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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 16, 1995 o o o o o -"".""~:.~~.,,,- ".'-",o,C}\-" .. "~!1_ .\ M' l ~ - CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W, . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - FEBRUARY 16, 1995 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Acting Chairperson Jim Lindahl on February 16, 1995, 7:31 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Chairperson Tom Anderson (arrived at 7:33 p.m.), Dave Erickson, Al Grabowski, Jeff Kieffer, Dave O'Toole Roger Paulson Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas Others Commissioner absent: Also present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 2, 1995: Correct as written. MOTION by Kieffer, Seconded by 0' Toole,' to approve the Minutes from February 2 as written. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 2-Absent (Anderson, Paulson) vote. (Chairperson Anderson arrived at this time and chaired the remainder of the meeting. 7:33 p.m.) WOODLAND MEADOWS 2ND ADDITION PRELIMINARY PLAT Mr. Haas explained a park exists which has not yet been developed. had proposed cash in lieu of land to the north of this proposed plat At the sketch plan, the Commission for park dedication. MOTION by Lindahl, Seconded by Grabowski, to accept cash in lieu of land for Woodland Meadows 2nd Addition. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, I-Absent (Paulson) vote. PARK BOND DISCUSSION/PROJECT 94-28 Bob Thistle, Springsted, Inc., addressed the Commission. He prepared an estimated annual tax impact on taxes payable in 1995 on bond issue proceeds of $1 million, $2 million, $3 million and $4 million over a 10- year or 15-year period. There is a substantial cost savings to doing a single bond issue as opposed to doing two issues. The longer the debt, the more interest will be paid. Because this requires a favorable vote of the residents, the tax laws state that all property in the City, residential and business, will be taxed at the same rate. The consensus of the Staff is the average market value of a home in Andover is about $125,000. The taxes may drop by the end of the term depending on the economics of the community. Very often in developing communities the tax rates go down slightly because of the growth. u u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 16, 1995 Page 2 C) (Park Bond Discussion/project 94-28, Continued) The Commission asked Staff to research the length of the recent school bond issues, as this would be compounding on top of those taxes. Mr. Thistle stated they can calculate the exact impact of both the school bond issue and this one. The Commission also asked that some historical research be done on the budgets for parks over the last five years, maintenance needs, number of parks, etc., to provide to the residents. Mr. Haas stated he can put that information in their packets when meeting with the City Council. Kevin Starr, Parks Department, reported the capital budget figures are: $48,900 in 1991; $10,600 in 1992; $10,600 in 1993; $30,000 in 1994, and $30,000 in 1995. () Mr. Thistle stated the Commission could allocate a portion of their park dedication funds toward the bond issue, which would lower the tax impact to the residents. The risk is those funds then could not be used for operating costs or maintenance as needed. Alsor the Commission would be pledging future park dedication, which requires a decision each year of how much it must pledge to keep taxes down. The key to a park bond issue is making sure there are items in the plan that the public wants and are willing to support and pay for. Avoid that item that people can rally against. There is a point that may be too much money for the residents to accept. A member of the audience commented the $130,000 warming house may be that item people would rally against. Some Commissioners suggested the buildings not be "warming houses" only, but be constructed such that they can be used the remainder of the year as well for storage, shelters, etc. Mr. Thistle thought it would be helpful to have a number of major targets that had a major number of community activities. Try to get quality products, things the community needs. The idea is to get all of them done at one time. It is also important to get some projects done using park dedication fees. Mr. Haas stated the Council will be asked to set a special meeting date with the Park Commission on March 2 to go over the list. A public hearing will be held by the Park Commission, with the intent being the election will be held in May. He has not heard from Frank Stone, Public Works Superintendent, as to the equipment needs for the parks; so that amount is not yet included in the total bond amount. C) Commissioner Grabowski was concerned that there has been no survey of the residents to determine what they want. Mr. Haas stated he will check if a survey was done when the Comprehensive Plan was done. Mr. Thistle stated they have information on what was done in other communities that can be used for developing information for the public. Generally the younger communities with many children and outside activities have been successful in park bond referendums. The City should try to get as many interest groups involved as possible and to service them. A resident suggested that there are many needs and many young children using the facilities. This is the time to go after the money, suggesting the Park Commission should not