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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 15, 1996 o ~ () o o CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW, . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 PARK AND' RECREATION COMMISSION - AUGUST 15, 1996 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lindahl on August 15, 1996, 7:38 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Tom Anderson, Al Grabowski, Jeff Kieffer, Dave O'Toole, Roger Paulson Dave Blackstad Parks, Kevin Starr Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Others commissioner absent: Also present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 1, 1996, Regular Meeting: Discussion on Langseths park, clarify that Chairperson Lindahl suggested they look at how much use the rink at Pine Hills gets before doing anything else. Possibly the rink should alternate between the two parks each year. MOTION by Kieffer, Seconded by Anderson, with that amendment, to approve the Minutes of August 1. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, I-Absent (Blackstad) vote. CROWN POINTE EAST 2ND ADDITION SKETCH PLAN Jerry Windschitl, Ashford Development Corporation, explained this is the last triangular piece to be developed off prairie Road south of Coon Creek. It will consist of 70 single family lots. There is a large park in the Hills of Bunker Lake 5th Addition plus an extensive amount of park land in Shadowbrook. prairie Knoll is about 1/2 mile north. He would have no objection of dedicating cash in lieu of land. Mr. Haas stated the Comprehensive Plan shows no trails in this area, though there will be a trail along Prairie Road at some point. After discussion, it was the Commission's general opinion that the two large parks in the vicinity would be adequate, noting the policy of not creating numerous mini parks around the City because of the maintenance issue. They recommended cash be taken in lieu of land for park dedication. WOODLAND ESTATES SKETCH PLAN Byron Westlund, Woodland Development Corporation, reviewed the proposed Woodland Estates which consists of 160 single family homes . This development is right across from the City's biggest park complex. Commissioner 0' Toole stated the intent has been to get a trail t-:: '\ , ) , '1 'J ~-J () u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 15, 1996 Page 2 (Wooodland Estates Sketch Plan, Continued) Kelsey-Round Lake park. It would be a straight shot from the City park complex through this plat and further west. It might be beneficial to have a trail from the plat to the City's park complex and schools. He felt that should be looked at closely. Mr. Haas also noted the proposal for an MSA road through this area, which could affect the plat. That is being reviewed further by Staff. Mr. Westlund explained Anoka County has requested that the north entrance be made even further north. There is also talk of making Nightingale and Crosstown Boulevard a T intersection. He felt an MS' route through the plat would be very detrimental to it for safety and lot configuration. He then reviewed a proposal for a trail system based on the comments from the Andover Review Committee which runs between the lots through the middle of the plat with a one-half acre park in the middle. The lots are extra large, so a trail through the rear yards would not be a problem. They would funnel the traffic to the controlled intersection. Again, his concern was not knowing the City's plan and his desire to have this trail connected to another. Chairperson Lindahl did not like trails in the rear yards that would be the maintenance responsibility of the Parks Department. He preferred to have a sidewalk in the street. People usually have an interest in sidewalks and take care of them and the boulevards. The trails should be incorporated as part of the street zone, possibly widen the street 15 or 20 feet on one side, and not be part of the Park's responsibility. Mr. Westlund stated the lots are bigger and there will be covenants on them. The minimum square footage would be 1400 square feet. They are targeting the second- or third-time home buyer. He felt they could work with the suggestion of wider streets or sidewalks. Mr. Haas stated the reason Staff suggested a small park in this plat was because of the large stand of trees. The other properties around this are more open. The Commission then agreed that any trail or sidewalk in the street would not be considered park property but would be within the right of way. They also agreed to stay with the policy of not wanting to create many small parks and felt one would not be needed in this development because of the City complex directly to the east. If it is felt that a small park is needed in the future, the Commission noted that could be considered when the property to the north or south develops. The proposal is to accept cash in lieu of land for this development. REVIEW LIST OF PRIORITY OF PARKS Mr. Haas noted the petitions to upgrade Terrace Park and Langseths Park. The Commission discussed the development of the Hills of Bunker Lake 5th park which they visited prior to this evening's meeting. They understood that the Andover Lions Club had committed funding to develop the park and asked about the status of that commitment. They asked that a preliminary layout of the development of the park be prepared. They also noted the park is not yet leveled and asked that Staff encourage the developer to complete the final grade. They hoped to have that (j r "- l-.J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August'IS, 1996 Page 3 "\ , ) (Review List of Priority of Parks, Continued) completed to start turf next spring. Mr. Starr noted there are a lot of sticks and lumber in the dirt, plus many items have been dumped in the park. Mr. Haas stated they have talked to the developer twice and the developer did grade the park a second time. He will check with the City Engineer to get the project finalized. He will report back to the Commission on the status of the project at the Commission's September 5, 1996, meeting. The Commission also asked Mr. Haas to contact the builder next to the park to clean up the debris he placed in the park. Mayor Jack McKelvey, representing the Andover Lions Club, stated last night the Gambling Committee agreed to donate $8,000 to the Park Department, then $5,000 each of the next four months for a total of $28,000, which is what they committed for the development of the Hills of Bunker Lake 5th park. Mr. Starr suggested a sign should be located in that park that the funding was donated by the Andover Lions Club. ~J The Commission then discussed the development of Langseths park. It was finally agreed that the ice rink should be placed in the park this winter and alternate its location in future years with Pine Hills park. They did not feel the need to have an ice rink in both parks during the same year. In discussing ice rinks, the issue of a well in the northern portion of the City was brought up. It had been suggested in th8 past that Oak Grove be approached to dig