Park & Recreation

PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – MARCH 6, 2014 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Butler on March 6, 2014, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Ted Butler, Commissioners Sarah Elstrom, Jim Lindahl, Alisa Lewnau, Mark Miskowiec, and Shane Stenzel Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Angela Marinello Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas RESIDENT FORUM There were no comments at this time. Chair Butler closed the resident forum. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There were no changes. Motion by Stenzel, seconded by Miskowiec, to approve the February 27, 2014 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, 0-nays, 1-absent (Marinello), 2 – present (Lewnau, Lindahl) vote. CONSIDER 2014 TOURNAMENT APPLICATION / ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL FAST PITCH YOUTH NIGHT Mr. Haas explained that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to consider the 2014 Tournament Application as requested by the Andover High School Girls Fast Pitch. Mike Burlingame, President of the girls’ high school fast pitch booster club, further explained the purpose of Youth Night, noting that this is the fourth year of the event. Motion by Lindahl, seconded by Lewnau, to recommend approval of the 2014 Tournament Application from the Andover High School for Fast Pitch Youth Night at Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2014 Page 2 Sunshine Park on Fields 1-4 on Friday, May 16, 2014, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, 0-nays, 1-absent (Marinello) vote. CONSIDER APPLICATION FOR SCHEDULED USE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES / ANDOVER FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR A SAFETY CAMP Mr. Haas explained that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to consider the Application for Scheduled Use of Recreational Facilities from the Andover Fire Department to use Purple Park. Commissioner Stenzel questioned how the group would recruit children to participate and advertise for the event. Mr. Haas stated that he was uncertain but suggested the public can contact the Andover Fire Department. Motion by Lewnau, seconded by Miskowiec, to recommend approval of the application for Scheduled Use of Recreational Facilities from the Andover Fire Department for Tuesday, June 17, and Wednesday, June 18, to hold the annual Safety Camp at Purple Park from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, 0-nays, 1-absent (Marinello) vote. CONSIDER WHITE PINE WILDERNESS 2ND ADDITION PRELIMINARY PLAT Mr. Haas explained that this item is in regard to determining the park dedication requirements for the preliminary plat of White Pine Wilderness 2nd Addition. He identified the parcel of land and the nearby open space areas that the City has purchased. He identified the first phase of White Pines Wilderness 1st Addition and noted that this second addition would include sewer and water utilities as well. He stated that the Commission had previously discussed accepting park dedication in the form of land for this area. He displayed the proposed Preliminary Plat submit by the developer and noted that this plat is differently configured than the plans reviewed in 2006. He stated that the Commission would need to determine whether they would like to accept park dedication in the form of land or cash or a combination of both. He provided additional information regarding the City owned open space areas including their access points and available parking. Chair Butler stated that when the Commission discussed this in 2010 his thoughts were that it would be nice to have a small park that would connect to the open space but did not believe the configuration would work with that idea. Mr. Haas identified an area where a small park could be placed near the open space. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2014 Page 3 Chair Butler stated that there is quite a bit of open space between the two City purchases and noted that there are only 49 housing units between the two additions of the development. Commissioner Miskowiec stated that it would be nice to have another access point to the open space that has active play equipment. Mr. Haas identified a water main loop that will be created and will tie in with Country Oaks North. He stated that the water main would have a 20-foot easement and noted that a park could be placed in the area of Lot 18. He explained that a trail could be created to lead to the open space. Commissioner Lindahl stated that because that location is more secluded it would not receive as much use from the development. Commissioner Miskowiec confirmed the location of a wetland it was confirmed that area was a DNR protected wetland. Chair Butler stated that this is not a huge development and questioned if the Commission wants a park there. Commissioner Stenzel agreed that this development is not large but noted that there are adjacent lots that could develop in the future as well. Commissioner Lindahl stated that it would be helpful to have the trail connection to the open space. Commissioner Stenzel referenced lot 31, which would provide a trail to the open space and additional area that could be used for a park. Chair Butler agreed that a small shelter or tot lot would fit in that location. Larry Emerich, 1341 161st Avenue NW, displayed a map of the area which identifies the nearby open space areas and the land he is proposing to develop. He noted that the ghost plat that was completed with the White Pines Wilderness 1st Addition displayed a trail connection to the open space. He stated that the crossing at 161st Avenue NW is very safe. He stated that the City currently has a trail that ends at 159th Avenue and noted that the trail could be extended 1,000 feet to reach 161st Avenue NW to provide people with a safe crossing, which could lead into the open space. He stated that there is also a trail that comes out at Crane Street North and would also feel comfortable with a connection to that point in order to maintain a safe connection. He explained that with the current situation, as he will begin with maybe one third of the development, he would be concerned with traffic that would come through the neighborhoods where children are playing to reach the open space. He noted that the parking lot for the open space has not yet been constructed and was concerned with the traffic and parking that would come Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2014 Page 4 through the neighborhood. He stated that he is not against a trail access or small park but was unsure that this was the right moment in time to complete those actions. He stated that the better time might be in the future when additional facilities exist. Chair Butler questioned if Mr. Emerich believed that the neighborhood would want to see a park. Mr. Emerich stated that currently there are families with small children living in the first addition of the development and advised that each family has their own play equipment in their yard. He advised that the minimum price for the development is $450,000 and the lots are larger than City standards. Commissioner Miskowiec stated that the Commission thinks in terms of community as well and questioned where residents would meet and gather within this planned development. He believed that a community gathering spot would be a draw for the development. Chair Butler