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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 9, 1993 ~ () ~~ /g( o u CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.w. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (612) 755-5100 Park and Recreation Commission Meeting september 9, 1993 7:30 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Residents Forum 3. Approval of Minutes 4. Redwood Park Discussion, Continued 5. New School Site, Discussion 6. City Hall Lights, Discussion 7. 8. Chairman's Report 9. Adjournment n ~) o o ~ \Olll~ C) ~ CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 9, 1993 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jeff Kieffer on September 9, 1993, 7:35 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Also present: Tom Anderson, Darrell DeLarco, Dave O'Toole Mike Auger, Jim Lindahl, Roger Paulson Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas Park Department Supervisor, Kevin Starr Others RESIDENT FORUM o Cheryl Porteson, 2619 136th, Hidden Creek - stated the residents would like Hidden Creek park fixed up. It is very dark there now, and there have been a lot of robberies in their area lately. The stickers have never been eliminated from the park, so the soccer fields cannot be used. The playground eqt'ipment is very small for that sized park, and there is glass allover the place. She presented a petition from the residents asking that something be done. The Commission discussed with residents what had been done in the park in the past and ideas for upgrading it now. The residents suggested lighting the parking lot, install "No Parking" signs along Bunker Lake Boulevard, fencing on top of the berm, and the paving of a walking/biking path. Mr. Starr stated 600 pounds of grass seed was placed on the various fields this summer. It is growing but is very thin now. It will take a few years to get established. In the fall they will be doing some liming, aerating and fertilizing. He thought the Soccer Associations plan to play on that field next year. Lights for the parking lot and playground area would cost about $400 each. Mr. Starr did feel a six-person swing is needed in that park. Though a fence on the berm along Bunker Lake Boulevard may keep people out at night, he thought that some would just jump over the fence. The Commission pointed out any expenditures to improve that park would have to come from the 1994 budget. They asked if any organization or group of residents would be interested in adopting the park. They also encouraged that organization or group to present a proposal of what they would like to see done in the park. One resident thought her Girl Scout Group would adopt the park. The Commission felt that because it is such a large park that several groups could participate in the program jointly. Several residents agreed to draw up a sketch for further park development and to come back to the Commission with their proposals. o ,) ~~ \ ) Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 9, 1993 Page 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 5, 1993: Page 5, Lights for Park Complex #2 - Mr. Starr clarified that Anoka Electric will cooperate with providing electricity for the lights at a reduced cost, but it will not be free. MOTION by O'Toole, Seconded by last meeting with that noted (Kieffer, O'Toole), 2-Present Lindahl, Paulson) vote. Kieffer, to approve the Minutes of the change. Motion carried on a 2-Yes (Anderson, DeLarco), 3-Absent (Auger, HILLS OF BUNKER LAKE PARK ACCESS Jim Thacker, 14034 Drake Street - stated there is a park access going along his property which is approximately 230 feet long. It is all weeds. He has been mowing it to keep the weeds down, but it would be nice to see that path upgraded. It is on a slope which is starting to erode, and there are a lot of people going to the park pushing strollers. He'd prefer to see an asphalt path with a nice grass buffer along the side. He would continue to mow it. He felt the people would use the path rather than cut across lawns to access the park. . '\ '-) The Commission discussed the easement to the property and possible methods of upgrading it. Mr. Starr stated he will research the width of that easement. He felt an ag lime base would be a good base if asphalt is not going to be used. He also felt some black dirt could be put in there this fall to level the path. The Commission asked Mr. Starr to obtain costs of using ag lime versus an asphalt path and of black dirt and sod. REDWOOD PARK DISCUSSION, CONTINUED f '\ / Georqe Wetterer. 