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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/30/2021000 0000 0 000 060 Meeting Location: Municipal Center 7100 147th Street West Apple Valley Apple Valley, Minnesota 55124 September 30, 2021 CITY COUNCIL PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE SPECIAL INFORMAL MEETING TENTATIVE DISCUSSION ITEMS 6:00 PM 1. Call to Order 2. Discussion Items A. Discuss Future of Parks and Recreation System and Potential Parks Bond Referendum 3. Other Items 4. Adjourn Regular meetings are broadcast, live, on Charter Communications Cable Channel 180 and on the City's webs ite at www cityofapplevalley. org Gee 6®66 t�$elea 0000 000 Apple ITEM: COUNCIL MEETING DATE: SECTION: 2.A. September 30, 2021 Discussion Items Description: Discuss Future of Parks and Recreation System and Potential Parks Bond Referendum Staff Contact: Department / Division: Eric Carlson, Director Parks and Recreation Department ACTION REQUESTED: N/A SUMMARY: Staff is requesting the City Council provide direction to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and staff related to the future of the Parks and Recreation System and a potential Parks Bond Referendum. BACKGROUND: One of the City's adopted goals is to plan for the City's long-term system needs, including a possible Parks and Recreation Bond Referendum. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has requested the meeting with the City Council to discuss the information they have reviewed and encourage the Council to consider a future Parks Bond Referendum. As the Council is aware, the City has park system assets with a value that exceeds $31,000,000 (not including the aquatic center, community center, senior center, or arenas) and many of the amenities (playgrounds, courts, trails, parking lots) are nearing the end of their useful life and will need to be replaced in the next few years. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is unanimously asking the Council to begin a process to engage the community and explore if there is support for a Parks Bond Referendum that would: • Update our community and neighborhood parks and trails • Reinvest in our major recreational facilities that includes the community center, senior center, aquatics, and arenas • Develop master plans for Alimagnet, Kelley, Farquar, and Redwood parks If the Council provides direction to proceed, the process will take approximately 24-months and will include park and facility design, community engagement/education, and a public opinion survey. Results of the planning process would be shared with the City Council to then determine a possible referendum date where voters would have the opportunity to decide at the polls. BUDGET IMPACT: Park Planning is estimated at $140,000 with a potential opportunity to receive a grant from Active Living Dakota County of $30,000; information gathering, which potentially includes a sales tax study and a community survey, is estimated at $35,000; and election expenses are estimated at $175,000. ATTACHMENTS: Memo see 00010 6060e 6000, @00 City of Apple Valley MEMO Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee TO: Mayor, City Council and City Administrator FROM: Brent Schulz — Chair Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Members of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee DATE: September 30, 2021 SUBJECT: Future of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation System The Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has met regularly for the past several months with city staff to conduct in-depth research, analysis, and site visits to better understand the current state of our city's parks and recreation facilities. Based on our work, the committee affirmed our shared commitment that safe and well -maintained park and recreation facilities, equipment, programs, outdoor park space and amenities build a stronger more vibrant community and improves the overall quality of life for all Apple Valley residents, businesses, organizations, and visitors. The City and the Parks and Recreation Department continue to do a good job maintaining our existing facilities and are regularly adjusting programs and resources to best meet the needs of our community where they can. To continue to provide a safe and relevant parks system, it is apparent to the Advisory Committee that our Apple Valley parks and recreation system is aging and needs a substantial investment in order to meet the diverse needs of all residents. The current budget allocations are not sustainable to maintain existing facilities of: • 51 parks spread over 701 acres of public park land and 15 miles of bituminous trails • $31,700,000 worth of park system assets • Aquatic, Community, Senior Center, Ice Arena facilities The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee unanimously asks that the City Council begin a process to engage the community and explore if there is support for a Parks Bond Referendum that would: • Update our community and neighborhood parks and trail system • Reinvest in our major recreational facilities which include the community center, senior center, aquatics, and arenas • Redesign/construct new park master plans for Alimagnet, Kelley, Farquar, and Redwood parks. We appreciate the opportunity to serve the citizens of Apple Valley and look forward to working with the community, City Council, and staff to help make the Apple Valley parks and recreation system a high quality park system in the Twin Cities metro area.