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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 1, 1994 ~) C) ~ o cc~ aNJ ~ ql'5Iq~ "(]" ';". ~" \~i .L 3 CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 · (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 1, 1994 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Acting Chairperson Jeff Kieffer on September 1, 1994, 7:33 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andoverr Minnesota. Commissioners present: Dave Erickson, Jim Lindahl (arrived at 7:40 p.m.), Dave O'Toole, Roger Paulson Tom Anderson, Darrell DeLarco Parks Department Supervisor, Kevin Starr Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas Others Commissioners absent: Also present: CROWN POINTE EAST PARK DEDICATION Jerrv Windschitl, Ashford Development Corporation - stated the Planning Commission recommended approval of the preliminary plat last Tuesday evening, and it will be heard by the City Council on September 6. using the guidelines given by the Park Board the last time, he is showing a .9 acre triangular parcel for park dedication. The total acreage of the development is 50.89 acres. There is an extensive amount of park land in the development to the south, the Hills of Bunker Lake 5th Addition, so it may be a question of whether the Board wants any park land in this plat. (Commissioner Lindahl arrived at this time; 7:40 p.m.) Mr. Haas stated the piece proposed for park has some designated wetland plus a piece of high ground. For the last plat, the Council did not give park credit for wetland because it was being used for ponding. Mr. Windschitl - explained the proposed area has no acre feet of storage on the one-year flood level. It has .01 acres of storage in the 10-year flood level, and .74 acres of storage in the 100-year flood level. It is not wetland or flood area; there is quite a bit of high ground on the parcel. Commissioner Erickson felt a park area in the vicinity of the creek would be very important, especially with this many houses going in. Mr. Windschitl - stated there will be 107 houses to the east of the creek. The park property to the south is relatively close to this plat. Mr. Haas estimated it is about one-half mile away. The developer to the south also gave the City extra land for park without getting credit for it rather than plat it as an outlot. The park land the City is taking along the creek is basically for the trail system, which is proposed to go to the west. " " u u ') / Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Minutes - September 1, 1994 Page 2 (Crown pointe East Park Dedication, Continued) Commissioner Paulson was concerned with the maintenance of yet another small park. Mr. Starr stated it would be a small tot lot, but there already is a park area really close to this. In further discussion with the developer, it was felt that the type of housing in the development may attract second- and third-time buyers, which generally do not have many small children. Mr. Winds chi tl also pointed out there is a potential for another development of about 30 acres immediately north of this. Several Commissioners felt if it is found that some park area is needed in this area, park land could then be taken in the next development to the north. MOTION by Paulson, Seconded by Lindahl, to park dedication for Crown pointe East. (Kieffer, Lindahl, O'Toole, Paulson), (DeLarco, Anderson) vote. take cash in lieu of Motion carried on I-No (Erickson), land for a 4-Yes 2-Absent ADA DISCUSSION "- ) Bill Bach, Sales, and Doc Johnson, Desiqn Master, with Earl F. Anderson _ addressed the Commission on the problems in design consideration of playground equipment. They gave a slide presentation which pointed out the problems of injuries and deaths of children on playgrounds because of the lack of supervision, lack of maintenance, problem with installation and site planning and with product failure. The two laws driving the design standards are the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Americans' with Disabilities Act and Accessibility of Playgrounds. The playground layout and design of equipment now separate the age groups of 2 to 5 years and 5 to 12 years old. It is also recommended that the areas of every playground be signed for age appropriateness. They went into some detail on the specific designs for equipment to tighten up openings and eliminate or cover protrusions. No equipment manufactured before 1992 meets these design standards. They also had samples of fall absorbing materials to be placed around the playground equipment, noting the absorption factor of each. Examples were also given of placing the various pieces of equipment in a playground so there is a 6-foot safe zone around each and of auditing existing playgrounds with recommendations of what needs to be done to meet current guidelines. While the guidelines are not law, by following them the City would be less liable in the event there is an injury on the playground. \ ) The gentlemen then reviewed the ADA legislation signed into law in 1990 and its applicati9n to accessibility to playgrounds for everyone. While no specific r~g~ti~r~fi3 are in place, standards are being established. Not every existing playground needs to be made accessible. They suggested finding out the needs of the community, then taking an area of the City and determine which zones will be made accessible. All new playgrounds, however, must be made accessible. A document is being released which establishes a Recreation Access Advisory Committee to enforce the standards. \ ,.