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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 6, 1981 o 0 ~ 01 ANDOVER o PARK COMMISSION MEETING - AUGUST 6, 1981 MINUTES The Regularly Scheduled Meeting of the Andover Park Commission was called to order by Chairman LeFebvre at 7:35 p.m., Thursday, August 6, 1981, at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Blvd. N.W. Commission Members Present: Commission Members Absent: Also Present: Longbella, Mand, Nichols and Zillhardt Rogers and Wielgosz Bob and Jaqie Palmer, Barry and Kate Swingle - Northwoods residents CROOKED LAKE BOAT LANDING Chairman LeFebvre explained the City Council on 8-4-81 gave the boat landing project to Bonestroo, etc. for a cost estimate re plans and specs. The Commission was informed the next day Brad Lemberg came to the office and picked up pertinent information in order to give an estimate. In glancing at the plans, Mr. Lemberg stated they seemed pretty complete, most of the work would involve the specs. He was informed, due to the nursery business on the east side and a private residence on the west 6' fencing should be included in the specs. Terry Helmstetter did show fencing on the plans. She chose chain link over wood because chain is more durable and causes less maintenance. Jo Zillhardt asked to see the plans. She then questioned the need for removing some of the trees near the parking lot. It was assumed the fontractor would need to have some room to work in. Wes Mand reminded the Commission/Eary Carlson's offer of free use of his tree spade and operator for one or two days to relocate what could be moved. NORTHWOODS EAST PARK The Palmers and the Swingles requested playground equipment in this park. During the softball seasons the little ones played in the street. They selected a swing set, a slide and a merry-go-round totalling $2300.00 out of the Game Time catalog. They felt the equipment could be placed in the "parking lot" area near where the Satellite was located. An aerial photograph was checked and there seemed ~o be enough room so as not to interfere with any ball games. Steve Nichols questioned the wisdom of mixing playground equipment with a playing field in such a small area - there is an existing swing set in Northwoods West which is a block away. Chairman LeFebvre asked if volunteers would install the equipment explaining most of the time the Public Works Department are involved in non-park related duties. Bob Palmer stated he would see to it that it was installed by neighborhood volunteers. Further discussion involved the uninstalled swing set in the garage slated for Cedar Crest. Since its purchase, there have been no requests to install it. (Sharon Anderson, a former Park Commission member, was the person responsible for the request due to personal neighbor- hood pressure). Also, this area is now a deeper holding pond with an average water depth of three feet. A swing set in this area could pose a problem and draw small children closer to the water. o MOTION by Mand, seconded by Longbella, to allow the Northwoods residents install the Cedar Crest swing set in Northwoods East park. Discussion: It was understood, if the swing set interferes with ball games, it will be removed. Page #2 - 8-6-81 Minutes u u VOTE ON MOTION: Yes - LeFebvre, Longbella, Mand. No - Nichols, Zillhardt. Motion carried. \ Steve Nichols felt the area was too small for playground equipment. Jo Zillhardt questioned ~_/ the need for another swing set when there is an existing set a block away and felt Northwoods East should be left as a playing field. MOTION by Mand, seconded by Nichols, to purchase a similar swing set to replace the one originally intended for Cedar Crest park. Motion carried unanimously. ANOKA ICE ARENA DISCUSSION Chairman LeFebvre explained not many Andover residents would benefit, or have any ice time, at the new arena. Their boundary is west of Round Lake Blvd. Also noted was those living east of 7th Ave. go to Blaine High School and would naturally play for Blaine. The area benefitting Andover residents woUld be less than 1/5 of the City and overall not a heavily populated area. The secretary stated at this time no one from this arena assocation has asked to be on a park agenda. Basically, the Commission agreed it could not justify any donation at this time. The areas receiving the most benefit would be Anoka, Ramsey, Champlin and Dayton. Anoka donated the land - the Commission wondered if there had been any cash commitment from the other communities involved. Difficulty in collecting pledges was also mentioned. Chairman LeFebvre mentioned he had heard Blaine was planning on building an ice area somewhere, he thought, in the vicinity of Majestic Oaks. He felt it would make much more sense to try and help the Blaine project as it would serve the majority of Andover residents. KELSEY PARK Wes Mand suggested asking the City Council for direction on what to do about the Kelsey Park grant application as from all indications the City will not have a staff engineer after August 31st. A memo will be sent to the City Council regarding this. 1982 BUDGET The Commission agreed to raise the 1981 budget by 10% for the 1982 budget. Exceptions would be the Commission salary which would remain the same and staff salaries raised to reflect another person. Wes Mand estimated a person could spend between 1500 and 2000 hours a year working in parks. During the slow seasons and inclement weather, time could be spent on repairing equipment, etc. He would like to know how many man hours have been spent in parks this year. Also, an ad should be placed in the paper to hire a warming house attendant who could also maintain the hockey and free skating rinks. This person could also clean City Hall and the surrounding area. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM The secretary advised she started prioritizing parks and came up with the following: () #1 - Boat landing - $30,000.00 #lA Dredging Red Oaks West pond to avoid wet basements in spring after heavy snowfall. #2 - Northglen/Quickstrom - Grading at $1800.00. #3 - City Hall - wait for Bonestroo's suggestions. #4 - Hawk Ridge - $5500.00 grading based on $400 per acre. #4A Replacement equipment for Chapman's;Woodland Terrace. #5 - Barnes Rolling Oaks - natural area for skating rink, received request from Smith's Add. for a rink - this would be "iffy" since City Hall is so close. #6 - Replace Langseth equipment. . Page #3 - 8-6-81 Minutes u u Bob Palmer borrowed the current catalogs so equipment had not yet been considered; She felt replacements are in order as things don't last forever and can be repaired only so . \ much. If time allows, the above list will be more detailed. \_j NORTH MEmO SOCCER ASSOCATION MOTION by LeFebvre, seconded by MEnd, to allow the North Metro Soccer Assoc. to use the City Hall facilities from August 10th to October 15th of this year. Motion carried unanimously. Discussion: A schedule should be provided for the Public Works Dept. NORTHGLEN Burt Kraabel gave an estimate of $1800.00 for leveling this park. It is assumed he "eyeballed" it as there are no final grade plans. Wes Mand felt it would not be wise to level an area without a final grade plan. He cited the rotten fields in Anoka City where there are lakes behind second base after it rains. No action taken. NORTHWOODS EAST PARK The property owners on the west side of this park have requested trees and shrubs planted as was done on the east side. Wes Mand suggested to also plant trees and shrubs along the ditch. However, Steve Nichols said the farmer owns some land across the ditch on the north side of the park. MOTION by Nichols, side of Northwoods the boat landing. seconded by Mand, to order sufficient trees and shrubs for the other East park to go along with the order for Green Acres and any needed for Motion carried unanimously. NORTHWOODS WEST PARK The Public Works Department will be reminded of the undone work in this park, ie., discing and seeding. If they don't have the time, they are to arrange to have it done by outside help. Steve Nichols reported bikes are still getting into the tennis courts. A note will be sent to Bonestroo asking if they have any suggestions. MOTION by Nichols, seconded by Longbella, to adjourn. Meeting adjourned 9:20 p.m. ,- " \.L_~