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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/04/2018 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 4, 2018 Minutes of the January 4, 2018, Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Brent Schulz; Secretary Josh Gaffke; Committee Members Noel Hammill, Matthew Hinrichs, Boyd Montgomery, and Jessica Montgomery; Parks and Recreation Director Barry Bernstein; Park Superintendent Mike Endres; Recreation Manager Susan Muelken; Valleywood Golf Course Manager Jim Zinck; Administrative Coordinator Dorene Perkins Monn; and six members of the public. ABSENT: Ben Van Gundy ITEM 1. Call to Order Chair Schulz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Everyone took part in the Pledge of Allegiance. ITEM 2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: by Hinricks, seconded by B. Montgomery, approving the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes—6, No — 0 ITEM 3. Audience— 10 Minutes Total Time Limit—For Items Not on the Agenda Chair Schulz asked if anyone was present to address the Committee, at this time, on any item not on this meeting's agenda. Valley Athletic Association Director of Fields and Gyms Jeff Freeman addressed the policy of field space allocation to the high schools and club programs. He stated he feels strongly that field availability is key to their mission to provide fields for kids to compete competitively As such, they are dependent on the City to provide those fields. The Association tries to keep the programs as affordable as they can and they look for quality fields that are consistent with fields they play on when they go to other communities. It would be their desire to participate on the investigation committee to determine what the policy looks like moving forward. ITEM 4. Approval of the November 2017, Minutes. MOTION: by B. Montgomery seconded by Hammill, to approve the November 2, 2017,meeting minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes—6, No—0 - 1of5 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 4,2018 ITEM 5.A. Agenda Items—Introduction of Park Superintendent Mike Endres Director Bernstein presented Apple Valley's new Park Superintendent Endres who took over from retired Park Superintendent Tom Adamini. Mr. Endres has been with Apple Valley for 17 years, twelve years as Park Foreman. Committee welcomed Park Superintendent Endres. ITEM 5.B. Agenda Items—Teen Center Report Recreation Manager Muelken presented an update of Teen activities. An Eagle Scout has done interior painting of the Teen Center. Attendance and Teen Center vs. Redwood participant numbers were reviewed. Four options were presented for Committee consideration: 1) continue to operate both facilities—Teen Center one day per week and Redwood six days per week, 2) close Redwood and operate Teen Center six days per week, 3) concentrate activities at Redwood and close the Teen Center,4) discontinue Teen drop-in facilities. Staff evaluated the operation and suggests the continuation of teen activity programming aside from a teen drop-in facility. Discussion included—City has an obligation to provide services to young teens, not sure a drop-in teen facility is good use of resources. Status comparison of surrounding communities' teen facilities; Eagan's room in the community center closed due to budget cuts, Shakopee has a room with dedicated staff on-site, Burnsville's Garage has a non-profit organization running it as a music venue. Redwood opened in April, is it worthwhile to keep it open for one more summer to see if the high summer participation numbers persist? MOTION: by Hammill, seconded by Hinrichs,recommending the City stop providing teen drop-in facilities at the Teen Center, continue with the Redwood facility through August,review this item at the September Parks &Recreation Advisory Committee meeting, and in the meantime start to develop teen programming geared toward special events. DISCUSSION: Does it make more sense to concentrate efforts at Redwood and close the Teen Center? VOTE: Yes—6, No—0 ITEM 5.C. Agenda Items—Pickleball Meeting Recap A meeting to discuss the Hayes Park pickleball courts was held at the Apple Valley Community Center Wednesday, January 3, 2018. Director Bernstein provided a short history of the courts and pickleball play along with current conditions and issues surrounding the courts. Residents to the south are impacted by pickleball noise and lights. Staff is working to address the concerns with possible modifications to the hours of play, sound defusing - 2of5 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 4,2018 materials, and sound reduction equipment. Options also include proposed Johnny Cake Ridge Park West pickleball courts. The site could provide up to six pickleball courts. Eastview High School is supportive of the project and potentially interested in adding two tennis courts dual striped for tennis and pickleball. Committee discussion questioned how the Hayes Park court rules regarding equipment and times of play would be enforced. Director Bernstein responded that it would be an honor system