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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-04 Regular Meeting Minutes City of Apple Valley December 4, 2025, Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes Minutes of the regular meeting of the City of Apple Valley Parks &Recreation Advisory Committee held December 4, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., at the Apple Valley Municipal Center. Present: Committee Chair Schori; Committee Members Freed, Long, Merchant, and Smith Absent: Committee Members Bailey and Hammill City staff members present were: Parks &Recreation Director Carlson, Parks Superintendent Rother, Recreation Superintendent Rosa, Recreation Facilities Manager Christianson, Golf Course Manager Zinck, Recreation Supervisor Thompson, Recreation Supervisor Skinner, Clubhouse Coordinator Johnson, 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.Approval of the Agenda Motion: of Long, seconded by Smith, approving the agenda for tonight's meeting as presented. Ayes-5-Nays-O. 3.Audience Committee Chair Schori 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. 4.Approval of the November 2025 Minutes Committee Chair Schori asked if any committee members had changes to the November 2025 minutes. No changes were requested. Motion: of Freed, seconded by Merchant, approving the November 2025 minutes as presented. Ayes-5-Nays-O. 5.Agenda Items A. Division Updates(Valleywood,Aquatics,Athletics) Golf Course Manager Zinck provided a recap of the 2025 Valleywood Golf Course season. Mr.Zinck shared revenue numbers and highlighted the success of the new ball machine on the driving range and the new fleet of golf carts. Mr.Zinck also praised his staff, shared a video of two staffers' interview about the Youth on Course program, and acknowledged the personal tragedies that some staff members have dealt with this year. Committee member Freed inquired about the tee signs and Mr.Zinck explained how the partnership with that company works. Committee Member Long 1 asked how the new irrigation system is affecting our water costs, and Mr.Zinck shared that water usage is down about 25%despite area coverage of the sprinklers increasing, and while some money is saved with the new system,the amount is low. Recreation Supervisor Skinner gave the Committee a summary of the first season of the newly rebranded and renovated Splash Valley Water Park. He provided an overview of the updates made to the facility through the renovation and highlighted the new rental options, birthday party packages, and season passes that were offered to users in 2025. Committee Chair Schori asked if the sprayground is used frequently, and Mr.Skinner stated that the sprayground is very popular, especially during safety breaks. Committee Member Long expressed his gratitude for the upright chairs that were added. Recreation Supervisor Thompson updated the Committee on the City's partnership with our local youth athletic association. Mr.Thompson also provided statistics on field rentals and outlined all adult athletics leagues and lessons that are offered. Mr.Thompson highlighted creative ways he has tried to provide more offerings to interested people, including the free agent list, partnerships with the City of Eagan for basketball leagues, and small tournaments on Valentine's Day, and others. Committee Members Smith and Long commended Mr.Thompson on his expansive offerings. B. Review Plans for Duchess, Greening, and Pennock Parks Director Carlson presented plans for parks improvements projects at Duchess, Greening, and Pennock Parks,which are being completed in tandem with the street reconstruction and stormwater improvement project. Mr.Carlson listed the amenities that will be replaced at each park and highlighted the stormwater improvements that will also be made. Committee Member Smith asked why the proposed looped trail from Greening Park was being eliminated, and Mr. Carlson explained that space was limited.Committee Chair Schori confirmed that the large infiltration basin wouldn't become overgrown with weeds over time. C.Approve Updated Youth Open Gym Policy and Rules Recreation Superintendent Rosa gave an overview of the new policy and rules for the Youth Open Gym program that were created. Mr. Rosa highlighted the ways the new policy and rules are different from past practices and the approval process the policy and rules have gone through. Motion: of Smith, seconded by Long, approving the updated Youth Open Gym policy and rules. Ayes-5- Nays—O. 6. Committee/Staff Discussion Items No additional items were discussed. 7. Input from Committee Members on Future Agendas Committee Chair Schori requested that the future of outdoor skating be discussed at a future meeting. 8.Adjourn 2 Motion: of Freed, seconded by Long,to adjourn. Ayes-5-Nays-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kayla Hechsel, Parks&Recreation Administrative Coordinator Approved b he Parks.&Recreation Advisory Committee on March 5,2026. 3