Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 21, 1996 o o o o o CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - MARCH 21, 1996 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Acting Chairperson Jeff Kieffer on March 21, 1996, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Also present: Tom Anderson, Al Grabowski, Dave O'Toole, Dave Erickson, Jim Lindahl, Roger Paulson Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Others RESIDENT FORUM Bob Hewitt. President of Andover Baseball Association, 1170 141st Lane - noted the fields they will be using are not big enough for the older boys. As their organization grows and develops, more players are moving to the junior and senior high level, and there are no fields in the City to accommodate them. He asked that the fields in Strootman's, Timber Trails, and Hawk Ridge have the bases moved to 75 feet. Another safety concern is the location of the benches at those fields. They are in line with the backstop fences, only 8 to 10 feet off the foul lines. All of the City's fields are that way, but it is not such a great concern for the under 10 year olds. His proposal would be to provide a six-foot high fence, probably 15 feet long in front of the benches, similar to what is done at the City Hall complex fields. The Andove~ Baseball Association would be willing to do anything to help, such as moving the benches, installing the post and fence, etc. Some of the overall upkeep on those three fields needs to be addressed also. Again, they would volunteer to drag thefieldsj but he did not know what they could legally do in terms of the City's liability. The potholes in the fields are a safety concern for twisted ankles, etc. He understood the limitations since those fields are not irrigated. He also asked that more ag lime be placed on those fields. This year they have 630 children in their baseball problem, 91 of them in the older age group. The Commission discussed the problems. with Mr. Hewitt and generally agreed that some maintenance work on the baseball and soccer fields at Hawk Ridge would be in order, especially since it is a regional park. They also agreed that fencing along the benches should be ordered for those three fields requested, and the benches be moved back. Mr. Haas thought it may be possible to get a change order from the contractor doing the fencing at the Field of Dreams site to include fencing at those three additional fields. He will obtain a price and bring it back for consideration at the next Commission meeting. Commissioner O'Toole stated he has talked with Mr. Hewitt about constructing a dugout at Strootman's. There is material left over from the construction of the Concession Building that they would donate, and Andover Baseball would help the City construct it. Possibly the City could provide the layout and pour the concrete for it. It was agreed that Mr. Hewitt will meet with Mr. Haas on this item. CJ :J f " U u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March ~9, ~996 Page 2 (Resident Forum, Continued) Commissioner 0' Toole stated he didn't realize that the City had no mounded fields. Mr. Hewitt thought it would be nice to have those fields mounded. Commissioner Grabowski had no objection because the Andover Athletic Association does not use those fields. The Commission asked that Mr. Haas talk to Kevin Starr, Parks, about installing a mound at Strootman's. The intent would to make that a permanent baseball field. Mr. Hewitt stated their organization would be willing to make some donation or help in some way. The Commission also asked Staff to investigate the possibility of contracting some of the field maintenance, especially routine dragging of the fields. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February ~5, ~996: Correct as written. MOTION by 0' Toole, Seconded by Anderson, to approve the Minutes. Motion carried on a 2-Yes (Anderson, O'Toole), 2-Present (Grabowski, Kieffer), 3-Absent (Erickson, Lindahl, Paulson) vote. \ j APPROVE SOFTBALL/BASEBALL SCHEDULE Commissioner Grabowski noted the schedule has been worked out and agreed to by both the Andover Athletic Association and Andover Baseball. There are several errors on the schedule before the Commission, however. The tournament dates previously approved by the Commission for AAA are not on the schedule but should be included. Mr. Haas stated the othe:::- applicant was Meadow Creek Christian School, which only wanted the fields for May 22. He will include those tournament dates in a corrected copy of the schedule. Commissioner O'Toole stated plans are being made for a field dedication the week of June 17. He asked what night would be best. Games for that night may have to be limited or moved. Fun games such as parents against the children are being considered. The Commission agreed to a field dedication night on Wednesday, June 19, 1996. Acting Chairperson Kieffer asked for a motion to approve the 1996 softball/baseball schedule with the corrections and tournaments. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by Grabowski, to so move. