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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 3, 2011ANLID5 Y O F p OVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US Regular Park & Recreation Commission Meeting March 3, 2011 6:15 P.M. Skate Park Task Force 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes (2/17/11) 4. Consider 2011 Spring /Summer Softball /Baseball Schedule 5. Consider 2010 Spring /Summer Soccer /Lacrosse Schedule 6. Consider Request for Enhancing Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring /MPCA ® 7. Update of Skate Park/08 -08, Cont. 8. Discuss Events in City Parks, Cont. 9. Outstanding Items 10. 11. Chair's Report 12. Adjournment 7:30 P.M. or Shortly ThereafterMorkshop Session A. Workshop Session 1. Discuss Park Comprehensive Plan and Future Playground Equipment Replacement E 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. , ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 0 (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 e WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US PARKAND RECREATION COMMISSIONMEETING — MARCH 3, 2011 MINUTES H x The Regular Bi- Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Butler on March 3, 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, and Mark Miskowiec Commissioners Absent: Shan Ramnath and Shaun Van Vark. Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas RESIDENT FORUM There were no comments at this time. Motion by Kowalewski seconded by Miskowiec, to close the resident forum. Motion carried on a 5 -ayes, 0 -nays, 2- absent vote ( Ramnath, Van Vark). APPROVAL OFMINUTES There were no changes. Motion by Lindahl, seconded by Miskowiec, to approve the February 15, 2011 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 5 -ayes, 0 -nays, 2- absent vote ( Ramnath, Van Vark). CONSIDER 2011 SPRING /SUMMER SOFTBALLBASEBALL SCHEDULE Mr. Haas reviewed the proposed 2011 softball/baseball schedule. At this point, Andover Athletic Association (AAA) and the Andover Baseball Association (ABA) have not been able to agree on the use of Sunshine Park Fields 5 and 6. AAA would like to use both fields Monday — Thursday and ABA would like to use the fields on Monday's and Wednesday's only. Chair Butler requested representative from each of the organization to give their comments. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — March 3, 2011 Page 2 Pat Wilson, Slow Pitch Softball Director for Andover Athletic Association, appeared to justify the field request. He stated he does not want to change everything. He is not trying to be difficult. Mr. Wilson stated before 2010 fields were always rented from Community Education. Usually 4 -6 fields were used per night behind Andover Elementary and Oakview Middle School. Last year fewer games were offered to allow the younger kids to be at Sunshine Park. They have a huge slow pitch program and they are one of the few communities that have such a program. Youth from other communities are drawn to play in Andover. 89% of participants are from Andover (55 less than Baseball participants from Andover). Last year AAA had 82 units (games played on a field). Andover baseball had 111. Softball puts 3 games on a field per night and Mr. Wilson would like to increase the time of each game and have 2 games per field per night. Chair Butler asked what age group would be using Sunshine #546. Mr. Wilson said they would be U10 or U12. Chair Butler asked what fields of the school districts were used and Mr. Wilson stated Andover Elementary and Oakview Middle. In 2010, 797 were the number of participants. In 2011, there will be closer to 1000 participants. In 2009, the numbers were higher. Commissioner Kowalewski asked when softball registration closes and Mr. Wilson said it closed February 28 and late registrations are being accepted. Mr. Joe Ruhland, President of Andover Baseball Association stated they are looking at keeping things the way they currently are. Their numbers will be close to 900 participants. They are looking to put travel program games at Sunshine #5 & #6. Mr. Ruhland stated the U10 age group is the tipping point when going into the travel program. He stated MYAS requires certain criteria for travel program fields. These fields are the only ones that meet the criteria. Chair Butler asked what the criteria is and Mr. Ruhland stated the fence, size of the field, etc. Chair Butler noted currently Andover Baseball Association receives more units than Softball. Mr. Ruhland stated they have had to be creative when utilizing practice and game