13886 Winterqreen - stated he received a letter from Torn Hovey of the DNR stating they have an opportunity to develop the storm water drainage area in Redwood park into a high quality protective wetland area. On August 12 he met with several of the neighbors regarding some of the problems that had not been previously resolved regarding what should be done with the property. An understanding was reached by three of the four residents present, but one resident at 1280 140th Avenue is not abiding by the agreement. Items that had been agreed to were, 1) not to feed the geese, 2) plantings would be under two feet high so all residents would have a view of the water, and 3) there is to be at least a 10-foot easement to the edge of the water consisting of tall grass or natural plantings. The residents have asked if the City could provide black dirt as fill in some of the rough sandy areas to establish plantings. Most of the residents would prefer to mow with their power mowers to the tall grasses as they have been doing for the past five years. To now require push mowers is unreasonable, and he asked if the City Attorney could prepare a waiver for the residents to " ) , '__J Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 9, 1993 Page 3 (Redwood Park Discussion, Continued) sign releasing the City from liability from any injury from a power mower. The mowing by the residents provides access to the park and relieves the City from having to do that maintenance. This would only apply to those on the north side of the pond. All the other areas are grasses and wildlife areas and the residents prefer to leave it that way. Mr. Wetterer continued he has not been able to resolve the problem with the resident at 1280 140th Avenue and asked that the City discuss this with him further. Chairperson Kieffer felt the Commission would need to see some plans as to what would be done with an area before it could commit to providing black dirt. They would also want to be sure the area doesn't flood. Mr. Haas stated the pond does have a controlled outlet, but it could overflow its bank in a 100-year storm, that is a 6- inch storm in a 24-hour period. There are easements over the lots to cover the 100-year event. Mr. Haas also stated the Public Works Superintendent has discussed the mowing of the park property with the owner of 1280 140th Avenue, but he will probably have to pursue it further or perhaps involve the City Attorney. They thought a letter would be sent to the owner outlining the specific boundary and where his property ends. J Mr. Haas stated that when preparing the Adopt-A-Park program, the City Attorney was definitely not In favor of allowing power mowers by residents in the parks. He did not think the Attorney would agree to the suggestion of signing a waiver. Mr. Starr stated that would mean the City would have to start maintaining that park. Mr. Haas and Mr. Starr agreed to check further with the Public Works Superintendent and the City Attorney on this issue. Mr. Wetterer - stated he does not have a plan for the park because of the conflict area but asked for an official position on the use of power mower by residents before drawing up those plans. Some of the park area may have sod where residents have taken care of the property. If they are no longer able to maintain it with power mowers, there may be a need for some type of rehabilitation to make it grow. Mr. Haas stated he will verify the City's position and send a letter to all property owners who live on the pond. NEW SCHOOL SITE, DISCUSSION Dick Nvbeck, Anoka-Hennepin School District - provided a concept sketch of the proposed middle school located immediately north of the City Hall site and of the addition to the Andover Elementary School. He cautioned the plan is very preliminary and has not been reviewed, but it showed there is enough land to accommodate all of the facilities needed. Initial contact with the Metropolitan Council Staff regarding the extension of sewer and water to the area has been favorable. He reviewed the progress of negotiations with the property owners involved for the land needed for the middle school, noting the intent is to have the referendum for the construction on the November 2 ballot. ,j , , ) Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 9, 1993 Page 4 (New School Site Discussion, Continued) It was Mr. Nybeck's opinion that with the development of the middle school, the school district would not be in a position to contribute anything to the City's construction of the proposed Park Complex #2 adjacent to the Andover School. Mayor McKelvey asked if the parking lot for the addition to Andover School be located such that it could be used by both the school and by the new park complex. Mr. Nybeck stated he would be willing to discuss that further. No Commission action was taken at this time. CITY HALL LIGHTS, DISCUSSION Garv Shay, Andover Recreational Development Association - stated in evaluating the lighting system which was donated by Spring Lake Park High School, they are finding it will be too costly to operate. As a result, they have looked into the purchase of lights for the ball fields at the existing City Hall site. Commissioner O'Toole stated he received a bid from Musco Lighting, Inc., to light Fields 2 and 4 at a cost of $23,510 using the donated poles the City already has. ,/ Richard Sandeen, Sandeen Electric - stated he submitted a bid to Mr. Shay to install energy-efficient lights, estimating it will cost $523 per field to operate five days a week for four