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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 20, 2005 O1Y\Q)~L ~ - \"1-05 J PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - JANUARY 20,2005 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Jim Lindahl on January 20, 2005, 7:12 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Denise McNeff, Dave Blackstad (arrived at 7:15 p.m.), Chairman Jim Lindahl, Devon Walton. Meg Dudgeon and Ernest Bedor Commissioners Absent: Dan Masloski Also Present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas Others J RESIDENTS FORUM Jerry Johnson. representative of Andover Football Association, requested Agenda Item No.8 be moved up in the agenda APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Walton, seconded by McNeff, to approve the January 6, 2005 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on as-ayes, O-nays, 2-absent (Blackstad and Masloski) vote. UPDATE OF JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL Mr. Haas explained that this item is in regard to the proposed joint meeting with the City Council. The item of interest to Andover Football is as follows: 4. Discuss the 2005-2009 CIP a. Discuss Lund's North Park & Prairie Knoll Park Lighting of Fields TIris item is to discuss the improvements that have been identified in the CIP for 2005, which include proposed field lighting for the two large soccer/football fields at Prairie Knoll Park. \ l Commissioner Blackstad arrived at 7:15 p.m. Regular Andaver Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 20, 2005 Page 2 Chairman Lindahl commented during the last Council meeting in December when the CIP was discussed, the lighting of Prairie Knoll seemed to be well received by the Council. The question was regarding the funding and what would be preempted for the lighting. Mr. Haas indicated the Council will want to know the Commission's position prior to moving forward with the project. Chairman Lindahl stated the Football Association will need to work on parking issues at Prairie Knoll. The Sheriff's report indicates that about 1/3 of the incidents were parking issues at Prairie Knoll that coincide with Saturday games and a couple incidents on Sundays. Mr. Haas explained the approval for the No Parking sign came after those incidents, and the parking issue should be resolved. Mike Fromm, Board Member of Andover Football Association, stated there are great fields at Prairie Knoll, but there are issues with the parking and lighting. Commissioner McNeff asked how late the fields are used in early spring and fall. Jerry Johnson, representative of Andover Football Association, replied the latest game ends at 10:00 p.m. Commissioner McNeff inquired of the age ranges involved in the Football Association. Mr. Fromm replied the age range is kindergarten through 8th grade. There are over 500 participants in the association, and that number will increase by about 50 every year. Commissioner Blackstad requested a breakdown of the teams prior to the meeting with the City Council. Commissioner Walton commented he likes that Andover can offer more than other communities, but wonders if that is part of what is causing the cost of extra lights. Secondly, if the neighborhood is already concerned about parking, they may have concerns about the lighting. Mr. Johnson suggested the lights can be directed so as not to be an issue. The Commission and the representatives of the Football Association discussed ways to alleviate the parking issues. Mr. Fromm stated the Football Association will be investing in this project and is willing to invest in their facilities in the long term. The Association will be getting their own bleachers and scoreboards. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 20, 2005 Page 3 J Commissioner Walton suggested there be consideration of building a football field in another location, rather than installing lighting at Prairie Knoll. The Commission discussed the costs associated with building a new field in comparison to the cost of installing lighting. It was noted in addition to the grading there would be costs associated with land acquisition to build a new field. Commissioner Blackstad questioned if curb and gutter would be required in the parking lot, as it is a rural lot outside of the MUSA. Mr.Haas replied the curb and gutter can be exempted by the Council if they wish to keep the parking lot gravel. The consensus of the Commission was to recommend proceeding with the lighting of Prairie Knoll in the 2005-2009 CIP. Mr. Haas explained confirmation will be needed for the Lunds North Park project so it can be prepared and ready to go mid July. ) Commissioner Walton inquired if there would be room in the back ofLunds North Park to build and grade a temporary football/soccer field, (\\CK l~c\ Commissioner ~ noted once the ball field is moved and the parking lot is installed there would be enough room in the outfield to use for games or practices. He noted the Football Association could utilize almost any of the City's ball fields for fall practices, as softball and baseball games are finished at that time. Commissioner McNeff commented last week there was mention of certain fields that are not irrigated and have stickers, which parents prefer their kids not play at. Chairman Lindahl stated staffhas worked hard on the fields with fertilizer and weed control. The Commission discussed the following items on the agenda of the joint meeting with the City Council: 1. Discuss Andover Station North Park Facility - Andover Baseball Association Mr. Haas noted this item has been requested by the Andover Baseball Association to be on the agenda. The association has donated $40,000 towards the development of the park and would like the City to move forward with constructing this project yet this summer. If the project were to start this spring, the earliest the fields may be ready is 2007. \ / Chairman Lindahl commented he does not know how far this project can go without a plan for the area. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 20. 2005 Page 4 Mr. Haas indicated this plat may be presented to the Council within the next month for approval. 2. Update of 2005 Softball/Baseball Scheduling Mr. Haas indicated at this point, the tournaments have been identified and approved for 2005. The associations are still working together on a regular schedule for the spring/summer season. 