Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 6, 1997 o o o () () CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 6, 1997 MINUTES A Regular Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Dave O'Toole on February 6, 1997, 7:50 p.m., at the Oak View Middle School, 15400 Hanson Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Tom Anderson, Dave Blackstad, Al Grabowski, Jeff Kieffer Jim Lindahl City Finance Director, Jean McGann City Engineer, Scott Erickson Parks Department, Kevin Starr Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Brian Barringer Commissioner absent: Also present: (Prior to the regular meeting, members of the Park and Recreation Commission held an informational meeting with residents regarding the proposed Coon Creek Trail system.) APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 16, 1997: Correct as written. MOTION by Kieffer, Seconded by Blackstad, to approve the Minutes. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, I-Absent (Lindahl) vote. CONCESSION STAND Ms. McGann noted the revised copy of the concession agreement that includes several changes. One change is the concession building is to be cleaned by the concessionaire within 15 days of the closing of the season. Also, there is an increased rental payment of $25 for three categories of increased revenues, plus several wording clarifications. The concessionaire has agreed to those changes. Chairperson 0' Toole asked for a motion recommending approval of the agreement as presented. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by Kieffer, to so move. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, I-Absent (Lindahl) vote. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1996 Ms. McGann reviewed the Park Dedication Contributions and the financial statements for the Park Dedication Fund for the year 1996. Total contributions received for parks was $38,760. With a carry forward from 1995, the total contributions remaining is $64,066.39. Those dollars are included in the $194,341.71 cash remaining in the Park Dedication / ..."".:,' . ~..:::: ,- , '- / '-) Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 6, 1997 Page 2 I (Financial Statements Through December 31, 1996, Continued) Fund. She also explained that the General Fund budget has $18,700 specifically for Sunshine Park. Because of the high cost of irrigating that complex, she felt the Commission should be looking at ways to reduce those irrigation costs. She estimated the irrigation costs for 1996 were $30,000. Of that amount, $10,000 was allocated from the contingency fund and the remainder from park dedication because it was considered start-up costs for the park. Those expenses for 1997 must come from the General Fund, not park dedication. Mr. Starr felt the cost to irrigate Sunshine Park in 1997 will be even more. With all the new sod and new plantings, they want to irrigate to the level of one inch per week. Several Commissioners questioned the $30,000 figure, as they were under the impression it was considerably less. And if it is that much, there is quite a disparity between the budget and projected costs. Some noted that figure alone would have paid for an irrigation well had it been authorized at the beginning of the Sunshine Park project. Ms. McGann stated she will double check the irrigation costs for Sunshine Park for 1996 and bring that information back to the Commission. DISCUSS IRRIGATION WELL/IP96-9/SUNSHINE PARK .I Mr. Haas stated after the quotes were received on an irrigation well for Sunshine Park, Staff decided to bring it back to the Commission for further consideration. Besides the cost of the well, it will cost $10,000 to $15,000 to prepare a wellhead protection plan, about $10,000 to $15,000 every ten years to pull and rehab the pump, motor and well, plus about $2,000 per year operating costs. There would also be other expenses associated with the mechanical room in the concessions building to convert the irrigation system from the municipal well to the irrigation well. Commissioner Grabowski calculated the well would pay for itself in three to four years. Mr. Erickson explained because it is one Ci ty fund paying another City fund, it is a question of economics. Mr. Starr stated for the next meeting he will have the calculations of water flow from each irrigation head for the year so an accurate estimate can be made on irrigation costs for Sunshine Park. Mr. Haas thought that some zones may not need to be irrigated as much as the fields themselves. Commissioner Anderson noted one of the concerns with using the municipal system is the watering bans. The Commission felt more accurate information is needed on the cost of irrigating the park with the municipal water system before a decision can be made on the construction of a separate irrigation well. Mr. Erickson suggested the possibility of charging a specific maintenance rate for park irrigation. It was agreed that Staff will prepare and bring back a more detailed cost comparison of irrigating the park using the municipal system versus a separate irrigation well. / ) '-J Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 6, 1997 Page 3 ) APPROVE 1997 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET Mr. Haas explained the items listed include the pond construction and grading for Strootman Park. That was budgeted in 1995 but was not done, and $2,000 was carried over to 1996 and then to 1997. The Commission asked Mr. Starr if the Parks Department could do the project and what he thought it would cost. Mr. Starr stated he was not involved in the Capital Improvements Budget for this year, but the Parks Department does not have the correct equipment to do something that deep. It would look nice to have a standing water pond in that park, however. Right now it is rather unsightly. The Commission noted nothing is budgeted for trees and shrubs for the parks in general. After further discussion it was agreed to accept the budget as proposed with the understanding that some revisions could be made in the future. (A revision was made later in the meeting, See Page 4 of these Minutes, Discuss 1997 Park Dedication Expenditures.) MOTION by Grabowski, Seconded by Kieffer, to accept the 1997 Park Capital Improvement Budget as submitted. