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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 20,1996 o o ~ ,1\\6/C1l,p o CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - JUNE 20, 1996 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lindahl on June 20, 1996, 7:37 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Commissioner absent: Also present: Tom Anderson, Dave O'Toole Al Grabowski, Jeff Kieffer, Roger Paulson Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Others DISCUSS 1997 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET Mr. Haas explained he reviewed the proposed 1997 Park Capital Improvement budget with the Public Works Superintendent and has submitted it. He used last year's requests as a guide. In discussing the proposal, the Commission suggested $25,000 be added for trails. Also, add $250,000 for lighting of the ball fields at Sunshine Community Park Complex so the Council is aware of desire to do that project as soon as possible. o The Commission also suggested Staff prepare a more detailed schedule as to which parking lots will be blacktopped and when, which parks will be upgraded to meet ADA requirements, etc., to outline for the Council just what needs to be done. The Commission asked that the Council consider meeting with them one- half hour prior to the special budget meeting to discuss the capital improvements proposals for 1997. Mr. Haas stated he will ask the Council to meet with the Park Commission at 6:30 p.m., July 10. RESIDENT FORUM Marv Ann Anderson - told the Commission that children are playing by the air conditioner by the Concessions Building at Sunshine Community Park Complex. They are putting their hands in the grates, and there is also the potential for throwing rocks into it. She felt it is a real safety hazard. Mr. Haas stated he will talk with Public Works to fence it temporarily, even if it is with snow fence for now. INDIAN MEADOWS 4TH ADDITION - PARK DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS o Mr. Haas explained this is just an informational item that Indian Meadows 4th Addition is now going through the development process. When the other Additions in that area were platted in the early 1980s, all of the required park dedication was taken at that time. Therefore, no dedication will be required under this plat. He is working with the developer to have an easement graded and blacktopped to the Kelsey-Round Lake parking lot. No Commission action was required. {' "\ U ( ) ......, Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 20, 1996 Page 2 , ) HUNTER'S HOLLOW - PARK DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS Mr. Haas reported the Commission was leaning toward cash in lieu of lanJ when the Hunter's Hollow sketch plan was presented. There is a park to the west that has a ballfield. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by 0' Toole, to recommend to the City Council to take cash in lieu of land for Hunter's Hollow plat. Motion carried on a 3-Yes (Lindahl, Anderson, O'Toole), 3-Absent (Grabcwski, Kieffer, Paulson) vote. PINEWOOD ESTATES WALKWAY DISCUSSION Chairperson Lindahl explained the Commission did not get involved with the easement for a walkway from the Pinewood Estates development to Andover Elementary School. When this item was brought to the Commission at the last meeting by a resident, the Commission asked Staff to research if any agreements were made with the developer by the Planning Commission or Council regarding the fencing of that walkway. Mr. Haas stated no agreements were made, and it has been the Commission's policy not to fence walkways. ~) The Commission agreed to stay with the policy of not fencing walkways. They suggested possibly the adjoining property owners could landscap~ the short strip themselves with shrubs or fence it to keep the walkers and bikers from wondering off the path. DISCUSS MISCELLANEOUS PARK TRAILS/IP96-8 Mr. Haas reviewed the proposed parks that Staff is recommending trails be constructed to meet ADA requirements. The CDBG funds in the amount of $20,000 are available for this project, plus another $6,000 left from last year that may be available. The Planning Department is checking on that further. The Commission agreed the regional parks should be given priority. They asked that the following trails be bid: Park #30 - City Hall Park Complex #1, Park #16 - Terrace, Park # 36 - Hawkridge, and Park #29 - City Hall Park Complex #2. They did not feel trail at Hidden Creek East should be done at this time. The benefit of the proposed trail in Barnes Rolling Oaks 2nd Addition was questioned, as the Prairie Knoll park has access on three sides, it would run between large 2 1/2-acre lots, and the residential streets leading to the park are not very busy. For now they suggested Parks level and mow the easement to the park. After more discussion, it was agreed to bid the trail in the eastern section as an alternative; but it would be at the bottom of the list of priorities. ~) Commissioner O'Toole noted the school district has paved a trail behind the new Andover Elementary to the boundary of the City Hall Park Complex ( '') v " '\ IJ Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 20, 1996 Page 3 C,J (Discuss Miscellaneous Park TrailsjIP96-8, Continued) #2. He