3. Discuss Usage Feefor Youth Tournaments Mr. Haas explained this item is intended to give the City Council an update of the Park Commission's recommendation if a usage fee for youth tournaments should be considered. If the Commission recalls from the December 16th meeting, the motion was to recommend no change in the fee structure for youth tournaments or associations at this time. 5. Discuss Park Dedication Credit for Country Oaks West Mr. Haas indicated this item is to discuss the development of the park for Country Oaks West that may happen with the residential development that will most likely move forward this spring. County Oaks West is not currently in the CIP. Commissioner Walton inquired ifthe Commission can receive an update from the developer before the meeting with the City Council. I Mr. Haas replied the developer has been invited to the meeting. Commissioner Walton suggested Country Oaks West is a place for the Commission to start looking at a different format in moving forward with the development of parks, such as getting economies of scale from developers coming in. Chairman Lindahl noted there was a question of quality control of the work performed by the developers in the past. He asked if Mr. Haas believes the needed staffwould be available to oversee the quality control issues at this time. Mr. Haas responded in the affirmative. 6. Discuss Advertisements on Park Property Mr. Haas noted Commissioner Walton has discussed this briefly on and off with the Commission during the past couple months regarding the possibility of advertising on park property. The Commission may want to have Commissioner Walton take the lead on this with the City Council. Commissioner Walton indicated he will discuss his thought process when he brought this issue up. 7.Andover Station South Park Dedication Allocation , , Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 20, 2005 Page 5 Mr. Haas noted if the Commission recalls from the November 18th meeting, the Commission questioned the $96,144 for the Community Center contribution. Attached is a memo from Jim Dickinson, Finance Director, regarding the allocation that will be of interest to the Commission. The issue is included on the agenda , CONSIDER ADDITIONAL 2005 SOFTBALVBASEBALL TOURNAMENT APPLICA TIONS Mr. Haas explained the softballlbaseball tournament application forms for the upcoming 2005 softballlbaseball season are ready for approval. Motion by Blackstad, seconded by McNeff, to approve the tournament application forms as requested by the Andover Athletic Association. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, 1- absent (Masloski) vote. QUARTERLY REPORT / ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF'SDEPARTMENT The Park Board reviewed the Anoka County Sheriffs Department Quarterly Report. Commissioner McNeff noted the city of Hopkins utilizes a bike patrol, which has been very successful in dealing with drug issues. If Andover does not currently have these issues, a bike patrol may be something to consider in the future. Chairman Lindahl indicated this can be discussed with a Sheriffs representative when they are present at a meeting. This item was for informational purposes. CONSIDER 2005 GRANT APPLICATION ROUND / PROJECT 05-5, CONT. Mr. Haas explained that this item is in regard to considering DNR grant programs available for the 2005 application round. This item was tabled from the last meeting of January 6th to allow more time to review the grants that are available. Mr. Haas noted it is that time of year to consider if the Park & Recreation Commission would recommend to the City Council to apply for any of the grant programs that may be available subject to funding by the 2005 Legislature. Last year, Outdoor Recreation Grants were applied for were the Fishing Pier Grant Program and the 2004 Water Resource Cooperative Acquisition and Development. As far as the Water Resource Cooperative Acquisition and Development Program for Crooked Lake Boat Landing, Mr. Haas noted a letter dated November 23, 2004 indicating the MN DNR will be scheduled for review for funding in 2006/07. He indicated he has sent in the application for the fishing pier grant. " Mr. Haas stated if the Commission is interested in any of the other grants, he would suggest they review the 2005-2009 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 20, 2005 Page 6 Mr. Haas reviewed that the City has made several applications for different parks but has not been successful on any of them during the past few years due to the competition of other agencies that have also applied for the grants. Commissioner Blackstad asked if there are any trails that might qualify for funding at this time. Mr. Haas responded in the negative. He explained most of the trails being looked at for 2005 are on the east side of 159th Avenue in the Cambridge Estates area Commissioner McNeff asked what the grant donors are looking for. Mr. Haas replied the donors are looking for passive trail type systems and newer parks or parks that need to be redeveloped. Commissioner Blackstad commented the income for the next couple of years is not known at this time, and it would not be beneficial to apply for a grant and not have the money available to match it. CI1airman Lindahl concurred, Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Bedor, to recommend to the City Council to make application for the following grant programs: . Boat Launch Crooked Lake Boat Landing Fishing Pier . . Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Masloski) vote. REVIEW LIST OF EXISTING UNDEVELOPED PARKS The Commission reviewed the list of existing undeveloped parks. Commissioner Blackstad noted a lot of the parks were donated by developers years ago and cannot be developed. Commissioner Walton stated 13 of the listed parks are potentially non-developable parks, and he would consider 7 of the parks as potentially developable. These parks could likely be graded and labeled on the ClF as a potential City park. This list of parks could be put up against a list of parks that need to be refurbished and parks that need to be ADA compliant. Chairman Lindahl requested Commissioner Walton forward the list of potential parks to Mr. Haas, and the Commission can further review the parks in the future. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - January 20, 2005 Page 7 Mr. Haas indicated a good time to review the parks would be in Mayor June when the Commission begins to review 2006 projects. This item was for informational purposes. UPDATE OF JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL Moved up as the first item in the agenda DISCUSS NEWSLETTER / PARK PLACE ARTICLE Mr. Haas explained that this item is in regard to the article that is placed in the City newsletter. He noted that former Park & Recreation Commission member Valerie Holthus was the author for the Park Place article that runs inAndoverToday. Since she is no longer on the Commission, another Commissioner is needed to author the article. Commissioner Blackstad volunteered to author the Park Place article. Mr. Haas requested Commissioner Blackstad talk to Rhonda Anderson to determine when the next article is due, REVTEWOUTSTANDlNG ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed outstanding items. CHAIR'S REPORT There was no discussion. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Blackstad, seconded by Walton, to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 p.m. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, I-absent (Masloski) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Carol Hamer, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. '.