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, 3-Absent (Erickson, Lindahl, Paulson) vote. APPROVE SOCCER SCHEDULE Herb Mav. North Metro Soccer Association - stated they have worked out the field assignments with the Andover Invader Soccer Club and will submit it once the state sets the game schedules. He expected that to be done within the next two weeks. Mr. May stated they have the same (j u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 19, 1996 Page 3 ,) (Approve Soccer Schedule, Continued) problems as softball and baseball with field maintenance. He understood the problem without irrigation, and they did see some improvement last year. Another issue is that all goals will need to be in compliance with new regulations to be permanently secured. They will no longer allow sandbags to hold the goals because of safety concerns. Mr. Haas stated he will discuss those new regulations with Mr. Starr. The Commission agreed to table action on the soccer schedule until the field assignments are received from the associations. DISCUSS POSSIBLE BOND REFERENDUM Commissioner O'Toole asked the feeling of the Commission on going out for another bond referendum for park improvement. The general feeling was that because of increasing taxes, the residents generally are not in favor of additional taxes at this time. It was agreed they should continue making park improvements using available funding and do as much as possible in the areas of field improvements, the trail system, and park improvements. It was agreed not to pursue a bond referendum now. DISCUSS TIMER FOR FIELD LIGHTING '1 '. J Mr. Haas stated the Public Works Superintendent is adamant about blocking that portion of the building off for insurance purposes which houses the panel for the field lights at City Hall Complex #1. The suggestion also is to place the lights on a timer. The concern is to limit the access to that panel and the number of keys that will be given out. The Commission was concerned that with a timer, the lights conceivably could be shut off before a game is ended. They also questioned the cost of a timer that is only needed for about 25 days of the year. The Commission asked that alternatives to a timer be examined, possibly timers can be placed outside of the building similar to what is used on the tennis courts. For now, they felt the wall in the building should be constructed and the number of keys be limited. Mr. Haas stated he will discuss this further with Mr. Stone and update the Commission at the next meeting. MEADOWLARK HEIGHTS PARK DEDICATION PROPOSAL Mr. Haas explained the proposed development of Meadowlark was originally proposed by another developer as Devonshire Estates. The Commission had recommended cash in lieu of land. The developer is proposing a dedication of $3,055 per acre. Past practice has been to consider proposals only if an appraisal has been done in the general area within the last six months. , .I The Commission agreed to continue the practice to have an appraisal done on the property to obtain the amount of park dedication per acre. r -. u (j Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 19, 1996 Page 4 :,J APPROVE QUOTES/BLEACHERS Mr. Haas noted the following quotes for 4, 8-row, 15-foot bleachers: Minnesota-Wisconsin Playground, Inc., for $12,029 without installation. Earl F. Anderson, Inc., for $13,981.91 without installation. Seating and Athletic Facility Enterprises for $11,141 including installation. MOTION by O'Toole, Seconded by Kieffer, to recommend to the City Council approval of the quotes and accept the low bid of $11,141 with installation from Seating and Athletic Facility Enterprises. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, 3-Absent (Erickson, Lindahl, Paulson) vote. Commissioner O'Toole thought serious consideration should be given to running the cement pad from the bleachers over the grass strip, as the grass will not grow through there. He was also concerned with the run off coming back toward the building. Mr. Haas stated they will calculate the run off to go to the sides and out. That shouldn't be a problem. ~J Commissioner Grabowski was concerned with placing concrete over everything, which makes it difficult to do maintenance on the utility lines unless the concrete is torn up. After some discussion, it was agreed that a strip in the northwest corner over the utility lines would not be concrete but would be covered with gravel or ag lime instead. DISCUSS BIKEWAY TASK FORCE Mr. Haas asked the Commission to consider the possibility of creating a Bikeway Task Force to establish which trail routes should be considered as part of the transportation network and to prioritize construction. After discussing several options, the Commission agreed that they would be the Bikeway Task Force and would discuss the item each month at the first meeting of the month, beginning at the April 4 meeting. It was felt that adding residents could be considered in the future if desired. REVIEW IRRIGATION