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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 3, 1991 o o o o o ~ CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 03, 1991 A joint meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission and the Andover City Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairperson Jeff Kieffer on Thursday, October 03, 1991 at the Andover City Hall Offices, 1685 Crosstown Blvd., Andover, MN. Commissioners Present: Darrell DeLarco, Chairperson Jeff Kieffer, Tom Anderson, Roger Paulson, David Woods Commissioners Absent: Mike Auger, Jim Lindahl Councilmembers Present: Mayor Ken Orttel, Jack McKelvey, Marjorie Perry, Todd W. Smith, Don Jacobson Others Present: Todd Haas, Frank Stone, Jerry Windschitl RESIDENTS FORUM None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOT/ON by DeLarco, seconded by Woods, to accept the Park and Recreation minutes of their regular meeting of September 19, 1991 as written. Motion carried unanimously_ PARKING LOT REQUIREMENTS The Commission is concerned about parking lot and curbing ordinances that could drastically affect their budget if implemented in parks. Kelsey-Round u u Andover Park and Recreation Commission 10/03/91 Meeting Minutes, page 2 " '-- ) Lake Park, Timber Trails Park, Terrace Park and others have been or will be constructed in the near future. The commission feels that usage and location are important considerations in addressing paving or using gravel in parking lots. Mayor Grttel acknowledged a difference between commercial and public usage, thereby, not justifying paving in rural areas. Councilmember Perry felt that public paving and curbing should be determined by each project, not through a general requirement. Council member McKelvey agreed with paving park parking lots, but not with installing curbing. Councilmember Jacobson expressed that commercial and public requirements for blacktop and curbing should be uniform. Coucilmember Smith thought that a difference in interpretation of use of paving was alright, but not in the use of curb and gutter. , " '-~) Councilmember McKelvey liked Frank Stone's idea of using the parks for ball in the summer and flooding them in the winter for skating rinks, thereby, not to be troubled with a parking lot. Mr. Haas added that it would be difficult to grow grass and difficult to adapt an area to a skating rink because of an ordinance that requires a 1% grade. In conclusion, Mayor Grttel suggested that a change in policy between commercial and pubic use of paving and curbing should be accomplished through an ordinance change; i.e., an ordinance amendment. Clarity of such ordinance is important to all concerned. He indicated that location as well as park usage were important in assessing pavement versus gravel. Chairperson Kieffer will refer the case back to the Andover Review Committee. SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT FEE SCHEDULE The commission is requesting clarification of the park usage fees for tournaments. Commissioner DeLarco said that the commission would like to generate money by charging profit and non-profit groups alike and thus be able to cover maintenance expenses. Mr. Stone said that two men are usually paid over-time during tournaments. , ) Councilmember Smith agreed that parks could be looked at as not only a service to residents, but as a potential revenue source because of outside o u Andover Park and Recreation Commission 10/03/91 Meeting Minutes, page 3 . '\ '-) usage. Andover teams should have first choice of fields. However, a nominal fee to cover the city's maintainance expenses would be desirable. Mayor Ortell felt that the Andover Athletic Association should not be charged a fee for field usage because of their investments (building, sprinkler systems, etc.) and involvement with the youth of the city. However, Commissioner DeLarco stated that if AAA had a tournament at the end of the season to generate money, they, too, should pay a fee so that the city wouldn't incur expenses. Council member Smith suggested communication with AM to ascertain their fund raising. Both the commission and Mr. Stone would like to stop drinking in the parks and be permitted only if a special permit is issued. Mayor Orttel suggested adding on to existing signs in the parks: "No alcoholic beverages allowed in parks". Chairperson Kieffer will put this item on an agenda so that a motion can be made at a future meeting. '. , ) KELSEY-ROUND LAKE PARK: APPLICATION UPDATE OF GRANT Chairperson Kieffer reported that the Kelsey-Round Lake Park grant appears contingent with a minor access parking lot being constructed either on 149th Avenue NW or 151st Avenue NW in the south half of the park. According to Chairperson Kieffer, the 149th Avenue NW proposed parking lot affects more residents, while the 151st Avenue NW proposed parking lot provides direct access to County Road 7. Jerry Windschitl challenged the commiSSion by stating that the original purpose of the park as a wildlife preserve had been lost by planning a trail system through the habitat and with the possible construction of a parking lot in the southern half of the park, which the neighborhoods did not want. He also felt that Chairperson Kieffer was unduly influencing the placement of the small parking lot on 151st Avenue NW. , ) Chairperson Kieffer stated for the public record, that it "never made any difference whether the parking lot were north or south of his property". , \ U u Andover Park and Recreation Commission 10/03/91 Meeting Minutes, page 4 ~, ) Council member Perry felt that the park could be accessible to as many people as possible and still maintain its wildlife concept. Councilmember Smith said that Kelsey was not developed as a regional park and needed only a minimal amount of trails so that the park could be enjoyed by the general public. Councilmember Jacobson thought that residents could accept a parking lot if it were watched and maintained. Commissioner DeLarco said that Kelsey was not planned for high activity; that it was very passive in nature and yet did not isolate wildlife. The commissioners and council agreed a public hearing would be called once the parking lot near the south half of the park was officially required by the state in issuing the grant. The location and size of the parking lot would depend on a public hearing. MEADOWS OF ROUND LAKE/PARK DEDICATION ~.) Mayor Orttel reported that the Metropolitan Council approval had been received. This area will be residential and handled like any other plat. Construction is scheduled for next year. 5 YEAR CAPITAL BUDGET A possible bond in 1995 for developing parks was discussed. Councilmember Jacobson suggested that other types of recreation facilities be considered than just that of soccer and baseball. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT \J Marian LaPlume, 15620 Kiowa St. NW, addressed the issue of park maintenance in Strootman Park in a letter written September 24, 1991. Chairperson Kieffer visited the park before this meeting and reported some glass in the area and trash by the river. One of the commission's goals in the future is to maintain existing parks rather than continued development of them. Commissioner DeLarco felt there was improvement in Strootman maintenance , ') \.....J o Andover Park and Recreation Commission 10/03/91 Meeting Minutes, page 5 ~J since fencing kept most of the three-wheelers out of the area. There seemed to be a correlation between fencing and maintenance. Councilmember Smith said that the Andover Athletic Association commented on the height of the fencing: Kids get injured in the face when running into a five foot (5') fence. AAA suggested a four foot (4') or six foot (6') fence. MOTION by DeLarco, seconded by Woods to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, / \ , ) ~~ p~~ Karen Plummer, Recording Secretary ,~)