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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 21, 2005 CITY OF NDOVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN,US PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - JULY 21,2005 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairman Jim Lindahl on July 21,2005, 7:38 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Dan Masloski, Chairman Jim Lindahl, Ernest Bedor, and Devon Walton. Commissioners Absent: Dave Blackstad, Meg Dudgeon, and Wendy Albee. Also Present: Parks Coordinator, Todd Haas RESIDENTS FORUM There were no comments at this time. , J APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Bedor, seconded by Commissioner Mas10ski, to table approval of the June 16,2005 Park Commission minutes. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 3- absent (B1ackstad, Dudgeon, and Albee) vote. CONSIDER 2005 FALL SOCCER/FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Mr. Haas explained the only issue was the soccer field at the south end of Sunshine Park. He noted the agreement with the neighborhood to turn off the lights. Chairman Lindahl stated the agreement with the neighborhood was the lights would not be on past 10 p.m. Mr. Haas stated staff should be able to set the timer back to 10:30 p.m. He noted the agreement was that the lights would be shut off manually at 9:00 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. Mr. Greg Ross, Andover Football Association, stated they could use field three and soccer could use field two at Sunshine Park. \ A representative from North Metro Soccer Association stated they would like to flip fop / the fields. He confirmed that soccer association wanted field two. He noted they would make sure the lights were off on the south field at the designated time. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - July 21, 2005 Page 2 / Motion by Commissioner Bedor, seconded by Commissioner Walton, to approve the 2005 soccer/football schedule as amended to change the field assignment as requested. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 3-absent (Blackstad, Dudgeon, and Albee) vote. CONSIDER 2005 FALL SOFTBALLlBASEBALVFOOTBALL SCHEDULE Mr. Haas explained there were only two applications to use the ball fields at Sunshine Parks. He stated that the Andover Football Association would use Sunshine Park ball fields. He noted Andover Baseball Association would use the other baseball fields in other parks around the city. He added softball was not going to have a fall league. He stated ifthe Andover AtWetic Association did get some interest in a fall league it would make an application at that time. He noted there were no changes on the schedule. He added he did include the tournaments that were still ongoing. He stated there was one on September 10lh at Sunshine Park. Commissioner Walton asked the representatives present to please reinforce to the parents that there were to be no tobacco products of any kind used on City property. He also stressed that there were to be no pets at Sunshine Park or City HalL Motion by Commissioner Masloski, seconded by Commissioner Walton, to approve the 2005 softball/baseball/football schedule, as presented. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, 0- nays, 3-absent (Blackstad, Dudgeon, and Albee) vote. DISCUSS ADVERTISING SIGNS/CITY PARK FACILITY Chairman Lindahl asked if this was restricted to ball fields. Mr. Haas stated he would have to do some research. He noted he thought the discussion was more towards the outfield fencing. Commissioner Bedor stated that in Coon Rapids this issue had become a politically controversial issue. Mr. Haas stated he did not have any information on that. Commissioner Walton suggested the matter be tabled until receipt of more information on the controversy and parameters of the proposal. Motion by Commissioner Walton, seconded by Commissioner Masloski, to table the issue until receipt of further information. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 3-absent (Blackstad, Dudgeon, and Albee) vote. DISCUSS ANDOVER STATION NORTH PARKIPARK IMPROVEMENT FUND J Mr. Haas explained staff did a proforma on the Andover Station North Park. He stated staff compared the park dedication fees versus park costs. He noted this was for the Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -July 21,2005 Page 3 Commission's review. He added that from the projected fund balance there was going to be a shortage. Commissioner Walton asked ifthis projected shortfall meant the park would have to built in phases rather than all at once. Mr. Haas stated that was one option. Chairman Lindahl stated he thought it should be addressed as a levy option that should be discussed with finance. Mr. Haas stated it would be best to have joint meeting with the Council to discuss this matter. He noted it had a pretty high priority for 2007 to be able to play baseball by the association. Commissioner Walton stated there were also some commercial issues tied to this park. He noted they were hoping to draw certain types of restaurants. He added it would be hard to draw those types in without the park complete. He stated this was a significant shortfalL He noted they could not cover it even if they strapped the park dedication funds. Mr. Haas stated he would talk to the City Administrator and see if a joint meeting could , / be scheduled in September. REVIEW OF REVISED DRAFT/PARK DEDICATION STUDY Mr. Haas explained the updated report. He noted this could be another item to discuss at the joint meeting with the CounciL Chairman Lindahl stated it was good to be in touch with the current system and determine unit price. He noted it was obvious the City had some shortfalls. He added an earlier study had discussed the mini park and the neighborhood park. He stated it had indicated a need for more central parks and less neighborhood parks. Commissioner Masloski stated it was eye popping to see what still needed to be done and then see how short the City was going to be. Commissioner Walton stated any resources the Commission had would not make an impact here or on Andover Station North to keep up with the backlog. Commissioner Masloski stated there were some parks that were too close to each other and some that were unbuildable. He noted even allowing for them the City would still be on the high end. , / Commissioner Walton stated that with expansion the City had people moving into neighborhoods and expecting a park to built by time they moved in to their home. He Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - July 21, 2005 Page 4 noted that was one reason for moving here. He added that there were people here at the last meeting discussing this issue. Chairman Lindahl stated one had indicated the seller had promised them a park was in the neighborhood. He noted the City could not regulate that Commissioner Walton stated it was still a reason people moved here. Chairman Lindahl stated they had to convince the Council there needed to be more money for parks. He noted that this was the basis for his position on big developments that came in. Mr. Haas noted Mr. Neumeister had done alot of work on this report He added this would be put on the agenda for the worksession with the Council. Chairman Lindahl noted the potential for the Ag Reserve Area was huge. He added it could be vital to making the facility there worthwhile. UPDATE OF FRISBEE GOLF FACILITY/FOX MEADOWS Mr. Haas explained seven of the golf baskets were in. He noted Public Works would meet with Mr. Mike Snelson to coordinate the exact locations would be. He added that he I hoped it would be ready by the end of August He stated they got a good price on baskets. He noted they even got a tenth one free. He noted that he was contacted by the Star Tribune. He added there would be an article on this course. No action needed. ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT. QUARTERLY REPORT Commissioner Walton stated there were a lot fewer reports of "We got there and there was nothing to be seen". He noted they appreciated the improved response. Chairman Lindahl stated on the news last night, one ofthe big slides in Eden Prairie was burned. He noted it was $25,000 per slide unit He added it was very valuable to the City that if when residents see something suspicious, they call it in. He stated the City had lost enough in the past and did not want to be in that position. No action needed. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed the outstanding items in his report. He noted there would be a lot of activity going on next week in Lunds North Park. He added the reviewed and approved for the fencing and finishing the bituminous trial. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes-July 2], 2005 Page 5 Chairman Lindahl stated the Commission had met prior to tonight's meeting at the skateboard facility at Constance Free Church. He noted the current condition was getting worse. He added it would likely be unusable in a year. He stated it was going to require big upgrades. He noted the church would not want it on site for next year. He added they had issues with the excessive garbage and vandalism at the church. Mr. Haas noted it was an issue of respect for the church's property and keeping the site clean. Chairman Lindahl stated the Commission was looking at possibly selling this equipment and revisiting a future site. He noted they would also consider upgrading the equipment Commissioner Walton stated it would soon be a safety issue. He noted he would like to see the City selling this equipment and seeing if another City could use it He added they should look in earnest at some other place to build a higher quality and more permanent park. He stated the City should consider more supervision. Commissioner Masloski stated that two years ago they tried to fmd a location for this equipment He noted his appreciation for the church community stepping in and offering a location. He added that if the City had a nice site, more centrally located, it would be used more than ball field. He stated he would like to see the same amount of money put into this use as would be put into a ball field. Mr. Haas stated the kids they spoke with tonight at the church felt they were not getting the younger kids because there was not supervision regarding respecting the younger kids. Commissioner Walton stated the Community Center would now serve as a hang out space. He noted a central location would drive up usage. He added it would increase more if it were near the trails. Chairman Lindahl asked ifthere was some way to present this issue to the Community Center Director to consider. Mr. Haas stated staff could explore that Commissioner Walton questioned the possibility of tying it into the western development for the public works facility or the area to the west of the existing playground at City HaIL Commissioner Masloski stated the City was going to need community groups to partner for this type of park. He noted the shortfalls in Andover Station North and the need for a skateboard park. He added the City was going to need groups of people to generate funds to do it alL Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes - July 2 I, 2005 Page 6 Chairman Lindahl noted there could be a levy to set up the park fund. He added it was addressed in the 1990s but was beat out by the safety need for a fire station. He stated they should try to keep it in the target range so it would not be overwhelming. He noted it had been twelve years since then. Mr. Haas stated he believed the levy was in 1996. Commissioner Masloski stated they needed to find moneys to replace equipment and build structures in some ofthese parks. He noted he knew the baseball association wanted it done. Commissioner Walton stated it was robbing one fund and leaving the other stuff falling behind. He noted some parks remained vacant for years. He added there was a large visible commercial land recreation area that the City did not have the ability to take on. He stated the skateboard park was a hot enough topic to buy some equipment the first time. Chairman Lindahl stated a referendum would give the residents a chance to say yes or no. He noted the City would know how people felt. He added they would then operate accordingly. , Mr. Haas stated Country Oaks West Park was starting to move forward. He noted they had started to layout the irrigation. He added staff had picked out some equipment. He stated there would be a one-piece unit for ages two to twelve. He noted it had a rock climbing walL He added the developer were able to take advantage of a sale. He stated staffwas moving forward with the basketball court. He noted he hoped some ofthe equipment would be here in September. He added they would be starting to put in concrete curb and curb over the next few days. Commissioner Masloski asked if equipment could be purchased now on sale for some of the parks slated for next year. Mr. Haas stated the CIP would not be approved by the Council until September or October. He noted some suppliers had sales in the falL CHAIRS REPORT Chairman Lindahl noted he had nothing to report at this time. Commissioner Masloski noted that National Night out was August 2, 2005. He added it was a really nice event. Commissioner Walton asked for an update on the use ofthe doggy stations. ;' Mr. Haas stated he would check on it and provide an update at the next meeting. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes -July 21,2005 Page 7 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Bedor, seconded by Commissioner Masloski, to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, O-nays, 3-absent (Blackstad, Dudgeon, and Albee) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Nancy Czajkowski, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.