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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 1, 1997 u o u u u CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW. . ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - MAY 1, 1997 MINUTES A Regular Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Dave O'Toole on May 1, 1997, 7:35 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: . Also present: Tom Anderson, Brian Barringer, Jim Lindahl Dave Blackstad, Al Grabowski, Jeff Kieffer Parks Department, Kevin Starr Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Others RESIDENT FORUM Robert Zdenek. Andover Invaders Soccer Club - received the approved City of Andover soccer schedule and was very concerned, since they have not- yet received the summer soccer schedule for games from the state. That schedule should be made available this coming Sunday. When the scheduling of soccer fields was discussed at a previous Park Board meeting, he understood that the soccer clubs were to work together to schedule the fields. . Now he finds out that the Anoka soccer club is scheduled on the Tower field for every night of the week. He noted the incident of coming to Tower field with his teams last Sunday evening only to find out that the Anoka club has been assigned to use it. Mr. Haas explained he received a copy of the practice schedule that he understood was agreed to by all three clubs. That is what the Park Board approved. That practice schedule will only be in place until the game fields are allocated by the soccer clubs themselves. The Anoka club asked him for another practice field, and he assigned the Tower field because the schedule didn't show anyone using it for Sunday evenings. Chairperson O'Toole understood that the use of the fields for games and practice was to be scheduled by the three clubs. Therefore, if additional practice fields are needed, he felt the proper direction would be to go to the other soccer clubs before coming to City Hall. Mr. Zdenek was concerned that the Anoka club first asked for one under- ten field, but now they have asked for a full-sized field. He was very' willing to work with the Anoka club to schedule an under-ten game field as originally requested. His question was whether those soccer associations that have been in the City, that have volunteered hours to lay sod, that spend hours voluntarily striping the fields, and that provide nets for the. fields have any priority over the use of the fields. Their two clubs have the time and dollars invested in the community; whereas the Anoka club does not. He was also concerned that the fields be schedule such that they are not overused and the sod destroyed. Just because a field is not being used a particular evening doesn't mean that it is available for use. Mr. Zdenek went on that he f \ / \ / , / , ) -j Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 1, 1997 \ Page 2 / (Resident Forum, Continued) and another gentleman called the City of Anoka about the availability of soccer fields for their games. At first they were told there are fields available; but as soon as they said they were from Andover, the position changed to not having any fields available. He felt that there are fields that would be available in the City of Anoka for Anoka soccer. Mr. Zdenek stated they will have the use of the soccer fields at the school but on a limited basis, plus he had to sign an agreement that their club would replace the sod if it was destroyed during the summer games. Given everything that the Andover Invaders and North Metro Soccer clubs have given back to the City over the years, Mr. Zdenek suggested the Anoka club be assigned the Fox Meadows field, an under-ten field which they had originally requested; but they would be required to provide nets and stripe it just as the other two clubs have been doing. The Commission expressed gratitude for all of the volunteer efforts by the soccer associations over the years. They suggested the Andover Invaders and North Metro Soccer schedule the field use for games once the state schedules are received, providing fields for the Anoka club as well. The Commission's commitment to the An0ka club was to try to fit them in as fields are available. They generally agreed with Mr. Zdenek's proposal of assigning the field at Fox Meadows to the Anoka / club with the expectation that they will provide the same volunteer services as the other two associations do. Mr. Starr noted the importance of letting the fields rest to allow for maintenance and to keep the turf from being over used. Mr. Haas again noted the existing schedule is for practice only. That will change once the game schedule is received from the associations. Mr. Zdenek agreed to move his two teams away from the Tower field for practice and to continue to work with Mr. Starr to help were needed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 17, 1997: Correct as written. MOTION by Lindahl, Seconded by Anderson, to approve as written. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, 3-Absent (Blackstad, Grabowski, Kieffer) vote. NIGHTINGALE PRESERVE PRELIMINARY PLAT The Commission noted it has been their philosophy not to accept park land in the rural developments, plus the City Hall park complex is within a mile of this area. They also emphasized that the open space areas in Planned Unit Developments have not been considered part of the park dedication in previous plats. