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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 4, 1997 o o o () u CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w. . ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 MINUTES A Regular Meeting of the Andover Park called to order by Acting Chairperson Al 7: 42 p. m., at The Andover City Hall, Andover, Minnesota. and Recreation Commission was Grabowski on September 4, 1997, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Commissioners present: Tom Anderson, Brian Barringer, Dave Blackstad, Al Grabowski, Jeff Kieffer Dave O'Toole, Jim Lindahl Parks, Kevin Starr Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Others Commissioners absent: Also present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 21, 1997: Correct as written. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by Kieffer, approval of the Minutes. Motion carried on a 3-Yes, 2-Present (Grabowski, Blackstad), 2-Absent (O'Toole, Lindahl) vote. HIDDEN CREEK PARK Alicia Grenz. 13516 Hidden Creek Drive - encouraged the Commission to provide a warming house at the skating rink at Hidden Creek park. She went to 99 houses and received 53 responses. The results were 119 out of 193 people like to skate; 48 out of 50 houses want a warming house; and most either did not know about the warming house behind Crooked Lake School or felt it is too old and too far from the neighborhood. In the summer the warming house could be turned into a canteen, as many people use the playground and participate in soccer or ball. Ms. Grenz also presented a petition of signatures from the neighborhood of people who want the warming house. Mr. Starr felt a trailer could be used for the warming house. One can be rented for three months for about $1,200. There is also the cost of an attendant. The rink in that park is very heavily used. He stated they maintained 16 ice rinks last year and expect to maintain the same number again this year. It would be beneficial to put another light at the end of the rink, which could also be done this year. The Commission felt that with this kind of demand that a warming house would be a good investment. The problem is the funding. Staff was asked to provide a breakdown of the costs for providing a warming house this season, including the installation of another light, and to bring it back to the next meeting for consideration. , '. J , , \~) Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 4, 1997 Page 2 , / PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Mr. Starr stated the path in Sunshine Park is being done. The irrigation in the parks used much less water than last year, mainly because of the rain and because of the rain sensor system. There are still some problems with that irrigation system, however. They are replacing the bulbs on the Concession Building. He has not yet obtained a copy of the electrical schematics of that building. The volleyball courts at both Sunshine Park and Meadowwoods are almost completed. He assumed the cost for those courts will come from Park Dedication. The Commission confirmed that. Mr. Starr stated spring rides are being installed at Shady Knoll park, which is where the Commission met prior to this evening's meeting. They have also finished cleaning and seeding at the Crooked Lake Boat Landing which sustained heavy damage from the July 1 storm. Landscaping and trees will be added. There are still some trees down at Wild Iris park from that storm. A considerable amount of dirt was removed from the site for the Public Works Building expansion, and it was hauled to Prairie Knoll park. He will be planting trees this fall. If the Commission wishes to allocate more funds for tree plantings, he will get them planted. \ The Commission briefly discussed the budget for 1998. They understood / that all capital improvements have been removed, yet the community school is budgeted approximately $56,000. Acting Chairperson Grabowski was concerned that the City pays the school district, and so do all of the athletic associations; yet the school uses the City's park facilities for nothing. Money is not given to other organizations, so why is it budgeted for community schools? Mr. Haas stated he will talk to the Finance Director about that item and place it on the next Agenda. The Commission noted the problem with people golfing in the parks. It was suggested that it be noted in the next newsletter that golfing is not allowed in the parks. They also agreed to allocate additional funding from Park Dedication to plat trees in the parks, particularly the Crooked Lake Boat Landing. MOTION by Kieffer, Seconded by Barringer, that we take $1,000 out of Dedication to plant some trees; and after looking at the budget, we can review it if we want to go with more. Motion carried on as-Yes, 2- Absent (O'Toole, Lindahl) vote. Mr. Starr stated the Crooked Lake Association wants to help with the landing also. The tree nursery is in place and doing well. Acting Chairperson Grabowski personally thanked Mr. Starr and the Staff for the good job they did on the parks and ball fields this year. '. REVIEW ALTERNATE BID/IP97-25/FENCING , ) Mr. Haas asked if the Commission wished to award the alternate bid for fencing in the various parks. The base bid was awarded by the Council ,) , '\ \._~) Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 4, 1997 Page 3 . '. ) (Review Alternate Bid/IP97-25/Fencing, Continued) this past Tuesday, September 2. The Commission questioned the 16-inch mow strip under the fences when only 4 to 8 inches are needed. They also asked that the contractor be asked to center the fence itself on the mow strips, not center the fence posts. Mr. Haas stated the width of the mow strip cannot be changed on the alternate bid because the bid is based on the linear foot. After discussing the alternate bid, the Commission felt it was too costly. They asked Staff to find out about the 16-inch mow strips. It was felt better bids may be received if it is rebid in early 1998. MOTION by Kieffer, Seconded by Anderson, to drop the alternate bid from consideration and to rebid the entire thing next year. Motion carried on as-Yes, 2-Absent (O'Toole, Lindahl) vote. SHADY KNOLL PARK/SECURITY LIGHTING Mr. Haas explained the proposal is to take out the old security ligh~ and put in a new one by the basketball court so that could can be used in the evenings. \ , , j MOTION by Blackstad, Seconded by Anderson, security light and remove that security position. Paid for out of Park Dedication 5-Yes, 2-Absent (O'Toole, Lindahl) vote. to get a quote for a new light from its existing funds. Motion carriec on a CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Youth Town Meeting: Acting Chairperson Grabowski stated he just heard about a Youth Town Meeting that is going to be held. The Park and Recreation Commission is responsible for recreation for the children, yet it hasn't been involved in this nor informed about it. He didn't know the agenda of the meeting. / Snowmobile use of the trails: The Commission was concerned with rumors that the Snowmobile Club is going to ask to be allowed to use the trails in the winter. Mr. Haas stated the revised ordinance was approved by the Council which does not allow snowmobiles on trails in the City parks. The Snowmobile Task Force is looking at two options, eithe'~ drawing a straight line along 161st Avenue with no snowmobiling south of that line, or establishing a trail system in the City to channel snowmobiles to the trails going north. The Commission had said they did not want snowmobiles using the bituminous trails that are in road easementsj however, that would mean snowmobilers would not be able to use portions of Hanson Boulevard at all because of the other restrictions relating to where in the boulevard they can ride. They are frustrated and will be going to the City Council at their September 16 meeting. The Commission remained adamant that they did not want to see snowmobiles use any established trails in the City. \.j \ \..._) Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 4, 1997 Page 4 (Chairman's Report, Continued) Irrigation well for Sunshine Park: Acting Chairperson Grabowski stated he talked with Frank Stone, Public Works Superintendent, regarding the cost of irrigating the parks through the municipal system. The cost of the chemicals is less than $2,000, but the cost of maintenance has not yet been determined. About $10,000 has been budgeted for irrigation in the 1998 budget. At that amount, it is more cost effective to use the municipal system than to drill a separate well. The concern is that those costs be kept low in the future. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by Barringer, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 2-Absent (O'Toole, Lindahl) vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, \~~~~L ~a~ella A. Peach Recording Secretary