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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 19, 1997 ( 'j \J o () CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - NOVEMBER 19, 1997 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Dave O'Toole on November 19, 1997,7:33 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota, Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Also present: Brian Barringer, Dave B1ackstad, AI Grabowski Tom Anderson, Jeff Kieffer, Jim Lindahl Parks, Kevin Starr Park Coordinator, Todd Others APPROVAL OF MINUTES U November 6, 1997: Correct as written. Motion by Barringer, Seconded by Grabowski, approval as written. Motion carried on a 4- Yes, 3- Absent (Anderson, Kieffer, Lindahl) vote. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Mr, Starr reviewed the report given to the Commission on the shrubs and trees planted in the various parks this summer, where they were planted, the vendor and the cost. He encouraged the Commission to begin planning for next spring, especially for Sunshine Park. He also showed a map of Sunshine Park indicating the locations of the plantings. The majority of the funding came from the Public Works maintenance budget for landscaping. It is more cost efficient to have the City plant the trees and shrubs than to have a developer or contractor do it because of the labor costs. He will be claiming about $7,000 for tree damage from the storms from the insurance and from FEMA funds. The Commission discussed the construction of shelters and patns within Sunshine Park. Mr. Starr suggested one large nice shelter be installed. A 22x51-foot shelter would cost about $10,000. Mr. Haas stated the county wants to proceed with giving the City the land adjacent to the west side of Sunshine Park. o Mr. Starr stated they will start putting water down on the ice rinks this week to get the ground saturated before it snows. Next week they will start flooding the rinks at night. They hope to have .. ./ .,.) Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 'J Minutes - November 19, 1997 Page 2 (Public Works Update, Continued) the rinks operational by the second week in December. They are still looking for applicants for warming house attendants. Mr. Haas stated about $25,000 of the park funds will be carried over to 1998. Staffwill also be talking to the City Attorney about the possibility of spending the trail fees that the City has been collecting with each building permit. That fund is beginning to grow, and it is hoped the money can be used for the construction of trails. The Commission asked that a determination be made of the Park Dedication funds that will remain after the trails constructed this year are paid for. APPROVE 1997-1998 HOCKEY RINK SCHEDULE Commissioner Grabowski expressed concern that teams are making the applications for ice rink use, not youth associations. While it is not a problem this year, he did not want to set a precedent which could potentially cause problems in the future. The Commission made no suggestions. '. Motion by Blackstad, Seconded by Barringer, to approve the list as submitted. Motion carried on , / a 4- Yes, 3-Absent (Anderson, Kieffer, Lindahl) vote. RECOMMEND ORDER PLANS AND SPECS/CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD AND HANSON BOULEVARD TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS/IP97-43 Mr. Haas suggested the Commission consider ordering plans and specifications for a trail along Crosstown Boulevard to connect the trail adjacent to Woodland Estates and the trail along Hanson Boulevard at Crosstown Boulevard. The trail along Hanson Boulevard from Andover Boulevard to Crosstown Boulevard has already been approved. The Commission discussed the location of the trail along that portion of Crosstown Boulevard. The preference was to locate it on the southern side of the road. Mr. Haas felt it may be a problem as there is only 33 feet of right of way on that side, plus the school is putting up a fence along there. However, that fence may be in the right of way, which would mean it would have to be moved off the boulevard. Chairperson O'Toole felt that rather than duplicate the trail along Crosstown Boulevard, that the trails within Sunshine Park be used. Mr. Starr stated the children already come to and from Oak View Middle School via Tower Drive and through the parking lot and trails in Sunshine Park. He hoped to see a sidewalk installed along Tower Drive, as that road is narrow and is used by bikers and walkers. A concrete sidewalk would last longer and be easier to maintain. . I " / . ) "J Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 19, 1997 Page 3 (Plans & Specs/Crosstown and Hanson Boulevards Trail/IP97-43, Continued) Mr. Haas stated he will meet with Public Works and recommend a plan for the Commission to consider on the location of trails in and around the City Hall/Sunshine Park facilities for the most efficient use ofland and finances. They will also determine the calculations of how much blacktop will be needed for the proposed trails. He will bring back options for the Commission to consider. