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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 20, 1995 o o o (j o CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - JULY 20, 1995 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Tom Anderson on July 20, 1995, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, d . ' An .over, M~nnesota. Commissioners present: Dave Erickson, A1 Grabowski, Jeff Kieffer, Dave O'Toole, Roger Paulson Jim Lindahl Park Coordinator, Todd Haas Others Commissioner absent: Also present: RESIDENT FORUM Jed Larson, 4143 165th Avenue - did not agree with the park dedication fees being proposed for his plat and the factors used to determine land value. He asked how those fees are determined, how the value is determined, and who authorizes the appraisal. Mr. Haas and the Park Board explained the ordinance requirement for park dedication, noted appraisals are done by an independent appraiser, that the request for an appraisal is done by Staff if there hasn't been one within the last six months in the area, and that the fee for the appraisal is paid for by the Park Board from park dedication funds. Mr. Larson - stated the land was valued at $100rOOO for the 16 acres with no house on it. He strongly disagreed with it. That means the land and house are worth $160,000. If he could get that muth for it, he'd stop the development and leave. Mrs. Larson stated they tried to sell both their land and the house and could not. The back of their property is unusable unless the road is put through. All they wanted to do was build a house in the back, but the City would not let them, even though two other parcels use that road for access. She also complained that all through the development process they have been told costs one at a time, making it very difficult for them to have accurate figures on which to base their decisions. When starting the development over three years ago, they were told park dedication would be $400 to $500. This latest figure puts the project over the break-even point. She asked if they could hire for own certified appraiser. Mr. Haas and the Commission explained the appraisal is based only on the raw land excluding the buildings. It is compared with other properties in the area. Noting the appraised values of recent developments, this appraisal is within $1,000 an acre. Also, land prices have changed a lot in the last three years. The Commission stated the Larson's may hire another appraiser at their cost; however, that appraiser will have to use the criteria set in the ordinance. They also suggested that the Larson's meet with Mr. Haas and the City's appraiser to review how the value was determined. , CJ u , Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - July 20, 1995 Page 2 c) (Resident Forum, Continued) Ken Slvzuk, 15211 Niohtenoale Street - asked how the Commission can justify the difference in park dedication on a 2 1/2-acre lot worth $1,000 or one that is worth $100,000. He stated there is like property developed in the City within the last six months that hasn't paid one- fourth as much in park dedication fees as is being required of the Larson's, pointing to the 90-acre Wittington Ridge plat. Also, the appraiser for the Larson's stated the property is two miles from Highway 10, which it is not. Mr. Haas explained everyone pays 10 percent in park dedication either in land or in cash. That has been in effect for many years. He also reviewed the files for Wittington Ridge and found that the developer did pay 10 percent of the land value in park dedication for almost 60 acres of gross land area. That is the amount of acreage shown on the plat as we1lr not 90 as supposed by Mr. Slyzuk. Timber Meadows has an appraised valuation of $5,600 per acre, as was Woodland Meadows, which was appraised in July, 1995. Commissioner O'Toole thought the Staff can determine why there is a $600-per-acre difference between these plats and the Larson's. Again, the Commission encouraged the Larson's to meet with Mr. Haas to review the specifics of the appraisal. ~~) UPDATE OF PARK DEDICATION FUNDS, FINANCE Jean McGann, Finance Director, noted the updated Park Dedication Fund Balance Sheet as of June 30, 1995, and the Park Dedication Fund Revenues and Expenditures for the last six months. She explained the interest allocated to the account is based on the cash balance at the end of each month. Chairperson Anderson felt the interest income was very low considering the fund balance on hand. Ms. McGann stated she will check that again. She will have another report at the end of July. The Commission appreciated the details of the report. WOODLAND MEADOWS PARK, CONTINUED :) Linda Isaacson, 17231 partridoe Street - noted the letter anM proposed park development plan submitted to the Park Board. It is their intent to leave the back half of the park open for a nature area; however, if it is not developed within one year as a nature area, she would ask the Park Board to add additional playground equipment to the back. It is not right that those bordering the park should use it for the personal extension of their yards. In choosing the equipment, some were very concerned with keeping the natural appearance, so a redwood swing set was chosen. To save money, she would not oppose a metal swing set, which would be a considerable cost