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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 5, 1997 () o o u () CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - JUNE 5, 1997 MINUTES A Regular Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Dave OIToole on June 51 1997', 7:30 p.m'l at The Andover City Halll 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover I Minnesota. Commissioners present: Brian Barringerl Dave Blackstad (arrived at 8:21 p.m'}1 Al Grabowski, Jim Lindahl Tom Anderson I Jeff Kieffer City Finance Directorl Jean McGann Parks Department I Kevin Starr Park Coordinator I Todd Haas Others Commissioners absent: Also present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES May 15, 1997~ Page 2, Hidden Creek North Park Discussionl 1st paragraphl 6th linel insert "A neighbor's fence would be..." MOTION by Grabowski, Seconded by Barringerl to approve the Minutes. Motion carried on a 3-Yes (O/Toole, Barringerl Grabowski} I 1-Present {Lindahl}, 3-Absent {Anderson, Blackstad, Kieffer} vote. AGENDA Add to the Agenda Meadowwood Park - Sand Volleyball Court; Well # 6 at Sunshine Park; Ordinance 47 Update; and Request to Use Softball Field at City Hall This Weekend. UPDATE OF FINANCE REPORT/FINANCE DIRECTOR Ms. McGann reviewed the financial statements of the Park Dedication Fund noting a cash balance of $228/043.861 revenues received in 1997 through May 31 of $26 1845 and expenditures in that same time period of $6/261.07. MEADOWWOOD PARK - SAND VOLLEYBALL COURT Mr. Haas stated the residents have indicated an interest in having a sand volleyball court installed at Meadowwood Park on 148th Avenue. He asked if the Park Commission wants to spend park dedication funds this year for that ~nstallationl or add it to the 1998 budget. A resident present stated now there is only a swing setl a picnic table and grill and some playground equipment. It, is small and quiet. The � / , / , " ) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 5, 1997 Page 2 ) (Meadowwood Park - Sand Volleyball Courtl Continued) only concern they have with a volleyball court is the possibility of leagues playing there. It is a quiet area with just a few cars going past their house every day. They would not want that to change. The Commission stated there have been no requests from leagues for outdoor volleyball courtsl and they did not anticipate there would be much demand to use the court. However I it is a public park and anyone can use itl and the court could be used for practices at times. Mr. Starr anticipated the cost to install it would be $2/500. He is hoping to have one installed at Sunshine Park this year. The Commission did not think it would be possible to install the volleyball court this year. They agreed to meet at Meadowwood Park prior to the next regular meeting on June 191 19971 and to place this on that meetingls agenda to consider it for construction in 1998. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE ) Mr. Starr updated the Commission on various acti vi ties of the Parks Department. He has been working on the budget for 1998. One proposal is to hire a person to attend to the Sunshine Park and City Hall Park Complexes from about 4 to 10 p.m. daily. This person in an Andove~ uniform would provide a "presence" I answer questions I be sure the garbage is taken care ofl maintenance of the buildings I turn lights on and offl close the gatesl help during tournaments I etc. He anticipated two people wou~d be needed to rotate the shifts. The Commission felt that proposal should be seriously considered I as it would also help in providing overall security for the parks. Mr. Starr noted the part-time people who will be starting in the next two weeks. The Department has purchased the used utility vehicle which has been very helpful in maintaining the park complexes. Commissioner Grabowski stated the Andover Athletic Association has already contributed $1,000 toward that vehiclel and the Andover Baseball Association has pledged $500. Mr. Starr also reported on the other proj ects and services being provided I noting 237 hours have also been donated for parks. SKATING RINK LIGHTING FUNDING/CROOKED LAKE ELEMENTARY The Commission generally agreed with the request of the Anoka Hennepin School District to contribute half of the cost to light the skating rink at Crooked Lake Elementary. Andover I s share would be approximately $2/426. , ) MOTION by Lindahl, Seconded by Barringerl to ~pprove the projectl money to be taken out of the Park Dedication for the lighting of the Crooked Lake Elementary skating rinkl paying half with the school. Motion carried on a 4-Yesl 3-Absent (Anderson I Blackstadl Kieffer) vote. / ,-j Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 5, 1997 \ Page 3 ) UPDATE OF 1997 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET Mr. Haas updated the Commission on the status of each project approved from the 1997 Park Capital Improvement Budget. About half of the items have already been completed. Mr. Starr stated the rain gutters on the Concessions Building have been completed. Commissioner Grabowski understood that the sod on the soccer field immediately west of City Hall will be put down before the irrigation system is installed so that the grass is in for the July 12 Fun Fest. The sod would then have to be destroyed to install the irrigation system. Mr. Haas stated he will discuss that with the City Engineer. Commissioner Grabowski noted that there is also a state softball tournament at the City Hall park complexes the same weekend as the Fun Festl with 50 teams playing Friday through Sunday. It may cause confusion and parking problems to have all of the Ci tyl s Fun Fest activities within the City Hall Park complexes as well. Mr. Haas stated Staff will be seeking alternate bids in Pine Hills Park and Sunshine Park to extend the fences. Mr. Starr stated it will cost $1/300 to run the fence all the way to the property line in Hawk Ridge. He will install more split rail fencing so people can't get around there. They will also be rebuilding the fences on the hockey rinks at City Hall and Hawk Ridge. / UPDATE OF BIKEWAY FUNDS AVAILABILITY Mr. Haas stated Staff will be looking for grants and other funding to help build bikeway trails. Chairperson 01 Toole heard the Transportation Department has $60 million available for trailsl but the deadline for the application is July 20. He wondered if those funds could be used for bridges to get over Hanson