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Map in City calendar - Commissioner Blackstad stated he talked with Cyndy DeRyder at length about the map to be included in the City calendar. The recommendation is to also provide a legend that will list the parks and the facilities at each park. In addition, the existing and proposed trails will be indicated on the map. , , / Damage caused by snowmobiles - Commissioner Grabowski reported there are 1/4-inch grooves running 30 to 40 feet long on the bituminous trail along Hanson Boulevard which have been caused by snowmobiles. Those grooves will make it difficult for roller bladers to use the trail, plus water will get into them causing the need to repair the bituminous sooner than it would otherwise be needed. He felt the signs need to specifically say "No Snowmobiles". Mr. Haas stated that signs were up, but many have already been stolen. Snowmobiles have also been seen driving up and down the bituminous trails along Bunker Lake Boulevard and along Prairie ~oad. He felt something will have to be done about the snowmobiles on the bituminous trails. Commissioner Grabowski also noted that snowmobilers were doing donuts in Oak Bluff park and ripped up the sod. The sod has also been ripped up in Sunshine Park with deep grooves in the middle of the soccer fields. He did call the snowmobile club, but there wasn't much they could do for this first snow fall since they have not yet been certified to issue citations. The problem obviously was on Friday afternoon with children on the snowmobiles before parents came home from work. Chairperson O'Toole reported he addressed the City Council on this issue last evening, November 18. He recommended the Park and Recreation Commission ask the City Council to reopen the discussion on snowmobiles and reconsider banning them south of161st Avenue or to ban them totally within the City limits. Mr. Haas stated he could have that item added to the December 2 City Council agenda. The Commission agreed. Motion by O'Toole, Seconded by Barringer, to ask the Council to reconsider the entire ordinance on snowmobiles for the following reasons: Damage has already been done to the parks and trails and there has only been one snowfall to date; the City has too many assets, parks and trails, to be ripped up by snowmobiles; repair of those assets can become cost prohibitive for the residents. Motion " carried on a 4-Yes, 3-Absent (Anderson, Kieffer, Lindahl) vote. I \ '-) ) 'J Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 19, 1997 Page -f (Chairman's Report, Continued) Issues List - Commissioner Grabowski suggested Staff formulate an Issues List of items that must be done or have been discussed and their status, so that the Commissioners can review the list to determine the status of the various park activities in the City. One issue that the Commission must deal with soon is that of adult tournament fees, and it is easy to get behind or to let things slide unless there is a constant reminder. Many times there are carry-over items from meetings that should be put on the Issues List. That list should be updated at least montWy. Mr. Haas agreed to start a list of items to be done, status of projects, etc., and will try to have one for the December 18 meeting. Development south of the WDE site - Commissioner Grabowski asked about the status of the 80 acres south of the WDE site. There are rumors that the area is to be developed into sports fields. The Park and Recreation Commission has never been advised of those proposals and funding has not been considered. No action was taken by the Commission. Coon Creek Trail- Commissioner Grabowski asked if the Coon Creek Trail project is completed. Mr. Haas stated the project is done and Staff is making application to the DNR for the grant reimbursement funds. Commissioner Grabowski stated that is an example of an item the Commission should be aware of, and the status of park projects should be on an Issues List for their information.. '. / Hills of Bunker Lake pond issue - Commissioner Grabowski asked the status of the complaint regarding the encroachment into the ponding area by a resident in The Hills of Bunker Lake. That is another issue that can be on an Issues List. Mr. Haas stated he asked Commissioner Grabowski to talk to Jeff Johnson, Zoning Administrator, about it. Bleachers in Sunshine Park - Mr. Starr stated they have already talked with the contractor about the bleachers in Sunshine Park, but there has been no response. The bleachers will be anchored next year. Mr. Haas stated Staff will have to anchor them because that was not part of the original contract. The contractor has been put on notice regarding the problem with the nuts and bolts, and they should resolve it. Shnlbbery along Coon Creek Trail - Mr. Haas stated there was a question regarding the appropriate type of sluubs planted along the Coon Creek Trail. He has talked with the City Forestry Intern, who felt what was planted is sufficient for the area. Those shrubs are minimal maintenance. If the Commission has any questions, they should contact the Forestry Intern. CDBG funds - Commissioner Grabowski learned that by law only 15 percent of the CDBG funds are to support community services. Andover uses about 70 percent of its CDBG funds for community services. He felt the Park and Recreation Commission should make a case to the Council for using more of the CDBG funds on trails. J '- Ji ) .......j Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - November 19, 1997 Page 5 (Chairman's Report, Continued) Youth First - Chairperson O'Toole informed the Commission that last evening the City Council was asked to form a Youth Commission as an advisory group to give the youth a voice in the City. He felt with that, there will be some involvement on the part of the Park Board in the future. There are many things that the Park Board and youth could do together. He didn't anticipate any City funding will be needed, as it is a presently a volunteer group with funding from companies and churches. It is mainly to give the youth a voice in what is being done for them. Motion by B1ackstad, Seconded by Barringer, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, 3-Absent (Anderson, Kieffer, Lindahl) vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, / ~~-~L Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary /