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Home My WebLink AboutJuly 23, 1981 o 0 ~ 01 ANDOVER o PARK C~XISSION MEETING - JULY 23, 1981 MINUTES The Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Andover Park Commission was called to order by Chairman LeFebvre at 7:45 p.m., Thursday, July 23, 1981, at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Blvd. N.W. Commission Members Present: Commission Members Absent: Also Present: Mand and Nichols Longbella, Rogers, Wielgosz and Zillhardt Otto Bonestroo and Brad Lemberg, Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Assoc., Inc. Jaqie Palmer and two unidentified Northwoods residents Before the meeting, the representatives from the City's alternative consulting engineering firm viewed the City Hall site with the Park Commission members. After returning to the conference room, Mr. Bonestroo explained his firm's qualifications and past projects. Park Commission members were given a pamphlet advertising the firm. They have been in business over 25 years and are well versed in all phases of municipal work. They employ 75 people, of whom 26 are civil engineers. Mr. Lemberg has been with the company 21 years and has done extensive work in parks. Mr. Bonestroo stressed the fact that they work closely with the municipalities obtaining input and try to fit whatever they, the municipality, want done within the budget and/or capital improvement program. He then explained the inner workings of a bond issue in order to obtain additional revenue. They were involved in two ice arenas on bond issues, both of them passed easily. Their philosophy is to do a great deal of background work, hold public meetings and thoroughly explain what is trying to be accomplished and how it is going to be financed. Anoka City chose not to take this route and they, Bontestroo, voiced their concern about it. The ice arena is being constructed on a different basis, ie., piecemeal with volunteer help. Projects done on this basis usually end up a fiasco because there are so many things to be considered which are taken care of by thorough background planning. On larger parks, Mr. Bonestroo advised they should be designed for multiple use for all age groups in order to avoid complaints. Back to bond issues, he, Mr. Bonestroo, stated their experience is such that whatever the City wants to do, they have done similar projects before and h~~t~!r,approach is a good one _ they try to be very objective. They have experts in the field and, if the City eventually wants to go through a bond issue, they know how to sell it and they can help pass one. Wes Mand asked how long a bond issue would take. Mr. Bonestroo said minimum 6 weeks. He stressed they believe in being very open about the issue - telling the public the true facts with no covering up. By being honest at the outset eases later complaints. Mr. Lemberg then explained their company's past projects referring to photographs compiled in a notebook. These consisted of major projects such as golf courses down to tot lots with varying acreages. He also stressed good planning, mentioning for one thing, proper drainage. They have assisted in creating facilities allover the State of Minnesota. Earlier Mr. Bonestroo stated they designed the entire Itasca state park - they will be starting a major project in Dakota County this fall. c=)Wes Mand then mentioned the City has a master park plan done by Midwest Planning & Research. There was some discussion over this company's bankruptcy and law suits. Wes felt this plan probably should be updated. ~ge #2 - July 23, 1981 Minutes u u Vandalism was then discussed. The Bonestroo firm ra~ely installs windows in buildings. .'-,If they are absolutely needed, Lexan is used. This is a strong plastic that a .38 bullet ~won't shatter. However, nothing is kidproof. In Cottage Grove, 15 kids were caught destroying a building with sledge hammers. Their parents were notified and they appeared before a council meeting --- most of the parents didn't even care. Mr. Bonestroo commented girls seem to do the most damage. Mr. Lemberg was furnished with a City map, a map of Northglen, plus a copy of the Park's 1981 budget. City Hall and Northglen/Quickstrom were circled as areas for site plans. Chairman LeFebvre then mentioned Hawkridge for playing fields. This area was then circled. Wes Mand wondered if something could be done with the drainage area by the pump house. Tornado warnings for the entire county came over the fire monitor. It was understood by Mr. Bonestroo and Mr. Lemberg the Commission would like just a basic idea on what it would cost to prepare site plans for the three areas previously mentioned and an estimate on the total cost of improvements. The secretary mentioned there was no basement. The City Council, who were also meeting, then started to leave the building with the Park Commission following closely behind. Chairman LeFebvre made a motion to adjourn at approx. 8:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted: ~c?P~ /~~Ellen Bakke Secretary ',.-)