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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 5, 1991 o o o ~ CITY of ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - DECEMBER 5, 1991 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Jeff Kieffer on December 5, 1991, 7:36 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Tom Anderson, Mike Auger, Darrell DeLarco, Jim Lindahl (arrived at 7:40 p.m.>, Roger Paulson David Woods Assistant City Engineer, Todd Haas Others Commissioner absent: Also present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 21, 1991: Indicate Chairman as being present. o MOTION by Anderson, Seconded by DeLarco, to approve the Minutes with the change. Motion carried on a 5-Yes, 2-Absent (Lindahl, Woods> vote. THE MEADOWS OF ROUND LAKE PARK DEDICATION Mr. Haas reviewed the proposed preliminary plat of the Meadows of Round Lake being developed by Nedegaard Construction. The plat consists of 87 acres, and the Commission can take up to 10 percent land dedication or cash or a combination of both. The Commission had indicated an interest in a tot lot in the vicinity of Lot 6, Block 2. The developer is proposing one be located between Lot 1, Block 6, and Lot 32 of Block 1 with a 20-foot walkway to it. Commissioner Anderson thought they had made it clear they did not wnat any wetland dedicated for park. (Commissioner Lindhal arrived at this time, 7:40 p.m.> o Dave Newman. Nedeoaard Construction - stated he misunderstood the Commission's direction. He thought the Lot 6, Block 2 area was only a suggested location, not the specific lot, but that the intent was to have a tot lot on high ground. His staff looked for a good tot lot location and came up with this proposal. They see the benefits of this location because it is a larger recreational area. It is about 7/10 of an acre, all of which is usable. This was brought about after the Planning Commission's proposal to reconfigure some of the lots to have more highland. Lot 6 is only about 1/3 of an acre. Another benefit of their proposed location is that of safety because it is not adjoining a street. He guessed there would never be more than 2 or 3 cars there, which should not create a problem. Plus the ponding nearby will provide natural skating rinks in the winter with minimal effort. \ "J ( '\ \...-1 '\ , J Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - December 5, 1991 Page 2 (The Meadows of Round Lake Park Dedication, Continued) Mr. Newman also explained in meeting with the Staff and reviewing the utility plan, they foresee a trail system going from the easement to the park by Shirely's Estates. So they modified this to allow for that trail system. He understood the directive that there not be a lot of wetland for dedication, but he also got the impression that the Commission thought there was some benefit in owning the shoreland of the iake. Mr. Newman stated in their calculations of the dedication of the wetlands, they used only 1/2 of the value of the land. The Commission discussed both the iocation of the tot lot and the proposal to accept shoreland/wetland as a portion of the park dedication. Generally, the Commission was opposed to the proposed location of the tot lot feeling the residents will not even know it is there because it is so far from the street, that the use would be reduced because it is so remote, that there would be parking on the streets, that there would be a disruption and loss of privacy to lots around the walkway, that it isn't in the center of the community but out of the way, that it would be difficult to get to the ponds and to maintain them in the winter, and that the remote parks are more vulnerable to vandalism. , / The Commission was in agreement that a tot lot is needed in the area to meet the needs of the large number of homes, and that it be located at Lot 6, Block 2, if it is still feasible for the developer. Pete Rauen. 4110 147th Lane NW - was concerned with the density of this development, especially as it impacts their area to the north that is 2 1/2-acre lots. He expressed his views to the City Council and Planning Commission and was encouraged to come before the Park and Recreation Commission, hoping that something will be done to buffer the low and high density areas. The neighbors hoped the Park Board would use some of the dedication funds to provide that buffer, possibly to get bigger lots on the north edge. He stated his property will be the park dedication because of the open space to which the kids will gravitate, and he didn't feel that is right. He was disturbed that the process has gone so far without input from the adjoining neighbors. Also, a park on Lot 6 is very close to his neighbor who has a 2 1/2-acre parcel who wouldn't like to see a park outside his back door. Mr. Rauen stated a suggestion was to have the developer reduce the density of the lots on the north side, but apparently nothing has been done for that, suggesting the developer will be making enormous profits on the plat and can afford to invest in increasing the size of those lots. He also recommended looking for a location for a tot lot which is more centrally located, away from the edges of the plat. , , ) , , \.J u \ Pa.k and Rec.eation Commission Meeting ~ Minutes - Decembe. 