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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 6, 1995 o o o ~, } ::: 1 '," ,~... I .4,1 ;" :. ; t~ ~~'~:::~:.~'~:.i _'~ ~ ~'J~.... ~,. 'HI: ~ o o """'<"','<"'"."".. i, ',',r.L'~"~'~' """ (:~ \.U ~I " ~i CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD NW. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - APRIL 6, 1995 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Tom Anderson on April 6, 1995, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Dave Erickson, Al Grabowski, Jeff Kieffer, Dave O'Toole, Roger Paulson Jim Lindahl Parks Department, Kevin Starr Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Others Commissioner absent: Also present: RESIDENT FORUM Mark Daqen, President of Andover Athletic Association - thanked the City of Andover and Park and Recreation Commission for the cooperation over the years in working with the youth programs and improving park facilities. In appreciation, he awarded a plaque to the City and one to Mr. Haas from the Athletic Association. He also reported the Association has donated in excess of $14,000 to the Field of Dreams project to date, and then presented a check for an additional $10,000 for that project. Finally, he noted there have been discussions on a name for the Field of Dreams site. As a resident, he suggested it be called "O'Toole Field" in honor of Commissioner O'Toole who has been instrumental in making the project happen. The Commission thanked the Andover Athletic Association for its support and generosity. APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 16, 1995: Correct date to reflect March 16. MOTION by Kieffer, Seconded by O'Toole, March 16 meeting with that date change. Absent (Lindahl) vote. to approve the Minutes of the Motion carried on a 6-Yes, 1- APPROVE 1995 SOFTBALL/BASEBALL FIELD SCHEDULE Mr. Haas recommended the item be tabled for two weeks. Commissioner Grabowski explained he, as a representative of the Andover Athletic Association, has a meeting Monday night with representatives from the Andover Baseball Association to work out a schedule on the use of the fields. Commissioner Kieffer has agreed to attend that meeting to represent the Commission. The schedule will then be brought back to the Commission for approval. He asked if it would be possible to use the fields prior to the Commission approval. ( 1 v u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 6, 1995 Page 2 () (Approve 1995 Softball/Baseball Field Schedule, Continued) The Commission did not object to the field usage as long as there are no conflicts. It was agreed to table the item for two weeks. DISCUSSION/CITY HALL PARK COMPLEX 12/USAGE OF FIELDS AND BUILDING Merlvn prochniak, Andover Recreational Development Association - asked that the Park and Recreation Commission establish a policy for the use of City Hall Park Complex #2 fields and concession building. He felt a policy should be in place prior to the fields being ready for play and the completion of the concession building. That responsibility ultimately falls with the City, but it is the hope of ARDA that priority would be given to the youth. The Commission generally agreed. o Commission discussion was on the possibility of using the meeting room in the concession building on a year-round basis. It was also suggested that Staff research how other cities handle the concession stand -- Would it be run by the City? If not, which organizations would run it? Would it be open for every game? Who would be responsible for locking and unlocking? Some Commissioners thought it should be open for every game to raise revenues to offset maintenance costs. Mr. Haas agreed to get more information on a policy, noting the City Staff also needs to study the guidelines internally, and place the item on a future agenda. Mr. Prochniak asked about the sodding of the soccer fields. Mr. Haas thought the sodding will be held off until the irrigation system is installed. The contractor will be asked to do that soccer field first. Mr. prochniak stated it was always understood that when Public Works needed to expand, that the soccer field to the north would have to be given up. With the cost of establishing a new soccer field, he thought the Commission should be compensated for the loss other than the park dedication funds. Commissioner O'Toole appreciated the suggestion to name the Field of Dreams after him; however, he was opposed to it because so many other people have worked as well to see that the project became a reality. He hoped a contest would be held to name the fields. REVIEW PARK BOND BROCHURE/PROJECT IP94-28 Mr. Haas noted the draft brochure before the Commission that would be given to residents to inform them of the park bond referendum and how the funds would be spent. The Commission was generally pleased with the brochure and made the following suggestions: :_) Add a noticeable paragraph to emphasize some funding will be used for the construction of a trail system. o u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 6, 1995 Page 3 (J (Review Park Bond Brochure/Project IP94-28, Continued) In "Why a bond issue now?", third point, change to "NSatisfy public demand for facilities." In "What will it cost?", clarify the first paragraph. Reword the second paragraph to, "These figures represent a $2,925,000 bond issue sold