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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/20/2004 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 20,2004 Minutes of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Chair Russ DeFauw; Committee Members Charlie Maus, Lee Strom,Erica Robinson,and Tina Rankin(arrived at 6s5 p.m.,left at 7:tsp.m.); Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; City Planner Margaret Milton Dykes, Park Maintenance Superintendent Tom Adamini; Recreation Superintendent Scott Breuer; Recreation Supervisor Steve Skinner; Recreation Intern Jonathan Moore; and a member of the public Don Erickson. ABSENT: Jim Sheldon and Loren Hegland. ITEM#I. Chair Russ DeFauw called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ITEM#2. Approval of Agenda. MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by Lee Strom to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes—4, No—0 ITEM#3. Approval of November 2003 Minutes. MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by Erica Robinson to approve the minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes—4, No—0 ITEM#4.A. Housing Development near Wallace Park. Developer Bart Porter has inquired about the potential sale of City owned property located in the area of Wallace Park(east of Pennock Avenue and north of 138"' Street). The 5.4 acres,purchased in 1991, was originally slated to be divided as follows: 2.7 acres for the park, 1.51 acres to be sold as buildable lots, and 1.19 acres to be used for road construction in the continuance of Gossamer Way and Greenland Avenue. The land has been sitting dormant for approximately ten years. Mr.Porter has interest in the initial 1.51 acres and three additional lots,915, 16 and 17 as outlined on the map provided. If the three lots are sold for development, Greenland Avenue would end in a cul-de-sac. Financial arrangements have not yet been negotiated for any part of the 1 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 20,2004 property. Diagram plans presented were preliminary and for discussion purposes only. Planning Department has not officially addressed the property design. City staff would eventually like to put Gossamer Way through to get some(traffic)relief to that neighborhood. Parks and Recreation staff recommendation is to follow the 1991 plan of action. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, second by Charlie Maus recommending City Council maintain as park land as much of the 2.7 acres as possible, and request review of further development design plans. VOTE: Yes—5, No—0 ITEM 4.13. Park Dedication Fund Update. The Park Dedication Fund balance as of January 15, 2004 is $1,180,830. This fund is for park development,per State mandate. Randy Johnson reminded the Committee that the City is close to development completion and there won't be a lot of incoming dollars to the fund. Annual request from Park Maintenance presented for Committee review. Russ DeFauw and Charlie Maus recommended spending additional fund dollars for neighborhood park projects. Staff presented a prepared list of potential projects including facilities,playgrounds, asphalt, tennis court reconstruction, and landscape. Tom Adamini presented his view of project potentials. He complimented the park maintenance staff for maintaining a park system to be proud of. Overall,though there are always projects to be done,he believes the system is in good shape. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, second by Lee Strom recommending City Council approval of staff's $160,000 request of park dedication funds for park projects,with the following additions to the list: $30,000 for building siding at Hagemeister and Delaney parks, $30,000 additional funding for asphalt projects as deemed appropriate by staff, $80,000 for two tennis court improvement projects as deemed appropriate by staff. VOTE: Yes—5, No—0 ITEM 4.C. Redwood Swimming Pool Discussion. Staff presented an in-depth financial analysis of the pool operations for clarification purposes. Also presented were some suggestions for fee increases to help close the gap between revenue and expenses. Redwood pool is an older pool. Without any major influx of cash for upgrades, its life expectancy is approximately four to seven more years. It will be 20 years old in 2007. Statistically, the lifespan of a rebuild is 20 to 25 years. 2 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 20,2004 Russ DeFauw, speaking from a business aspect, stated that trends indicate declining consumer popularity with increasing costs to produce the product. He questioned that since the City charges for this recreation, do we owe it to the public to break even? He believes that people expect to pay to come to a swimming pool. Randy Johnson replied that the City operates many different types of facilities that don't make revenue; i.e. athletic fields, etc. Committee recommended adjusting the fee structure and then watching the attendance numbers to see if they stay at a constant level. Suggestion was to increase the cost of lessons by$5 per session per person, daily admission to $3 per person, and increasing rentals by$20. Russ DeFauw suggested that if the fees are increased and attendance plummets,then next year we know the public will not allow the City to operate the pool at a break even basis. He called it balancing fiscal responsibility with providing a facility. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by Charlie Maus recommending an increase in 2004 Redwood Pool fees as follows: Change daily open swim fee from $2 to$3 per person, Increase lesson fees by$5 per person per session, Increase rental rates by$20 per session. Committee to review the results in Fall 2004. DISCUSSION: Lee Strom voiced his concern regarding increasing daily fees by 50%. Randy Johnson reminded the Committee that rates have not been raised in the last eight to ten years. Russ DeFauw suggested looking at the rate schedule, knowing that taxpayers do subsidize other facilities(fields). VOTE: Yes—3, No—1 (Strom) ITEM S.A. Mid-Winter Fest February 7& 8. Committee members were encouraged to attend this year's events. ITEM 7. Adjourn There being no further business,the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Lee Strom seconded by Erica Robinson to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. VOTE: Yes—4, No—0 3