5, 1991 Page 3 (The Meadows of Round Lake Pa.k Dedication, Continued) The Commission explained they do not have any impact on the density of the development. If they would acqui.e land between the two a.eas, it would be public land and open to the public fo. a t.ail system, pa.k development, etc. Chai.pe.son Kieffe. explained thei. sea.ch fo. a mo.e cent.alized location and the p.oblem of t.affic. Chai.pe.son Kieffe. also explained it is anticipated the tot lot, which is ve.y small scale, will only be used by the sma I Ie. child.en du.ing the hou.s of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; and the.e has neve. been any complaints .ega.ding tot lots in the City. He suggested the neighbo.s discuss thei. conce.ns with the City Council. \ ,j Afte. fu.the. discussion, the Commission did not see that the location of the tot lot on Lot 6 would c.eate a p.oblem fo. the existing nelghbo.s. M.. Newman - stated fo. the .eco.d that thei. p.oflts on this development a.e not going to be excessive. In the issue of the sho.ellne dedication, he a.gued the.e is some benefit to thei. p.oposal of the dedication at 50 pe.cent of the value. It is possible to put in a woodchip t.ail, an ove.look of the lake, etc. They a.e also p.oposing to g.ade and seed the pa.k, plus acqui.e and install the equipment, wo.klng closely with the City. With the dedication of the tot lot, plus its const.uctlon and equipment, along with the sho.eline dedication at 50 pe.cent, they feel they a.e ve.y close to the 10 pe.cent pa.k dedication. He feels Lot 6 Is wo.th as much as the one they a.e p.oposlng. The Commission debated the issue of the sho.eline dedication. M.. Haas felt the.e would be a benefit of having it in City owne.shlp. If It isn't, it will become pa.t of the Homeowne.'s Association; and they can landscape it, put docks in, etc. He felt the City wants to t.y to p.otect Round Lake and Its habitat. It may also be pa.t of the mitigation of the c.ossing on the south end. It would also be nice if the City would p.ovide something fo. p.ope.ty owne.s to be able to enjoy the lake. It Is a beautiful wildlife lake. In gene.al, the Commission did not feel It would be in the City's best inte.est to have owne.ship of the sho.eland. feeling it is low and ext.emely difficult to develop, that it is landlocked so no one would be able to use it, that a t.ail cannot extend a.ound the lake because it is al.eady blocked with existing development, o. that the a.ea would be a benefit to the City. MOTION by Ande.son, Seconded by Lindahl, that we accept Lot 6, Block 2 as a tot lot as pa.t of ou. pa.k dedication, and that the .emalnde. \ be taken In cash based on the no.mal app.oval p.ocess. DISCUSSION: '----) The Commission al so p.efe..ed the Ci ty pu.chase and instal I the equipment fo. the tot lot to be consistent with othe. pa.ks, .eJecting the develope.'s p.oposal to do It. The develope. may g.ade the pa.k. Motion ca..led on a 6-Yes, 1-absent (Woods) vote. u u ,) Park and Recreation Commission MeetIng MInutes - December 5. 1991 Page 4 APPROVE REVISED HOCKEY RINK SCHEDULE Mr. Haas explained the Blaine and St. FrancIs leagues are requestIng addItIonal Ice tIme. The BlaIne Youth Hockey asked for Ice tIme at CIty Hall on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. The St. Francis Youth Hockey has asked for Ice tIme at Hawkrldge Park on Mondays. Tuesdays. and Thursdays. plus Saturdays from 10 to 12 a.m. Bill Johnson. St. Francis Youth Hockev - also tentatively asked for ice tIme at CIty Hall on Saturdays from 10 to 12, thinkIng they might need the addItIonal Ice tIme. Mr. Haas suggested Mr. Johnson contact hIm when they know for sure whether or not they need that tIme. He also asked for theIr league rosters, so the CIty can be sure there are Andover players on the league. MOTION by Anderson. Seconded by LIndahl. to move the schedule as submitted. that Blaine Youth Hockey would use the City Hall fIelds on Mondays, Wednesdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: and the St. FrancIs Youth Hockey would be scheduled for Hawkrldge on Mondays. Tuesdays. Thursdays from 6 to 7:3 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 to 12 p.m. Motion , carried on a 6-Yes. 1-Absent (Woods) vote. ) LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL PROGRAM Allan Mansfield. President of Coon RapIds Baseball. Inc.. Coon Rapids American Little Leaaue - was asked by the CR Baseball, Inc., to forward to Andover theIr concerns that may help Andover In the future to avoid the sItuatIon they have wIth baseball now, that Is 3,000 kids playIng baseball and no fIelds. They have expressed an Interest In combInIng with Andover to fInd a place for some of theIr kids to play baseball on the lIttle league level. Baseball runs on the charter of one league for 20,000 population. AccordIng to the populatIon In Coon Rapids, they should have three leagues. They have two but are unable to form a third because the CIty Is not wIlling to provide any more fields for