at an annual average rate estimated at 5.396% with a ten-year level debt service payment. Based on current growth in the commercial, industrial and residential tax base, this levy will likely decrease in the monthly cost for each taxpayer proportionately. . . ." Eliminate the categories of $250,000 and $500,000 of estimated market value and add one for $200,000. In "Field of Dreams/City Hall Park Complex #2", second paragraph, reword, "The concession stand/meeting facility..." Last sentence, "At this point, the City will be unable to install field lighting due to lack of funds to complete the complex." Move the "Regional Parks" section to the same side as the listing of the various neighborhood parks. Eliminate the word "Park" after each of the neighborhood parks and attempt to insert a general location. :---J The Commissioners were pleased with the proposed color scheme. Mr. Haas agreed to send copies of the redrafted brochure to the Commissions before it is finalized so they can call him with comments they may have. The Commission agreed these brochures should be mailed directly to each household in the City on either Tuesday, May 2 or Wednesday May 3. Mr. Haas stated he will research the cost of the mailing. Commissioner Kieffer stated in this process the Commission has overlooked those groups who have adopted parks in the City. He suggested they be invited to the next meeting to report on their activities in the parks and for their input into what they would like to see done. The Commission agreed that should be added to the agenda of the next meeting. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT City Hall Complex #2 Sprinkling Plan - Mr. Haas reviewed the plans and specifications for the irrigation system on the Field of Dreams site. It will include a base bid to sprinkle all of the fields and an alternate to sprinkle outside of the fields, including the ponds. The engineer's estimate is the project will cost $80,000. There will be a starting and completion date in the bid, and the soccer field will be done first. The other soccer fields will not be done until after the sewer line is through there. ~) Tournaments - Mr. Haas reported a ball tournament has been scheduled for April 21 and 22 through pov's, and another one will be set shortly. Those teams will pay the fees that have been adopted for field usage. o u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting 'Minutes - April 6, 1995 Page 4 ) (Chairman's Report, Continued) Lighting of City Hall Complex #1 Fields - Mr. Haas reported the contractor will begin the lighting project shortly and is expected to be completed by May 5. The Commission noted a procedure needs to be established as to who is responsible for turning the lights on and off each night. Mr. Haas also noted it will cost about $3,000 to install security lights in the parking lots. Anoka Electric was very cooperative in that entire project. policies to Protect Children and Staff/Volunteers - Mr. Starr presented copies of policies which he hopes to have implemented within three weeks when the first volunteer group comes to work in the parks. He asked that the Commissioners review the policies and call him with any changes or recommendations before the policies are finalized. Update on Park Activities - Mr. Starr noted the recycling cans that will be purchased for the parks and the benches they have made. He has also received a reasonable bid to blacktop the Oak Bluff parking lot. He is in the process of making an order for playground equipment. A list of that order will be provided to the Commission for the next meeting. He stated there will not enough money in the capital budget. The Commission understood the $12,000 donation from the Lions Club was to be used in the parks. \ ~ MOTION by O'Toole, Seconded by Paulson, to transfer the donation of $12,000 from the Lions Club to the Park Capital Improvements Budget. DISCUSSION: Mr. Haas stated he will research where that donation was put. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Lindahl) vote. Mr. Starr stated the sod at the Field of Dreams is growing. It is lumpy and needs to be rolled. He also ordered additional seed to fill in the gaps. He is still working on a plan to meet ADA requirements. Old equipment that does not meet code is being pulled out of all parks. He has also ordered 500 trees. CDBG Funds - The Commission asked Mr. Haas to check on the progress of obtaining the CDBG Funds that were approved by the Council for park improvements. Concession/Meeting Facility - Commissioner O'Toole stated the ground breaking for the building is scheduled for April 20. Mr. Haas stated ARDA is going to pay the building permit fee, and they will then be reimbursed. Commissioner O'Toole also reported he is still talking with people in an attempt to obtain scoreboards for the fields. Park on Tulip/Bennetts - Mr. Haas thought the City would lease the park to the Bennetts. He suggested a one-year lease until the Commission can decide what to do. The item will be placed on the next agenda. The Commission suggested they look at the option of selling the land to the , Bennetts since it is not wanted for a park. j MOTION by Paulson, Seconded by O'Toole, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Lindahl) vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. ~~..., '. R~~te~ .r~. Peach, Recording Secretary