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 1- Absent (Lindahl) vote. / DISCUSS 1997 PARK DEDICATION EXPENDITURES Mr. Haas noted the big project is the estimated $200,000 for the Coon Creek Trail. If the DNR grant is accepted, the proj ect must be completed and funds expended in 1996. Ms. McGann stated there are no TIF funds available for the trail proj ect at this time. It is anticipated that funds will be available in several years as the commercial property is sold in the Commercial Park. The City is still collecting a trail fee with each building permit, but that money is being escrowed until the issue is resolved by the courts. It is also anticipated that approximately $100,000 will be received in park dedication funds in 1997 from the various developments. An option would be to pay for the City's portion of the Coon Creek Trail entirely out of Park Dedication Funds now, with the understanding that park dedication would be reimbursed by TIF funds once they are available. Mr. Erickson stated about $50,000 to $60,000 a year is accumulating in the trail fund. The idea behind that fund was to construct those portions of the trail through already developed areas that are needed to connect the trail. Also, based on tonight's meeting with the residents, Staff will look at the option of constructing the Coon Creek trail closer to the creek. / The Commission noted the plans for the Coon Creek Trail have been in place for years, but there are also other imminent proj ects being considered such as Hills of Bunker Lake 5th Addition for which the Lions have given a sizeable donation, the trail along Bunker Lake Boulevard in Shadowbrook, the trail in Woodland Estates and along Crosstown Boulevard and the improvements still desired in Sunshine Park. \ (--J ,--_J Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 6, 1997 Page 4 (Discuss 1997 Park Dedication Expenditures, Continued) MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by Blackstad, to recommend the Commission propose to spend up to $200,000 this year using Park Dedication Funds for the construction of the Coon Creek Trail to get matching funding from the DNR. It would be on a loan basis assuming there is a commitment from the City Council to repay those funds with TIF funds when they are available. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, I-Absent (Lindahl) vote. Discussion continued on the other proposed projects. Mr. Haas stated they can define the list further for the next meeting. The Commission noted the itemized list from Mr. Starr for improvements in Sunshine Park for an estimated cost of $15,565. The general feeling at this time was that the funding allocated for Strootman' s pond from the Capital Improvements budget should be reallocated to Sunshine Park. That $5,900 plus another $10,000 from Park Dedication would complete the items on the list. Mr. Starr stated the goal is to get Sunshine Park looking nice for the big tournaments that are scheduled. There is about a six- to eight-week delivery on some items. MOTION by Blackstad, Seconded by Kieffer, to amend the Capital Improvements Budget, take $3,900 from Strootman park and $2,00 from unexpended 1996 Park Capital Improvements and add another $10,000 from Park Dedication, use that $15,900 for the Sunshine Park list of improvements. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, I-Absent (Lindahl) vote. , ,. DISCUSS PARKING LOT LIGHTING/SUNSHINE PARK PARKING LOT Mr. Haas explained the ordinance indicates lighting requirements for public uses. Technically, the parking lot at Sunshine Park is in violation of the ordinance. The Commission noted that would be a significant expense which has not been included in any budget. They asked for an estimated cost of lighting that parking lot. The intent would be to have some decorative lighting to provide the minimal lighting needs. Mr. Haas stated he will talk with the contractor who is doing the plans for the City Hall parking lot lights and bring back an estimated cost. DISCUSS BIKEWAY TRAIL FUNDING Mr. Haas stated at this time the City does not have a set policy on new developments as to who is responsible for the costs of trails. In the past each development has had a different scenario as to what the City and what the developer pays for. Staff feels a policy should be in place so all developers are treated fairly and consistently. A suggestion is if the trail is included in the Comprehensive Plan, it should be included in the development with the developer paying for the entire cost. / The Commission agreed with the original idea that the trail fees being collected with building permits should be put toward the development of '-- ) , ) \~./ Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 6, 1997 Page 5 (Discuss Bikeway Trail Funding, Continued) those portions of the trail through existing developments that are needed to connect the system. Anything within the development should be paid for by the developer. They asked that Staff prepare a policy for their consideration. The Commission also felt that this item should be discussed with the City Council. Mr. Haas stated he will ask the Council to set a special meeting to meet with the Park and Recreation Commission to discuss this item as well as the Coon Creek Trail project. DISCUSS 1997 CDBG FUNDING EXPENDITURES Mr. Haas noted an idea to use the 1997 CDBG funds allocated for handicapped accessibility would be to extend a walkway from the concession stand in Sunshine Park to the T-Ball fields on the south end. Mr. Starr recommended the trail be la-feet wide, which is the standard for multiple use trails, so it will tie into the trails that will ultimately be constructed throughout the complex. Would the trail dip in the low area or does the Commission prefer to have a culvert through there? The Commission felt that should be determined during the design stage. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by Blackstad, to use the $6,000 CDBG funding to extend a walkway from the concession stand to the T-Ball fields on the south end of Sunshine Park. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 1- Absent (Lindahl) vote. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Non-profit organization tournament application - Commissioner Grabowski stated at the present time any non-profit organization from outside the City can request to use the Andover fields for a tournament at no charge. He felt a fee should be charged. The Commission asked Mr. Haas to update the application form for the Commission's review. MOTION by Blackstad, Seconded by Kieffer, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 1-Absent (Lindahl) vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, \~\ ~~~L ~~ella A. Peach Recording Secretary