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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 20, 2008 c..x."TL.'l..l2-e..t ~ LulA-~ ~+ ..-3-0 '8 0 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - MARCH 20, 2008 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Masloski on March 20, 2008, 7:02 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Scott, seconded by Butler, to approve the February 21,2008 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. CONSIDER 2008 SOFTBALUBASEBALL TOURNAMENT APPLICATION /ANDOVER BASEBALL ASSOCIATION Mr. Haas stated that the scheduled tournament had added a mid-season tournament for June 6-8 p.m. There were no conflicts with the date, so staff recommended approval. Commissioner Kowalewski inquired about the number of teams involved. Mike Keeney, the In-House Director for Andover Baseball Association indicated there were 30 teams of 9-12 year olds. Motion by Butler, seconded by Lindahl, to approve the 2008 Softball/Baseball Tournament Application. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. 0 Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 20, 2008 0 Page 2 CONSIDER 2008 SPRING/SUMMER SOFTBALVBASEBALL SCHEDULE Mr. Haas indicated he received the proposed schedule from the associations, which was worked out between both associations. Also as indicated from both associations, no changes to their by-laws were made since last year's submittal. Joe Dietz, president of the Andover Baseball Association, stated that Blaze Baseball would not be submitting an application for the upcoming season because most now were in high school. He stated the school fields needed to be maintained better. They had suggested to the district to do the maintenance themselves, however they were informed that general liability insurance was not adequate. He noted the association paid an additional $4,400 for their liability insurance this year. Chair Masloski requested that Mr. Haas to follow-up on the issue. Mr. Haas responded that he would talk to the school district when they meet. Chair Masloski noted that they both worked out the schedule, and stated he appreciated the associations working together. Mr. Dietz stated that there had been accommodations on both sides. 0 Chair Masloski addressed the use of school fields. Mr. Haas stated that the City has an agreement for the 3 fields at Eveland Fields, which are located west of the high school with the school district. Commissioner Hupp inquired if there was ajoint powers agreement. Mr. Haas explained yes there was at Eveland Fields and that the City uses them for the months of June through August and the school district uses them for the remainder of the other 9 months. He suggested that the City might be able to do the maintenance to help out the associations on other owned school district fields. Mr. Dietz stated that sometimes the grass was 6-inches long and they were not allowed to mow it. Mr. Hupp responded that it was an excuse if the association had liability coverage. He recommended follow-up. Commissioner Lindahl stated that technically the school property is considered public property. Mr. Haas stated that the church group that typically requests for fields each year has not at this point submitted an application. Mr. Dietz responded that the typical accommodations had been made already. Chair Masloski thanked him for thinking ahead. 0 Motion by Kowalewski, seconded by Scott, to approve the 2008 Spring/Summer Softball/Baseball Schedule. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 20, 2008 0 Page 3 CONSIDER 2008 SPRING/SUMMER SOCCER/LACROSSE SCHEDULE Mr. Haas noted that there are a total of three soccer and lacrosse groups that have made application to use the fields They are as follows: North Metro Soccer Association (NMSA), the Andover Area Lacrosse Association (AALA), and the Andover High School Boy's Lacrosse Club (H.S. Boy's Lax). The AALA has a grievance procedure but had not yet been received by the City. The H.S. Boy's Lax game schedule has been given approval by City Staff so that referees and the visiting teams could be lined up since they start playing games in April. The City staff determined that the lacrosse games needed to be played on irrigated fields so staff made the commitment to approve the game dates at Prairie Knoll Park southwest field. Chair Masloski noted he has spoke with all the groups but the youth lacrosse. He clarified that only the H.S. Boy's Lax game schedule would be approved tonight. They would take place at Prairie Knoll Park, but they would like to practice there as well so they could have home fields. Mr. Haas stated that the H.S. Boy's Lax are not sanctioned as of yet by the school district board as a varsity sport. Since they don't have the varsity level status approved by the 0 school district board, the school district at this point is not allowing them to play on the high school fields until they are sanctioned. Dawn Lawrence in charge of fields from the Andover High School Boy's Club indicated that they needed lighted fields. Commissioner Kowalewski mentioned that the other high schools were in the same position. Chair Masloski stated that like girl's hockey, lacrosse was an upcoming sport. Once it becomes a sanctioned high school sport, the numbers in the youth program would explode. Ms. Lawrence mentioned that at a recent meeting, they would not be able to use Sunshine Park and would be moved to Prairie Knoll due to too much wear and tear on the fields. They requested two fields. After the meeting with the other associations, they agreed to use the fields until 7:00 p.m., and not atall on Saturdays. She believed the meeting went well. She reported that later there seemed to be a misunderstanding with North Metro Soccer Association. Commissioner Kowalewski asked if there were two teams. Ms. Lawrence answered that there were really three teams this year. Kate Thunstrom of 1244 138th Lane NW, a representative of girl's high school lacrosse team stated that she was requesting a Prairie Knoll Field, and that they were willing to 0 work with North Metro Soccer Association and with the Boy's Lacrosse. