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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/17/2006 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 17, 2006 Minutes of the January 17, 2006 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Chair Russ DeFauw; Committee Members, Charlie Maus, Lee Strom, Patrick Sullivan, Tina Rankin Parks and Recreation Director Randy (arrived at 6:45 p.m.); Johnson; Park Maintenance Superintendent Tom Adamini; Arena Manager Gary Pietig; AVHA President Tom Benda; VAA President Jenny Pelant; North Star Ponds Representative Todd Weikle; Members of the Public Laura Sullivan and Richard Johnson. ABSENT: Loren Hegland and Erica Robinson ITEM #1. Chair Russ DeFauw called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: by Chalie Maus, seconded by Lee Strom to approve the agenda as presented. DISCUSSION: Russ DeFauw requested two items be placed on the next meeting agenda: Valleywood Golf Course Manager’s recommended suggestions to stimulate more Apple Valley golf, and Pool Operations Fee Schedule Review. VOTE: Yes – 4, No – 0 ITEM #3. Approval of the November 2005 Meeting Minutes MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by Lee Strom to approve the November 2005 meeting minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM 4.A . Hayes Park Arena – Expansion Proposal North Star Ponds representative Todd Weikle and Apple Valley Hockey Association President Tom Benda brought before the Committee a concept proposal for construction of an enclosed smaller sheet of ice. They envision a twelve-month ice operation. They’ve searched for existing real estate and open land for construction, now are investigating the possibility of attaching it to the north side of the existing Hayes Park Arena. - 1 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 17, 2006 Mr. Benda stated they are trying to get enough indoor ice to satisfy everyone. The construction of an additional facility will help keep the Apple Valley hockey teams closer to home and reduce their need to go out for contract ice. Mr. Benda proposed the facility to be a private/public partnership. Mr. Weikle currently runs 3 x 3(plus goalie) leagues in Eden Prairie on a similar facility. He reports four hockey associations are using the ice. The Eden Prairie facility is a retro-fitted building sitting on privately owned land. It’s Eden Prairie’s third sheet of ice. Mr. Benda suggested that Apple Valley teams would receive first priority usage and unused hours could be sold. Their target equation on ice would be $145 per hour for youth hockey. He believes there will be other associations interested in using the ice. Committee asked if the hockey association would contract less hours from the existing arenas if this additional facility is built. Mr. Benda stated that the Apple Valley Hockey Association would be looking at taking all of the hours available, they’d purchase less ice outside the community. They’d use the smaller facility as a practice rink and sell the extra hours to other associations. Mr. DeFauw questioned, with the availability of existing off-peak hours, if the proposers are confident in their ability to operate another facility. Mr. Weikle stated that their new facility has a different feel from the big rinks. There’s not as much skating involved in the play. He reports participants find it fun and more challenging on the smaller surface. He has additional ideas, which he declined to outline, on how to bring in money. He proposed his use of the facility in spring and summer and the hockey association using it from October to March. Facility location on the north side of Hayes Park Arena would mean the loss of an athletic field, which would impact the youth athletics’ summer programs. Parking lot requirements were discussed. Staffing was also briefly touched on. Setting precedent for other requests to build on pubic lands and long-term operations were mentioned. Mr. Johnson stated that this plan is in the early conceptual stage and there will be many staff hours needed from recreation staff, planning and development, building inspections, etc. Committee review is just one of the steps in the process. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by Charlie Maus, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee gives preliminary approval to the concept of a public / private, smaller ice arena. The Committee would like to see a more detailed proposal. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 - 2 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 17, 2006 ITEM 4.B. Park Bond Survey Committee reviewed the survey results. Staff will coordinate a meeting with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, City Council, and Staff to review the park bond survey results as a group. Margin of error in the survey is plus or minus four percent. ITEM 4.C. Park Naming Policy The Policy was reviewed and after discussion it was decided no changes are required at this time. ITEM 4.D. Youth Athletic Association Policy Review The current policy has longevity. Youth athletic association participant numbers have evolved and the balance of ice-time allocation has been adjusted for the 2005-2006 season. Staff has received communication from non-residents requesting a change in the way facilities usage allocation is calculated. They’ve suggested the association numbers as a whole be counted. Currently, the policy uses resident numbers only. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Charlie Maus recommending continuation of the Scheduling of Youth Athletic Venues and Skating Facilities policy as currently written. DISCUSSION: Mr. DeFaus stated that the Committee feels sympathy for non- residents, but suggest they look to their fellow taxpayers to support their activities. Mr. Strom noted that over the years the policy has been fair; it provides a reasonable explanation for allocation. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM 4.E. Kelley Park / Met Council Grant Update January 25, 2006, Met Council will have their final vote to award grant funds. Apple Valley is set to receive $425,000 for Kelley Park waterfall/entry features, a splash pad, and playground equipment. Mr. Adamini gave a verbal update on the construction status of Kelley Park. Plans are to have the park completed by late Fall 2006. ITEM 5.A. Mid-Winter Fest February 11 & 12, 2006 Committee was invited to attend the 2006 Mid-Winter Fest activities. - 3 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 17, 2006 ITEM 6. Adjourn There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Charlie Maus to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 - 4 -