HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/07/2025000
0000 ITEM: 4,
000 PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY
City OF Apple COMMITTEE MEETING DATE: November 6, 2025
Valley SECTION: Regular
Minutes of the August 7, 2025, Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee
meeting.
PRESENT: Committee Chair Mark Schori; Committee Members Randy Bailey, Dave Freed,
Craig Long, Noel Hammill, Jess Smith, and Jessica Merchant; Parks and
Recreation Director Eric Carlson; Park Superintendent Steve Rother; Recreation
Superintendent Nate Rosa; Recreation Facilities Manager Brian Christianson;
Recreation Supervisor Sharon Lemke; and Administrative Coordinator Kayla
Hechsel
ABSENT: Golf Course Manager Jim Zinck
ITEM 1. Call to Order
Committee Chair Schori called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Everyone took part in the
Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM 2. Approval of Agenda
Committee Member Freed wished to add the recommendation of the Pickleball Complex
naming to the agenda. This was added as Item 5.G.
MOTION: by Freed, seconded by Hammill, approving the agenda as
amended.
VOTE: Yes — 7, No — 0
ITEM 3. Audience —10 Minutes Total Time Limit — For Items Not on the Agenda
No one wished to speak.
ITEM 4. Approval of the June 2025 Minutes
MOTION: by Bailey, seconded by Long, to approve the June 2025 minutes as
presented.
VOTE: Yes — 7, No — 0
ITEM 5.A. Agenda Items — Alimagnet Park NRMP Update
Natural Resources Coordinator Samantha Berger and Natural Resources Technician Taylor
Stockert provided an update on the Natural Resource Management Plan for Alimagnet Park
that was adopted by Council in 2024. They highlighted the grant funding that was recently
received, the area of the park where restoration efforts will begin, and some tactics that will
be used to reinvigorate the park's natural resources. Staff also provided a brief update on the
aquatic plant reintroduction happening in Alimagnet Lake.
ITEM S.B. Agenda Items — MPCA Stormwater Grant Update
Natural Resources Coordinator Berger and Assistant City Engineer Evan Acosta shared that
the City received a $5 million grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to make
stormwater improvements at Duchess, Greening, and Pennock Parks. Staff showed concepts
of improvements at all three parks and explained the timeline and next steps for the
implementation of these improvements. Committee Member Long expressed a desire for
signage within the parks, specifically for the underground reservoir at Duchess Park, to
educate the public on the purpose of the stormwater amenities.
ITEM S.D. Agenda Items — City Entrance Monument Sign Discussion
While working through technology challenges, the Committee moved to Agenda Item S.D.
and discussed the memo staff put together on their behalf recommending the City Council
prioritize planning for City entrance monument signs.
MOTION: by Hammill, seconded by Freed, to approve the monument sign
memo as presented and to submit it to City Council.
VOTE: Yes — 7, No — 0
ITEM S.G. Agenda Items — Pickleball Complex Naming
The Committee then moved to Agenda Item S.G. while technology challenges persisted. The
Committee agreed to recommend to City Council that the Johnny Cake Ridge Park West
pickleball courts be named the Goodwin Pickleball Complex in honor of former
Councilmember Tom Goodwin.
MOTION: by Freed, seconded by Long, to recommend the City Council name
the new Johnny Cake Ridge Park West pickleball courts the
Goodwin Pickleball Complex.
VOTE: Yes — 7, No — 0
ITEM S.C. Agenda Items — Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Updates
Gabrielle Grinde, the City's consultant from HKGi, updated the Committee on the revised
Apple Valley Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. She summarized the process that was used to
update the plan, the community engagement that occurred, and the contents included within
the revised plan. Assistant City Engineer Acosta shared that having the updated Bicycle and
Pedestrian Plan is a critical component for making future City projects more attractive to
grand funders.
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ITEM S.E. Agenda Items — Division Update — Senior Programs
Recreation Supervisor Sharon Lemke updated the Committee on the programs and rentals
taking place at the Apple Valley Senior & Event Center. Committee Member Smith asked
what excites and concerns Supervisor Lemke about the upcoming changes to the facility. She
expressed excitement for the expanded coffee lounge and shared that her only concern is
being close to the seniors to respond if there's an emergency or injury.
ITEM S.F. Agenda Items — Parks Referendum Update
Director Carlson gave a brief update on the park referendum projects. He highlighted that
construction has begun in earnest at the Johnny Cake Ridge Park pickleball courts, the Skate
Park, Redwood and Kelley Parks, and six neighborhood parks —Apple Ponds, Carrollwood,
Cedar Isle, Chaparral, Cobblestone Southeast, and Greenleaf North.
Committee Member Freed asked if the cause of closing Splash Valley at the end of August
rather than extending it through September is due to staffing shortages. Superintendent Rosa
confirmed this.
ITEM 6. Committee/Staff Discussion Items
No additional items were discussed.
ITEM 7. Input from Committee Members on Next Agenda
Committee Chair Schori requested that the Committee take a close look at the Parks
Facilities Fund and discuss recommendations they may want to make to the City Council
regarding the future of that fund.
ITEM 8. Adjourn
There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was
adjourned.
MOTION: by Freed, seconded by Long, to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 p.m.
VOTE: Yes — 7, No — 0
Respectfully Submitted,
Kayla H sel, Ailmi:oistrative Coordinator
Approved by the Apple Valley Parks
and Recreation Advisory Committee
on November 6, 2025.
i�
Mark Schori, Chair
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