them. The little league associations now own the fields at Sand Creek. ,.) Mr. Mansfield stated If they could work out something with Andover for the 8 to 12 year olds. their existIng kids would be grandfathered In. The cutoff for both of their leagues will be Highway 242: anyone north of that will not be able to play for a Coon Rapids league. That cutback has been mandated by theIr charters, though they are stIli working to get a waIver on the 20,000 populatIon for a year or two so, hopefully, they can get more fields. There are 200 about Andover children payIng on Coon RapIds now out of 1700 players. TheIr proposal to the Coon Rapids City Council Is the city would donate about 15 acres, the Yamaha property. to the leagues to construct a baseball complex. When that happens, they will have enough fields to form a third league In the City. , "--) (--.J " / Park and RecreatIon CommIssIon Meeting MInutes - December 5, 1991 Page 5 (LIttle League Baseball Program, ContInued) Mr. MansfIeld estImated there would be 6 or 7 teams of 8-years-olds from Coon RapIds north of Highway 242 and Andover, whIch would need about 10 fIelds. They schedule their games for every day of the week, including Saturdays. Not all lIttle league organizations own their own fields. If another charter Is formed to include Andover kIds, they would want to be assured that some fields would be available for theIr exclusive use. The fOllowIng represented the Andover Athletic AssocIatIon: President Roger Sharon, Gary West, Mark Dagen, Dave O/Tool, AI Grabowsky, and Jody Salmon. They Indicated the Andover Athletic Association cannot get involved with little league, as they are a non-profIt organIzatIon and do not pay any of their volunteers. The AssocIation does not have a problem wIth little league baseball organizing in the City and will back anyone who wants to start a charter. There is some concern with the Coon Rapids proposal of taking only one age group into their league and still efficiently run the AAA program. They would prefer to have an Andover charter started that would include the two ci ties. '/ There was a great deal of discussion on the proposals, possible alternatives, the cost of starting a charter, which boundaries would be included in an Andover charter, help with costs from either the City or from the existing Coon Rapids leagues, possible baseball fields that have pitChing mounds that would be available, and the possibility of using portable mounds. Mr. Salmon indicated he would be Willing to start an Andover Charter, noting he does have much of the equipment needed. He thought the fields were avaIlable if the program is expanded to Fridays and Saturdays. They would work closely with the Andover Athletic Association in the scheduling of the fields. Mr. Mansfield stated it costs about $25,000 to start a little league charter; however, he thought the two Coon Rapids leagues would be wIlling to provide financial aid In the amount of $5,000 each and the equIpment that they are not using. The Commission generally felt that the Strootman fIeld should be used for baseball, as well as the Pine Hills field. They are willing to designate some fields as baseball fIelds. Also, they would look at the budget regarding the possIbility of providing portable pitching mounds. ) Those from the AAA also asked If it would be possible to use some weed kIller on some of the ballfields to kill the sand burrs. There are a lot of fields in Andover that cannot be used because they are not taken care of. They would donate the labor to keep some of the fIelds in good conditIon if the City would buy the supplies. The Commission stated they would look into that option. , ',_J o Pa~k and Rec~eation Commission Meeting ) Minutes - Decembe~ 5, 1991 Page 6 (Little League Baseball Prog~am, Continued) It was ag~eed M~. Salmon will wo~k with the Coon Rapids baseball leagues and the Andove~ Athletic Association to set up an Andove~ little league baseball cha~te~, and the Pa~k and Rec~eation Commission will coope~ate in any way possible. 1991 CAPITAL BUDGET UPDATE The Commission ~eviewed the updated budget expenditu~es a~e about $3,000 ove~ budget. to be cove~ed with pa~k dedication funds. taken. and noted it appea~s the Those expenses will have No fu~the~ action was OTHER BUSINESS M~. Haas indicated the te~ms of Commissione~s Ande~son and DeLa~co and Chai~pe~son Kieffe~ expi~e on Decembe~ 31, 1991. If they wish to ~eapply, the City needs a w~itten ~equest befo~e the Decembe~ 17 Council meeting fo~ ~eappointment. J Chai~pe~son Kieffe~ asked fo~ an update on the pa~k issue ~elating to Kelsey-Round Lake and the adjoining plats of Je~~y Windschitl and Wayne Bachman. M~. Haas stated the City has not yet ~eceived the lette~ of ag~eement f~om M~. Bachman. M~. Windschitl's plat will not be signed until that lette~ is ~eceived. The Commission ag~eed to begin the next meeting, Decembe~ 19, 1991, at 7 p.m. MOTION by DeLa~co, Seconded by Lindahl, to adJou~n. Motion ca~~ied on a 6-Yes, 1-Absent (Woods) vote. Meeting adJou~ned at 9:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~~L Ma~cella A. Peach Reco~ding Sec~eta~y , , /