but the courts could be locked if needed. Discussion questioned the difference between hockey noise(from the Hayes Park rinks)vs pickleball noise. The comparison is the time of play in the summer when homeowner's windows are open compared to hockey in the winter. Committee Chairs Schulz stated he likes the idea of sound attenuated balls and no lights at Hayes Park courts. His sympathies are with the homeowners believes they have a right to enjoy their backyard in a reasonably quiet manner. Staff will speak with City Council regarding the topic later this month. They will investigate potential investment costs. MOTION: by Hinricks, seconded by Hammill, recommending pursuit per the outline presented this evening, pickleball court development at Johnny Cake Ridge Park, and also the proposed changes at Hayes Park. VOTE: Yes-6, No-0 ITEM 5. D. Agenda Items—Cobblestone Lake Park—Northwestern update Park Superintendent Endres presented photos of construction progress of the restroom building and pavilion at Cobblestone Lake Park. ITEM 5. E. Agenda Items—Cortland Development Park Naming Discussion Director Bernstein, at the request of City Council, brought the discussion of naming Cortland Development Park back to the Committee. Cortland Development Park is located to the north of Cobblestone Development, Embry Path is to the west of the park. The naming of Cortland Development Park after the Kohls Family was brought to the attention of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee in 2012. In 2016 Director Bernstein and Alan Kohls discussed the possibility of not naming the park after the family but installing and informational kiosk telling the family history be displayed at the park. In January 2017 Mr. Kohls presented the concept of naming the park again after his family to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. The Committee voted 7-0 recommending the - 3 of 5 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 4,2018 Cortland Development Park be named Kohls Farm Park and include signage that gives history of the property. In April 2017 City Council directed staff to gather additional information and naming input by surveying the park's neighbors. Eleven responses were received to the survey; (5) Cortland, (3) Kohls Park, (3) Other. With no clear frontrunner, Staff suggested naming the park Embry Path Park. Council directed the topic be brought back to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. MOTION: by Hinricks, seconded by Hammill,recommending to City Council naming(Cortland Development Park property) "Kohls Farm Park" and installing an informational kiosk. VOTE: Yes-6, No-0 ITEM 5. F. Agenda Items—Land Purchase Director Bernstein was approached by a realtor, representing Hope Church, inquiring if the City would be interested in obtaining the land section south of the church for park purposes. Discussion included property terrain, the pipeline easement, the surrounding neighborhood, potential for a natural play area,property access. MOTION: by Gaffke, seconded by J. Montgomery, directing staff to explore the land purchase option pricing and bring the item back to the Committee. VOTE: Yes—6, No—0 ITEM 5. G. 1. Agenda Items—Division Updates - Recreation Recreation Manager Muelken reported warming houses are open, Community Center and Senior Center door counts,Teen Center updates, Frozen Apple Concert series, and Mid- Winter Fest is scheduled Feb. 3. ITEM 5. G. 2. Agenda Items—Division Updates—Valleywood Golf Course Golf Course Manager Zinck displayed the menu and encouraged the Committee to come out to the concert at Valleywood Saturday, January13. Staff is busy getting information out to the outing and league contact for the upcoming golf season. Staff continues working on catering options. The course has lost a couple of key part-time staff members. Job description/postings will be out soon for maintenance, food and beverage, golf shop, and outside services. A majority of the positions require 18 years of age and older. - 4 of 5 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 4, 2018 ITEM 5. G. 3. Agenda Items—Division Updates—Arenas Director Bernstein reported the arenas are busy and doing well. ITEM 5. G. 4. Agenda Items—Division Updates—Park Maintenance Parks Superintendent Endres showed photos of the new rink at Apple Valley East, flooding process and maintenance of skating rinks, new Briar Oaks skating rink, recently purchased pathway tractor, and Redwood's new windows and patio doors. Crews are working on maintenance and prep work of equipment, extensive pruning in the parks, and moving forward with the three-month work list. Committee commended staff on the posting of rink flooding process photos on social media. ITEM 6. Adjourn There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by B. Montgomery, seconded by Gaffke, to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. VOTE: Yes — 6, No— 0 R-s.1ectfully Submi ted, _��� l , r9 , _, Dorene Perkins Monn,Administrat e Coordinator Approved by the Apple Valley Parks •i and Recreation Advisory Committee Brent Schulz, Chair on March 1, 2018. - 5of5 -