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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 7, 2011• F NDOVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CLANDOVER.MN.US Regular Park & Recreation Commission Meeting July 7, 2011 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes (6/16/11) 4. Discuss 2012 -2016 Park Capital Improvement Plan, Cont. 5. Update of Skate Park /08 -08, Cont. 6. Outstanding Items 7. 8. Chair's Report 9. Adjournment x 7:15 P.M. or Shortly Thereafter/Workshop Session A. Workshop Session 1. Discuss Park Comprehensive Plan and Future Playground Equipment Replacement/Discuss Philosophy of Park Development, Cont. C 1 PARKAND RECREATION COMMISSIONMEETING —JULY 7, 2011 MINUTES The Regular Bi- Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Butler on July 7, 2011, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Ted Butler, Tony Kowalewski, Vice Chair Jim Lindahl, Andrew Melberg, Mark Miskowiec, and Shan Ramnath. Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Shaun Van Vark. Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas RESIDENT FORUM 1 0 There were no comments at this time. Motion by Ramnath, seconded by Miskowiec, to close the resident forum. Motion carried on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Van Vark) vote. APPROVAL OFMINUTES There were no changes. Motion by Lindahl, seconded by Kowalewski, to approve the June 16, 2011 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 5 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Van Vark) and 1- present ( Ramnath) vote. DISCUSS 2012 -2016 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, CONTT, Mr. Haas explained that the Commission is asked to continue its discussion of the 2012- 2016 Parks Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). He provided a projected fund balance sheet that was prepared by the Finance Department and asked the Commission to pay attention to the 2011 end of the year balance estimated at this time to be $138,805. Chair Butler stated what concerned him was the Sunshine Park west parking lot and he felt there was a consensus that something needed to be done there because it is half paved and is used pretty much year round. He also thought they needed to do something at Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes —July 7, 2011 Page 2 © Hickory Meadows but did not think they had enough funds to do an entire park. He suggested something be contributed and to look to the developer and residents for additional funding. Another item was small park irrigation at Woodland Estates, which he felt could be done. Chair Butler stated in looking at years beyond 2012, $200,000 has been set aside for a major park improvement or irrigation projects and he thought they should look to partnering with some of the Associations to help with irrigation projects. Commissioner Kowalewski asked about the possibility of getting the park irrigated and how much is it being used. Mr. Haas stated initially it was being used a lot but while driving by lately he has not seen much activity. Mr. Haas reviewed the park plans with the Commission. Mrs. Corrine Buffham, 202 -144th Avenue NW, stated she understood the park is allotted $25,000 and they are willing to talk to the builder who is completing the development. They are also willing to ask the person who owns the future development land for some money. She explained that there are 22 children in their neighborhood of ten houses, most under the age of six. They are not looking for much, just a park for ages two through twelve. Ms. Buffy stated they would love to "adopt" the park and be responsible for upkeep. They would be willing to do landscaping and talk to nurseries about donating plants. She stated having a park in their neighborhood would help because they do not have any other parks in the area. She noted that a lot of people would not want to build in the neighborhood because there is nothing near by. Justin Higgins, 14454 Evergreen Street, presented a petition from the neighborhood, stating they were all onboard with this project. He stated there are a lot of children in the neighborhood and he felt a park would help to spur development in the area. He stated the neighborhood is united in this effort. Chairperson Butler stated he was sympathetic to the residents in this neighborhood and understood that they did not have good access to a neighborhood park but at the same time he was trying to figure out what they could do in terms of dollars because it is a very small neighborhood and he did not know if it should be built now or when the neighborhood has grown. Commissioner Kowalewski asked when a safe trail would be installed from location to location. Mr. Haas stated there will not be an extension of the trail until property is sold and developed so it could be years. Commissioner Miskowiec thought there were two outlots that could be used for easements. Mr. Haas stated the two lots are buildable and will be developed in the future. Commissioner Ramnath described a trail alignment but noted they still need to look at © easements. Mr. Haas agreed and stated he did not think there was enough right -of -way Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes —July 7, 2011 Page 3 © along Andover Boulevard towards Prairie Road. He also stated they would also need a permit from the Anoka County Highway Department. The Commission discussed costs for the park. Commissioner Kowalewski asked if there would be funds available after the ice skating rink warming house is finished. Mr. Haas did not think there would be. Chairperson Butler thought the Andover Huskies Youth Hockey Association was finishing that project and agreed there would not be any funds left over. Commissioner Miskowiec wondered how much of a rebate they were looking at if they waited until late fall to purchase play equipment. Mr. Haas stated it could be as high as 20 -30% off. Commissioner Melberg stated they have residents who have taken the time to form a petition, come to multiple meetings, and they want to be able to use the park. He stated he would lean towards supporting what the residents are asking for before the irrigation or paving the parking lot. Chairperson Butler stated he was looking at the numbers and thinks they could go a little higher, to $30,000 or $35,000 on Hickory Meadows in 2012 and move the irrigation of the Woodland Estates Park off the plan. Commissioner Ramnath agreed. Commissioner Miskowiec wondered if they could move it to 2013. Chairperson Butler stated