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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 7, 1997 o o o u u CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N,W, . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - AUGUST 7, 1997 MINUTES A Regular Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Dave O'Toole on August 7, 1997, 7:33 p,m., at The Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Tom Anderson (left at 8:35 p.m.), Brian Barringer, Dave Blackstad (arrived at 7:43 p.m.), Al Grabowski (arrived at 7:39 p.m.), Jim Lindahl (arrived at 7:39 p.m,) Jeff Kieffer Parks, Kevin Starr Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Others Commissioners absent: Also present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 23, 1997: Correct as written. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by Barringer, approval of the Motion carried on a 3-Yes (O'Toole, Anderson, Barringer), (Blackstad, Grabowski, Kieffer, Lindahl) vote. Minutes. 4-Absent FINANCIAL REPORT UPDATE Michele Wenning, Finance Department, reviewed the financial statements for Park Dedication as of July 31, 1997. Total cash on had is $445,103,56; however, there are many outstanding liabilities for projects that are being completed. The dedication fees from Woodland Development are for Woodland Estates plat. Those from Ashford Development are for Crown Pointe East 2nd Addition. The Commission asked that in future reports the specific plat be noted for park dedication fees. Chairperson 0' Toole asked about the process for receiving the grant monies for the Coon Creek trail project. Mr. Haas stated the City must make the request before November 1, which is when the project is to be completed. The contractor will probably be paid out of the Park Dedication fund, which will then be reimbursed when the grant monies are received. (Commissioners Grabowski and Lindahl arrived at this time, 7:39 p.m.) � / ~ j (..J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 7, 1997 Page 2 , / PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Chairperson O'Toole stated the Commission met on site of the Shadowbrook/Bunker Lake Boulevard trail project this evening. The trail looks great, but it needs to be swept. Mr. Starr stated they have not yet finalized the project. A number of things must be addressed before it is approved. Commissioner Grabowski noted the in-line skaters have caused damage to the concrete benches at Sunshine Park. Mr. Starr agreed that is a problem, It is the older children, but they are trying to keep an eye on it to stop the problem, Commissioner Grabowski asked about replacing the outdoor lights of the Concession Building. Mr. Starr stated because so many are out, it is felt there is a short somewhere in the building. He has not yet seen a diagram of wiring. Commissioner Grabowski thought he had a diagram at home which can be used if the City doesn't have one. Mr. Haas asked Commissioner Grabowski to bring in that diagram so he can copy it and give it to Mr. Starr. Commissioner Grabowski agreed. (Commissioner Blackstad arrived at this time, 7:43 p.m.) Commissioner Grabowski noted the cleaning inside the Concession Building ,i at Sunshine Park has not been very good this year. Mr. Starr stated that building is cleaned on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays each week. It is a different contract from last year. Staff is asking the Council to consider a full-time maintenance person on Staff for next year. Commissioner Grabowski reported incidents where the building is not cleaned and the odor in there. He suggested the possibility of expanding the contract for the concession stand to include the maintenance of the building. No specific direction was given O~ this issue. Mr. Starr reported the activities of the Parks Department including the clean up after the storms in July which basically hit the Crooked Lake Boat Landing and west of Kelsey-Round Lake Park. They are doing a lot of landscaping, planting of trees, etc. The right-of-way area of Sunshine Park along Crosstown Boulevard will be seeded rather than sodded, They have also been busy because of the construction of the new Public Works Building. That building is expected to be completed finished by December 20, 1997. Commissioner Grabowski stated he received many compliments on the condition of Sunshine Park from people at the State tournament. Chairperson O'Toole asked if there is a plan to put benches along th~ trails. Mr. Starr stated yes and asked if the Commission would prefer wood or concrete, All wood benches the last few years have been of cedar. Over the years they will also be adding amenities such as bluebird houses and duck houses. The Commission generally preferred wood benches to blend in with the surroundings. , ) 'J ,-,j Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 7, 1997 Page 3 , , / (Public Works Update, Continued) Mr. Starr asked if the Commission is still in favor of installing a volleyball court at Sunshine Park. The Commission was very supportive of it. Mr. Starr felt this one