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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 4, 1983 o 0 ~ ~ ANDOVER o PARK COMMISSION l{EETING - AUGUST 4, 1983 MINUTES The Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Andover Park Commission was called to order by Chairman Nichols at 7:35 p.m., Thursday, August 4, 1983, at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstovm Blvd. N.W. Commission Members Present: Commission Members Absent: Also Present: Longbella, Mand and Prochniak Carlson and LeFebvre Mayor Windschitl; Jim Schrantz, City Engineer/Public Works Director; Donald Nast and Kathy Anderson, Northglen residents Chairman Nichols stated Bill LeFebvre was attending a Special Olympics meeting in Ramsey tonight: NORTHGLEN PARK Those present reviewed the proposed park plan drawn by Jim Schrantz. Mayor Windschitl cautioned that any plan should provide access to the Adolfson property to allow for future expansion. Chairman Nichols then asked what they preferred first as this would have to be a staged development due to budget limitations. The residents then presented a petition for park improvement. Mr. Nast informed the Commission the petition contained 155 signatures with 112.5 children (some women are pregnant) involved. They all live in Northglen. A petition was not circulated in Quickstrom's - the number of children in that area is unknown. Mrs. Anderson commented most are under 10 years. Mr. Nast informed the Commission a neighborhood meeting was held Monday night at City Hall attended by 12 people. They agreed the first priorities would be a playground and a picnic area to begin with. Wednesday he met with Jim to discuss what was wanted in this park. The residents would also like a skating rink and a there would not be room if a ballfield was put in. stated they were unaware of its existence. small sliding hill. Jim Schrantz stated There is a rink in Quickstrom's. They Mayor Windschitl asked Mr. Nast if he could get residents to help install playground equipment. He replied he didn't know but thought he could get a few on some Saturday afternoon. Mayor Windschitl then asked Jim Schrantz how long he could keep the CETA people. He said into September or until the $3,000 allocated for salaries ran out. He felt the equipment could be delivered in a week or two. Briefly discussed was the fact there are so few requests for park improvement. Mayor Windschitl felt the reason was so much open space. Jim Schrantz agreed adding most of the City has large lots. In response to several questions, Mayor Windschitl advised the City will get at least one graded field in Northglen II as it was a very difficult plat; and construction of the \~hOPPing center should start in September. Mr. Nast asked how large the skating rink in Quickstrom's was. Wes Mand replied about 100' x 100'. Jim Schrantz thought it could be enlarged a little. o u Page ~2 8-4-83 Minutes ,-) In looking over the playground equipment list, Mr. Nast and 1ITs. Anderson stated a sand box was not needed as the area is sand already, but they would like two Saddle Mate animals. Wood versus concrete picnic tables was discussed. Mayor Windschitl stated he definitely felt concrete should be purchased and all agreed. Jim Schrantz thought they were about $250 each. MOTION by Nichols, seconded by Prochniak, to authorize the Public Works Director to purchase the playground equipment (as listed less sand box), a grill and two concrete picnic tables for Northglen park at an approximate cost of $3200.00. Discussion: Merlyn Prochniak asked if that included grading. Chairman Nichols said no, just playground equipment. Merlyn then asked if picnic tables and a grill were necessary. Chairman Nichols replied the mothers would need a place to sit to watch their children _ a grill was only $100.00. Wes Mand suggested plowing a path to the rink in Quickstrom's. Motion carried unanimously. CITY HALL PARK Mayor Windschitl stated he would like to see the City Hall site finished as soon as possible. There are so many soccer and softball teams in the area wanting fields and, although Coon Rapids has been patient in serving Andover residents, they would like us to use our own facilities. The Mayor and the Commission then recessed from 8:15 to 8:30 to view the City Hall site during which time Jim Schrantz demonstrated the Toro mower the Public Works Dept. was trying out. Jim was asked if all the money had been spent on the first phase. He replied the only thing left was the backstop which will be straight as he felt hoods were unnecessary for softball. The estimated cost for phase 2 is about the same, $35,000.00. ~~ayor Windschitl then informed the Commission the City has collected a number of city lots due to tax forfeiture. He could see no useful purpose for the City to own residential lots. He would like to see those that are now unbuildable filled, then sell them and use the money to improve the City Hall site because it is a community park. Specifically mentioned were the 5 lots in Nordeen's and the old schoolhouse site. A lot of people cannot afford 2 1/2 acre lots so he felt the smaller lots would be very saleable, or perhaps adjoining property owners would like to enlarge their lot. Jim Schrantz mentioned one of the lots would be used as a holding pond; a couple of them he didn't think needed any fill. The Commission thought this was a good idea. Further, Mayor Windschitl asked the Commission to plan on one or two more phases for the improvement of this site. Merlyn Prochniak stressed the need for a sprinkling system. MOWER Jim Schrantz mentioned the problems they were having with the mowing equipment. The Toro he demonstrated cost $10,000. The company claims it is able to mow 25 acres a day. Wes Mand felt the best way to purchase a new mower would be on an equipment bond. When asked if it could be cost shared, Jim stated somewhat but most of its use would be in parks. No ,~one on the Commission objected to this proposed purchase. ~~MATTSON/HENNEN SKETCH PLAN The Commission had been informed this sketch plan was rescheduled for August 18th. Mayor Windschitl explained some of the problems this sketch plan had & it is in the process of . 'Page #3 ,8-4-83 Minutes o " ) \..-- , / being redrawn. There was no access to the park, however, a 40' access will be shown on the revised plan. He asked that a couple members contact Mr. Mattson and make arrangements to look at the proposed park before the 18th. Merlyn Prochniak volunteered Bill LeFebvre and himself. 138TH AVE. PARK Mayor Windschitl informed the Commission the County did not like Site #1 for several reasons, but were impressed with Site #3 which is a triangular piece of property behind 2607 and 2621 Bunker with an access coming off 138th. Wes Mand stated this area would be difficult to maintain and suggested covering the whole area with pea gravel and installing playground equipment. Jim Schrantz stated the County is processing all three sites. Mayor Windschitl stated part of the CDBG funds are to be used to purchase a one acre parcel at the corner of Bunker and Jay St. Plans are to clean up the area and put it back on the market at a reduced price. He asked if anyone knew of someone who would be interested in starting a small business in this area to let him know. The balance of the funds is for storm clean up. Mayor Windschitl and Mrs. Anderson then discussed the problem of no fence between Bill's Superette and the back yards of Silverod St. 1983 BUDGET The Commission determined the City Clerk and Public Works Director were far more capable of estimating most of the line items in the budget. Agreed upon under 530 _ Improvements was $45,000. Jim Schrantz said to figure on another $10,000 if a watering system was installed at City Hall. Thi& of course, would be reduced when the tax forfeit property is sold. The Commission believed it should be a budgeted item in case no sales are made next year. Jim was asked to check into sandpoints in order to reduce the extra $10,000. Under 580 - Equipment - $7800.00 for further improvement of Northglen park; $3200.00 in Shirley's Estates as there is no park in this area and requests have been received for a total of $11,000 plus whatever the first bond payment on a new mower would be. Under 820 and 821, Community/Summer School, the Commission felt a $1400.00 increase over last year was not out of line, comparatively, and agreed upon the $18,662 for Community School and the $6,681 for Summer School. ~OTION by Nichols, seconded by Longbella, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned 9:30 p.m. ~ta:fi//. R e Ellen Bakke Secretary