they have to look at the 2015 ending fund balance which is at $59,805. If they do everything on the plan, they only have about $9,800 to adjust. Chairperson Butler asked Mr. Haas where they stood on their miscellaneous project spending for the year. Mr. Haas thought it was just the security light. Commissioner Miskowiec thought they gave some money to Eveland Fields. Mr. Haas stated he will bring that information to the next meeting. Commissioner Lindahl thought they should try to maintain the $25,000, see where they come in on the other projects, and then make any additional funds available for improvements. Chairperson Butler suggested they ask builders in the area to step forward with a contribution and if the neighborhood is willing, to step forward with a contribution as well. He stated this would be appreciated and maybe there could be a fundraising effort to help offset some of the costs. Commissioner Ramnath agreed. Ms. Buffham stated seven out of the ten homes there have stay at home moms and the park would get a lot use during the day and evenings. She stated they will go back and © see what they can do for fundraising and also ask the builders for money. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes —July 7, 2011 Page 4 Commission Kowalewski suggested that the Commission approve the 2012 development of Hickory Meadows for $25,000. Chairperson Butler stated they needed to approve the entire CIP proposal. Substitute motion by Ramnath, seconded by Melberg, to approve the 2012 -2016 CIP with the contingency that if there is any savings for park equipment or parking lot pavement that it be put towards the Hickory Meadows project. Motion carried on a 6- ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Van Vark) vote. UPDATE OF SKATE PARK/ 08 -08, CONT. Mr. Haas explained that this item is an update on the status of the skate park. Chair Butler stated the open house went well and a lot of kids were there. He stated Commissioner Van Vark asked the Commission to give special thanks to Third Lair, Penewski's, Quik Trip, and Festival Foods for their sponsorship of the event. He stated he could not have been more pleased with how things actually went. Commissioner Ramnath stated he visited the park yesterday and saw a family from Isanti who was enjoying it and were impressed with the park. © REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed outstanding items with the Commission. CHAIR'S REPORT Commissioner Kowalewski asked bikers to be aware of people on the trails in the City. He stated there were a few incidences of saran wrap being placed across Crosstown Boulevard, which can be very dangerous, and urged anyone seeing something like this to call the authorities immediately. Commissioner Ramnath stated he is looking forward to the Andover Fun Fest and will be in the powerlifting competition. He challenged the other Commissioners to a friendly competition. Commissioner Miskowiec stated he used his kayaks on Coon Creek, noting it takes about two hours to get from Prairie Road to Bunker Lake Boulevard. He also noted that tether ball is now set up in Hidden Creek North Park and Sunshine Park. Chair Butler reported that the next two weekends the ballfields will be hosting two of the MYAS Gopher State Tournament Champions. 0 Mr. Haas stated the Fun Fest is this weekend. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes —July 7, 2011 Page 5 H D ADJOURNMENT OF REGULAR MEETING Motion by Commissioner Ramnath, seconded by Commissioner Lindahl, to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:53 p.m. Motion carried on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Van Vark) vote. The Special Work Session Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Butler on July 7, 2011, 7:55 p.m. Commissioners Present: Chair Ted Butler, Tony Kowalewski, Vice Chair Jim Lindahl, Andrew Melberg, Mark Miskowiec, and Shan Ramnath. Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Shaun Van Vark. Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas. INDOOR DOME FACILITY FEASIBILITY REPORT DISCUSSION Chair Butler stated he attended the City Council workshop and they discussed looking at a feasibility report for an indoor dome type of facility with four fields. They also © discussed different aspects of more fields in the City and indicated the Park Commission can look into it to determine what the costs would be. Commissioner Miskowiec stated Vadnais Heights has a dome that Andover may want to look at. He thought they should consider having a feasibility study done and see what develops. Chair Butler proposed inviting the associations to an upcoming workshop to discuss the possibilities and see what they would be willing to pay or sign a lease for. Commissioner Melberg asked if the City would allow outside associations to rent the fields. Chair Butler thought they would rent first to their association, then the high school, community, and outside associations. Commissioner Miskowiec thought there would be a lot of potential for use of indoor fields in the City, possibly bringing in a lot of revenue. Chair Butler stated they want to make sure the numbers play out and to let the area build the fields. He noted that depending on the site, there are varying groups that need to approve it and there are pros and cons to each possible site. The Commission asked Mr. Haas to invite associations and school representative to the © next Park Commission Workshop to discuss the facility idea with them and get their Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes —July 7, 2011 Page 6 feedback. Chair Butler thought they could also invite Mark Bigelbach from Vadnais Heights Sports center. DISCUSS PARK COMPREHENSIVE PLANAND FUTURE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT /DISCUSS PHILOSOPHY OF PARK DEVELOPMENT, CONT. Mr. Haas reviewed the changes with the Commission. Chair Butler stated he is comfortable with the changes. Commissioner Ramnath thought they needed to change the Hickory Park amount to reflect what they voted on at the meeting. Commissioner Miskowiec stated he was also comfortable with the plan. Mr. Haas stated he would talk to Mr. Dickinson to set up a joint meeting with the City Council. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Kowalewski, seconded by Lindahl, to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Motion carried on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Van Vark) vote. 0 Respectfully Submitted, Sue Osbeck, Recording Secretary Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. x