-) o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Minutes - September 1, 1994 \) Page 3 / (ADA Discussion, Continued) Examples were given of a typical integrated play area encompassing both the ADA and CPSC standards, with a 60-inch path coming to the equipment, the transfer deck, handles, plus crawl areas in 8-inch increments to the four different playing sensations of sliding, climbing, crawling and swinging. Ramping is not encouraged because of the space needed and the problems created with bikers and skaters using it. Mr. Starr stated since 1992, they have put 6 to 12 inches of wash sand on all playground areas. The budget for next year had $20,000 for replacement of old park equipment, but that was reduced to zero. He thought the City Hall playground would be the best place to begin in meeting the ADA guidelines. The gentlemen suggested the City do an inventory of each park, what is there and what does and does not meet the CPSC and ADA standards. No specific Park Board direction was given. DEDICATION OF BALL FIELD/BRIAN SORENSEN Ron Nelson, 1767 132nd Avenue NW, Coon Rapids - provided a written copy of his statement presented to the Park Commission at its August 18, 1994, regular meeting, noting the Commission'S motion to dedicate Field / #4 at the City Hall Complex to Brian. He again thanked the Commission for its support. They would like some sign or monument to get Brian's story told, so all the children know of him and why the field is named after him. Mr. Starr stated he contacted a sign maker for costs. He felt he could get a nice sign for about $100, understanding the Andover Athletic Association has volunteered to pay for some of the cost. There was some discussion on the specific type of sign or monument. The Commission preferred a sign or plaque on the backstop rather than a landscaped monument. Mr. Starr agreed to provide a preliminary sketch of a sign for the next meeting. SPONSORSHIP OF SCORE BOARDS/CITY HALL COMPLEX 12 \ j Ron Nelson, Pepsi Cola - noted he has talked with Commissioner O'Toole on the possibility of the company he works for, Pepsi Cola, sponsoring the purchase of score boards for the Field of Dreams project. He asked specifically what the Commission is looking for. Commissioner O'Toole stated the proposal is for a company to purchase the electronic score boards and contract for the sale of their product for a certain period of time. Many parks and playgrounds are done in this manner. He expected the fields to be used daily for a minimum of six weeks in the summer. Coca Cola is already working on a proposal which includes four score boards. At this point there is no specific deadline for this, but the Andover Recreational Development Authority is meeting this Wednesday and will be discussing it. Mr. Nelson agreed to pass this on to those in the company who are responsible for making a proposal. ,) o Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Minutes - September 1, 1994 " Page 4 / DISCUSSION OF PROJECT MANAGER/CITY HALL PARK COMPLEX 12 Mr. Haas noted the City Administrator is proposing to the Andover Economic Development Authority to contract with Lori Houwman as a project manager for the construction of the concession/storage building in the Park Complex. Commissioner O'Toole did not know the estimated cost of the building, stating a materials list and cost break down should be discussed at the ARDA meeting this Wednesday. The Commission agreed with the proposal. PARK BOND DISCUSSION Because of the late hour, the Commission agreed to table the discussion to the next regular meeting, September 15, 1994. They also asked for a clarification of the proposed Park budget for 1995 for the next meeting. ACCEPT APPLICATION/SOFTBALL / Mr. Haas noted the request of the ASA-MSF Girls Fast Pitch Fall League to use the fields on September 11, 18, October 8 and 9. They will pay $15 per field per day for maintenance. MOTION by O'Toole, Seconded by Lindahl, to accept the softball application for the Girls Fast pitch for September 11 and 18 and October 8 and 9, with the $15 per field to be put toward the maintenance fund. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 2-Absent (DeLarco, Anderson) vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 18, 1994: Correct as written. MOTION by Erickson, Seconded by O'Toole, for approval. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, I-Present (Lindahl), 2-Absent (DeLarcor Anderson) vote. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Meeting CPSC and ADA Standards - The Commission agreed a written plan with some time lines on meeting the standards would provide some focus for the Commission when planning improvements. They also felt it would be rather inexpensive to sign for age appropriateness and would aid in the City's liability on the playgrounds. Appraisal for Fox Woods - Mr. Haas stated the Staff asked that the appraisal be redone because of the problems with the properties selected for comparison, which were not in the urban area. He hoped to have the revised appraisal back tomorrow. u u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Minutes - September 1, 1994 ) Page 5 (Chairperson's Report, Continued) Transplanting of Trees to Parks - Mr. Starr reported they moved about 65 trees from the Foxberry Farms plat into various parks. They have been using a digger from Anoka County. Agenda Material - The Commission requested they receive their packets before the meeting, especially when such detailed items as park dedication are involved. They expressed frustration at having to recall what happened in the past on Crown pointe East and make a decision without having the benefit of receiving the information before the meeting. MOTION by Paulson, Seconded by Erickson, to adjourn. a 5-Yes, 2-Absent (DeLarco, Anderson) vote. Motion carried on The meeting was adjourned at 9:23 p.m. Respectfully submitted, im~~~ ' ~~ella A. Peach Recording Secretary '\ )