and the one at Meadowwood Park could b~ installed this fall for about $2,000. The Commission also supported a play area in Sunshine Park in the vicinity of the volleyball court, plus a family picnic area, assuming the City will be getting the county property along Crosstown Boulevard. Commissioner Blackstad suggested a volleyball court also be considered for Pleasant Oaks. Mr. Starr stated he would have to look at the layout for that park. Discussion was on the signing of the City Hall parks regarding no dogs. Commissioner Grabowski stated there are temporary slgns, but Public Works has not had time to install permanent ones because of the July storms. He expected once the permanent ones are installed on their own posts that they will be more visible. Mr, Starr asked if the Commission was comfortable with wood-frame shelters in the parks or the metal ones that have been used in the past. The Commission felt the wood ones blend in with the environment better and generally preferred them over the metal ones. They also felt a shelter is needed in Sunshine Park. Mr. Starr stated an overhang is needed on the Concession Building, as people move toward the building to '/ get out of the sun, Commissioner Grabowski felt it will be better when the trees grow more and with a shelter, which should be large enough for six to eight picnic tables, Mr. Starr stated he intends to put a message board at the main entrance of Sunshine Park with lights and landscaping around it. A smaller monument sign is needed at the southern entrdnce to the park. Mr. Starr reported on the number of people on the Parks Department Staff and what is proposed for this winter to meet the demands regarding the hockey rinks, Commissioner Grabowski felt a Staff person is needed as a park attendant in the evenings to put lights on and off, keep the in- line skaters off the concrete benches, etc. That person could be half time in Public Works during the day and half-time park attendant during the evening hours. Mr. Starr noted the use of the City Hall facilities has seen a phenomenal growth each year, He encouraged the Commission to continue budgeting for the completion of Sunshine Park. Mr, Starr suggested switching to soft bases in all of the fields. The commission agreed, also noting the problem of theft of the bases and the pitching rubbers. No further action was taken by the Commission. ANOKA AREA ARENA PRESENTATION , Fred Hanicher, a 21-year resident of Andover and member of the Anoka Area Arena Board, addressed the Commission on the history of the Anoka Area Ice Arena beginning in 1980 when a steering committee was formed to study the feasibility of building an ice ar~na. The first arena was , / ,J ;~ Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 7, 1997 Page 4 ': , j (Anoka Area Arena Presentaiton, Continued) constructed entirely by volunteers, though they had to take out a mortgage for the second one. The arenas now host hockey teams and tournaments, figure skating, intramural athletic activities for high school, spring indoor soccer and is in the process of developing an in- line hockey league. Of the three area communities served, the greatest percentage of participants are from Andover, Ice time is totally sold out, and the other activities are expanding. Mr. Hanicher noted it iJ a struggle to continue to meet the mortgage payments, which are expected to be paid off in six years. He asked that anything the City could do to assist them to offset expenses would be helpful. The City of Ramsey is helping, and the City of Anoka will try to cut service costs. A suggestion for Andover would be to plow the snow around their building, but they are open to any ideas to relieve the monthly stress of meeting their financial obligations. " ' Discussion with the Commission was on the hourly rate for ice time. Mr. Hanicher stated the rate is $95 per hour for off peak times and $105 for peak times, which is low compared to other rinks, The high school pays about $80 per hour, but it is a flat fee the beginning of the year, plus a percentage of the games. They do raise rates periodically and would do so as a last resort, but their preference is to stay on the low side of other arenas. Many of the families using the rink have volunteered time and money in building the arenas, so they do not want to over burden those families. At the moment no one wants to think about adding a third arena; however, it seems likely that the demand will warrant one in the near future. That one may not necessarily be at the same location. Locating in Andover may be a consideration, (Commissioner Anderson left the meeting at this time, 8:35 p.m.) After Mr. Hanicher left, the Commission continued to discuss the request. Commissioner Lindahl had a concern with a financial contribution because it sets a precedent, and the City is in three other school areas. Also, Andover budgets a considerable amount to support its own outdoor hockey rinks. Possibly some of the donations from the Lions Club could be earmarked for the Anoka Arena. Commissioner Grabowski agreed, or