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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 15, 1994 ( \ \...j () ~qS ,J CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w, . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (612) 755-5100 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - DECEMBER 15, 1994 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Tom Anderson on December 15, 1994, 6:35 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Dave Erickson, Al Grabowski, Jim Lindahl, Jeff Kieffer, Dave O'Toole, Roger Paulson None Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas City Engineer, Scott Erickson Others Commissioners absent: Also present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 1, 1994: Correct as written. MOTION by O'Toole, Seconded by Lindahl, the Minutes from December 1 be , \ accepted as written. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 2-Present (Grabowski, "~ Kieffer) vote. TIMBER MEADOWS 3RD ADDITION SKETCH PLAN Mr. Haas reviewed the 40-acre proposed plat of Timber Meadows 3rd Addition located at Round Lake Boulevard and 161st Avenue. Because Pine Hills park is nearby which is developed with equipment and a ballfield, the Commission recommended cash be accepted in lieu of land for park dedication. USER FEE DISCUSSION, CONTINUED Mr. Erickson stated he talked with the Park and Recreation Director at Fridley. They typically charge a flat rate of $10 a day for the use of a field and $50 for the evening, $40 of that for the lights. , '-. ,.J The Commission agreed a fee should be charged for the usage of ball fields for adult leagues, but debated whether or not to charge youth teams. It was noted that the lights on a field would be run for one or two hours per night. While the youth athletic organizations had indicated a willingness to help pay for the lighting of the ball fields, the Commission questioned whether the same fee should be charged for the lighted fields as the other fields. The City Hall fields are better maintained, sprinkled and will be lighted. Would it be appropriate to charge the same fee for the other fields in the City as for the ones at City Hall? On the other hand, it would be difficult to maintain records if teams were charged different fees. The other issue is whether the softball teams should be charged the same as the baseball teams. ; / , ) Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 15, 1994 Page 2 J (User Fee Discussion, Continued) Commissioner Grabowski stated there were 73 teams in the Andover Athletic Association last year, and they can play two to three games on a field each night. The Andover Baseball Association can only play one game on a field each night. One method of resolving that situation may be to require the baseball games to be restricted to not more than two hours per game. Commissioner 0' Toole thought some formula could be determined for setting a fee for the use of the lighted ball fields based on the number of hours of lighting and the number of nights per week the fields are used by the youth associations, divided by the number of teams. All teams would benefit because there would be more playing time available. Mr. Haas agreed to review what other cities are doing and to determine some formula to arrive at a team usage fee that would begin to cover the expenses of maintaining the lights. The Commission felt the fees should be on the low end the first year and consider raising them in the future if necessary. Commissioner Grabowski noted the organizations are already in the process of fixing their fees for 1995 and suggested the City make a determination on the usage fees at least by the end of January. ; Mr. Haas stated he will have a proposal for the Commission to consider at the January 5, 1995, meeting. He did feel it would have to be the same fee for all teams, not different fees for each of the fields. The Commission generally agreedr though Commissioner Grabowski argued that is pushing a lot of the costs back to the Andover Athletic Association. How does one justify paying the same amount for a T-Ball game as for a baseball game? He'd prefer that a field be reserved for so much a night. For example, the field at Red Oaks would be $30 per year and one at City Hall would be $50 per night. That would keep teams from blocking out fields. The Commission then considered whether a usage fee should be also charged against soccer teams for maintenance. A suggestion was to charge the association by the field, which would be their contribution toward the general upkeep of the field. Mr. Haas stated he will look at that as well and come back with some suggestions. The Commission also noted some arrangements must be made for turning the lights for the ball fields on and off. Other cities use varying policies such as having the umpires be in charge or hiring someone to be responsible. The concern is not to have a lot of keys out for the lights. , It was agreed to table this item to allow time for the Staff to review fee schedules again and to make a proposal for the next meeting. / MOTION by Paulson, Seconded by Kieffer, to so move. DISCUSSION: The Commission asked Staff to contact the athletic associations for softball, baseball and soccer to inform them this will be discussed at the first meeting in January. Motion carried unanimously. , " ~) .J Regular Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 15, 1994 ) Page 3 CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Mr. Haas noted the update from Public Works as to what was accomplished in 1994. Also, the City Council approved the expenditure for the transplanting of trees at the Field of Dreams site. The fee for the hockey rinks and lighting of two softball fields will be on the December 20, 1994, Council agenda. He also noted that the hockey associations were informed there would be a user fee for the use of the rinks, so they are expecting that charge. Commissioner Grabowski noted there are snowmobile tracks very close to the fence posts around the fields at the Field of Dreams site. Mr. Erickson stated the contractor is working on the fence now, still trying to get it installed. MOTION by Paulson, Seconded by O'Toole, to adjourn. unanimously. Motion carried The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, "\\I\~ ~ ~J,- Marc~a A. Peach Record~ng Secretary ./