Park & Recreation

PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – DECEMBER 1, 2022 MINUTES The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Lindahl on December 1, 2022 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chairperson Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Kristin Lackie, Shane Stenzel, and Tracy Strombeck. Commissioners Absent: Sophia Newton, Reuben Ustimchuk, and Jake Widmyer Also Present: Parks & Streets Operations Manager, Jason Baumunk Associate Planner, Jake Griffiths Others RESIDENT FORUM No one appeared before the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 20, 2022 Regular Meeting Motion by Lackie, seconded by Strombeck, to approve the October 20, 2022 Regular Meeting minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Stenzel, seconded by Strombeck, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously. OUTSTANDING ITEMS 1. Completed Projects: Prairie Knoll hockey rink will be completed as soon as the fencing is finished. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – December 1, 2022 Page 2 2. On-going Projects: Kelsey Round Lake Park boardwalk is in the planning and design phase. Trail segment 1 acquiring easement. Rinks will start to flood. 3. On-Hold Projects: Bike/Youth Trail 4. Updates from Previous Meetings: 5. Other Items of Interest: 6. Parks Maintenance Update: presented in the staff report. CHAIR’S REPORT Nothing to report. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Stenzel, seconded by Strombeck, to adjourn the meeting at 6:04 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Shari Kunza, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. PARK AND RECREATION WORKSHOP MEETING – DECEMBER 1, 2022 MINUTES The Workshop Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Lindahl on December 1, 2022 6:05 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners Present: Chairperson Jim Lindahl, Commissioners Kristin Lackie, Shane Stenzel, and Tracy Strombeck. Commissioners Absent: Sophia Newton, Reuben Ustimchuk, and Jake Widmyer Also Present: Parks & Streets Operations Manager, Jason Baumunk Associate Planner, Jake Griffiths Others Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – December 1, 2022 Page 3 DISCUSS MEETING FREQUENCY Mr. Baumunk explained that meetings are scheduled when there are time sensitive items. He asked the Commission if they would like to meet more often. Commissioner Strombeck stated her concern was having a large balance in the Park Dedication Fund that is unallocated. She asked if there were projects the Commission was unaware of. Mr. Baumunk stated most of the projects are identified in the current list of park improvements from the Park Dedication Study. Commissioner Strombeck requested to allocate funds from Park Dedication beyond the five- year budget plan. Mr. Baumunk stated the Commission can plan projects beyond the 5-year plan. Chairperson Lindahl was interested in paying off the Community Center commitment from the Park Dedication Fund. Mr. Baumunk explained the City did look into it this past year and there wasn’t a benefit to pay it off early. Commissioner Strombeck asked if the City could invest the funds from Park Dedication. Mr. Baumunk stated he will speak with finance. Commissioner Stenzel stated Park Dedication Funds can only be used for park projects and cannot be taken by other City departments. The Commission agreed to meet when there is business to discuss, but at minimum, meet once a quarter. DISCUSS PROGRAMMING FOR 2023 The Commission is requested to discuss programming opportunities in 2023. Mr. Baumunk explained the City does not have recreation staff in the Public Works Department. He would like the Commission to identify programs they want to run early so the City has time to identify staff and funding. Commissioner Stenzel asked if the Community Center staff can run programs. Mr. Baumunk stated the Community Center Director has his hands full operating the Community Center. Commissioner Stenzel stated the Park Fund contributes to the Community Center and he feels Community Center staff can program in the parks. Commissioner Stenzel recommended contracting with outside agencies to provide programs such as nature walks. He recommended the Conservation District as a possible contact. Commissioner Strombeck would like to see an outdoor Christmas Tree at City Hall with a firepit. She asked if they could have more than one movie. Regular Andover Park & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes – December 1, 2022 Page 4 Mr. Baumunk explained staffing difficulties during the winter due to snow plowing. He stated he cannot commit Public Works staff to winter events due to all Public Works staff are needed during a snow event. Mr. Griffiths stated the programming budget is $10,000 and some cities spend tens of thousands on lighting ceremonies. He stated the City will evaluate the cost and see if they can have one in 2023. Chairperson Lindahl would like to see the cedar trees removed from Fox Hollow and replaced with landscaping. He stated the hill gets used for sledding and he would like to see it improved. Mr. Baumunk stated the City plans on putting up lights on trees on the City Hall campus. The Commission brainstormed ideas for programming:  Tree Lighting Ceremony/winter event  Nature programs  Two movies  Art in the Park  Music in the Park  Yoga in the Park  Kayaking from Timber Rivers to Strootman  Little Library  Read to the Animals/Humane Society Mr. Baumunk asked the Commission to come up with more ideas and it will be discussed at the January meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Shari Kunza, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.