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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 21, 1994 (-~ u o o ~ CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - APRIL 21, 1994 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Darrell DeLarco on April 21, 1994, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Tom Anderson, Dave Erickson, Jeff Kieffer, Jim Lindahl, Dave O'Toole Roger Paulson Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas Others Commissioner absent: Also present: RESIDENT FORUM o Paul Rosemark and Mark Posh, Orchid Circle - complained about the poor condition of the grass in Terrace Park. The park would get a lot more use if there were no thorns and stickers in it. It is difficult for neighbors to keep up their own yards because of the blowing from the park. Also, the grass is only mowed three or four times a year, and that. is when someone calls to complain about it. They hoped the Con@ission would consider topsoil and good grass seed. Now would be the time to eliminate the weeds with chemicals because they cannot be cut out. Another suggestion was to level the ground where the ice rink is placed. The ice rink gets used a lot, but it takes so long to get it level because of the uneven ground. The Commission agreed to meet at Terrace Park prior to the next meeting to see what can be done yet this year and what needs to be done in the future. ANDOVER COMMUNITY SCHOOL REPORT Tim Dahlheimer, Youth Coordinator at Crooked Lake School, and Mary Judd, Youth Coordinator at Andover Elementary, reviewed the annual report noting the monthly activities, class enrollments and the facility use. They also noted they are the liaison between the community and the school, as they often direct residents to the different groups and organizations of the community. In addition, they noted the proposed S'.lmmer program. In responding to the Commission's question on determining fees for the various activities, they explained there is a formula based on administrative allocation, the rate of instructor, and number of students per instructor. It generally comes to $2 per hour for the youth programs. o / \ '-) (--J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 21, 1994 Page 2 ,) (Andover Community School Report, Continued) The Commission thanked the Staff for their efforts and the good work accomplished in the City. They also noted the consideration being given to charging a usage fee for athletic fields and hockey rinks. Mr. Dahlheimer said the Community School is also considering a user fee for the use of the gyms to offset expenses of maintenance and having Staff present. Both he and Ms. Judd thanked the Commission for their support, noting most of the funds from the City goes toward their salaries. They agreed to see that a copy of the budget utilizing the City's contribution is forwarded to the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES April 7, 1994: Correct as written. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by Lindahl, to approve. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, I-Present (O'Toole), I-Absent (Paulson) vote. CITY HALL PARK COMPLEX 12/PROJECT 93-7 - DISCUSSION ~) Daryl Sulander, City Finance Director, explained Staff has been talking with the City Council about the Field of Dreams project and proposed consideration be given to go out for a bond referendum in light of the high cost estimated to grade the complex. With a bond, many of the underutilized areas and demands placed upon the Park Commission would also be included in a capital improvements program. The Council authorized Springsted, Inc., to work with the Staff and Park Board to develop a capital improvements program. The Council also called a joint meeting with the Park Board for April 28 to discuss this issue. Commissioner Kieffer stated the Commission felt it has been bypassed in this whole process. Mr. Sulander explained when the estimate came in, the new Administrator wanted to get the Council's feeling up front. The Commission also explained that the Field of Dreams project has been presented to the public as a volunteer effort and that it would not require additional taxes. Now the proposal is to ask for a tax to complete it. They were concerned about the credibility of both the Park Board and the Andover Recreational Development Association. Commissioner O'Toole agreed that the ARDA would like to see the project completed with volunteers, but at their last meeting they did agree to support a bond issue. They'd still like to see something started yet this summer. The Commission also noted the issue of the sewer line going through the , ~ eastern portion of that property. Mr. Sulander acknowledged it is an / issue. He felt all of these issues should be discussed with the City Council at the meeting next week. \ \ / . '\ 'J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 21, 1994 '\ Page 3 ) (City Hall Park Complex #2/IP93-7, Discussion, Continued) The Commission had received conflicting opinions on the issue of a separate well versus the municipal system for irrigating the athletic fields in the Field of Dreams project, but they were not told the reason for the Staff's recommendation. Mr. Sulander explained one reason the Staff is recommending the use of the municipal system is because the operational costs are minimal, probably around $200 to $300 per month for the summer months, plus the costs of that one use of a separate well would not be spread out over what it is capable of doing. Another concern of Staff is with the new water appropriation rules. The DNR controls surface and underground water. The appropriation of water for whatever use would count against the City's use and would make a big difference in how the City would be charged for conservation of its water resources in the coming years. All other uses coming into the MUSA area are required to have municipal water, and the City should be following that same policy. There was a brief discussion about finances, with Mr. Sulander stating there is approximately $200,000 in park dedication for park development. The Commission noted some of that is allocated for the Kelsey-Round Lake park project. Commissioner O'Toole stated the ARDA has raised approximately $20,000 for the Field of Dreams project and has volunteers ready to do some of the work. They would like to see something done this summer. Mr. Haas advised the grading project would have to be bid, and it is the Staff's position that the project should be done right, not done in a piece-meal fashion. He was not in favor of staging the grading because of the large amount of fill that may need to be removed from the site and the requirements for seeding and mulching within l4 days of moving the soil, which will waste money. 0\1 eY'Oo-\ \ Commissioner O'Toole noted the'park budget has increased only $20,000 in the last four years, and $14,000 of that has gone to the community School. The area of parks has been really stagnant the last four years. Mr. Sulander explained with a successful bond referendum, many of the capital improvement projects can be completed, which would free up some money for the day-to-day operations. With the addition of park capital improvements and City Hall Complex #2, the Commission felt there will be a definite need for either a part-time or full-time park coordinator. Mr. Haas agreed there are many programs with money available for parks, but he does not have the time to make the applications. Mr. Sulander stated the City Planner has talked to the county about using CDBG funds in the parks. Those funds can only be used to repair or replace existing facilities or structures or provide pathways to meet the ADA requirements. Commissioner Lindahl agreed to \ discuss this item further with the City Planner. ) \ ) The Commission noted these and other issues will be discussed with the City Council at the April 28 special meeting. ! '\ \ ) '\ I Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - April 21, 1994 '\ Page 4 .I CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Kelsey-Round Lake park project update - Mr. Haas explained the Council authorized getting quotes for a consultant to do the plan. Hopefully construction can start this fall, or next spring for sure. The intent is to use the $120,000 for the project. Council Actions - Mr. Haas reviewed the actions of the City Council at its April 19, 1994, regular meeting on park matters. The installation of lights at Park Complex # 1 will not be done with volunteers because of the liability issue to the City. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by Kieffer, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 6-Yes, I-Absent (Paulson) vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m. NOTE: The Commission has agreed to meet at Terrace Park at 6:45 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 1994. Respectfully submitted, 'j~~~ Recording Secretary 1 , ,