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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/18/2004 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 18, 2004 Minutes of the May 18,2004 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Chair Russ DeFauw; Committee Members Loren Hegland, Lee Strom, Erica Robinson, Jim Sheldon and Tina Rankin; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Park Maintenance Superintendent Tom Adammi; City Planner Margaret Milton-Dykes; Developers Bart Porter and Pat Carpenter; Wallace Park Neighbors Don Erickson, Todd Szymanski, and Jim Green. ABSENT: Charlie Maus ITEM #1. Chair Russ DeFauw called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. ITEM#2. Approval of Agenda. Agenda Item #3 change "May"to"April" and add"Special Meeting." Mr. Johnson requested the addition of Item#5C.LaCrosse Field Issue Discussion. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Erica Robinson to approve the agenda with the noted changes on Item 43 to read: "Approval of the January 2004 and April 2004 Special Meeting Minutes,"and the addition of Item #5C. LaCrosse Field Issue Discussion, VOTE: Yes—6, No—0 ITEM#3. Approval of the January 2004 and April 2004 Special Meeting Minutes April minutes: page#2, last paragraph—change..."2.25 acres will be infiltration"to 11.45 acres will be infiltration," and page #3, last paragraph—change..."meet the Planning Commission's recommendation"to "meet the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee's recommendation." MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Tina Rankin to approve the January 2004 and April 2004 Special Meeting minutes as corrected. VOTE: Yes—6, No—0 - 1 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 18,2004 ITEM 4. Housing Development near Wallace Park (Valley Oaks Estates) Committee reviewed copies of two plans submitted by the developer Bart Porter for the potential sale and development of City owned property east of Wallace Park, formally known as the Schultz property. Mr. Porter has already obtained almost 16 acres from area residents for single family homes in this subdivision. Road and utility design have not yet been addressed. Purchased in 1991 by the City of Apple Valley, the property was divided into 2.7 acres designated as Wallace Park and the balance of the property was intended to be sold for development to offset the cost of the land acquisition. Plan A shows the extension of Greenland Avenue and 2.1 acres into a subdivision of six lots including right-of-way for Greenland Avenue and Gossamer Way. Approximate 2.8 acres would remain as Wallace Park. Plan B does not include an extension of Greenland Avenue and diagrams 1.5 acres into a subdivision of three lots with right-of-way for Greenland Avenue and Gossamer Way. Approximately 3.5 acres would remain as Wallace Park. Staff reported receiving calls from area residents requesting the preservation of as many trees as possible and as much land as possible in the development of this area. Staff is requesting Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee recommendation to take to City Council. If City Council approves the recommendation, staff will then begin the public hearing process for subdivision of the development. Mr. Johnson stated that it is the park plan to have the property on the east side of the park remain in a natural state. Locations of the existing pathways and streets were discussed. Mr. DeFauw remarked that park dedication collected at the time of the area housing development was applied to the construction of Alimagnet Park. The City has always understood that the sale of the additional property, above and beyond Wallace Park, would be used to offset the purchase of the land from Ms. Schultz. Mr. Szymanski, lives on the other side of Gossamer Way, stated that he and his family use the park often. He's worried that the development will take a lot of the natural area and wildlife experiences away. He is strongly in favor of as little development as possible. Mr. Green lives near 138'h Street and Pennock; a large part of the park borders his backyard. From his experience, he believes parking for the park is not an issue. Maximum number of cars he's seen at a time has been three; people that use Wallace Park tend to walk to it. He recommended following Plan B, as it will keep more of the wild area. He also suggested that the Greenland Street stub be maintained for a better parking area. - 2 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 18, 2004 Mr. Porter stated that he wants to keep things as natural and wild as possible in this development. He believes that if there were more off-street parking, there may be more people that use the park. Mr. Johnson didn't agree with the need for an additional parking lot on the southern end of the park. There are big oak and cherry trees that would have to be removed to accommodate it. MOTION: by Jim Sheldon, seconded by Erica Robinson recommending support of Valley Oaks Estates Plan B as presented. DISCUSSION: Suggestion by Lee Strom, seconded by Tina Rankin stating that the plan would be to keep Greenland Avenue maintained as is (without parking space designations). There was some discussion between Mr. Porter, staff and the Committee chair as to the plan design and extending the Lots to line up with Greening Avenue. Mr. Porter was instructed that those types of plan design changes would have to be taken back to City staff for review. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is not in a position to redraw plans. They can only approve or disapprove of the plans presented. VOTE: Yes-6, No-0 ITEM 4.B. Update on Legacy Park North and South Mr. DeFauw reviewed outcome of the meeting between Couneilmember John Bergman, Randy Johnson, Charlie Maus, Councilmember Ruth Grendahl, and himself which resulted from the April Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting and following City Council meeting. Mr. Johnson reported that City Council approved, at their Thursday, May 13th meeting, the latest Legacy Village North plan design dated April 21, 2004. The plan includes 4.3 acres as common open space, with the largest area of 2.98 acres close to the center of the development. The developer also agreed to place maintenance of the smaller open spaces under the homeowner's association authority. Mr. Johnson outlined his design vision estimated at $603,800 for the center open space. Park dedication funds from this development are estimated at $900,000. Mr. Sheldon noted that with the number of housing units in the area and with the potential for transition, they'll need a top quality park area, open space, and trails. He suggested that the infrastructure needs to be strong, and we (the City) should provide first-rate and demand first-rate quality. - 3 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 18, 2004 ITEM 4.C. Updated on 1997 Park Bond Funds Mr. Johnson reported that through good work and stewardship the City has a balance of $300,000 remaining from the $8.37 million 1997 park bond referendum. Federal arbitrage mandates the expenditure of the remaining referendum dollars. To avoid any further financial penalty the money must be spent by the end of the year. Mr. DeFauw expressed his feelings that this is a lot of money with time constraints to spend it. He believes that from a process standpoint, it's not good to have to spend it quickly. Mr. Johnson noted that there were some issues with the construction of the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center and staff was using the money until now as a safety net for any repairs that may have had to be made to the facility. Staff put together a list of suggested expenditures,keeping with the spirit of the 1997 park bond referendum, totaling $300,000 and looked to the Committee for input on the projects. Pros,cons and importance of the suggested list items and strategic planning for a future bond referendum were discussed. Ms. Rankin stated that she liked the idea of getting ahead on the playground replacement schedule. Mr. Adamini discussed the playground equipment replacement timeline. Mr. Johnson suggested that rather than replace equipment it may be a good idea to place equipment in the Johnny Cake Ridge Park West area near the Teen Center. MOTION: By Russ DeFauw, seconded by Jim Sheldon recommending expenditure approval of the remaining']997 park bond referendum money of$300,000 for the following park projects: LOCATION ELEMENT EST. COST Sports Arena 2 sport court tennis surfaces $ 50,000 Valleywood Golf Course On-course drinking fountains to $ 50,000 replace water coolers Valleywood Golf Course Driving range control building $ 20,000 Summerfield Park Playground equipment $ 35,000 Newell Park Playground equipment $ 35,000 Moeller Park area Trail overlays $ 60,000 Johnny Cake Ridge Park West Playground equipment $ 50,000 $300,000 DISCUSSION: The expenditure of$70,000,placement,potential vandalism, and long- term costs of drinking fountains at Valleywood were discussed. Mr. Hegland reported that there are other courses also looking at the possibility of replacing water coolers with drinking fountains. VOTE: Yes—6, No—0 - 4 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 18,2004 ITEM 4.D. Future Bond Referendum (discussion) School District#196 has announced that they will be holding referendums in June of 2004 and 2005. City staff has been instructed by City Council to avoiding conflicting with the School District's vote; therefore, the earliest possible timeframe for a City bond referendum will be 2006. Committee members Russ DeFauw and Lee Strom were asked to speak with the local youth athletic associations (VAA and EVAA) regarding a future City sponsored bond referendum. ITEM 4.E. Playground Equipment Selection Proposals were received from three vendors: Webber Recreational Design, Earl F. Andersen, and Little Tykes for playground equipment and installation at Johnny Cake Ridge Park East and Palomino Park. Staff reported that a majority of the playground equipment currently located in the City parks has been ordered and installed by Little Tykes. After review of the various proposals, a vote was taken. Vote went to Little Tykes for Johnny Cake Ridge Park East and Landscape Structures for Palomino Park. Committee proposed making Johnny Cake Ridge Park West playground equipment selection this summer and having it installed this fall. This would call for a special Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting. ITEM S.A. Shirt Distribution Committee members received the 2004 Parks and Recreation polo shirts. ITEM S.B. Group Photo A group photo was taken of the Committee members, for inclusion in a future Parks and Recreation brochure. ITEM S.C. LaCrosse Field Issue (discussion) Mr. Johnson outlined the conflicts and issues that have transpired regarding the LaCrosse program and City field allocations. The youth athletic associations of Valley Athletic Association and Eastview Athletic Association receive priority usage of the fields as per current policy. This policy has been in effect for approximately twenty years. LaCrosse is not part of either association and therefore receive a lower priority in field reservation. That translates into difficulty finding field space for them. - 5 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 18, 2004 City Council has asked the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to look at the issues and talk with the LaCrosse representatives. Committee strongly suggested that one alternative would be for LaCrosse to work out coordination with the local youth athletic association boards. ITEM 6. Adjourn Mr. DeFauw agreed to accept the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee chairperson position for another year, May 2004 though April 2005. There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Erica Robinson to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. VOTE: Yes—6, No—0 - 6 -