months a year. The total installed price for all three fields would be $23,000 to $24,000. Mr. Shay felt that cost could be reduced by about $4,000 with volunteer labor. Mr. Sandeen - reviewed how he arrived at his bid using the wooden poles that have been donated. It does not included cross arms or mounting hardware for the lights. Those poles are only 50 feet, and will be even shorter once set in the ground. Ideally a 65-foot pole is needed to avoid glare and to maximize coverage of the fields. He'd like to see new poles purchased but realizes the additional cost and did not pursue it. He also noted that generally the vendor who knows they will get the bid will do the measuring of the fields and do the exact drawings of where each pole should be, so there would be no need to spend funds to have an architect draw up plans. "\ / There was further discussion on the details of a lighting system and on just what should be done. The Commission debated whether to go with the shorter donated poles to save costs even though they would be less efficient or whether it should be done "right" by purchasing steel poles of the needed size. They also did not know whether the two quotes received would be sufficient since the costs would be under $25,000, whether more quotes are needed or whether the City is required to go through the formal bid process. Mr. Shay asked the Commission to keep in mind that this is a joint project between the City and the Association with its volunteers and contributions. C) , \ V Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 9, 1993 \, Page 5 / (City Hall Lights Discussion, Continued) Before making a decision, the Commission asked for more information and further options. Mr. Sandeen stated he would love to help out with that research, and he is familiar with the project since he has been on the Andover Recreational Development Association; however, he did not want to create a conflict of interest situation. He agreed to design a spec for the way the fields should be lit. He volunteered to meet with Anoka Electric and the lighting vendors to find out the cost of steel poles. The Commission agreed, noting they need to have an idea of the total cost of the project as either a stop-gap measure using the donated poles or as a more permanent project using steel poles. Mervl prochniak - noted the need for lighted fields but cautioned the Park Board regarding the use of its park dedication funds as to how much should be spent on this lighting project and what is needed for the development of the Park Complex #2. Possibly only one or two fields can be lighted right now to reserve more funds for the park complex. The Commission acknowledged the concern. No further action was taken. WINSLOW HILLS 3RD ADDITION PARK DEDICATION \ ,/ Mr. Haas stated Mr. Holasek has made a proposal to using the appraisal done on Pinewood Estates on April 26, 1993, as the valuation for his park dedication for Winslow Hills 3rd Addition. Mr. Haas felt the two parcels are very compatible, stating they are located in the same area. The appraisal for Pinewood Estates was $4,294 an acre. Chairperson Kieffer had some concern about setting a precedent regarding the area in which one appraisal can be used for another development. In this case the parcels do not abut each other but are divided by a major roadway. Mr. Haas pointed out a similar situation was approved for Emerald Glen using the appraisal from Echo Ridge, those parcels separated by Jay Street. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by DeLarco, to accept the offer we have to use the appraisal that was done for Pinewood Estates 2nd Addition as indicative of the value of Winslow Hills 3rd Addition. Motion carried on a 4-Yes, 3-Absent (Auger, Lindahl, Paulson) vote. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT Expenditures to date - Mr. Starr noted the expenditures on the park through August 31, 1993. They are also trying to purchase a new scraper from the 1993 budget for the infields. He will also obtain a cost to resurface the basketball court in Shady Knoll. Commissioner O'Toole stated the residents along Pleasant Oaks would like to see a basketball ,) court in their park. Adopt-A-Park signs - Mr. Starr had one of the signs for the Adopt-A-Park program that will be installed in the parks. \ ) ., J Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - September 9, 1993 Page 6 (Chairman's Report, Continued) Next Meeting - Because several Commissioners had a meeting scheduled for September 23, it was agreed to cancel that meeting. It was decided not to hold another meeting in September unless something urgent would corne up, in which case a special meeting would be called. The next regularly scheduled Park Board meeting is October 7, 1993. MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by DeLarco, to adjourn. a 4-Yes, 3-Absent (Auger, Lindahl, Paulson) vote. Motion carried on The meeting was adjourned at 10:21 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~ ~~~L Ma cella A. Peach Reco ding Secretary I