Park & Recreation

PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – OCTOBER 21, 2021 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Lindahl on October 21, 2021, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chair Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Mark Miskowiec, Jake Widmyer, Tracy Strombeck, Scott Roth, and Shane Stenzel Commissioners Absent: Sophia Newton Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director Todd Haas Parks and Streets Manager Jason Baumunk RESIDENT FORUM No one appeared before the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 7, 2021 Regular Meeting Parks and Streets Manager Baumunk requested a change to page 3 and stated there is not a grill at Rose Park shelter. Motion by Miskowiec, seconded by Roth, to approve the October 7, 2021 Regular Meeting minutes as amended. Motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Motion by Strombeck, seconded by Widmyer, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously. UPDATE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY/ROSE PARK/22-12, CONT. The Park and Recreation Commission is requested to review items from the previous meeting and provide guidance on Rose Park improvements. Parks and Streets Supervisor Baumunk Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – October 21, 2021 Page 2 provided information about equipment the Commission requested for older kids. He noted the equipment is expensive and recommended this type of equipment be placed in a larger community park. Commissioner Roth asked if the equipment could be sponsored by a business. Assistant Public Works Director Haas stated parks and equipment can be sponsored. Commissioner Miskowiec asked how much notice the cell phone tower lease must give before termination. Mr. Baumunk explained the terms state “with notice” and does not identify a time. He noted that the lessee is planning on adding equipment to the tower. Chairperson Lindahl asked if the supply chain for playgrounds is slow. Mr. Baumunk stated the playground equipment companies did not indicate a supply shortage, but they don’t know the cost for equipment in 2022. Chairperson Lindahl asked about paving the parking lot. Mr. Baumunk stated if the City builds the parking lot, they have to do it at the same standards as everyone else and would need to be paved. Chairperson Lindahl asked how many trees would be taken down for the trail. Mr. Baumunk stated at least one tree would need to be removed and possibly more. Chairperson Lindahl stated he would like to look at adding the trail in the future. Commissioner Strombeck stated it would be wise to regularly ask the athletic association boards which fields they are using and what age groups are playing there. Mr. Haas indicated staff has tried to get that information from the boards with no luck. He stated the athletic associations must submit a complete application so if the Commission would like more information, they can add it to the application. Chairperson Lindahl requested that Commissioner Strombeck bring forth her ideas to add to the application. Commissioner Stenzel stated the Commission has the information they need and anytime there are youth athletic games, there are parking issues. Mr. Baumunk will notify associations of parking concerns when he meets with them in the spring. UPDATE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SURVEY/PRAIRIE KNOLL PARK/22-13, CONT. The Park and Recreation Commission is requested to review items from the previous meeting and provide guidance on Prairie Knoll Park improvements. Parks and Streets Supervisor stated he researched sledding hills and didn’t find much information. He stated there is potential for a sliding hill at Andover Station North. Mr. Baumunk explored options for shade at Prairie Knoll and indicated it is expensive. Chairperson Lindahl explained shade can be provided by planting trees. ANOKA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT 3RD QUARTER REPORT Assistant Public Works Director Haas stated there were a lot of incidences in the park for the 3rd quarter and asked if the Commission had any questions. Chairperson Lindahl asked if the Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – October 21, 2021 Page 3 portable toilets could be anchored better so they couldn’t be tipped. Parks and Streets Supervisor Baumunk stated he will contact the company about that option for 2022. PARK DEDICATION IMPROVEMENT FUND 3RD QUARTER REPORT Assistant Public Works Director presented the Park Dedication Fund for the 3rd quarter of 2021. He stated the developments are paying for park dedication fees up front. He asked if the Commission had any questions. The Commission did not present any questions. ANDOVER COMMUNITY CENTER 3RD QUARTER REPORT Chairperson Lindahl reviewed the Community Center’s report. Commissioner Widmyer noted the Commission was looking for more information than provided. Parks and Streets Supervisor Baumunk stated he spoke with the City Administrator and more information will be coming. OUTSTANDING ITEMS 1. Completed Projects: nothing to report. 2. On-going Projects: Mr. Baumunk reviewed the remaining on-going items. Wild Iris Park playground has been installed. The bike trail is on hold. Playground options are being decided by the Strootman Park Committee. 3. On-Hold Projects – none at this time 4. Other Items of Interest – the City received a grant for the Great River Greening to help with habitat improvement at Strootman and Timber Rivers Park. 5. Parks Maintenance Update: Mr. Baumunk reviewed the maintenance report for the season. CHAIR’S REPORT Commissioner Stenzel congratulated Mr. Haas on 35 years of service. Mr. Haas stated it has been a pleasure to work with the Park Commission and help build parks in the City. Commissioner Stenzel thanked Mr. Haas for his leadership and support. Mr. Baumunk noted Mr. Haas’s accomplishments and appreciates his mentorship. Chairperson Lindahl stated Mr. Haas has given the Commission great guidance and support. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Widmyer, seconded by Miskowiec, to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Shari Kunza, Recording Secretary TimeSaver OffSite Secretarial, Inc.