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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 6, 1994 o u ~~ ,,:~:":~;';:":-::::':":,'h,-,-, .~ "~"'o' ,. I~ ,~ .~ CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (612) 755-5100 "'".- -'''''" "_,,","'.,~C " PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - OCTOBER 6, 1994 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Tom Anderson on October 6, 1994, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Dave Erickson, Jim Lindahl, Jeff Kieffer, Dave O'Toole Roger Paulson Parks Department Supervisor, Kevin Starr Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas Others Commissioner absent: Also present: RESIDENT FORUM Chuck Schmidt, Andover Baseball Association- presented a check for $3,000 for the Field of Dreams site. The Association has contributed $6,000 for the project over the past two years, which comes to about $15 per child in the progL'am. He :tJ:cesented the check to Commissioner O'Toole representing the Andover Recreational Development Association. ~J MEg~lyn prochniak - repcesented Twill City Gear, a business located in Blaine but whose owner lives in Andover. The business donated $2,000 toward the Field of Dreams project. Commissioner O'Toole accepted the check and thanked those responsible for the donations. WITTINGTON RIDGE PARK DEDICATION Jerrv Windschitl, Ashford Development Corporation - made a proposal for cash in lieu of land for park dedication in Wittington Ridge based on an appraisal done for Timber Meadows 2nd Addition, which is also a rural development. He has learned there have been three or four large parcels sold recently for rural development, and all have been at his proposed price range or lower. He proposed $4,985 per acre for the entire plat without removing the wetland areas. In discussing the proposal, the Commission agreed to accept cash in lieu of land; but because of the policy to require an appraisal if one has not been done in the vicinity within the past six months, it was agreed an appraisal should be done on Wittington Ridge. Mr. Windschitl agreed. CJ Mr. Windschitl asked if the Commission will then want him to get an appraisal on his Crown pointe East plat. Mr. Haas noted an appraisal has been very recently done for the Fox Woods plat, which is in the vicinity and is also being developed at the same density as Crown pointe East. He recommended the Fox Woods appraisal be applied to Crown Pointe East. The Commission agreed. \ '--) , \ V Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 6, 1994 Page 2 ) FENCING/CITY HALL PARK COMPLEX #2 Mr. Starr stated he is in the process of obtaining bids for the fencing of the ball fields for the Field of Dreams. He is bidding six back stops, two of them for little league, and a-foot fencing for four fields. If the fields are sodded this fall, the fencing will be put in as well. It will depend on the weather. Commissioner O'Toole stated the Andover Recreational Development Association will be sodding the fields, and they are asking for volunteers. He was told the sodding could be done about October 23. No Commission action was needed on this item. TERRACE PARK , / Ann Marie Johnson - stated the residents from around the park are before the Commission this evening because Jeff Johnson, the City's Code Enforcement Officer told them the Commission would be discussing the fencing at Terrace Park. She and one other neighbor received a letter from Mr. Johnson about removing some items off city property. She called Mr. Johnson and was told the City is thinking of putting a fence in the park, which is news to all of the neighbors. For eight years many of them have been maintaining their own yards and in the park area. They have been told in the past that anything they can do to maintain and beautify the park would be appreciated. Trees and bushes have been planted around the edges, rocks removed, and dirt and seed put down and maintained. Prior to the neighbors maintaining the park it was all sandburs, which was a safety issue with the children. Now they are being told they must remove items from that area. The Commission was unaware of what was taking place at Terrace Park. Mr. Starr stated the Public Works Superintendent met out there with the Code Enforcement Officer, and the Staff recommendation was to construct a 4-foot cyclone fence because of the encroachments onto City property. The residents asked who would maintain that area and around the fence, as for the last eight years the City did not, so the residents did. A cyclone fence tends to pick up bags and trash. Since the City doesn't mow that area, they presumed it would become a mess around a fence. They asked if they have any say over the fence, as they are very opposed to it. Mr. Starr stated the City would have to mow that area. One of the problems is the area in question is technically not Terrace Park; it is an outlot for storm sewer runoff, and the City's policy has always been not to maintain outlots. In this case they do mow it about every other time because of the urban setting. ) Residents noted one of the reasons they began to care for it is because of the City's policy not to maintain it. The residents have spent time mowing, fertilizing, planting bushes, etc. A skating rink is maintained by the City in the winter, which they very much appreciate. How would the children get to the rink if there is a fence? Mr. Starr stated there would be an opening. Right now they are leveling the area of the ice rink so it will be a better skating surface next winter. , ) ,-.J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 6, 1994 Page 3 (Terrace Park, Continued) One resident stated he has a letter from the City to remove his bird feeder that is on City property. Others noted that just two people received letters from the City; the others did not. They were concerned over the lack of communication. Mr. Johnson