Park & Recreation

PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MAY 27, 2021 MINUTES The Workshop Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Lindahl on May 27, 2021, 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Jake Widmyer, Tracy Strombeck, Mark Miskowiec, Sophia Newton, Shane Stenzel and Scott Roth Commissioners Absent: None Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas Parks & Streets Operations Manager, Jason Baumunk DISCUSS 2022-2026 PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT PLAN The Park and Recreation Commission is requested to discus the 2022-2026 Park Playground Equipment Replacement Plan that is being recommended by staff. Mr. Haas stated the Strootman Park neighborhood requested the playground be replaced. He stated a structure can be installed at Strootman and the Park and Recreation Commission can decide to fund with the understanding that the funding for Rose Park would come from cell tower revenues. Tracy Chipman, 4681-161st Lane NW, came forward and stated this is the only park in the neighborhood and said she never received a letter in 2019. Commissioner Strombeck asked staff to bring the parameters in writing about how they notify the neighborhoods and to include a blurb in the newsletter. Mr. Haas stated the policy is to send surveys to homes within 1100 feet of the park. He stated a lot of people don’t respond to the surveys. Lisa Amundson, 4305 Parkview Circle, Anoka, came forward and stated she was disappointed when the playground was taken away. Several neighbors stated they weren’t notified about the changes in the park. Andover Park & Recreation Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes – May 27, 2021 Page 2 Commissioner Miskowiec asked the audience if they wanted three swing bays or a play structure. The response was a play structure. Mr. Haas stated there was a neighborhood meeting and no one showed up except one person who said the playground would not be used. Dave Pattock, 15710 Potawatomi Street, came forward and said the only other park is across 7th Avenue. He said there are kids that use the park, and something should be done. Mr. Pattock requested the survey should go beyond 1100 feet. Alyssa Wojciechowski, resident, came forward and said she just moved in and came to ask for the playground back. Nick Eiden, 15566 Kiowa Street NW, came forward and said he responded to the survey but did not know what to write in. Commissioner Roth asked what happens to the structures that are removed. He said they look like they have more use to them. Mr. Haas stated they are replaced based on age, condition, and/or ADA requirements. Mr. Haas explained some structures can be refurbished, but most are unusable. Mr. Haas asked for a commitment from the neighborhood to do a community build to install the playground at Strootman. The audience indicated they would support a community build. Tonya Schewe, 15478 Potawatomi Street NW, came forward and stated she spoke to Harlan at MN-WS Playground (supplier of Game Time play equipment), and they could save money by not installing the awnings. She stated they aren’t asking for much, but a structure for the kids to play on. Motion by Stenzel, seconded by Miskowiec, to select option B (the purchase of a new playground equipment for ages 2-12 year old’s) as presented in the staff report. Motion carries unanimously. DISCUSS 2022-2026 PARK CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN The Park and Recreation Commission is requested to review and discuss the 2022-2026 Parks Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Haas presented two spreadsheets, one showing the payoff of the Andover Community Center debt in 2022 and the second paying it off over 10 years, as planned. Commissioner Newton asked if there was a benefit of paying it off in 2022. Mr. Haas stated there is no benefit in paying it off early. Chair Lindahl stated the Park Dedication Fund is committed to contributing $1,000,000 towards the Community Center. The Commission discussed the high cost of materials, if they should put off projects, and use the Park Dedication Fees to pay off the Community Center Debt. Andover Park & Recreation Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes – May 27, 2021 Page 3 Commissioner Stenzel recommended capping off the contribution to the Community Center at $500,000. Commissioner Stenzel recommended increasing the Parks Miscellaneous Fund to $50,000 to give the Commission flexibility in completing projects not identified in the CIP. Mr. Haas recommended adding the items to the agenda at the June 3rd meeting. Mr. Haas asked the Commission to discuss the baseball safety netting at ASN and Sunshine Park. He said there are options for all netting or partial fencing and netting. Commissioner Stenzel stated the baseball association should ask for a grant from the Twins Community Fund. The Commission discussed options for netting. Commissioner Stenzel suggested charging associations $1 per registration to go towards park maintenance. He asked why taxpayers are paying for associations to use outdoor facilities and users are paying for indoor facilities. Commissioner Miskowiec explained the Commission talked about this a few years ago and the cost of collecting the fee was almost as much as they would bring in. Commissioner Stenzel suggested ways the baseball association can bring in revenue to contribute to field maintenance, new field features, and replacement items. Chair Lindahl stated youth safety is a priority and suggested dedicating $10,000 from the Park Miscellaneous Fund towards youth safety. The Commission discussed charging athletic associations a per player fee for field usage and using the funds to go to field improvements. Commissioner Strombeck said she would like to see more safety lights installed in parks. Chair Lindahl summarized the consensus of the Commission to cap the payment to the Community Center at $500,000, increase the Park Miscellaneous Fund to $50,000, and to dedicate $10,000 from the Park Miscellaneous Fund to youth safety. DISCUSS 2022-2026 TRAIL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Mr. Haas stated trail improvements will be delayed a year due to a lack of funding in the Trail CIP. Commissioner Stenzel suggested a trail along Coon Creek from Hanson to Crosstown. Mr. Haas stated that trail was not supported by the neighborhood when it was proposed many years ago. Commissioner Stenzel recommended it be brought up again because the neighborhood has changed. Mr. Haas stated he will write the item up for the next meeting. Andover Park & Recreation Commission Workshop Meeting Minutes – May 27, 2021 Page 4 Commissioner Strombeck stated she went to a community build project and spoke with one of the organizers. She stated they asked for a park dedication and grills near the shelter. She said her goal is to have two movies in the park this summer. ADJOURNMENT Chair Lindahl declared the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Shari Kunza, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.