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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 6, 1982 ." o 0 ~ ~ ANDOVER o PARK COMMISSION MEETING - MAY 6, 1982 MINUTES The Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Andover Park Commission was called to order by Chairman LeFebvre at 7:35 p.m., Thursday, May 6, 1982, at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crossto,vn Blvd. N.W. Commission Members Present: Commission Members Absent: Also Present Mand, Prochniak, Rogers and Zillhardt Longbella and Nichols Jim Schrantz, Public Works Director "Nine Northwoods residents NORTID~OODS EAST PARK The residents were present requesting additional park equipment. They were furnished with current catalogs. Since this park is small and the swing set is located in the old parking lot near the Rueters, Glen Rogers asked if additional equipment would create a problem. Joyce Rueter stated no, the equipment is far enough away from their house. Steve Johnson, who lives on the other side of the park, said the hedge helps. (Trees and shrubs have been ordered for Rueter's side.) The residents then informed the Commission that a 4 yr. old girl almost drowned in the creek (ditch) located at the north end of the park when it was 4-5 feet deep and that many kids play down there. The worst spot is behind the swing set in the area of the broken storm sewer culvert. They wanted to know if a fence could be installed. Jim Schrantz stated he felt the Qtch is on Mr. Slyzuk's property, but that he would look at it and come up with some idea. es Mand mentioned maybe it could be graded out so it would/B@ such a steep ditch. Bob Palmer asked if the parks were for the use of the neighborhood and not for everybody. He felt the neighborhood should get priority over their parks, adding that Gary West lives in Red Oaks and he coaches a Coon Rapids girls softball team in this park. Chairman LeFebvre asked if the residents play ball in the field as they have in the past. lIT. Palmer said year before last it was used by the residents at least one night a week, but not so much now. Length between bases was then discussed as plans have been made to widen the field thereby reducing the size of the "parking" area. Bob Palmer reiterated his earlier comments about the parks being for the use of the neighborhood and commented the field at City Hall should be improved. Glen Rogers informed him they are public parks and cannot be restricted. The City Hall site is a community type field which is mainly for adult activity. Wes Mand stated Northwoods, Red Oaks and Green Acres have always been considered a neighborhood park broken up into pieces as none are big enough to do any substantial development. They are used for different purposes in order to serve the entire area. Glen Rogers asked what the priorities were, equipment or a fence. Mr. Palmer felt a fence was the most important. Another person mentioned a sign. Wes Mand commented a sign would be of no use because small children can't read. Also mentioned was there is 200 ft. of used fence from the boat landing stored at City Hall. ~TION by Rogers, seconded by Zillhardt, to recommend the Public Works Director investigate ~asibility of some type of protection at the back end of the park. The Commission was not polled. Page #2. - May 6, 1982 Minutes , , u () General discussion then involved the size of playing fields and the fact that both Northwoods __parks are not large enough for regulation fields. ~-)Ob Palmer then commented no one uses the picnic table at Northwoods East. Those present then looked at the catalogs and discussed slide heights, etc. The residents were asked if they wanted one piece at a time or the entire package. They stated the entire package. Selected was a slide with tunnel for safety, a merry go round and a see saw. Jo Zillhardt mentioned her son does not like to go through a tunnel to slide down a slide. The end result of several different conversations, park and non-park related, was the following motion: MOTION by LeFebvre, seconded by Rogers, to recommend the City Council authorize the purchase of a slide tunnel at a cost of $195.00; a 16 ft. slide at $755.00; an 8' spin around at $707.00; and a see saw at $443.00 for a total of $2100.00 plus freight. Discussion involved installing posts to protect the equipment from cars. The residents felt a bike rack for 20 would be a good alternative. AMENDMENT TO MOTION by LeFebvre to add a bike rack at $185.00 for a new total of $2285.00 plus freight. Second stands. Motion carried unanimously. The Commission asked the residents to prioritize the equipment in the event the City Council didn't go for the entire package. The priorities are: o 1. Merry go round 2. Slide with tunnel 3. Bike rack 4. See saw It was suggested that, if Jim could find similar items of comparable quality at a lower price, these should be purchased instead. This sUbject will be on the City Councils JUlle 1st agenda. Steve Johnson offered to~ap the trees to protect them on his side of the park if the City would pay for the material. He was told to contact Jim Schrantz. He also asked for some replacement buckthorn bushes as a few had died. The secretary told him this was taken into consideration when the order was placed last fall. Barry Swingle offered to meet Jim Schrantz any Monday to help layout the park equipment. He advised they would not be willing to install it as that would be a job for professionals. Break 8:45 - 9:00 KELSEY PARK Chairman Lefebvre asked each member whether or not they wanted to pursue this matter. Glen Rogers said yes, especially since the State's share went from $29,000 to $43,550. Merlyn Prochniak stated he wanted to go ahead with it. Wes 1fund agreed. Jo Zillhardt asked if the area would tie in with other parks (yes). The Commission generally felt it would be best to try and spread the payments over five years using the State's payment for the first payment. Jim Schrantz mentioned if the adjacent property is developed, cash in lieu of land could help make a payment. ~-')TION by LeFebvre, seconded by Mand, to recommend the City Council pursue the acquisition of Kelsey Park. Motion carried unanimously. Page #1 - Mny 6, 1982 Minutes o \ (~ Discussion: It was estimated the acquisition would be slightly over 100 acres. Time was spent informing the fairly new members of the past history, topography of this proposed park, " 'nd road locations. \..J CROOKED LAKE BOAT LANDING Chairman LeFebvre advised he spoke to the Council on April 20th about park plans. They, the Council, told him to hold back on the City Hall site and to finish off park improvements already started - #1 being the boat landing. The Commission then reviewed the planting plans for the boat landing commenting that, if all the trees shown were planted, there wouldn't be any room for people. The catalogs were then checked for shelters and grills. Catalog shelters were far too expensive, ie., $1638.00 for a 12 x 12 which consisted of a roof and four posts. Heavy duty BBQ grills seemed reasonable at $96.00 each. Jim Schrantz was asked to go out on bids for a shelter with steel posts using the existing slab. Wes Mand stated U.S. Bench Corp. will deliver concrete picnic tables, estimating the cost to be $300-$400 per table. It was generally agreed that a swing set was not needed as there is a playground across the street at the school. The Commission decided to purchase 2 BBQ grills, 3 concrete picnic tables and the grant sign. One table is to be placed on the slab. No motion was made to recommend the purchases because the Council had directed to finish the park. Jim Schrantz was also asked to arrange to have the parking lot striped. Merlyn Prochniak commented he felt the two rocker horses should be moved to a better location. This subject and Kelsey Park will be placed on the City Council lfuy 18th agenda. ", ~im Schrantz then asked if the Commission wanted him to keep on making proposed park improvements for the parks. The answer was yes. MOTION by LeFebvre, seconded by Rogers, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned 10:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted: \(~ c/L;~ Rae Ellen Bakke - Secretary CJ