Boulevard or Bunker Lake Boulevard. Mr. Haas stated he will look into it. It may be ISTEA funding. They will be making application for any funding that is available I including an application to the DNR for the next phase of Kelsey-Round Lake Park. REQUEST TO USE SOFTBALL FIELD THIS WEEKEND AT CITY HALL Mr. Haas noted the application from the North American Fastpitch Association to use Field #1 at City Hall this weekend I Friday through Sunday. Modifications to the field will be their responsibility. Commissioner Grabowski stated he was contacted two months ago. It is an adult men's high-level fastpitch tournament. The teams are mainly from Canada. It is a volunteer I non-profit organization. They will be using spikesl which is against the City's policy. That is a concern for him; but by their regulationsl there will be no alcohol in the park. Held be , ) in favor of granting the request because of the no drinking policy. (Commissioner Blackstad arrived at this timel 8:21 p.m.) '. '.J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 5, 1997 Page 4 ) (Request to use Softball Field this Weekend at City Hall, Continued) Commissioner Lindahl stated the no drinking policy applies only to the players I not the spectators. The requirement for having a police deputy on duty during tournaments was discussed. Because there will be no alcohol I the Commission generally felt that policy could be waived. Mr. Haas stated the Community Service Officer could be asked to drop by the tournament occasionally. MOTION by Lindahl I Seconded by Grabowskil to provide Field #1 tournament for the Fastpitch Association with the exception county sheriff due to their policy and their non-profit status. carried on a 5-Yesl 2-Absent (Anderson I Kieffer) vote. for the of the Motion WELL No. 6 AT SUNSHINE PARK Mr. Haas provided a map showing the layout of Sunshine Park and the proposed location for Well No. 6 and the pumphouse in the southern portion of the park. The Commission expressed concern with the location I as there will be a greater tendency of vandalism because it will be so isolated. The preference was to locate the well and pumphouse just west of the Concessions Building. The water line is now being installed along a portion of Crosstown Boulevard. The pumphouse would be visible so vandalism would be less likely. A service road would serve the dual purpose of providing access to the pumphouse and to the Concessions Building from the west for deliveries. If the City finds it unacceptable to move the well and pumphouse to the west side of Sunshine Parkl the preference was to move the pumphouse to the open area in the southern portion of the park where it will not be so isolated. The Commission also wanted to have more specific information on whether or not the irrigation for the ball fields at Sunshine Park can come directly fro,l: the proposed well without having to go through the municipal treatment system. If SOl how does that cost compare with the cost of drilling a separate well specifically for irrigation? MOTION by Grabowskil Seconded by Lindahll ask the City to move the well from the south to the west to connect with the 12-inch proposed future trunk line coming in on Crosstown. If that is unacceptable I move the well and pumphouse closer to the open space area on the south end of Sunshine Park. Motion carried on a 5-Yesl 2-Absent (Anderson I Kieffer) vote. The Commission also suggested that the Engineers and Public Works Superintendent be invited to the next Park Board meeting to discuss these proposals. ORDINANCE 47 UPDATE ) Mr. Haas stated the Commission is being asked to review Ordinance 47 and provide updates as needed. He noted the amendment relating to dogs is not written the way the Commission intended. Commissioner Grabowski felt the revision of the amendment for dogs must be done immediately as it is a serious problem with dogs in Sunshine Park. He suggested the remainder of the ordinance can be reviewed and updated over the next few months. The Commission generally agreed. \ ~ / ~ , I ,---j Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 51 1997 Page 5 , ) (Ordinance 47 Updatel Continued) Mr. Haas then proposed the Commission move to recommend Staff to provide an amendment to the Ordinance to not allow any pets within the Sunshine Park or City Hall Park complexes entirely. MOTION by Grabowski, Seconded by Blackstadl to so move. on a 5-Yesl 2-Absent (Anderson I Kieffer) vote. Mr. Haas try to get the. item on the next Council agenda. Motion carried stated he will CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Bunker Hills 5th Park - Mr. Haas stated Staff is meeting with some of the residents on site regarding the Council/cl suggestion that a soccer field be constructed in the park as opposed to a softball field. He will be placing this item on the June 19 Park Board Agenda. Brochures noting trail locations - Commissioner Grabowski wondered if the City has considered printing a map indicating the location of the trailsl parksl and proposed trails for next residents. Mr. Haas stated a brochure will be done this winter. Speed limit on Crosstown past the construction - Commissioner Grabowski ) noted the dangerous situation of people driving fast around the curve on Crosstown Boulevard in the construction zone. Because of the height of the dirt, those exiting Sunshine Park cannot see vehicles coming around the curve from the west. He wondered if there could be a temporary speed reduction or slow construction zone signs placed in that area. Mr. Haas noted it is a county roadl but he will check into it further. Cable TV - Commissioner Barringer noted the picture from the Council and Commission meetings on Cable TV is now better I but the sound is not goo~ and neither is the lighting. Mr. Haas stated he will check on it. prairie Knoll Park - Chairperson OIToole noted several Commissioners visited Prairie Knoll Park prior to this eveningls meeting. It appears there would be room for two to three soccer fields. It would be nice to have a soccer complex in the City. Staff will be looking at that closer for consideration of including it in the budget for next year. NOTE: Commission agreed to meet at Meadowwood Park prior to the meeting on June 191 1997. MOTION by Grabowskil Seconded by Blackstad, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 5-Yesl 2-Absent (Anderson I Kieffer) vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. ) !v'~c::50:L )~a~ella A. peachl Recording Secretary