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Home My WebLink About05/20/2003 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 20, 2003 Minutes of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Chair Russ DeFauw; Committee Members Erica Robertson, James Sheldon, Charlie Maus, and Loren Hegland; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; City Police Chief Scott Johnson; and Valleywood Golf Course Manager Rick Dodge. ABSENT: Committee Member Lee Strom and Tina Rankin. Agenda Item #4.A Meeting began at 6:30 p.m. with Committee Organization. Russ DeFauw was nominated and accepted the Chairperson position for a one year term. ITEM #1. Chair Russ DeFauw called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda. MOTION: by Loren Hegland, seconded by Erica Robinson to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM #3. Approval of March 2003 Minutes. MOTION: by Erica Robertson, seconded by Loren Hegland to approve the minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes – 3, No – 0 Abstain – 2 (DeFauw and Maus) ITEM #4.A. Committee Organization. As presented at the beginning of the meeting. ITEM 4.B . Conceal and Carry Handgun Law. Apple Valley Police Chief Scott Johnson updated the committee on the current handgun law where the permit applicant must demonstrate occupational need or personal safety 1 need to obtain a permit from the local police chief to carry a handgun vs. the new legislation effective May 28, 2003. The new bill transfers permit authorization responsibility to the county sheriff. Chief Johnson distributed copies of a list of crimes that would prohibit the issuance of a conceal and carry permit. By statute, city law or ordinance, cities have the authority to limit where firearms are discharged; they cannot prohibit guns from being brought onto city property. Firearms can be prohibited from sporting events on public (city) property sponsored by schools. Private property owners can restrict handguns on their premises by posting signage at every entrance to their facility. Violators could be prosecuted for a petty misdemeanor. Mr. DeFauw posed the question to the Committee: “Should we invest in signage at the park facilities stating we can’t by State law prohibit handguns, there may be people carrying handguns in this facility?” He believes we owe it to our patrons. Mr. Hegland drew the Committee’s attention to page three, paragraph three of the League of Minnesota Cities handout that states, …cities may want to draw a distinction between access to city property and access to city services and personnel. For instance, it may be acceptable to condition participation in city recreation programs on an agreement to disarm. If a city wants to try to argue this distinction, it should consult with its attorney in order to develop a well-reasoned and legally defensible policy to support such an action. Chief Johnson stated that in his 20 years of experience as a handgun owner, there are few times handguns are carried by off duty police officers because: 1.) the community is generally safe and 2.) they’re a pain to carry. He believes most people obtaining a permit to conceal and carry will carry their handgun for about a week, then put it away in a closet, with the knowledge that they could carry it if they wanted to. In comparison, Minnesota has gone from the most conservative state to the most liberal state on handgun laws. Chief Johnson’s recommendation was to give it some time, see how it works out. Posting of signage was discussed. Mr. Sheldon stated that this is a bigger issue than Apple Valley. He believes somebody is going to challenge the law. It will be a high powered issue that will get to the Supreme Court. Mr. Maus stated that he leans toward waiting for the challenges. Sit back and see what happens. Doesn’t see the benefit of spending the money for signage, etc. Recommends tabling the item. Committee asked Chief Johnson to keep them informed when changes to the conceal and carry law arise. Mr. DeFauw disagreed with the sit back and let somebody else do it approach. The Committee has a chance to inform people of this new law. 2 MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, second by Loren Hegland asking Parks and Recreation staff and attornies to come up with signs to be posted at park buildings and entrances informing citizens there may be legal handguns in the facilities due to the new law enacted. DISCUSSION: The potential for lawsuits, making a political statement vs. informing or raising anxiety were discussed. Mr. Hegland stated that if we could, we’d keep them out. All we’re doing with the sign is telling people we can’t keep them out. VOTE: Yes – 2 (DeFauw and Hegland), No – 3 (Sheldon, Maus and Robinson) Mr. Sheldon suggested staff research the ruling regarding handguns on city property used by schools. ITEM 4.C . Regatta Park Pipeline Project/Greenleaf Park Well Project. Pipeline relocation at Regatta Park and construction of well #18 at Greenleaf Park information only presented. City Council is scheduled to take action on the pipeline project at their meeting Thursday, May 22, 2003. ITEM 4D. Valleywood Fee Schedule, Promotional Flexibility. Staff requested Committee approval to pursue City Council authorization of promotional flexibility rates at Valleywood Golf Course. In an effort to get in line with the competition, staff wants the authority to decide at their discretion to run various pricing promotions. MOTION: by Jim Sheldon, seconded by Charlie Maus to recommend City Council approval empowering staff the promotional flexibility to selectively discount golf course rates to generate revenue. DISCUSSION: Committee comments – If you have any excuse to promote the golf course, now is a good time. The course is in great condition. It would have good will. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM 4.E. Park Naming Policy Staff is suggesting the proactive approach of creating a park naming policy. As various park properties come on-line or various community organizations request the renaming of parks, staff would like to have guidelines available. Currently the City of Apple Valley has no policy in place. Examples of other cities’ policies were included in the agenda packet. Eagan reports their policy has stood the test of time for more than 15 years. 3 MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by Russ DeFauw recommending adoption of a park naming policy and criteria using Eagan’s current policy and criteria, deleting paragraph 1, as an example. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 1. Parks may be named for the deceased after 50 years have elapsed from the time of death. The deceased may include local or national heroes and national, state, or local officials. 2. Parks may be named for streets, neighborhoods, historical events and characters, trees, flowers, places, mythological and descriptive names. These names should be indigenous to Apple Valley. 3. Parks should not be named for civic organizations in order to avoid community conflicts. 4. Park or facility names should not be changed without good cause. They should be named carefully and with permanent intent. 5. The criteria should be reviewed from time to time, and if necessary, periodically revised to offer the naming committee a practical, up-to-date and helpful tool through which practical decisions may be reached and by which difficult situations may be amicably reconciled. ITEM 5.A. Shirt Distribution Committee members were given their 2003 Apple Valley shirts. ITEM 5.B. Group Photo A group photo was taken of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee members present. ITEM 7. Adjourn There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Charlie Maus seconded by Erica Robertson to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 4