having the City allocate so many hours a year of snow plowing as a courtesy. Another option would be for them to increase the hourly rate for the high school. The other Commissioners generally agreed that a donation should not come from the Park budget, but they would favor courtesy snow plowing of the arena's parking lot. There was no further discussion. REVIEW ORDINANCE NO. 47 'j Mr. Haas stated the ordinance before the Commission has been revised based on the comments from the July 22 meeting. Chairperson O'Toole wondered if something must be added because of the trails, what is or is not allowed such as the speed of bikes, outlawing motorized vehicles, , , ',_/ \ ''-.../ Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 7, 1997 Page 5 " (Review Ordinance No. 47, Continued) etc, Mr. Haas stated motorized vehicles are not allowed per the ordinance. That provision has been clarified in the draft before the Commission, The Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of having a speed limit for bikes on the trails, Mr. Haas stated the trails will be posted with stop signs, curves, blind intersections, etc., just as the DNR is doing on its trails. The Commission suggested Mr. Haas contact other cities that have trails and the county to see what they are doing. There were no further changes recommended. Mr. Haas stated he will de some research on guidelines for trails and bring the item back to the next meeting. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Hills of Bunker Lake Park - Commissioner Blackstad asked if the issue around the pond has been resolved. Mr. Haas reported he has not yet been able to do anything with that issue. Chairperson O'Toole stated someone called about a fence that is constructed down to the pond. Mr. Haas stated he will check into it, though the property line may go that far, Moving of trees along Hanson Boulevard - Commissioner Blackstad noted when the City moved some of the trees along the Hanson Boulevard/Coon Creek trail, they drove across a person's yard and almost ran over a sprinkler system. Mr. Haas explained the attempt was to screen the trail for the property owners, They did receive waivers to go onto private property. He thought the entire effort went well. Trails - Commissioner Grabowski related an account of a person who was not in favor of the trail along Bunker Lake Boulevard; but now that i~ is tarred, feels it is good for the neighborhood. Cushmon - Commissioner Grabowski urged Mr. Haas to contact the baseball and soccer associations for their contribution toward the Cushman. Mr. Haas agreed, July concession - Commissioner Grabowski stated he received a copy of the concession sales for the month of July, which totaled about $7,000. The City gets 10 percent, plus the base rent. He felt an option to increase sales would be to ban bringing in food and drink. He especially worried about bringing in glass containers, No action was taken on this suggestion. , ) Dogs in the Ci ty Hall parks Commissioner Blackstad reported an incident of a woman bringing her dog to the park even though she knew it was not allowed. Mr. Haas suggested the Sheriff's Department be contacted in those instances. Commissioner Grabowski stated he usually gives a warning the first time. He felt the situation may get better when the signs are installed. '\.- / \ " I '"--" Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 7, 1997 " Page 6 , , (Chairman's Report, Continued) Hamilton Square park dedication - Mr. Haas reported on the Council action taken on August 5 regarding the park dedication for Hamilton Square. There is about a $440,000 discrepancy between the City's appraisal and that done for the developer. The Staff, developers and attorneys will be discussing the discrepancies. If there is no agreement, it will come back to the Park and Recreation Commission for reconsideration, Park dedication for Nightengale Preserve Mr. Haas reported the developer is appealing the City's appraisal for Nightengale Preserve. Well #6 - Mr. Haas reported the construction of Well #6 started today. One tree will get spaded from that site, Commissioner Blackstad askeJ if that system will hook up to the sprinkling system for Sunshine Park. Mr. Haas stated he will talk with the City Engineer, but the thought has been to ask the Council to waive the water fees instead. Commissioner Grabowski had a concern with that unless there is assurance that it will be waived every year. , -' Park dedication for the Round Barn project - Chairperson O'Toole noted the Council discussed a request from Presbyterian Homes to waive park dedication fees for their senior housing project at the Round Barn site. Mr. Haas stated Staff made no recommendations but suggested there be further research. That request will be brought to the Park Commission in the near future. MOTION by Blackstad, Seconded by Lindahl, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 2-Absent (Anderson, Kieffer) vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p,m. Respectfully submitted, ~ ~~P~c:r:J Recording Secretary l