PLANS/IP93-7/CITY HALL PARK COMPLEX #2 CJ Mr. Haas reviewed the proposed irrigation in and around the new Concession Building at the City Hall Park Complex #2. This was not part of the original contract. The Commission was concerned that the layout not interfere with constructing shelters in the future. Commissioner O'Toole stated the original plan was to construct some shelters this summer, but it doesn' t appear that will be done. Commissioner Grabowski agreed some shelters will be considered after this first summer, but he felt the irrigation plan is flexible enough to fit them in. If need be, an irrigation head can be capped off. Mr. Haas stated the intent is to have the irrigation installed by April 19, 1996. The Commission generally agreed with the irrigation plans. f " t ) ....J C.J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 19, 1996 Page 5 o CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Concession Stand - Commissioner Grabowski asked that the Commission have some input in the job description for the two individuals approved by the Council to operate the Concession Building this summer. Commissioner O'Toole met with representatives from a firm to contract to operate the concessions. They would operate the concession, provide the labor and all of the products, supply some of the equipment needed, and would give 25 percent of the revenue after expenses to the City. If it doesn't work out for the following year, they would be willing to lease the equipment in the future or take part of the profit. Mr. Haas stated he has not an opportunity to discuss this proposal with Staff. He will check on the proposal, insurance, etc., but will still proceed with getting a job description for two employees. Bob Hewitt, Andover Baseball, asked about the possibility of running a concession wagon at Complex #1. It isn't likely that people will walk all the way to the Concession Building from this complex for snacks. Commissioner O'Toole understood if a specific brand of beverage, such as Coke, is utilized, they would want rights to the entire Complex, not just Complex #2. He will discuss that issue with the proposed contractor. ':J The Commission discussed the ability of athletic associations to work the concessions if they wish to as a fund raiser. One suggestion was to organize it as is done at the Metro Dome, that is to hire youth volunteers to work the concession with their wages contributed to the association. No further specifics were discussed. Mr. Haas was asked to check with the county on the installation of signs along Crosstown Boulevard between the two complexes that indicate a reduction in speed because of the parks. Baseball/Softball Bases - Mr. Haas stated he will talk to the Parks Department about ordering complete sets of bases. He asked what kind the associations want. The Commission discussed several kinds, and it was agreed Commissioner Grabowski will provide the information on bases to Mr. Haas. Commissioner Grabowski and Mr. Hewitt both agreed they could manage with the bases spaced at 65 feet. For the smaller fields, dual rubber could be installed at 46 and 50 feet. Signs for the Concession Building - Commissioner O'Toole asked if the City could make signs for the Concession Building for the bathrooms, restrictive access areas, numbers on doors, etc. Commissioner Grabowski also noted the need for ADA signage which includes braille. Commissioner O'Toole agreed to discuss the specifics in further detail with Mr. Haas. ADA Funding - Commissioner O'Toole asked if Staff has determined whether " '\ or not the CDBG funding can be used to purchase signs and bathroom \~) fixtures to meet ADA requirements. Mr. Haas had not yet received an answer. ,..-~ ( I 'J ~ -.../) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 19, 1996 Page 6 '-. ,,~ (Chairperson's Report, Continued) Trail through Shadowbrook - Mr. Haas asked the Commission whether or not it wants the developer to provide an access from the lots south to the proposed trail along Bunker Lake Boulevard. After discussing the alternatives, the Commission definitely wanted a paved access from within the development and proposed it be located between Lots 13 and 14. Adopt-A-Park Update Acting Chairperson Kieffer suggested the organizations that have adopted parks be invited to attend a meeting to update their efforts and provide suggestions on what they would like to see done in their respective parks. The Commission agreed. Fencing at Pleasant Oaks - Mr. Haas noted the report which suggests fencing along the road at Pleasant Oaks because of the danger of a ball rolling into the road. The Commission noted fencing would be very costly. Because no games or practices are scheduled for that field, it was felt no action was needed at this time. MOTION by O'Toole, Seconded by Anderson, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, 3-Absent (Erickson, Lindahl, Paulson) vote. '\ ,.1 The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~\~:{~~CCL Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary , , -..