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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 18, 1996 o o o o - r I.-..nM.1H f\~"'t A~ o 'VI ~-'-OS/d./qW CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W, . ANDOVER. MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - APRIL 18, 1996 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lindahl on April 18, 1996, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown BoulevardNW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Tom Anderson, Dave Erickson, Al Grabowski,' Jeff Kieffer, Dave O'Toole, Roger Paulson None City Finance Director, Jean McGann Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Others Commissioner absent: Also present: RESIDENT FORUM rooe.r'(e.. Chuck Ml1rrhv., 1237 148th Lane - recommended on behalf of the volunteers on the Field of Dreams site that the four ball fields be named after the four people who have done most of the work -- Dave O'Toole, Gary Shay, Meryl Prochniak and Al Grabowski. They deserve something more than their names on a plaque. Commissioner Grabowski appreciated the gesture. While he did a lot on the financial end, he felt most of thp. work was done by Commissioner O'Toole. He declined the offer. Commissioner O'Toole stated this is the second time it has been mentioned. He declined before, but felt it is up to the Park Board. Commissioner Kieffer explained in discussing this in the past, the feeling was they would run out of fields to name after people; so that has been avoided. He definitely agreed some unique recognition must be given to those who volunteered so many hours for the Field of Dreams site, but he didn~t know what it should be. Commissioner Anderson liked the idea of naming the concession building after Commissioner O'Toole. The Commission agreed to add this item to the next Agenda to discuss ideas to recognize those volunteers who spent many hours on this project. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 4, 1996, Regular Meeting: Page 1, first Motion, Correct "Motion by Kieffer..." MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by 0' Toole, to approve the Minutes. Motion carried unanimously. CONCESSION STAND AGREEMENT Hr. Haas stated the Council has made a motion authorizing Staff to advertise for two people to run the concession stand this summer. Since that motion, a vendor has submitted a proposal to contract to operate it. The City send the proposal back asking for more information, but no word has been received since then. u , \ U Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 18, 1996 Page 2 " I " / {Concession Stand Agreement, Continued} Ms. McGann explained the preliminary concession stand agreement. Staff came up with a $500/month rental fee by calculating costs to the concession area of the building only. Those costs include utilities, maintenance fees, and the costs of that portion of the building amortized over 30 years. If the City collects $500 per month in rental fees for three months, it will end up with $300 in excess funds which would be saved for additional maintenance, etc., the following year. Commissioner Grabowski stated the contract runs from May 1 through October 31; however, the ball season ends in July. Ms. McGann stated the contract would be over two seasons, but that should be clarified. They would only be charged $500 or 25 percent of the profits for the time frame the concession stand is open and utilized. She also agreed the rent should be prorated for any portion of a month in which concessions are sold. ,J Commissioner Grabowski explained any association that sponsors a tournament makes no money from the entry fees. Their source of income is from concessions. The City would have to agree that an association that sponsors a tournament would get some of the profits from the concession sales. Ms. McGann felt special fees for those weekends could be taken into consideration and arrangements made so the association would receive a portion of the concession stand profits. She also stated the original intent of the agreement was to operate the concessions at the Field of Dreams complex only, not the one at the City Hall site. If a vendor obtains rights to sell their product exclusively, then the agreement would be changed to not allow the concessioner to install vending machines. The Commission felt a damage deposit of $250 was low and that a bond would be better than a deposit. Ms. McGann stated Staff will make those changes suggested this evening. ADOPT-A-PARK PROGRAM/INFORMATIONAL MEETING Kathy Lindberg, 14232 Yellowpine Street NW, representative of the neighborhood which adopted the Creekview Crossing park - stated they are having a raking party on April 27. Many people watch out for the park. There has been no vandalism. They do need help in expanding the park. Kevin Star, Parks Department, has told them there is room for another larger play structure and more swings. Last year they had a volleyball net, which didn't get used. They would like to tar the other half of the basketball court and install a net to provide activities for the older children. They would also like another play structure for the older age group, another swing set and more benches to be able to sit and watch both the tot lot and the play area for older children. The ,'\ basketball court, sand box area, swings and play equipment are all ,~ overcrowded. Today there were 44 children in the park, and there just wasn't enough equipment or room for everyone. Mr. Starr did say he could move the timbers out to expand the sand area. They also noted , , 1 V o Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 18, 1996 Page 3 \, I (Adopt-A-Park Program, Informational Meeting, Continued) that it doesn't make sense that theirs is the only park to service four developments in the area. They definitely want to sign up to adopt the park again next year. Discussion between the Commissioners and those residents present was on the needs for the park, the lack of money in the budget for park improvements, and the distribution of park dedication funds to regional parks that benefit everyone. Mr. Haas agreed to provide a catalog of playground equipment so the residents can choose the equipment they would like to see added to the park. The residents also agreed to present their case to the City Council for additional funding for park improvements for the coming year. The Commission stated they will talk with Mr. Starr as to what options are available to improve the park yet this year. " \ ,_J Shelia Freeman, 13761 Quinn Street NW, representing the Girl Scout troop that has adopted Oak Bluff and Shady Knoll parks - stated the slide at Oak Bluff should be downsized and made safer. They would also like to see flowers in the parks. They do clean up the parks. The one concern is on 142nd Avenue there is a drainage ditch in back of the ball field. Kids spend more time in the drainage ditch playing than they do in the park. She'd like to see that cleaned up and a fence around the drainage ditch. It is dangerous. Her troop can't adopt any more parks, but she is trying to get other troops to adopt some. Commissioner Grabowski agreed the Red Oaks East park should be shut down. After further discussion on the problems at the Red Oaks East park, the Commission agreed to meet at that park at 6 o'clock on May 16, 1996, then go to Creekview Crossing park before corning to City Hall for the regular meeting. The Commission is scheduled to meet at Meadows of Round Lake park prior to the May 2, 1996, meeting. DISCUSS TERRACE PARK/FENCING - NO PARKING Chairperson Lindahl noted the April 1, 1996, letter from Bev Jovaliovich requesting No Parking signs on 135th and Poppy Street because of the problems with parking during ball games in Terrace Park. The Commission felt that No Parking signs may be warranted because of the curve; however, only the Council has the authority to authorize those signs. The Commission asked Staff to forward the request to the attention of the City Council with their recommendation for approval of the No Parking signs on the curve. They did not feel, however, that a fence was warranted. They also noted that the parking lot was installed just two or three years ago to accommodate past problems with parking. APPROVE INSTALLATION/IP93-7/BLEACHERS r '1 Mr. Haas explained Safety and Athletic Facility Enterprises made a ~_/ mistake by including the installation of the bleachers in the original quote. He contacted the next lowest bidder, who stated they would not b,= able to purchase and install for the low quote. He asked that the !) U u Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 18, 1996 Page 4 ) (Approve Installation/IP93-7/Bleachers, Continued) $1,600 installation fee for the bleachers be approved for SAAFE to install them. MOTION by Erickson, Seconded by Paulson, to approve it. Motion carried unanimously. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Update on Field of Dreams Project - Commissioner O'Toole updated the Commission on the project, noting the carpet which was donated for the Concession building will be installed this weekend. The woodwork is done. The majority of the building is finished with the exception of some small things. He thought there is going to be a problem with the fencing. He understands the concrete under the fences was not installed deep enough, and he thought it may cause a problem with water drainage. Also, the first posts for the fence have been set, and they are too short for the fence. He didn't know how all of that will be corrected. Mr. Haas stated he will talk to Engineering about the problems. , \,_1 Commissioner O'Toole stated the contractor is working on the irrigation, but he didn't know when the asphalt will come in. Mr. Haas stated Staff has sent notices to the contractors to come in as soon as the weight restrictions are off the roads. He also noted some T-Ball fields are not in good shape, nor are two soccer fields ready for play this year. Apparently the turf is not coming in well unless it is a real good spring. The Commission noted it is important to get the signs up that does not allow playing on the fields before May 1. Commissioner O'Toole stated the original plan was to run the bleacher pads all the way back to the concrete around the Concession building. Because those pads do not abut the building pad in the same locations, he felt it will not look right. He thought sod may have to be installed for this year, then re-evaluate it for next year. Ordering of Bases and Soccer Goals - Mr. Haas stated those orders will be placed this week. Request for Attendance - The Commission asked that Kevin Starr, Parks, attend the first meeting of each month to discuss needs and activities in the parks. Kelsey-Round Lake Park Grant - Mr. Haas for Phase II of the park development. been extended to March 31, 1997. stated he will make application That application deadline has ''I \. / MOTION by Kieffer, Seconded by Grabowski, to adjourn. unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m. , ~-A--. ' \~~pectf(+~.JY SUA. mit..red-('" L \ ~ \Cl}\.i-'-'_~C:L (, l L\ fc';:., Maroella A. Peach, Recording Secretary Motion carried