savings. If they can only get a four-seat swing, she would like them to be all belted seats, but she didn't think that size will be sufficient. Also, Mike Dorsey of Flanagan Sales, Inc., who worked with them to develop the plan, felt only a an 8- foot swing could be placed there because of clearance. She had originally requested a 10-foot swing, which is what she would still like to see, though some trees may need to be cut down. u u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - July 20, 1995 Page 3 lJ (Woodland Meadow Park, Continued) , Kevin Starr, Parks Supervisor, stated they are going with all 8-foot high swings for safety reasons. The Commission agreed with that height and also felt it would be possible to fit a six-seat swing where proposed. Ms. Isaacson - then reviewed the jungle gym unit that was chosen, noting again that they do not want colored units but something that is natural, the redwood benches and the timbers. Mr. Starr stated the Parks Department has been making park benches and can do so for considerably less cost. The Department also has the timbers. He suggested the access point should be ADA accessible and hard surfaced. The Department has been ordering its equipment from Game time, which generally has the low bid. Also, the Department no longer installs the jungle gym sets because of the insurance; and he estimated the cost to install the equipment proposed would be $6,000 to $8,000. They can also mow the back area for now, keeping a buffer around the edge and possibly adding a picnic table and a shelter. Ms. Isaacson - did want the back area mowed. Her only concern with a picnic area back there was the garbage that may collect, but they do want to get away from those bordering the park using it as their own , property. " " U Chuck LaBeaux. 2233 173rd Circle NW - stated this whole area was a tree farm, so there isn't a lack of trees. If one or two trees need to be removed in the park for the equipment, he felt it should be done. Those opposed to the park are making it as difficult as possible by suggesting no trees should be cut or trimmed because they want to keep it to themselves. He disagreed. Trimming would actually help the trees, plus he felt they are too thick and some should be thinned out. They carne in with a petition for a park, not a nature area. Chairperson Anderson stated the concern of the Park Board is safety and maintenance or vandalism. The intent has always been to place equipment in the park and to develop it so it is usable by all of the residents. The back area may be a nice place for picnics and shelter. Ms. Isaacson - personally didn't want a picnic area, preferring to keep it usable for the children. Equipment is better. Lori Sobieck told her she has someone who will develop the nature area for free, though that person has not yet been contacted. Ms. Isaacson stated she is willing to compromise with the nature center, but she wants the back area mowed and the trees trimmed. Leave some trees that are along the border of the Sobieck's because it is important to them. <J The Commission discussed the proposal, noting the total cost of between $18,000 and $23,000 plus up to $8,000 for installation. A concern was that no other neighborhood park has had that much money spent for equipment. It was generally agreed that a more reasonable development cost would be between $12,000 to $18,000. They also felt the trees need to be pruned for clearance, plus some felt they are too thick and some thinning is required. They agreed some can be left along the borders. ~J ;0 Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - July 20, 1995 \ Page 4 \, -.J (Woodland Meadows Park, Continued) Ms. Isaacson - then proposed a compromise, Option 2, which reduced the size of the jungle gym and includes a metal swing. If metal components are cheaper, she felt that is what should be used as long as it looks natural. The intent would be to add onto the jungle gym in future years. The Commission felt Option 2 is workable. Mr. Starr estimated the installation costs would still run $6,000 to $8,000. ,. The Commission suggested Mr. Starr work with Ms. Isaacson and get two bids for the next meeting on a jungle gym and a six-seat swing. The intent would be that the equipment and installation costs would not exceed $18,000. Commissioner O'Toole felt there is a safety issue with the speed limit past that park, plus there is a curve and the road is extremely narrow. The plan doesn't call for any parking lot, so cars must park on the street. He recommended the Andover Review Committee look at that safety issue and make recommendations. Mr. Haas agreed, noting the City does have the authority to install warning signs and post a reduced speed for safety. " '\ o Ms. Isaacson - stated she will not be attending the next meeting, as this is the third vacation day she has taken to attend Park Board meetings. She will call the Sobieck's and Leverson's to let them know what took place this evening. The Commission did not want to send individual notices to the residents, preferring instead to rely on the normal official notifications and postings. 1995 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT, REVIEW , Mr. Haas reviewed the proposed park trail East, Hidden Creek North and Hills of requested authorization to obtain costs. quotes come in over budget. development for Hidden Creek Bunker Lake West parks. He Parks can be eliminated if the MOTION by O'Toole, Seconded by Kieffer, to go out for quotes for the three projects as presented. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Lindahl) vote. RECOMMEND APPROVAL/IP93-7/CITY HALL PARK COMPLEX #2/FENCE Mr. Haas asked for approval to install six backstops for City Hall park Complex #2 and bring it to the Council for their approval. North Star Fence, Inc'r is the low quote of $10,200. I MOTION by Paulson, Seconded by O'Toole, to so move. ,_j a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Lindahl) vote. Motion carried on ,. (j - '\ ( ) '- , Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - July 20, 1995 Page 5 () 1996 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET, DISCUSSION Mr. Haas suggested the Park Board may wish to take some time to review the proposal and hold a special meeting to discuss the 1996 capital improvement budget in greater detail. The Commission agreed, setting a special meeting for Thursday, July 27, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall. They also asked that Mr. Starr attend that meeting for his input into the process. Mr. Starr suggested that at least one parking lot be paved each year, starting with wild Iris. Commissioner O'Toole suggested that MTC Bus be asked if they would contribute toward that paving since it is a park and ride area. Linda Isaacson - asked that dollars be allocated in the 1996 budget for additional play equipment in the Woodland Meadows Park in the event the nature center in the back is not developed. Additional equipment would include additions to the jungle gym, another swing set, a Jacob's ladder and a tire swing. She'd also like to see Hawk Ridge developed further, especially a basketball court for the older children who are able to cross Verdin Street. The Commission agreed to take those into consideration at the budget meeting. " \ 'J UPDATE OF IP93-7/CITY HALL PARK COMPLEX 12 Mr. Haas updated the Commission on the progress of the complex as listed in the Agenda packet. Commissioner Grabowski noted the road just paved from Crosstown Boulevard to the City Hall park is very narrow. If people park along one side, only one lane of traffic is available. He felt that parking must be eliminated totally on that road, but then additional parking area is needed elsewhere. He suggested in the future such roads be wide enough to have parking on one side and still two lanes of traffic. Mr. Haas felt that is a good suggestion. He will also talk with the Public Works Superintendent about the parking problem there. Commissioner Grabowski also felt the lights are very dim on the skating rink at City Hall. Mr. Haas thought the bulbs could be changed to 150 watts. The lights in the back of the complex will not be installed until the well is completed. Commissioner Grabowski also noted the lights are not yet installed in the parking lot off Hanson Boulevard, and it is very, very dark back there. Mr. Haas thought they had been installed and will check on it. Mr. Haas stated the irrigation system at Complex #2 is not yet working because they do not have electricity. Commissioner O'Toole explained there will be no power until they have a secured building because they do not want that responsibility. Hopefully the building will be secured in two to three weeks. C) r) '--, r" \..J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - July 20, 1995 , Page 6 j APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 15, 1995: Correct as written. \, MOTION by O'Toole, Seconded by Erickson, approval. Motion carried on a 4 Yes, 2-present (Grabowski, Paulson), 1-Absent (Lindahl) vote. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Commissioner Grabowski explained the baseball association has been using the City Hall fields the last two weeks, so the bases have been moved further apart. He applauded Mr. Starr for the work he's done in the ball fields this summer. Mr. Starr stated the bases will be switched back tomorrow. He suggested in the future that throw-down bases be used for ease of use and maintenance. Commissioner O'Toole noted the huge pile of dirt placed on the expensive soccer field which was turned over to public works. It is a safety problem because children are climbing allover it. Several Commissioners were bothered that the soccer field is being used to store dirt. They were under the impression the area was needed for the storage of equipment. As it is, it is an eye sore. Mayor McKelvey and Mr. Haas stated they would discuss this with the Public Works Superintendent. \ ',J \, The Commission also felt that the parking lot and picnic area in Complex #2 which was proposed on the west side in the vicinity of the lots purchased by the county should be constructed as soon as possible. They asked if the City could swap the land for the hill of dirt there and do it now. Mayor McKelvey stated the county has stated it has no money for road improvements within Andover until 1997. He will present the parking lot idea to them, however. MOTION by Paulson, Seconded by O'Toole, to adjourn. a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Lindahl) vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Motion carried on Respectfully submitted, ~~~~~ Recording Secretary \. r , \_/