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 20, 2008 0 Page 4 Chair Masloski noted that the high school girl's lacrosse field layout was different than the high school boy's lacrosse field layout. May 5, 2008 was when North Metro Soccer Association would be playing in that field. He mentioned that if the high school boy's lacrosse went on to the sectional tournament, they would need access to fields. Commissioner Kowalewski inquired if it was possible to schedule for away games for that date. Mr. Haas responded that the State set the games for soccer association. Commissioner Scott questioned if the Andover Area Lacrosse Association youth program was comfortable with the Commission making a decision now without representation. Chair Masloski noted that the City had not received an application from the Minnesota Revolution. He also suggested that the associations work together on the first week of May due to potential conflicts. He asked if the High School Boy's Lacrosse could move the practices to 4:30-6:30 p.m. Ms. Lawrence responded that she believed that it would be moving backwards. Commissioner Lindahl stated the school district would not allow them to use the fields. They needed to put pressure on them. He mentioned that Anoka lacrosse teams used their high school fields. He suggested that the parents of lacrosse approach the school board representatives concerning the field usage at the schools. High School 0 Ed Harbart of 1494 158th Lane NW, Head Coach of the Andover High School team stated they were trying to separate because they do not consider them a high school team. Anoka had separate associations for their youth and high school aged players. His understanding was the Athletic Directors group tried to be consistent with all the high school facilities within the school district, but the Anoka High School had deviated against the group's decision. Commissioner Lindahl reminded the Commission that they represent their school districts, and at some point, and eventually lacrosse will be a varsity high school sport. Mr. Harbart stated that they did not have the numbers, and could not walk across the soccer fields to reach their fields. The response they received was that the fields were locked up. He noted that while lacrosse was on the fields, the other fields were vacant. Chair Masloski inquired when the practices were scheduled. Ms. Thunstrom of the High School Girl's Lacrosse answered that the practices were scheduled from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Chair Masloski suggested changing the practices to 6:00-8:00 p.m., so it was a true two hour slot. Ms. Thunstrom responded that later in the season the lighting was better. Chair Masloski restated that the usual allocation was two hours and requested that she 0 choose a preferred time. Ms. Thunstrom answered that 6:00 p.m. for a start time was the better option. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 20, 2008 0 Page 5 Commissioner Lindahl inquired about the indoor season, noting it was fairly early in the season. Ms. Thunstrom responded that they were already practicing on the pavement. Mr. Haas stated that the staff wanted the fields dry prior to use by any associations. Commissioner Kowalewski asked for clarification if there were using different fields for boy's and girl's lacrosse teams due to dimension differences. Motion by Scott, seconded by Butler, to approve the High School Boys and Girls game schedule. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. CONSIDER MEETING WITH NORTH METRO SOCCER ASSOCIATION Mr. Haas stated that North Metro Soccer Association requested to meet with the Commission. They would submit the agenda items for an April 17 , 2008 meeting. Commissioner Butler inquired if it was concerning the number of fields for their use. Mr. Haas responded that this could be discussed along with the possibility redevelopment of existing fields. 0 Motion by Butler, seconded by Hupp, to propose a joint meeting date with North Metro Soccer Association for April 17 , 2008 at 7 :00 p.m. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. UPDATE OF SKATE PARK/08-08/COMMISSIONERS HUPP AND KOWALEWSKI Commissioner Kowalewski stated he was making a Power Point presentation where he would discuss'each option separately, then provide all the numbers at the conclusion for comparison. Commissioner Hupp noted that they reviewed all the information. Residents discussed fundraising possibilities. UPDATE OF JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL Chair Masloski stated he would not be able to attend the meeting. Commissioner Kowalewski expressed his concern about the economy. Commissioner Scott added especially in light of the shortage of fields. Commissioner Hupp suggested that it was the right time in terms of the cost of the equipment, because it would cost more in time. He noted that it needed to be attractive because it would be in a highly visible area 0 Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - March 20, 2008 0 Page 6 REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed outstanding items. He stated that they would be disassembling the bleachers in the next couple weeks to trade it in toward the purchase of 3-five row bleachers. Quotes for the fencing contract were due next week. Commissioner Kowalewski inquired if there was a date set for the grand opening with the Twins organization. Commissioner Hupp questioned when the games would begin. Mr. Keeney gave an update on behalf of the Andover Baseball Association regarding the status of the building at Andover Station North ball fields. In addition, 90% of the plumbing was completed, with an inspection scheduled for Monday. The floors would then be poured. May 1, 2008 was still the goal for a grand opening. They were hoping the equipment would be installed, and the lower level usable by the grand opening. CHAIR'S REPORT 0 Commissioner Hupp reported the Skate Task Force was prepared for the meeting with Council. Commissioner Kowalewski congratulated the boy's and girl's basketball and hockey teams for their great seasons. He was looking forward to the spring sports. Mr. Haas stated that the meeting on Tuesday had to end by 7:00 p.m. as the City Council had a workshop meeting beginning at that time. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Butler, seconded by Hupp, to adjourn the meeting at 8:01 p.m. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, O-nays, O-absent vote. Respectfully Submitted, Brigette Blesi, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 0