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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 1, 2009 0 <ANDbVE~ 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755,8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - OCTOBER 1,2009 MINUTES The Regular Bi-MontWy Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Butler on October 1, 2009, 7:30 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Ted Butler, Tony Kowalewski, Mark Lindell, Mark Miskowiec, Shan Rarnnath and Shaun Van Vark. Commissioners Absent: Bill Hupp and Vice Chair Jim Lindahl. Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas. OATH OF OFFICE 0 RESIDENT FORUM There were no comments at this time. Motion by Miskowiec, seconded by Van Vark, to close the resident forum. Motion carried on a 5 ayes, O-nays, 2 absent (Hupp, Lindahl) vote. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Rarnnath, seconded by Miskowiec, to approve the September 17, 2009 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on as-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Hupp, Lindahl) vote. REVIEW REQUEST FOR CUPIT-MOBILE USA/PRAIRIE KNOLL PARK, CONT. Mr. Haas explained that he talked to Ms. Angie Perera, Andover Associate Planner, regarding this item for clarification of items the Commission requested at the last meeting. Chair Butler asked ifthere was some explanation in regards to the setback questioned at the last meeting. Mr. Haas stated the required setback for towers is they cannot fall within ten feet of an existing structure so this cell pole would be in compliance. He noted 0 this section of the city code was previously revised to allow. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 1, 2009 0 Page 2 Mr. Harrington, Carlson and Harrington, T-Mobile representative, made a short presentation to the Commission regarding the project. Chair Butler asked ifit would affect the coverage and capacity level if they were to look at other sites within the park. Mr. Harrington stated it would not. They arrived at the light standard after consultation with City staff. Chair Butler asked what the standard contract time is with the City. Mr. Harrington indicated they would work this out with the City Administrator. Commissioner Rarnnath asked if the antennae would be mounted inside the pole. Mr. Harrington explained how they would hide the antennae within the pole. Commissioner Miskowiec asked if the pole would look like the one at the Hastings school. Mr. Harrington stated it would but would have a light on the pole for the park. Commissioner Van Vark asked if similar projects were done in parks in other communities. Mr. Harrington indicated they have. Chair Butler stated there were a couple of safety issues that were raised such as the electromagnetic material emitted and the structural integrity of the pole. Mr. Harrington 0 explained the requirements they have to follow in order to be in compliance with the Government. He stated the poles are engineered for wind and ice loading. Ms. Cindy Heilman, 720 148th Lane, stated she looked up a lot of information EMS. She reviewed her information with the Commission. She asked the Commission to deny this request. Mr. Jim Linehan, 665 1481h Lane, stated as they have discussed this he has noticed more cell phone towers in the area. He showed photos to the Commission. He wondered if radiation was not a concern why were there signs posted by the cell towers indicating to stay away. Mr. Marty Heilman, 720 148th Lane, stated he received a letter from the City Planner indicating the distance needs to be five hundred feet from the pole to a structure and he wondered how the planner could have made that big of mistake and thought they should have the correct distance. Mr. Haas stated he did send the Park Commission minutes to Ms. Perara and she corrected the distance in a memo to the Commission. Chair Butler thought there may have been a miscommunication. Mr. Harrington stated he was not an expert in radio frequencies but did reference a couple of organizations that are experts on this. He stated the signs are an FCC requirement and close exposure to the antennas can cause severe problems. 0 Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 1, 2009 Page 3 0 Chair Butler asked which side of the football field were the filed lights on. Mr. Haas indicated they were on both sides. Chair Butler thought there would be an option to move the antennae to another place in the Park. Mr. Harrington reviewed the Arden Hills building they constructed and explained the building they would build at Prairie Knoll Park would be similar. He described the landscaping they would use at the park also. Commissioner Ramnath asked what the likelihood would be of another carrier piggy backing off this tower. Mr. Harrington stated no one else would be able to be on this tower because of the size. He explained this was discussed at the Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Kowalewski asked how often the towers were monitored by T-Mobile and the FCC and also has T-Mobile ever been fined by the FCC for going over the regulations. Mr. Harrington indicated he did not have that information and as far as the monitoring he cannot speak for the FCC on their frequency of monitoring. Chair Butler reviewed information from the FCC and other organizations regarding emissions from cell towers. He stated he was always concerned about environmental contaminants but felt the information he had from the different organizations did not 0 cause a concern. He stated he was more concerned about the location of the tower. He would like to see options for placement ofthe tower further from existing residences within the park. He stated they have an existing light pole on the east side ofthe park that could be looked at. Mr. Haas stated they would need to look at a football type light because of the height. He stated there are other poles that could be reviewed within the park. He stated they need to also take into consideration the easements for gas lines and where the building would need to placed. Chair Butler stated the building should be brick and matched with the other buildings without a fence and adequate landscaping to conceal the building as much possible. Commissioner Kowalewski stated he would prefer the location ofthe tower be on the outskirts ofthe park. Commissioner Van Vark stated he thought there was data to support both sides of the issue. He stated this is a park system and the City needs the revenue but he was concerned about a precedent this will bring for future technology. He did not see the parks being a source of generating additional revenue for the City other than advertising on ball fences. Commissioner Miskowiec stated they are using the towers on top of churches and schools. He would like to see the placement on the outskirt of the park if this passes. 0 Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 1, 2009 0 Page 4 Chair Butler asked ifthere would be a concern of placing the tower by the gas line. Mr. Harrington stated there is a large easement going through the park for the gas line and he was not sure ifthe pole on the east side was on the easement but may prohibit the building from being built in that area but he thought the City could decide if a building could be placed there or not. Motion by Miskowiec, seconded by Ramnath, to approve this item with the understanding that they work and try to find the best location in the park for the tower along with including landscaping, turf repair and matching the brick and aesthetics of the current building. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, I-nay (Van Vark), 2-absent (Hupp, Lindahl) vote. Mr. Linehan stated he was a senior designer at a company and deals with angles and he thought the angle of emissions of possible radiation was getting pretty close to his residence. He also wondered about lightening strikes and what would happen if lightening struck the pole and caused something to happen to the gas lines. Chair Butler encouraged the residents to go to the City Council meeting and voice their concerns there. CONSIDER COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS IN PARK AREAS, CONT. 0 Mr. Haas updated the Commission on Community Garden Plots in park areas. He explained he talked to the City of Ramsey and the garden plots have been a big hit for them and they do charge for use but do not have any guidelines or rules for this. He noted this is like an association type of thing. Mr. Haas reviewed some ofthe potential parks that could be used for something like this. He noted ifthe City were to do these types of gardens water would need to be available. Chair Butler thought they would need to get some resident input for the proposed parks they would consider. Commissioner Kowalewski stated Red Oaks East is approximately two acres and he wondered if they would ever consider going through and paving through the park. Mr. Haas stated this would be considered when discussed further and brought to the Council. Mr. Haas stated he could take photos of some of the current gardens in other cities for review at the next Commission meeting. Chair Butler stated he would also like to get a list of what parks would have water available. Mr. Haas reviewed some of the parks that would have water available for a garden. , 0 Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - October 1, 2009 0 Page 5 UPDATE OF HAWKRlDGE PARK Chair Butler updated the Commission on the status of Hawkridge Park and what the City Council decided to do at their workshop. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed outstanding items. CHAIR'S REPORT Commissioner Kowalewski updated the Commission on fall sports in Andover. Chair Butler reminded the residents that the Andover Community Center will have a survey coming out in the next newsletter. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ramnath, seconded by Kowaleski, to adjourn the meeting at 8:42 p.m. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Hupp, Lindahl) vote. 0 Respectfully Submitted, Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 0