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by Lindahl, to accept cash in lieu of land for the Nightingale Preserve preliminary plat. Motion carried on a 4- Yes, 3-Absent (Blackstad, Grabowski, Kieffer) vote. , / ~ \ ) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 1, 1997- Page 3 HILLS OF BUNKER LAKE 5TH ADDITION PARK DISCUSSION Mr. Haas stated the property owners abuttin~ the park in the Hills of Bunker Lake 5th Addition have asked to address the City Council with. their concerns on the proposed layout of the ball field and the location of the play equipment. He suggested the Park Board meet jointly with the City Council regarding this issue, plus several other items that remain from the previous joint meeting. The Commissioners did not feel there was a need to meet jointly with the City Council on this issue. They noted that the most recent layout is the third or fourth one and that Public Works and the play equipment designers raised serious safety concerns with the layout that is favored by the residents. Chairperson O'Toole believed the latest layout is the second best choice, and the one favored by the residents is the worst. It was also noted that the Commission agreed to work with the residents to plant trees as a buffer and to move the home plate and playground equipment as far from the property lines as possible. The Commission agreed to let their recommendation stand. After further discussion, it was agreed that Mr. Haas will advise the property owners to address the Council during the Resident Forum at the May 6 meeting. The intent would be for the Council to add it to the May / 20 agenda to allow Staff time to prepare the necessary documentation and background material, and Chairperson O'Toole and other Commissioners will be present to answer questions if necessary. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Mr. Starr stated he will be working with the volunteers for the next three weeks. They will be doing a lot of plantings, and he asked for other suggestions. The Commission suggested cleaning up around Red Oaks East. Mr. Starr also noted they have spent $9,000 spraying 12 different parks plus the City Hall complex fields. The part-time help will be starting in the next two weeks. They are working 10-hour days now. The building of the new Public Works building is taking a lot of his time now. ) The Commission discussed the unsightly area around the Recycling Building. A suggestion was to realign the building so it faces south. They also felt it would be a safety hazard to have the sewer dump site remain in that area. The number of trunks going in and out of that site is great, and there are many children on Tower Drive, especially since that is the main connection between the elementary and the middle school. They also questioned the compatibility of a sewer dump site and a City park. It was suggested the Commission contact the Public Works_ Superintendent and the City Councilmembers to let them know they opposed the dump station in the park. Chairperson O'Toole agreed to bring that item to the City Council during the Resident Forum at the May 6 meeting. '--./ , ) '--" Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 1, 1997 Page 4 ) (Public Works Update, Continued) MOTION by Lindahl, Seconded by Barringer, to recommend we get the sewer dump station out of the City park area to a more remote location. Also request the recycling center be reorganized and relocated with more control. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, 3-Absent (Blackstad, Grabowski, Kieffer) vote. Mr. Starr felt it is important to install a sidewalk along Tower Drive in the near future. He also reported the sprinkler systems are being adjusted and rain sen~ors being installed. Mr. Haas stated the Engineering Department is looking at establishing a well field around the City Hall area. A proposed location for another well is in the southern portion of Sunshine Park. He knew that the Commission had plans to expand the park in the future, which may be affected by this proposal. He also stated the proposal of drilling a well to irrigate Sunshine Park will be placed on the next agenda. UPDATE OF SPECIAL MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL \ ) Mr. Haas stated three items remain from the agenda for the joint meeting with the City Council. He will be requesting the Council to set another joint meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission either during the Commission's May 15 meeting or prior to the Council's May 20 meeting~ He will request that joint meeting at the Council's May 6 meeting. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Timber River Estates park - The Commission asked if the flood plain area in the proposed Timber River Estates park will be usable. Mr. Haas stated there was no water in that area this year. It is unbuildable, but it is suitable for ball fields and parking lots. The Commission will have to decide whether to have a ball field or a soccer field constructed in that park. The Commission asked that that item be placed on the next Agenda for discussion. It was also suggested that the construction of a soccer field at Prairie Knoll park be considered for the 1998 budget. MOTION by Lindahl, Seconded by Barringer, to adj ourn. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, 3-Absent (Blackstad, Grabowski, Kieffer) vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. \ Yv\~Ct~L \~a~ella A. Peach, Recording Secretary