HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-05 Regular Meeting Minutes City of Apple Valley
March 5, 2026, Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee Regular Meeting
Minutes
Minutes of the regular meeting of the City of Apple Valley Parks &Recreation Advisory Committee
held March 5, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., at the Apple Valley Municipal Center.
Present: Committee Chair Schori; Committee Members Bailey, Freed, Long, Hammill, and
Raab
Absent: Committee Member Merchant
City staff members present were: Parks&Recreation Director Carlson, Parks Superintendent
Rother, Recreation Facilities Manager Christianson,Golf Course Manager Zinck, Recreation
Supervisor Bird, and Administrative Coordinator Hechsel
1. Call to Order and Pledge
Committee Chair Schori called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Everyone took part in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
2. Election of Officers—Chair and Secretary
Motion: of Bailey, seconded by Freed, electing Mark Schori as Chair of the Parks &
Recreation Advisory Committee.Ayes-6- Nays-0.
Motion: of Bailey, seconded by Hammill, electing Craig Long as Secretary of the Parks&
Recreation Advisory Committee.Ayes-6- Nays-0.
3.Approval of the Agenda
Motion: of Bailey, seconded by Freed, approving the agenda for tonight's meeting as
presented. Ayes-6- Nays-O.
4.Audience
Committee Chair Schori first introduced our new Committee Member Erin Raab and then asked if
anyone was present to address the Committee, at this time, on any item not on this meeting's
agenda. No one was present to speak.
5.Approval of the December 2025 Minutes
Committee Chair Schori asked if any committee members had changes to the December 2025
minutes. No changes were requested.
Motion: of Freed, seconded by Long, approving the December 2025 minutes as presented.
Ayes-6- Nays-0.
6.Agenda Items
A.Approve the Parks&Recreation Advisory Committee and Department's 2025 year-end
report
By City ordinance,the Parks&Recreation Advisory Committee and the Parks& Recreation
Department are required to prepare an annual report for the City Council that outlines all items
discussed and accomplished in the previous year. In the past, staff have prepared two separate
reports for approval(one for the Committee and one for the Department), but to streamline
processes, staff have chosen to combine the reports this year.After the report is approved by the
Parks&Recreation Advisory Committee and the City Council, it will be posted online for the public
to view.
Motion: of Long, seconded by Freed, approving the Parks &Recreation Advisory Committee
and Department's 2025 year-end report. Ayes-6- Nays-0.
B. Division update(Youth, Family, and Events)
Recreation Supervisor Bird gave the Committee a recap of the 2026 Mid-Winter Fest,which went
well. Mr. Bird outlined the activities offered at the event and thanked all event sponsors and
partners. Committee Member Freed asked how the energy differed from years past without the live
music, and Mr. Bird shared that he felt the energy was more family focused. Mr. Bird then
highlighted the summer playground program and the new Valley Adventure Club,which is an all-day
summer program for school-aged children.
C. Update on 2026 neighborhood parks projects
Director Carlson provided a high-level overview of the neighborhood parks that will be receiving
improvements in summer 2026.A total of 15 parks will be under construction this year, and they
include Apple Valley East, Belmont, Cedar Knolls, Delaney, Duchess, Faith, Findlay, Greening,
Hagemeister, Largen, Longridge, Moeller, Pennock,Tintah, and Wallace Parks. Mr. Carlson also
shared updates on the Hayes Youth Athletic Complex, Redwood Park, Kelley Park, improvements to
natural areas in Alimagnet and Tintah Parks, and the potential challenge course at Johnny Cake
Ridge Park West.
D. Update on Community Center/Senior Center project
Director Carlson also provided an update on the Community Center/Senior Center project. Mr.
Carlson shared updated plans and renderings,the tentative project timeline, plans for naming the
facility and rooms, and plans for staff during construction. Committee Member Long asked how
construction will impact the 2026 elections, and Mr. Carlson explained that we are planning to host
elections at the Senior Center and our contractors will be working around the election schedule to
accommodate the City Clerk and the elections operation.
6. Committee /Staff Discussion Items
No additional items were discussed.
7. Input from Committee Members on Future Agendas
2
Committee Member Long requested that we add consideration of revising the Parks&Recreation
Department mission statement to a future agenda.
8.Adjourn
Motion: of Freed, seconded by Hammill,to adjourn. Ayes-6- Nays-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kayla Hechsel, Parks&Recreation Administrative Coordinator
Approved b -the Rarks &Recreatipn Advisory Committee on April 2, 2026.
3