seasons. MYAS has requested Andover host tournaments which would bring visitors to the City. They do not have another option for the U10 travel team. Chair Butler asked what other fields are used by the U10 travel teams. Jason Salisbury stated five fields are utilized for in -house and travel programs. Last year in the U10 teams there were 8 and they anticipate the same number for this year. Chair Butler stated it is necessary to maximize the fields as much as possible. Mr. Salisbury stated practices and games are scheduled. There are time limits on games (2 hours). There are two practices a night on a field (1 '/z hour). Commissioner Kowalewski asked if the fields are used Mon — Fri and Mr. Salisbury stated the fields are utilized Mon — Thurs and only use fields on weekends for tournaments. Mr. Ruhland stated Hidden Creek does not fit the MYAS parameters for travel programs. Mr. Salisbury stated once the registration closes, the scheduling will begin. Commissioner Kowalewski stated he was aware in other sports there were neutral © teams coming and playing on Andover fields. Mr. Ruhland stated that does not happen Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — March 3, 2011 Page 3 /j with baseball. Mr. Salisbury stated there are typically 8 home and 8 away games per team. Mr. Haas noted the Baseball application included Fridays and Saturdays. Commissioner Miskowiec asked about Hawk Ridge and Chair Butler responded there are no longer baseball games there. Commissioner Miskowiec asked if all options have been explored possibly Oak Grove. Mr. Wilson stated they have not. Mr. Wilson noted they have no room for practices. No fields are available except on weekends. Mr. Wilson stated he believes there are other fields where U1O's can play traveling baseball. Mr. Salisbury stated they work with the school district and use the Middle School and the High School fields and spend $2000 for those fields. They cannot afford to go to other Cities. Mr. Ruhland stated Oak Grove does not have the accommodations for MYAS fields. Mr. Ruhland stated they have a limited number of fields they can use. Commissioner Lindahl stated he would like to see the MYAS requirements. Chair Butler asked if there are two other fields in town that could be given up for softball. Commissioner Miskowiec stated the Commission is being put in a difficult position and it would be more desirable to work it out between the Associations. Commissioner Melberg asked what the ramifications were if softball doesn't get the fields, a number of youth will not be able to play. Mr. Ruhland stated the same would be for baseball. Mr. Ruhland stated they will work with softball to try to make it work. Kelly Gothier, AAA, stated the biggest inequity is softball gets no practice time and baseball has fields for games and practices. Chair Butler asked discussion to suspend for the Commission to give the two associations an opportunity to talk and try to figure it out with baseball giving up two fields two nights a week for softball. Commissioner Miskowiec stated the arguments are compelling. Motion by Miskowiec, seconded by Melberg to table this discussion until 8:10 p.m., later in the meeting tonight. Motion carried on a 5 -ayes, 0 -nays, 2- absent vote (Ramnath, Van Vark). CONSIDER 2011 SPRING /SUMMER SOCCER/LACROSSE SCHEDULE Mr. Haas reviewed the proposed fields that will be available for 2011 soccer /lacrosse season. The City has received applications for use of the fields from the following groups: North Metro Soccer Association (NMSA) and Andover Area Lacrosse Association (AALA). Mr. Haas stated the associations were able to work out the schedule themselves. He stated the associations are aware the fields are only for games and practices have to be held elsewhere. Hawk Ridge Park will not be available to be © used this year. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — March 3, 2011 Page 4 H Motion by Kowalewski, seconded by Lindahl, to approve conditional upon the receipt of the certificate of insurance. Motion carried on a 5 -ayes, 0 -nays, 2- absent vote (Ramnath, Van Vark). CONSIDER REQUEST FOR ENHANCING AMBIENT GROUNDWATER QUALITY MONITORINGIMPCA Mr. Haas explained the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to review the request and recommend to the City Council the installation of two groundwater quality monitoring wells (one at Hawk Ridge Park and one at Lund's North Park) as requested by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Motion by Kowalewski, seconded by Lindahl, to approve the request for enhancing