that. After further discussion, the Commission asked Staff to talk with the appraiser as to how she broke out the remaining river lots. They did not want to set precedent, but they were open to the possibility that the issue can be negotiated once further information is gathered. Mr. Haas stated he will do the research on the appraisal and bring the item back for the first meeting in January, 1998. 1998 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET DISCUSSION Mr. Haas stated Staff has not yet had an opportunity to talk to the City Attorney about using the trail fees that the City has been collecting with each building permit. He noted the funds that will be available for park improvements for next year. The funding for the fencing along the Hills of Bunker Lake 5th Addition park has not been taking from the donation from the Andover Lions Club. The Commission generally felt it should come from that source. :_J lJ J Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 4, 1997 Page 4 . , (1998 Park Capital Improvements Budget Discussion, Continued) Mr. Haas noted the four highest priorities for construction next year -- relocating the ball field at Hidden Creek North Park, replacing equipment at Northwoods East Park, replacing equipment at Green Acres Park and improving the parking lot at Kelsey Round Lake Park and Oak RluffPark. Staff is also making application for more grant funds for the Kelsey Round Lake Park. The Commission felt the parking lot at Northwoods East Park should be expanded but not blacktopped because it is only used for ball games. It was also suggested consideration be given to upgrading the outfield of that ball field. They suggested that an article be placed in the Andover Times outlining all of the park improvements that were done last year. Mr. Haas stated the Commission will have to decide whether softball fields or soccer fields are to be constructed at the Shadowbrook park, which will be developed next summer. The developer will grade those fields. Whatever fields are to be developed at Shadowbrook, the proposal was to develop the opposite fields at the Prairie Knoll park. He also noted that the Parks Department would like to continue with landscaping and trails in Sunshine Park and Kelsey Round Lake Park. In January he will update the Commission with an accurate account of the Park Dedication fund balance. No specific actions were considered by the Commission this evening. ./ NOISE ORDINANCE DISCUSSION/BALL FIELDS The Commission discussed the impact of the Noise Ordinance on park activities as reque~ted by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Commissioner Grabowski noted the agreement between the City and the youth associations was that the lights would be turned off by 10 0' clock. Andover Athletic Association schedules its games to end at 9:30 or 9:40. Andover Baseball is usually done by 10 o'clock. So right now the ordinance doesn't impact the youth programs. He didn't think the Commission could recommend anything to the Planning and Zoning Commission, especially anything for a private enterprise. In Coon Rapids games do start at 10 o'clock at the AI Flynn fields, but there are no residences anywhere near the fields. The Commission generally agreed that the Noise Ordinance does not interfere with or affect any of the youth activities in the City. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Update on snowmobiles ill the City - Chairperson O'Toole reviewed the discussion and activities of the City Council on the request of the Park and Recreation Commission to reconsider some ban on , ,~ ) ) ',_J Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December -I, 1997 Page 5 (Chairman's Report, Continued) snowmobiling in the City. No action was taken other than the Sheriff's Department is now to enact a zero tolerance policy of tagging and towing those snowmobiles involved in ordinance violations. Issues list - Mr. Haas stated he will have a list started for the December 18 meeting. Hills West Park - Mr. Haas stated Staff has found the comer stakes in the park and determined that a private fence is on park property. Staff is writing a letter to the owner of the fence to have it moved. Inform residents of ordinance regulations - The Commission suggested an article be put in the Andover Times informing the residents that it is illegal for them to put things on park property such as fences, shrubs, playground equipment, etc. Pumphouse design - Mr. Haas had several pumphouse designs for the Commission to consider for the pump house for Well #6. Motion by Barringer, Seconded by Anderson, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 5- Yes, 2-Absent (Blackstad, Kieffer) vote.. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, '-~~k Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary '. '