thanked Mr. Emerich for his time and input. He stated that the Park Commission does not have jurisdiction over County or City trails. Commissioner Lindahl stated that he does see a potential problem with parking. Commissioner Miskowiec acknowledged that there would be a transition time before the parking lot could be constructed and agreed that there may be some short term parking issues. Commissioner Stenzel stated that he would still prefer lot 31 and confirmed that the lot extends to 161st Avenue NW and questioned if there would be sufficient space for a trail connection, park and parking lot. Mr. Haas noted the location of wetlands in that area which would not make that action possible. Chair Butler questioned if the Commission should consider waiting for a park until an adjacent parcel develops, to the north of this property, which could also provide access to the open space. He stated that at that point perhaps the desire would be for a larger park, compared to a tot lot. He stated that to begin with he was in favor of connecting to the open space and creating a small community gathering but was not in favor of accepting land because of the traffic problems that would be created for this small development. Commissioner Lindahl agreed that with two cul-de-sacs there would be traffic problems created. Mr. Haas confirmed that a trail easement for lot 31 and between lots 17 and 18 could be included in the recommendation along with cash in lieu of parkland. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2014 Page 5 Motion by Lindahl, seconded by Stenzel, to recommend approval of a park dedication in the form of cash in lieu of parkland for White Pine Wilderness 2nd Addition Preliminary Plat with trail easements provided on lot 31 and between lots 17 and 18. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, 1-nays (Miskowiec), 1-absent (Marinello) vote. DISCUSS SURVEY RESULTS FOR HOCKEY RINK IMPROVEMENTS / HIDDEN CREEK NORTH PARK Chair Butler provided background information regarding the possible relocation of an outdoor hockey rink. He noted that one possible location for that outdoor rink was Hidden Creek North Park and advised that a survey was distributed. Mr. Haas explained that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to discuss the survey results for hockey rink improvements at Hidden Creek North Park and receive input from the neighborhood. He summarized the results of the survey for the Commission. He noted that the neighborhood was invited to attend the meeting tonight to provide input. He displayed a picture of the park and identified where the hockey rinks and play equipment could potentially be located. Chair Butler stated that his interpretation of the survey results were that some of the residents were concerned with the aesthetics of a hockey rink in that park. He also had concern with over programming the park. Commissioner Miskowiec stated that it was nice to hear the input of the residents and the residents oppose the idea. He also expressed concern with over programming the park. He stated that the intent was to determine if this would be a possibility and it appears more and more that this would not be a good option. Mike Olson, 13693 Hidden Creek Drive, stated that he is the original owner of the home and therefore was in the home before the park was even constructed. He stated that the hockey rink would literally be in his backyard and was opposed to that idea. He stated that they enjoy the park as it is with the ball field and play equipment. He was concerned with lights and a hockey rink in that area during the winter months. He stated that if the money is going to be spent to create a hockey rink he believed that the deteriorating rink should simply be repaired rather than relocating it. Commissioner Miskowiec explained that the Crooked Lake rink is School District land and the City runs into the issue of spending City funds on School District property. He explained that it what is driving this possible relocation. Chair Butler confirmed that the Commission is just investigating possible locations. Mr. Olson thanked the Commission for investigating and hoped that the Commission would select another location other than this park. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2014 Page 6 Chuck and June Thompson, 13681 Hidden Creek Drive, appreciated that the Commission acknowledges that this would create too much activity. She echoed the comments made by Mr. Olson and expressed concern with the amount of activity, the noise and the lights that would be caused from the hockey rinks. She questioned what would happen with the area in the summer when the hockey rinks are not in use, as she believed that the vacant area would create problems. Commissioner Lewnau questioned how busy the free skating rink is in that park. Mr. Haas noted that this free rink stayed because of the higher amount of usage for a rink without a warming house. Chair Butler stated that he would not be in favor of relocating the rink to the Hidden Creek North Park. He noted that there is already parking and a warming house at the Crooked Lake Park and believed that the City should simply invest in the skating rink at Crooked Lake if possible. Commissioner Lindahl stated that he would have a problem with the proposed layout of the playground equipment as it could open the area to additional vandalism. Motion by Miskowiec seconded by Butler, to recommend that the skating rink remain at Crooked Lake Elementary for the foreseeable future due to relocation constrictions. Further Discussion Commissioner Stenzel questioned if the motion would imply maintenance of the existing rink or investment in the rink. Chair Butler believed that the intent would be to maintain with the option to invest in the future if desired. Commissioner Miskowiec confirmed that the idea would be to simply maintain at the same level. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, 0-nays, 1-absent (Marinello) vote. CONSIDER TOURNAMENT, MULTI-DAY AND JAMBOREE APPLICATION (HOCKEY) Mr. Haas explained that the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to consider the request to create a tournament, multi-day, and jamboree application for hockey, similar to the softball-baseball and soccer-lacrosse applications currently in place. He questioned if the Park Commission is interested in the idea of a hockey application. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2014 Page 7 Chair Butler clarified that the fees would be for increased maintenance, noting that the baseline services would still be included and would not be included in the additional fee. Commissioner Stenzel confirmed that the City does have similar maintenance fees for other sports. Chair Butler stated that he did not see any problems with this issue moving forward and charging hockey similar to all the other sports. Mr. Haas confirmed the consensus of the Commission to move forward on this item and noted that he will bring back a draft at one of the April meetings. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Mr. Haas reviewed outstanding items and provided an update on recent activities. He also highlighted items that will appear on upcoming agendas for the Commission. CHAIR’S REPORT No reports. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Lewnau, seconded by Lindahl, to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, 0-nays, 1-absent (Marinello) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.