suggested Staff work with the school district to connect the trail, as he thought it was intended to extend to the parking lot. The Commission also suggested Staff look at the possibility of using the funds for trails in Kelsey-Round Lake Park, in Strootman park toward the river, in Fox Meadows, and in Creekview Crossing. CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 47 AMENDMENTS Mr. Haas explained the Commission had talked about installing a sign at the City Hall Park Complex #2 listing the rules. If those activities are not to be allowed in parks, the Ordinance will need to be amended. The Commission worked off a proposal sheet written by Commissioner Grabowski. () Item 1: Proposal "that it shall be unlawful to bring pets into Sunshine Community Park Complex." The Commission felt the rules in an ordinance must be applicable to all parks. As written, Section 2, Paragraph 2.4 states "Pets must be kept leashed or under control." It was understood that "under control" pertains to those times when a dog is being trained, learning to fetch, etc. The Commission did not have a problem with the ordinance as written as it pertains to the City's parks, though it was acknowledged there are problems with pets around the athletic fields. It was then agreed to recommend an amendment to add a sentence, "Pets must be kept leashed or under control. Pets that are on or directly adjacent to all athletic fields must be leashed. Owners must clean up after their pets." This would then apply to all athleti ~ fields in the City. The Commission also asked that the Community Service Officer make periodic stops at the Complex. Item 2: "It shall be unlawful to rollerblade, skateboard or bicycle on the pathways leading to and around the Concession Building." After discussion, the Commission did not wish to amend the ordinance for this item. It was felt that once all of the pathways are installed, those activities will be dispersed throughout the park and will not continue to be concentrated around the Concessions Building. For now, they asked Staff to erect a sign stating "Please, No Horseplay around the Building." This would apply to rollerblading, bicycles, running, etc. Item 3: "It shall be unlawful to bring in food or beverages without a permit. Plastic containers (no glass) containing water are permissible." The Commission agreed that not allowing glass containers is standard procedure. They did not, however, want to prevent people from bringing in food or beverages to the City's parks. Recognizing that organizations make their profits from the sale of concessions at tournaments, the Commission agreed it would be acceptable for those in charge of tournaments to impose this rule for their tournaments only. It would not apply as a general rule to regular league games. c) The Commission suggested a bike rack be purchased and placed somewhere near the athletic fields in the Sunshine Community Park Complex. Mr. Haas stated he would check into that. () ( " '-) Regular Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - June 20, 1996 Page 4 " ) (Consider Ordinance No. 47 Amendments, Continued) MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by 0' Toole, to recommend to the City Council an amendment to Ordinance No. 47, Section 2, Paragraph 2.4, "Pets must be kept leashed or under control. Pets that are on or directly adjacent to all athletic fields must be leashed. Owners must clean up after their pets." Motion carried on a 3 - Yes (Lindahl, Anderson, O'Toole), 3-Absent (Grabowski, Kieffer, Paulson) vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 6, 1996, Regular Meeting: Correct as written. MOTION by 0' Toole, Seconded by written. Motion carried on a (Anderson), 3-Absent (Grabowski, Anderson, to approve the Minutes as 2-Yes (Lindahl, O'Toole), 1-Present Kieffer, Paulson) vote. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Oak Bluff Park - Commissioner Anderson stated a neighbor wants to plant trees in the Oak Bluff Park. He wants to remove the pine trees planted by the City and put them elsewhere, then plant his trees. He talked with Kevin Starr in Parks, who was very agreeable to the proposal. The Commission had no problem with the proposal. '.-J Flags at Sunshine Community Park Complex - Commissioner O'Toole asked Staff to look into the possibility of lighting the flags at the park so they do not have to be removed every night. Mr. Haas stated he will check into it. Trail Fees - Mr. Haas explained in light of recent court rulings on transportation fees being charged by cities, Andover will continue to collect the $250 trail fee charged with building permits; however, those fees will be placed in a fund until a final decision is made by the courts. He will also make a presentation at the next meeting on & plan for the trail system and organization of the Task Force on trails. The Commission hoped that preliminary planning and land acquisition for the Coon Creek Trail can be done so construction can begin as early as possible in the Spring, 1997. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by O'Toole, a 3-Yes (Lindahl, Anderson, O'Toole), Paulson) vote. The meeting adjourned at to adj ourn. Motion carried on 3-Absent (Grabowski, Kieffer, 8:43 p.m. Respectfully ~ ' / ~~ach .:l Recording Secretary ,- '\