scale back to $2 million if $4 million is needed. Know what is wanted and go after it. He noted the Andover Soccer Association has grown from two teams in 1989 to ten teams this year. , I () o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 16, 1995 Page 3 () (Park Bond Discussion/project 94-28, Continued) Mr. Thistle also explained that the Commission can provide public information documents to the residents, which needs to be reviewed by the City Attorney. The Commission felt a history on park bonds would be helpful. Mr. Haas stated Mr. Thistle will also be present at the special meeting with the City Council. After hearing the next item on concerns of the Andover Soccer Association, the Commission reviewed the Park Bond Cost Estimates. LOSS OF SOCCER FIELD/ANDOVER SOCCER ASSOCIATION Jeff Beraeron, Andover Soccer - was concerned that they will be loosing the soccer field behind Public Works. They want to make sure another field in Complex #2 is sodded and available to play before loosing that one. They have volunteers who are available to help with the sod in the complex. Mr. Haas stated they are not sure when the field behind Public Works will be torn up, though he guessed it wouldn't be until June. He is talking with the contractor of Complex #2 to schedule the pallets of sod so it can be laid as soon as possible. The cost of that sod will come from the TIF funds, not park dedication. o The Commission expressed their concern with the quality of sod for the ball fields and asked that Mr. Haas relay those concerns to the contractor and recommend another subcontractor be used for the sod. There was also concern that the sod must be done a minimum of two months before games can be held on the field. Further discussion noted the Soccer Association did not have a specific date in mind, but they needed to have a field available at all times. So when the field behind Public Works is torn up, they need to be able to play on a field in Complex #2. The Commission suggested the sodding of the soccer field in Complex #2 should be done as early as possible in April. Mr. Haas stated he will work with the engineers in an attempt to have one soccer field available always. He also noted the City Engineer is working on the plans and specs for the sprinkling system in Complex #2. The Commission felt that would be important to have the field available for play by the end of June. Mr. Berqeron - stated he needs a guarantee that the one field will not be destroyed until the other one is ready to use so they can schedule the games for the season. It doesn't only affect Andover but a number of other communities who come here for games. Mr. Haas stated he will check if a date can be put in the contract on when they can tear up the soccer field behind Public Works. He has also talked to Mr. Stone about not putting street sweepings on that soccer field. Mr. Stone has (~ agreed to keep that field open. () o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 16, 1995 Page 4 (~) REVIEW PARK BOND COST ESTIMATES Mr. Starr thought there was a conflict between the capital budget for 1995 and the specific projects to be done. He did not know where that project list came from. There are specific areas the Commission had talked about that are not listed such as the park in Nordeen's, swing sets, etc. The Commission also did not recall allocating the capital budget to specific projects and asked Mr. Starr to forward to them a recommendation of where he sees a need for the capital expenditures. After their review, they will ask the Council to approve a change in their allocation of the funds. Mr. Starr agreed to do so as well as list other needs that should come from Park Dedication. Mr. Starr also suggested when reviewing the park bond cost estimates that the Commission concentrate on the expenditures for safety. One idea would be to provide three different packages for the Council to consider. Commissioner O'Toole informed Mr. Starr that the Council approved the use of approximately $6,000 of CDBG funds to meet ADA requirements in the park. Mr. Starr stated they spent about $10,000 last year on those requirements. Commissioner O'Toole also noted $1,500 was transferred from the Andover Recreational Development Association to the Park Board budget. Mr. Starr explained about $1,300 was spent on manpower for ball fields last summer, not the entire $30,000 budget that seemed to be indicated in the Commission's Minutes. C) The Commission then went through the park bond cost estimates' list, reviewing the items listed for each park: Hawkridge (Regional) - Mr. Haas agreed to review the cost of the warming house with restroom facilities and well. The Commission felt the proposed cost of $130,000 is incredibly expensive. They suggested the costs may be broken down. Also, consider labeling it a multi-seasonal park facility. Another suggestion was to construct the facility like those in Minneapolis where panels are installed for the winter for a warming house, then removed in the summer to be used as picnic shelters, craft areas, etc. The Commission did feel they should concentrate on the regional facilities and provide similar facilities at each, including the blacktopping of the parking lots. Timber Trails - The Commission agreed to eliminate the bituminous and curbing for the parking lot. Pleasant Oaks - court. The Commission agreed to construct only one tennis Wild Iris - The Commission agreed to eliminate the bleachers as there is no room for them. ~) Terrace - The Commission agreed to construct only one tennis court. Hidden Creek North (Regional) - After some discussion, the Commission agreed to eliminate the construction of a hockey rink with lights. It was felt there is little demand for hockey rinks, plus one is available .' \ ~) C) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 16, 1995 f~'1 Page 5 " j (Review Park Bond Cost Estimates, Continued) a short distance away at the Crooked Lake School. They also agreed to eliminate one of the bleachers and the bituminous path, but added an irrigation system for the softball and soccer fields and to fence the ball field. Mr. Haas was also asked to review the costs for the warming house with restrooms, the multi-seasonal park facility. Hidden Creek East - The Commission agreed to delete both tennis courts and the bituminous and curbing of the parking lot. Prairie Knoll (Regional) - The Commission agreed the parking lots should be paved but should not have concrete curbing. They also agreed to construct only one tennis court and to include a multi-seasonal park facility. Mr. Haas was asked to look at the possibility of adding both a softball and soccer field to the complex. Hills of Bunker Lake West - The Commission agreed to have concrete curbing as an option and to reduce the amount of the play structure to $15,000. Oak Bluff - The Commission agreed to have concrete curbing of the parking lot as an option. (~\ " ) ~ , Creek View Crossing If possible, the Commission wanted to add additional equipment to the park in the amount of $10,000. Pine Hills - The Commission did not feel there is a need to fence the ball field and agreed to delete that item. Also delete the concrete curbing of the parking lot. Fox Meadows (Regional) - The Commission agreed to only one tennis court and to eliminate the concrete curbing of the parking lot. Strootman - The Commission agreed to delete the curbing of the parking lots. A suggestion was to determine whether a skating facility could be created when the pond is dredged. That would also be a nice location for a picnic area. Meadows of Round Lake - The Commission agreed to add a small shelter to the park. Red Oaks West - Some Commissioners felt the parking lot is already blacktopped with curb. Mr. Haas stated he should check on that. Commissioner Grabowski also noted the problems with the ball field at Red Oaks East. His recommendation was to remove the ball field at Red Oaks East and construct the field at Red Oaks West, which is only a block away, plus expand the parking lot at Red Oaks West. Mr. Haas stated he will review that situation. ,......... "_ ) Northwoods East and West - The Commission noted the parking lot at Northwoods West is too small; and with the installation of "No Parking" signs along the street, the parking problem will have to be addressed before games begin this spring. Funds may need to be taken from park -, ( ) '--.I ;,-, I ,-J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - February 16, 1995 ,r '\ Page 6 \ I (Review Park Bond Cost Estimates, Continued) dedication to resolve the problem this spring. Mr. Haas stated he will discuss that problem with Mr. Stone. The Commission also questioned the upgrading of the tennis lighting. They felt the lights should be used to their life cycle, but they should not be replaced. The intent would be to focus the lighted courts in the regional parks. They also asked Mr. Haas to check into the possibility of expanding the parking lot in Northwoods West and to pave with bituminous but with no curb. The Commission also agreed to meet at that park prior to a regular meeting in March. City Hall Park Complex #1 - with the elimination of the soccer field behind Public Works, the Commission agreed to delete the first item, install sprinkler system at soccer field and back picnic area. They also questioned the need to upgrade the tennis lights. Mr. Haas stated he will talk to Mr. Stone about it. The Commission also agreed to delete Item 9, upgrade east soccer field, as those are just practice areas and may be encroached by the City Hall facilities. Kelsey-Round Lake - Mr. Haas stated the intent would be to make application for more grant funds for this park, which he felt the City had a good chance of obtaining. / ' l, ) City Hall Park Complex #2 - The Commission suggested a basketball court be added, as well as three shelters and some play equipment. Other ideas were to provide a picnic area in the woods, a horseshoe pit and to add another parking lot on the west side of the complex. Bunker Hills Trail Connection - The Commission saw a real need to construct the biking/hiking trail, as they are continually being asked about trails by the residents. They suggested an additional $200,000 be added to this item and to make it a focal point of the bond referendum. Mr. Haas agreed to make those changes and to have them available for the Park Board and City Council at the proposed meeting of March 2. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Haas stated the City Engineer is working on the specifications to sprinkle the ball fields and soccer fields at City Hall Park Complex #2. He also noted the completion date for the installation of lights at two ball fields at City Hall Park Complex #l is May 5. MOTION by Kieffer, Seconded by Lindahl, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, I-Absent (Paulson) vote. The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 p.m. ..- ~\ .'\. ) ~i\s~_QV~ ~a~la A. Peach, Recording Secretary