Park & Recreation

PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – AUGUST 15, 2019 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Lindahl on August 15, 2019, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1885 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Ted Butler, Angela Marinello, Kathy McElhose, Mark Miskowiec, Dawn Perra and Jake Widmyer. Commissioners Absent: None Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas RESIDENT FORUM No one appeared to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Widmyer, seconded by Miskowiec, to approve the July 18, 2019 Park Commission minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 4-ayes, 0-nays, 3-absent vote. AGENDA APPROVAL Motion by Widmyer, seconded by Miskowiec, to approve the agenda as proposed. Motion carried unanimously. CONSIDER THE 2019 APPLICATION FOR SCHEDULED USE OF RECREATION FACILITIES/10U FALL GOPHER STATE BASEBALL TEAM Assistant Public Works Director Haas reviewed the application submitted by the 10U Fall Gopher State Baseball Team for the use of Rose Park North Field on Sundays from September 8 through October 6 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Motion by Marinello, seconded by Perra to approve the 2019 Application for Scheduled Use of Recreation Facilities/10U Fall Gopher State Baseball Team. Motion carried unanimously. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – August 15, 2019 Page 2 CONSIDER ANDOVER FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION REQUESTS/PRAIRIE KNOLL PARK Assistant Public Works Director Todd Haas presented two requests by the Andover Football Association (AFA) for changes at Prairie Knoll Park regarding parking along 146th Lane NW and security lighting. The AFA would like the City to consider allowing parking along the north side of 146th Lane NW west of Prairie Road NW. Mr. Haas stated staff is not recommending taking out the no parking signs due to the narrowness of the road. The existing street is 24 feet wide and allowing parking on the north side of the street would create congestion and have an impact for emergency vehicles accessing the area. Commissioner Butler agreed with the narrow street; however, stated there are parks with similar issues and parking is allowed. Mr. Haas responded that the streets in those areas are a little wider in that area – 32 feet vs. 24 feet. Commissioner Miskowiec stated that since there have been so many complaints regarding the area that taking away no parking signs would create more issues. It was the consensus of the Commission to leave the street parking as is. Mr. Haas went through the light proposal, locations and costs. The estimated cost for lights ranges from $2500 to $5000 per light. Since lighting improvements are not identified in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Funding, the Park and Recreation Commission could authorize use of the 2019 Park Dedication miscellaneous funds for this project. Chair Lindahl would prefer people park in the north parking lot and add lighting to see if that encourages them to park there. Commissioner Perra asked about AFA contributing funds for the light. Chair Lindahl stated this wasn’t a field upgrade, but a safety concern, so the AFA would not be asked to contribute. If lighting works, Chair Lindahl would look at paving the north lot and potentially adding another light. Motion by Butler, Seconded by Perra, to add a light at Prairie Knoll Park along the Trail from the field to the parking lot funded out of the 2019 Park Dedication Miscellaneous Funds. Motion carried unanimously. REVIEW OUTSTANDING ITEMS Commissioner Butler updated the Commission on the Community Center Expansion. He stated that parking will be difficult for basketball and hockey during the winter months, but this is temporary. Commissioner Butler recommended interested individuals follow the Community Center page on Facebook for regular updates about programs and construction updates. Commissioner Butler stated the YMCA Committee reviewed the Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – August 15, 2019 Page 3 2020 operational budget and user fees and were recommending to Council a 2 – 2.5% increase over 2019 costs. Mr. Haas reviewed On-Going Projects, Other Items of Interest, and the Weekly Parks Maintenance Update. Mr. Haas reported on the outdoor hockey rink and asked the Commission to think about staying open until 9 p.m. for the 2019-2020 season. Mr. Haas will be contacting Andover Huskies Youth Hockey Association (AHYHA) about keeping the warming houses open later since they have volunteers that work the warming houses on Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. Mr. Haas showed the Commission a photo of one of the exercise equipment at Andover Lions Park that is no longer available for parts. Mr. Haas asked the Commission if they would like it replaced or just removed. It was the consensus of the Commission to remove the equipment and see what the public feedback was. If there is support, Commission will consider replacing it. CHAIR’S REPORT Commissioner McElhose introduced herself as a new Commissioner and was welcomed by Chair Lindahl. Commissioner Widmyer announced that there is an inflatable video screen owned by QCTV and asked if there were any plans to use it. Commissioner Butler stated the Community Center/YMCA staff is considering using it for future events. Chair Lindahl wished the Coon Rapids-Andover Little League (CRALL) team good luck in the Little League World Series Tournament. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Miskowiec, seconded by Butler, to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Shari Kunza, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.