a well jointly. The Commission suggested this may be a good time to approach Oak Grove about that issue. Mr. Starr also stated he would like to switch the playground equipment in Langseths Park to bring it up to code. One of the objectives for 1997 is to get a program in place to replace equipment on a regular basis and to budget for it. They will also inventory the playground equipment and its condition. Safety would be the main priority to replace old equipment. The Commission agreed with the replacement of equipment and upgrading of the Terrace and Langseths Parks plus an ice rink in Langseths this winter. BIKEWAY TASK FORCE Mr. Haas asked that the item be tabled until after Staff has attended a bicycle conference and obtained information that may be helpful in building the system. The Commission agreed. SET SPECIAL MEETING/WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1996 The Commission agreed to set a special meeting for Wednesday, August 28, 1996, at 7 p.m. to review the bids received for the miscellaneous trails, Project 96-8. , ) CJ o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 15, 1996 Page 4 ...- '\ \.j MONTHLY PUBLIC WORKS PARK DEPARTMENT UPDATE Mr. Starr reviewed his proposal for a trail system around Sunshine Park which basically follows the traffic pattern that has developed In the park. This will allow roller bladers and bicyclers to ride without disturbing the activities at the ball fields. Also, there is a nice area just outside the fence of the main four ball fields that would be ideal for a pathway. He'd propose an eight-foot path, which would about 1 1/2 miles in length. Also, once the City owns the property off Crosstown, Staff feels a parking lot should be constructed to the west to be able to access the park from the southwest corner. With this proposal, the park would be ADA accessible. There is also a nice area that could be utilized as a playground just south of the parking lot. There should also be some shelters placed around the complex. He would like to get a final layout of the park approved before he starts planting trees. He also pointed out areas where trees will be planted, plantings to be placed in the radiuses, benches provided, and wild flowers seeded in various locations. Mr. Haas also noted the trails being done this year from the parking lot and to connect with the school's trail. Commissioner Grabowski pointed out some consideration should be given to connecting with the proposed plat of Woodland Estates to the west which /- -, was reviewed this evening. He also felt the western property that is ~ expected to be owned by the City would be an ideal place for a parking lot and a picnic area. Commissioner O'Toole felt the planning of a trail from this park to the west, eventually to Kelsey-Round Lake, should be a priority. The Commission generally agreed with the trail system as laid out by Mr. Starr. The width of the trails should be 8 to 10 feet. The first phase of construction would be the trails to service the baseball area and the soccer fields, with the circle around the ball fields to be done last. They also agreed with the planting of trees and wild flowers as proposed. In further discussion, they agreed that the gates to the south of the complex should be removed and an overlapped fence be installed so people could get through but motorized vehicles could not. In addition, trees should be planted in the corridors between the fields because there is a need for shade and to keep people from practicing in that area, though there may not be enough room in the main corridor t~ the east. It was also suggested that small shelters could be placed in the north or west corridors. Mr. Starr also updated the Commission on the progress of the trail being constructed off Palm Street. He noted that culverts had to be installed with flume and grates' for a total cost of $711. He recommended tr.at be taken from park dedication. , '\ o MOTION by O'Toole, Seconded by Grabowski, to allocate the money to pay for the culvert from park dedication. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, 1- Absent (Blackstad) vote. . , ( ) ,~' r , , ) \~ Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - August 15, 1996 Page 5 \ , ) (Monthly Public Works Park Department Update, Continued) Mr. Starr noted the City Council will be discussing the payment of the water bill for Sunshine Park at its next meeting. He suggested the Commission may want to have representation at that meeting. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Signage in Sunshine Park Commissioner Grabowski asked about the signage that was to be installed at Sunshine Park relating to park rules. Mr. Starr stated they will do one as soon as they get a work order. Mr. Haas stated he did give one to the Superintendent, but he will follow up on it. Final grading at Sunshine Park for Fields 9 and 10 and the soccer field - Because the top soil of the two ball fields and soccer field is very rough and full of weeds, the Commission urged Staff to work with the contractor to comply with the specifications on those fields. To have the fields ready for next year, they expressed the importance of getting the fields in shape and seeded before the middle of September. If the contractor is not going to have it completed in time, they felt the City should use the bond to get it done. Also, they suggested TKDA be askeJ why they are not following up on this project to get it completed. Mr. Haas stated he will update the Commission at the next meeting. \ I / Flags at Sunshine Park - The Commission asked Staff to find out whether or not it is possible to keep the American flag up without lights. They also asked that a City flag be ordered to be flown at Sunshine Park. The intent was to use the MIA/POW flag only until the City flag is available. Specifications for trails Mr. Haas briefly reviewed the bid specifications that have been submitted for the trails project. Mayor McKelvey reported he just talked with the principal of Andover Elementary who has changed plans for the sidewalks behind the building to the parking lot at Sunshine Park for use during those events when that parking lot will be used. He suggested Mr. Haas contact the school to be sure the City's and school's trails will connect. He also stated the school's major events are in September and October, April and May; so he did not anticipate they would make a request to have the parking lot at Sunshine Park plowed. Financial statements for concessions: The Commission stated they did not receive the revised contract for the Concessions Building. 1:1 reviewing the financial statements for June and July, the Commission noted that since the profits from the concessions do not come back to the Parks Department, the City should be financing the new refrigerator or other equipment that may be needed in the building, not Parks. , I \...J MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by Kieffer, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, I-Absent (Blackstad) vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.