Park & Recreation

PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – FEBRUARY 4, 2021 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Lindahl on February 4, 2021, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1885 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Jake Widmyer, Tracy Strombeck, Shane Stenzel, and Scott Roth Commissioners Absent: Sophia Newton and Mark Miskowiec Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas Parks Supervisor, Jason Grode RESIDENT FORUM No one appeared before the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 21, 2021 Regular Meeting and Workshop Meeting Motion by Stenzel, seconded by Widmyer, to approve the January 21, 2021 Regular Meeting and Workshop Meeting minutes as presented. Motion passed 5 ayes, 2 absent (Newton and Miskowiec). APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Motion by Stenzel, seconded by Widmyer, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed 5 ayes, 2 absent (Newton and Miskowiec). CONSIDER LASHINSKI PROPERTY SKETCH PLAN/PARK DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS Assistant Public Works Director Haas stated the Park and Recreation Commission is asked to review a sketch plan and provide a recommendation for Park Dedication requirements. Mr. Haas identified the location of the development and stated it borders for Oakview Park. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – February 4, 2021 Page 2 Brian Theis, Tamarack Land Development, came forward and stated the development consists of 22 single family lots. He stated there is an outlot next to Oakview that can be used to expand the park if the Commission desired. Mr. Haas stated the outlot is mostly wetland and staff recommends cash in lieu of land. Chair Lindahl stated the focus has not been adding parks and more areas to maintain. Commissioner Stenzel asked to see an aerial of the park and noted the outlot is primarily wooded or wetland. He stated he is in favor of cash in lieu of land. Motion by Stenzel, seconded by Strombeck, to recommend accepting cash in lieu of land for the Lashinski property development. Motion passed 5 ayes, 2 absent (Newton and Miskowiec). CONSIDER 2021 TOURNAMENT APPLICATION/THE HEROES TOURNEY Assistant Public Works Director Haas stated the Commission is asked to consider a tournament application from Tribute to the Troops of Minnesota for their 5th Annual Heroes Tourney on August 21, 2021 at Sunshine Park. Kyle Lundequam, Tribute to the Troops, came forward and said the event will consist of an adult softball tournament and activities for kids to raise money for the Fallen Heroes Children’s Education Fund. Mr. Haas stated there are no conflicts with other activities. Commissioner Stenzel asked why the City is considering waiving the tournament fee. Mr. Haas replied the City has waived the fee since the organization started the tournament and is a nonprofit organization. The City Council will need to approve waiving the fee. Commissioner Roth asked if the City gets recognition for waiving the fee. Mr. Lundequam replied the City does get recognized and the waiving of the fee allows more money to go to the Education Fund. Motion by Strombeck, seconded by Widmyer, to approve the 2021 Tournament Application and recommend the tournament fees be waived. Motion passed 5 ayes, 2 absent (Newton and Miskowiec). OUTSTANDING ITEMS 1. Andover Community Center Advisory Committee Update: Commissioner Strombeck stated there is no update at this time because the City Council has disbanded the Community Center Advisory Committee. Commissioner Strombeck stated she would like to discuss the Park and Recreation Commission’s role at a future workshop now that the Community Center Committee is disbanded. She stated the Park and Recreation Commission needs a unified board recommendation Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – February 4, 2021 Page 3 of ideas to present to Council in order to move forward. Commissioner Strombeck would like the $1 million stake the Commission has in the Community Center addressed with what type of information the Commission would like to receive to ensure financial transparency and fiscal responsibility. Commissioner Stenzel asked to add programming beyond the ACC building to a future workshop. 2. Completed Projects: nothing new to report 3. On-going Projects: Mr. Haas reviewed the remaining on-going items. He noted there is a $50,000 carry over for a new playground and staff would like to replace Wild Iris Park playground. Mr. Haas stated WSB is preparing a cost estimate for pickleball courts at three locations: behind City Hall, Prairie Knoll Park, and Pine Hills North. 4. On-Hold Projects – nothing new to report. 5. Other Items of Interest – Mr. Haas provided an update on pedestrian trails. 6. Parks Maintenance Update: Mr. Grode provided an update on maintenance activities since the last meeting. He noted the City installed signs at skating rinks announcing the lights are on from 4:30-9:30 p.m. CHAIR’S REPORT Nothing to report ADJOURNMENT Motion by Strombeck, seconded by Stenzel, to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Motion passed 5 ayes, 2 absent (Newton and Miskowiec). Respectfully Submitted, Shari Kunza, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – FEBRUARY 4, 2021 WORK SESSION MINUTES The Work Session Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Lindahl on February 4, 2021 at 7:23 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Shane Stenzel, Tracy Strombeck, Jake Widmyer, and Scott Roth Commissioners Absent: Mark Miskowiec, Sophia Newton Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas Jason Grode, Parks Maintenance Supervisor (Virtual) Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – February 4, 2021 Page 4 RECONSIDER FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS/2020 EXISTING AND FUTURE PARK FACILITIES/ZONE C The Park and Recreation Commission discussed the Future Park Facilities Chart for Zone C. Mr. Grode explained that Area C is the zone located in the Southwestern quadrant of the City of Andover. The Park & Recreation Commission already reviewed Zones A & B, will review Zone C tonight and Zone D on February 18th. This spreadsheet contains existing, future and replacement park facilities, but only the future amenities will be reviewed tonight. The future items highlighted in red are recommended by staff (and based on previous Park and Recreation Commission input) to not be installed in the future and yellow items were either highlighted for discussion or were recommended to be adjusted up or down for the future value. This reconsideration comes from a directive by the City Council to reduce the future facilities to help with balancing the park dedication fees. For Hidden Creek North Park (#34C), it was recommended to remove the scoreboards as the Associations may be in a position in the future to pay for those if there is an interest, but at no cost to the City. Also, it was recommended to reduce the park lighting from $40,000 to $15,000 as there are already 2 security lights at the Park. For Kelsey Round Lake Park (#36C), it was recommended to reduce the following costs: wayfinding signage/distance markers (from $26,000 to $10,000) and reduce restoration/landscaping costs (from $50,000 to $25,000). Commissioner Stenzel noted that he would like to keep the Master Plan items unchanged, however, he would like to see cost savings from applying for grant money that would help pay for those future amenities, including the proposed future boardwalk that is estimated at $1,045,000. A note will be made on these items to apply for future grant money when moving forward with these projects. For Northwoods East Park (#40C), it was recommended to remove the future new outfield fence as that field is mostly used by younger children and to reduce the medium size shelter to a smaller one ($40,000 down to $20,000). At Pleasant Oaks Park (#42C), it was recommended to remove the following future amenities: security light, ½ court basketball and volleyball court ($25,000 total). At River Trails Park (#43C), the future bird houses would be removed. This could be a possible scout project in the future. At Rose Park (#44C), it was recommended to use all cell phone tower funds for future amenities and remove the costs from the spreadsheet and park dedication calculation. At Round Lake Boat Landing (#45) the costs for dredging and installing a roll-in dock would be removed from future amenities. For Strootman Park (#46C), the following items would be removed: 2 security lights, paving the parking lot at the canoe landing, outfield fencing and paving a trail between the park and the canoe landing, and dredging the existing wetland ($76,250 savings). Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – February 4, 2021 Page 5 For Terrace Park (#47C), the following future amenities were recommended to be removed: new outfield fence, medium shelter and bleachers ($61,250 in savings). ADJOURNMENT OF WORK SESSION MEETING Motion by Widmyer, seconded by Stenzel, to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Todd J. Haas, Recording Secretary City of Andover