ambient groundwater quality monitoring/MPCA) Motion carried on a 5 -ayes, 0 -nays, 2- absent vote (Ramnath, Van Vark). UPDATE OF SKATE PARK108 -08, CONTT, Mr. Haas explained that this item is to be tabled until the April Commission Meeting. Park Commission agreed. ® DISCUSS EVENTS IN CITY PARKS, CONT. Commissioner Melberg asked if is possible to make a request to the Council from the discretionary fund to fund the geocaching program he is working on. The money would be used to purchase the canisters, and other items. Mr. Haas stated Commissioner Melberg should put together a proposal and bring it to back to the Commission for approval. Chair Butler suggested there be a joint meeting with the Open Space Commission to discuss park issues. Mr. Haas will discuss this with the City Planner about setting up a meeting. Commissioner Kowalewski stated he has made some phone calls on the project to build the birdhouses/boxes. Commissioner Lindahl stated he has researched the bike ride on trails through the parks. He is working on a plan for the distance and locations. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed outstanding items as far as Completed Projects, On -Going Projects On -Hold Projects, Task Force Updates and Other Items of Interest. H Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — March 3, 2011 Page 5 L im] CHAIR'S REPORT Commissioner Kowalewski congratulated the group of teachers and staff that took a group of students to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for winter camping. Motion by Miskowiec, seconded by Melberg to recess the meeting until 8:10 p.m. Motion carried on a 5 -Aye, 0 -Nay, 2- Absent vote ( Ramnath, Van Vark) The meeting was reconvened at 8:10 p.m. RECONSIDER 2011 SPRING /SUMMER SOFTBALLBASEBALL SCHEDULE Mr. Jason Salisbury of ABA stated a compromise has been reached. Tuesday and Thursdays will be scheduled for 8 games and after the MYAS scheduling meeting softball will be notified. Motion by Miskowiec, second by Kowalewski to approve the schedule and the compromise reached. Motion carried on a 5 -Aye, 0 -Nay, 2- Absent vote ( Ramnath, Van Vark). ADJOURNMENT OF REGULAR MEETING Motion by Melberg, seconded by Miskowiec, to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:15 p.m. Motion carried on a 5 -ayes, 0 -nays, 2- absent vote ( Ramnath, Van Vark). The Special Work Session Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Butler on March 3, 2011, 8:15 p.m. Commissioners Present: Chair Ted Butler, Tony Kowalewski, Vice Chair Jim Lindahl, Andrew Melberg, and Mark Miskowiec. Commissioners Absent: Shan Ramnath and Shaun Van Vark. Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas. DISCUSS PARK COMPREHENSIVE PLANAND FUTURE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT Mr. Haas reviewed that the plan is to move forward with Timber Trails Park and Nordeen's Park. Kevin Starr in Parks Maintenance Department is currently working on a layout and the type of equipment that he would like to purchase and present to the City © Council in the very near future. As far as playground equipment for future replacements, Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes — March 3, 2011 Page 6 the Park Commission will need to come up with a philosophy on how park replacement and renovations for rural and urban parks are done. Mr. Haas provided a copy of the city wide survey that was done in 2006 by Decision Resources Ltd. He stated parks that have never had playground equipment installed could use future park dedication funds to purchase equipment if the Commission agrees that equipment should be installed. The parks that will need equipment replace at some point in the future will need to be funded from park maintenance funds, not from park dedication funds. Mr. Haas stated if any Commissioner would like to discuss specific parks please contact him. Chair Butler stated the comprehensive plan is just a plan. The CIP is done for the short term. The Commission is requested to review the materials for the next meeting that will be scheduled in April Meeting as a workshop item. Motion by Kowalewski, seconded by Miskowiec, to table this item until the April Park Commission Meeting. Motion carried on a 5 -ayes, 0 -nays, 2- absent vote (Ramnath, Van Vark). © ADJOURNMENT Motion by Kowalewski, seconded by Miskowiec, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried on a 5 -ayes, 0 -nays, 2- absent vote (Ramnath, Van Vark). Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Wolfe, Recording Secretary Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. S