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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 6, 1992 r) \.J o :'-) \......I ~ o o CITY of ANDOVER Park and Recreation Commission Meeting August 6, 1992 7:30 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Residents Forum 3. Approval of Minutes 4. Hidden Creek East Park Discussion 5. Creek View Crossing Tot Lot park Discussion 6. Substandard Park Facilities 7. 1993 park Capital Budget 8. Park Coordinator Job Description 9 . 10. Chairman's Report 11. Adjournment ~\ \;;jJ o o o o o ~ CITY of ANDOVER Park & Recreation Commission Meeting August 6, 1992 - Minutes The Regularly Scheduled Andover Park and Recreation Commission meeting was called to order by Chairman Jeff Kieffer at 7:35 P.M., Thursday, August 6, 1992 at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard N.W., Andover, MN. Commissioners Present: Commissioners Absent: Also Present: Auger, Paulson, Anderson Lindahl, Woods, DeLarco Todd Haas, Assistant City Engineer; Kevin Starr, Public Works; Frank Stone, Public Works Superintendent Approval of Minutes Tabled until later in the meeting. Hidden Cceek East Park Discussion Todd Haas explained that before the last meeting, the Park Commission met with the property owners at the Hidden Creek East park to see what their concerns are regarding the development of the park. Apparently they were misled by a drawing that they saw. He noted that the Park Comission has not even decided on how the park should be developed. There are two different sides that are interested in seeing the park developed in one way or another. One group wants a tot lot with no parking and the other wants a tot lot with some other activities. Mr. Haas suggested that the parking lot be put in now coming in from what will be 135th Lane N.W. Mr. Haas explained that this park is between a mini-park and a neighborhood park because it is 2.4 acres in size. If the parking lot is not put in now, when Hidden Creek East 5th develops those property owners will not want a parking lot. Jon Peterson, Vice president, Good Value Homes - stated that they heard about this problem a couple of weeks ago and are disappointed this misunderstanding exists. He felt the best location for the parking lot would be to the north, but that it should be put in right away before they sell any lots in the 5th Addition. Mr. Peterson explained that the drawing the people saw was done by a sales representative at one of the model homes. The wording on that drawing was "3 - 5 years a tot lot plus tennis or soccer". Chairman Kieffer noted that if it works out, we do have the funding for the parking lot. Jane Englund, 2139 - 134th Avenue N.W. - presented a petition with 59 signatures of neighbors opposing a parking lot and league fields. They are concerned that a parking lot will become a place for parties and loitering. She stated that there is only $3,000 set aside for equipment for this park and that will buy u u o Park Commission Meeting August 6, 1992 - Minutes Page 2 almost nothing. If there is no playground equipment, there would be no need for a parking lot. Looking at the drawing presented by the residents on how they would like the park, Chairman Kieffer noted that a tennis court or basketball would draw more people. Frank stone, Public Works Superintendent explained that if you don't have a parking lot in a park, the people park in front of the neighbor's houses and in their driveways and then those people complain. Don Virdin, 2130 - 134th Avenue N.W. - stated that he counted 48 parks in the city and that he talked to steve Accord of the Andover Athletic Association who said he only uses 7 fields. Kevin Starr, Andover Public works noted that there are only 19 fields in the city that are maintained. C) Mr. Virdin stated that they are not opposed to having more than a tot lot, but they want to keep away from league play. Todd Haas explained that the city's Comprehensive Plan is the guideline used for our parks and the city doesn't want anything too intense in that park. Ms. Englund considered T-Ball and under-8 soccer to be intense. She suggested that playground equipment be placed so that a league field cannot be put it. Commissioner Anderson noted that we have to keep in mind the growth in that area. Just south of the elementary school they are putting in 180 lots and on Andover Boulevard they are putting in hundreds of homes. Commissioner paulson agreed with Mr. Anderson and felt that we should have a parking lot even if it is small. Commissioner Auger stated that we have to keep in mind that neighborhood kids need a place to play and that a park is an asset to a neighborhood. The Park Commission is not talking about developing this park into a high intensity park. ,t'\. \.J Chairman Kieffer noted that the Commission is not going to make a recomendation tonight. He explained that they are not advocating league play this year or next year and they are not going to put the equipment in the middle of the park. Ms. En,lund noted that the park was seeded last fall and it has not ta en. Mr. Stone explained that our Parks Department has only two full time employees and one parttime employee. The u u \ ,~ Park Commission Meeting August 6, 1992 - Minutes Page 3 parks will fall short of regular maintainance until we get more equipment and manpower. Creek View Crossing Tot Lot Park Discussion Todd Haas stated that Kathy Lindberg was interested in knowing when the park is going to be developed. She had earlier presented Todd with a list of the playground equipment they would like to have in the park and Kevin Starr figured out the cost of that equipment. Katha Lindberg - stated that in their neighborhood there are 27 chil ren from ages 0 - 4; 28 from 5 - 10; and 11 that are 11 years old and older. Chairman Kieffer noted that we are getting to the point where we need more help in order to keep our parks maintained and to work on the new parks. o Kevin Starr felt that the neighborhood people should look at the park in Oak Bluff 2nd Addition, which was done for approximately $5,000. Ms. Lindberg asked if they would be able to do some of the labor. Chairman Kieffer said not unless they provided the city with insurance and worker's compensation. He felt that we might be able to come up with funds to get it started but he didn't know if Public Works can get around to maintaining it this year. Mr. Stone suggested getting it graded and seeded this fall. Chairman Kieffer asked Todd to check to see if it had been graded and also noted that we will try to include this park in the 1993 budget. Substandard Park Facilities Kevin Starr stated for insurance purposes we will probably need to spend $800 per park for 12 parks to bring them into compliance. He suggested we begin with the ones that are being used a lot. Frank Stone noted that at the boat landing we are not supposed to use satellites anymore and we also need to put curb cuts in and handicapped facilities. ~J Mr. Starr stated he will put together a schedule of the parks we have to get up to date immediately. He asked if the Commissioners would like to meet at a park before the next meeting so they can see what needs to be done. He suggested Langseth Park. The Park Commission will meet at Langseth Park at 6:45 P.M. on August 20, 1992. " '0 ,-) :~ u () Park Commission Meeting August 6, 1992 - Minutes Page 4 1993 Park capital Budget Chairman Kieffer noted that Tuesday, August 11, 1992 is the budget meeting and asked if someone could attend as he will be out of town. Commissioner Auger stated that he will attend. Mr. paulson and Mr. Anderson also said they would try to attend. park Coordinator Job Description It was suggested that this position be brought up at the budget meeting on Tuesday as part of the budget process. It would be a part time person who could do a lot of park items, including Kelsey Park. Approval of Minutes Tabled to the next meeting. MOTION by Auger, seconded by Anderson to ajourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:49 P.M. Respectfully submitted, U'U Vicki Volk Acting Recording Secretary