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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 1, 2008 0 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - MAY 1, 2008 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Masloski on May 1, 2008, 7:32 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Dan Masloski, Jeremy Boyer, Ted Butler, Bill Hupp, Jim Lindahl, Peggy Scott, and Tony Kowalewski Commissioners Absent: None. Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas RESIDENTS FORUM 0 There were no comments at this time. APPRO V AL OF MINUTES Motion by Kowalewski, seconded by Lindahl, to approve the April 17, 2008 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. CONSIDER 2008 TOURAMENT APPLICATION FOR SOFTBALVBASEBALVSUBURBAN LEAGUE QUALIFIER-ST.FRANCIS FAST PITCH Mr. Haas stated that St. Francis Fast Pitch requested four fields on June 27-29. There were no conflicts and no charge for the fields because there were Andover youth involved. They were willing to do their own maintenance. Tim Hoffinan of Cedar, MN and representing the association noted that they played their regular season at the high school in St. Francis. He stated that the President of the association is an Andover resident. Commissioner Lindahl inquired about the number of Andover residents involved. Mr. Hoffman responded that he had no hard numbers, however he estimated 15 of the players 0 were from Andover. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 1, 2008 0 Page 2 Chair Masloski asked for clarification that there were 275 participants for the tournament from the youth organization. Commissioner Hupp added that it was an all youth tournament, and inquired if there was a reduction of fees. Chair Masloski stated that if there was one Andover resident there are no fees. Mr. Haas concurred. Chair Masloski inquired if the numbers were verified. Mr. Hoffman stated that he would be able to verify the numbers ifnecessary. Commissioner Kowalewski questioned if the high school were using their fields. Mr. Hoffman answered that they had only two fields. Commissioner Lindahl inquired about the number of games to be played in the tournament. Mr. Hoffman responded 20 games. Commissioner Scott asked if residents get charged for fields. Commissioner Hupp stated that even though North Metro Soccer had St. Francis residents as participants they still had to pay for fields. Chair Masloski stated that the Commission needed to debate who to charge and the 0 amount to charge them. Mr. Haas noted that they should discuss the issue at the first meeting in June. Commissioner Hupp indicated that the inconsistencies needed to be addressed. Chair Masloski added that there would be an economic impact. Commissioner Kowalewski inquired if it was approved, would concessions be available. Mr. Haas answered they would have the concession stand open. Commissioner Lindahl questioned if there were association fees for the teams playing. Mr. Hoffman responded that there were league fees. He indicated that they pay field fees for other tournaments. If concessions were done well, the association could make $3,000. Commissioner Kowalewski addressed the special request for a change in the field dimensions. Mr. Hoffman explained that the dimensions needed to be changed for the tournament. The Commission discussed the dimensions of the fields needed. Chair Masloski reminded the Commission that there was always added staff time for preparation and maintenance that costs residents. The issue needed to be addressed. 0 Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes-May 1,2008 0 Page 3 Motion by Butler, seconded by Scott, to approve the 2008 Tournament Application for Softba11/Baseball/Suburban League Qualifier-St. Francis Fast Pitch. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. CONSIDER REQUEST FOR CONCESSIONS EQUIPMENT/ANDOVER STATION NORTH BALL FIELD FACILITY, CONTINUED Chair Masloski stated that there were some items that were needed, and some things they could do without if necessary. The request was for $14,300, and the number reflected the savmgs. Commissioner Kowalewski inquired about the cost. Mr. Haas responded that Sunshine Park was on City sewer and water, and maintenance would be similar to Andover Station North Ball Field Facility. Commissioner Lindahl mentioned that without revenue, the City will be worse off. Chair Masloski questioned ifbaseball wanted to run the concessions stand. Mr. Haas clarified that City Employees would be working them. Chair Masloski expressed concern that with limited funds, he viewed concessions having 0 limited impact, where a playground could be used by everyone. Commissioner Hupp noted there was $49,108 for concession costs. He requested that it be itemized to better analyze the need. Commissioner Butler noted that the money for equipment should be listed as an expense. Commissioner Hupp requested that the operating costs be itemized as well. Mr. Haas stated he would and E-Mail the results to the Commissioners. Chair Masloski inquired if money was used from the park reserve. Mr. Haas indicated he would verify. Commissioner Scott questioned if they were purchasing new equipment. Commissioner Hupp stated that if the building was leased, they could bring the equipment into the building. Chair Masloski noted that it was a three ballfield facility, so perhaps they could scale the plan down. Commissioner Lindahl concurred, mentioning that a pizza oven was inexpensive compared to a hot dog steamer. 0 Chair Masloski inquired if stainless steel countertops were necessary. Commissioner Lindahl responded that it was required by the Health Department. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes-May 1,2008 0 Page 4 Mr. Haas stated that he would speak with the Assistant Finance Director concerning the Issue. Commissioner Scott inquired about purchasing used items that could reduce the cost by half. Commissioner Lindahl expressed concern that they should be energy efficient. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed outstanding items. He noted for Strootman Park that the bleachers had been inspected and approved. Commissioner Hupp inquired about creating fields at Fox Meadows Park since its recent closure. Mr. Haas answered that it would require irrigation. There was one large soccer field there at this park. Mr. Haas stated that he received a couple of calls expressing concern about the proposed skate park being built due to the estimated cost. He invited them to attend one the upcoming Park Commission meeting to express their concern. In addition, he indicated that there was a request for a security light at the Crooked Lake Boat Landing. It would cost a little over $4,500 and could come out of the Miscellaneous Funds. Chair Masloski requested that it become an agenda item for the next meeting. 0 CHAIR'S REPORT Commissioner Hupp noted there was vandalism reported at a lacrosse game from the opposing team. The association cleaned it up. Mr. Haas indicated that the associations were responsible for opening and closing the building each day. Commissioner Kowalewski stated there were many wood ticks out even on the trails so be careful. Commissioner Lindahl requested that pet owners clean up after their pets. Commissioner Hupp inquired about a dog park. Chair Masloski noted there were two decisions that have been recently made last month that concerned him. As an advisory group their call was to address and render an opinion on the issue, which then goes to Council for a decision. His concern was that the process was not followed in two instances. First, in the closing of the Frisbee golf course at Fox Meadows Park as it was his opinion that the proposed closing of the park should have been brought to the Commission for comment first. The park was not the problem, but the users. He also cited the vandalism at Prairie Knoll Park occurred recently, but no one is discussing removing the soccer fields. He reiterated that it should have gone through the process, and the Commission was not consulted. The second issue was field allocation. He expressed concern that a decision was made, but done outside without 0 advise from the Commission. It is the job of the Commission to address each detail and give an opinion, but the process was not adhered to. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - May 1, 2008 .0 Page 5 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Lindahl, seconded by Butler, to adjourn the meeting at 8:12p.m. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. Respectfully Submitted, Brigette Blesi, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 0 0