mentioned the fence to someone; otherwise it would have just gone in without the residents knowing about it. Mr. Starr thought the residents would have been notified before it was installed. Another resident asked why build a fence just because their things are in the park. They weren't asked to remove them until just now. As a matter of fact, they were given permission by the City to have these things on City property -- anything the residents want to make the area look nicer. They are not putting trash or junk cars in their back lots; anything anyone has done was to beautify the area. They didn't think they were doing anything wrong but thought they were helping the City by taking on the expense of seeding and taking care of it. They didn't think anybody wants or needs the fence. Another resident stated healthy bushes were removed, asking if they were salvaged so they could be replanted. Mr. Starr did not think the bushes were saved. Staff was told to remove them. A resident stated Mr. Stone met with the owners of the adjacent property and reached an agreement that the rocks were to be removed but not the bushes. The bushes are all gone and it doesn't look good at all. A woman stated she did not get a letter, but they have a very large swing set that is just on the outlot. Her husband travels a lot, and she would not be able to move it because a bobcat would be needed. She did call the City and received permission to build the swing set on City property as long as it was maintained. Another individual stated he has a swing set that touches the City property; and never once has that area been maintained. His neighbors received a letter from the City, and they had purchased bushes and trees and edging, which looks very nice. He was told today that everyone will be contacted and that everything would be removed over the line no matter what. The Commission noted that because the area in question is an outlot, they really do not have authority over it. It was suggested this issue be brought to the Council to consider designating the outlot as a park. Mr. Haas stated he will check the deed and place the item on October 18 Council agenda. At this point the Commission explained the liability to the City of having swing sets, etc., encroaching city property; however, they were frustrated that the residents are being discouraged from keeping the area beautiful. They felt that the shrubs and bird feeders and other natural items should not be removed. It appears to be a definite problem of communication. As a Park Board, they do not want fences in J parks; but they felt at this point the outlot is not within their jurisdiction. They did not agreed with fencing this area; neither did they want park funds used for that purpose. Mr. Starr stated they will talk with Staff and get them to the park. , \...~ u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 6, 1994 Page 4 / (Terrace Park, Continued) Residents expressed appreciation for all that has been done with skating rink, as it is used by many children both in the winter skating and now for football because there are no more sandburs. Commission agreed if the Council chooses to designate the outlot park that the skating rink should be lighted this winter using funds. the for The as a park SPRINKLING/CITY HALL PARK COMPLEX #2 Mr. Haas stated he has not had time to do the specifications to sprinkle the ball fields at the Field of Dreams site. In addition, he did not feel there would be time to advertise and award bids prior to sodding this fall; and there is a question as to when water service will be available. The Commission asked that the bids for the sprinkling system be let in January or February, 1995, so the project can be completed in early spring for use during the next ball season. They also suggested a completion date be placed in the specifications. Mr. Haas agreed. , ) APPROVAL OF MINUTES September 15, 1994: Correct as written. MOTION by O'Toole, Seconded by Kieffer, that the Minutes be approved for September 15. Motion carried on as-Yes, 1-Absent (Paulson) vote. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Communication with the Commission - The Commission expressed frustration with the Terrace Park itemr that residents were told the Commission was to discuss it when they knew nothing about it and with no Staff member present to explained the situation. They felt someone from Staff who had talked to the residents should have been present this evening. They also felt the worst thing is to discourage people from making the City look better. Mr. Haas agreed to bring this concern up with the Staff. Appraisals for park dedication - The Commission asked to receive the statements when appraisals are done in the plats so they know the appraised values of the various parcels. Mr. Haas agreed to provide the Commission that information as appraisals are done. Kelsey-Round Lake Park project - Mr. Haas noted a change order was approved by the Council for a fence at Kelsey-Round Lake Park. A dock ) was built over the wetland, and a railing or fence is needed to meet EDA requirements. Staff felt fencing was the safest. In discussing the project and other things to be done in the park, the Commission felt the next phase of the project should begin as soon as this one is completed. () u Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 6, 1994 Page 5 "\ ) (Chairman's Report, Continued) Agreement for Maintenance of Forest Meadows Park - The Commission suggested the agreement with a resident to maintain Forest Meadows Park in exchange for sod be reviewed, as apparently sod is still being taken from park land. MOTION by O'Toole, Seconded by Lindahl, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 1-Absent (Paulson) vote. The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. ,::;:E?:L Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary "\ I ., ;