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Home My WebLink About03/21/2006 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 21, 2006 Minutes of the March 21, 2006 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Committee Members, Charlie Maus, Loren Hegland, Erica Robinson, Lee Strom, Patrick Sullivan, and Tina Rankin; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Park Maintenance Superintendent Tom Adamini; Arena Manager Gary Pietig; Valleywood Golf Course Manager Rick Dodge, AVHA President Tom Benda; VAA President Jenny Pelant; EVAA representative Scott Selby; Student Observer David Brown, Members of the Public Corinne Johnson, Richard Johnson, Pam Ashton, Bill Ashton, and Greg Gotz. ABSENT: Russ DeFauw ITEM #1. Acting Chair Charlie Maus called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Lee Strom to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 ITEM #3. Approval of the January 2006 Meeting Minutes MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Patrick Sullivan to approve the January 2006 meeting minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 ITEM 4.A . Hayes Park Arena – Expansion Proposal Update Following the January Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting, staff met with other City staff and officials to review the arena proposal. They also discussed the project with the other local athletic associations. A summary of issues regarding the initial expansion proposal and copies of memos from City of Apple Valley Building Inspector Ernie Aden, City Engineer Colin Manson of Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates, and City Attorney Michael Dougherty of Severson, Sheldon, Doughery & Molenda were included in the agenda packet for review. - 1 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 21, 2006 North Star Ponds Representative Todd Weikle has since submitted an Outline Summary of Potential Term Sheet to the City for review. This plan has changed significantly from the initial plan submitted earlier this year. A copy of this was included in the agenda packet for review. Apple Valley Hockey Association President Tom Benda said the Hockey Association wants to go back to the original plan. The Hockey Association would build the building, not North Star Ponds. North Star Ponds would be their tenant. The Hockey Association proposed leasing the land for $1, using and paying for City employees. The Hockey Association has found that the expansion onto Hayes Park Arena would not work, so they’re proposing construction of a building west of the Apple Valley Community Center – where the pleasure skating rink is currently located. Drawings were included in the agenda packet for review. Mr. Johnson noted that one of the major items of concern would be a future expansion of Hayes Building possibly through a park bond referendum. Staff doesn’t want to loose the potential expansion area. He also stated he knows through experience that ice arenas can’t make enough money to pay the debt services and operating expenses. Mr. Johnson stated that the City wants to work with the Apple Valley Hockey Association and Eastview Hockey Association if they can come up with a way for this project to work. He also noted that there are still ten years of payments for the Hayes Park Arena outstanding. The Hockey Associations do have to go outside of Apple Valley for some of their prime time ice because of the demand, but the Apple Valley arenas can’t and don’t operate on just prime time. Mr. Benda stated that the Hockey Association is in a position to pay off the new building itself. Ms. Rankin questions whether there are other sites for consideration. Mr. Benda responded that there were not, the issue is complicated, but the Hayes Park Arena site is not palatable to the Athletic Association to take field space for the arena. Mr. Hegland asked about the southern athletic complex site, but that’s at least two years into the future. The gravel operations are still working until the end of 2006. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Erica Robinson to table the project discussion until the next Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting. DISCUSSION: Staff will work with the Apple Valley Hockey Association to address alternatives for their arena project. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 - 2 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 21, 2006 ITEM 4.B. Valleywood Promotions Statistics generally show approximately 7% of Apple Valley residents golf at Valleywood. Staff have placed an advertisement in the March/April issue of Apple Valley magazine. Valleywood will be listed in two additional issues in Apple Valley and one in Eagan. Mr. Dodge suggested that if Staff concentrates their marketing to Apple Valley, they may increase the number of residents playing at Valleywood. A list of Marketing Ideas was included in the agenda packet for review. Valleywood’s draw area for golfers is in an eight to ten mile radius of the course. Dakota County does not allow signage on the roadway (McAndrews Road or Pilot Knob Road). Valleywood will be hosting in August the 2006 Minnesota State Public Links Tournament. More than 220 amateur golfers will participate in this tournament. th Mr. Dodge will be promoting Valleywood’s 30 anniversary in July with special pricing, fun promotions, etc. Other promotional suggestions included tying in the anniversary with the July Freedom Days, finding ways to attract golfers early in the season, possibly giving a discount to the person setting up a four-some, finding ways to attract beginner golfers. ITEM 4.C. Aquatic Operations Fee Schedule and History Mr. Johnson gave a review of the Aquatic Program and the three-year annual numbers. The City’s Parks and Recreation Department mission is to break even on the aquatic operations and that’s being done. The Committee questioned the status of Redwood outdoor pool. Staff reported that the mechanical equipment is in pretty good shape, but the shell is getting to the end of its life expectancy. Repairs have had to be made. The pool will be an item for discussion in a bond referendum. Committees’ consensus was to continue business as usual in the Aquatic Program. ITEM 4.D. Disc Golf One-Year Review The Disc Golf program has gotten off to a good start. Mr. Ashton held a tournament in October 2005 and received lots of positive comments from the course users. Apple Valley magazine, Star Tribune, and St. Paul Pioneer Press gave great press articles about the disc golf course in Apple Valley. - 3 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 21, 2006 Ms. Johnson reported an improvement to the type of park clientele since the course was installed. Her list of concerns/issues included:  Alimagnet is a small park. She estimated 50 to 100 cars per day at the park.  The way basket #3 is constructed, the discs are thrown into one of the park neighbor’s yards.  Suggested an “out of bounds” be addressed in the rules that states a disc is out of bounds on private property.  A course map would be helpful.  Suggested the course be played in order.  Staff/participants should be firm with the rules.  Address right-of-use issues with the volleyball court area.  “No alcohol without permit” signs need to be posted.  Believes the course should be closed during the winter. Richard Johnson estimated 700 to 1400 people per week going through the park. Mr. Ashton will replace the course map. He will also work with City Staff to possibly redesign some of the holes where they conflict with neighbors or other park users. Randy Johnson stated that as a community park, Alimagnet is designed for more people. The City of Apple Valley doesn’t groom any cross-country ski trails in the park, but Burnsville crews may enter the Apple Valley side of the park to turn around their grooming equipment. Staff believes disc golf is a fine winter activity in the park. Consensus last winter was to remove the golf course holes that conflicted with the sledding hill area. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Charlie Maus recommending Staff work with Bill Ashton to review golf course hole locations, rules, and posting “no alcohol without permit” signs. DISCUSSION: Mr. Maus suggested the Committee schedule a tour of the disc golf course. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 ITEM 4.E. Park Dedication Staff reviewed the expenditure request memo that was included in the agenda packet. The $50,000 requested would be for the purchase of materials. Labor will be either in-house, scout troops, or Tree Trust programs. Tennis court repairs and pathway overlays will be projects to address in a future bond referendum. MOTION: by Loren Hegland, seconded by Lee Strom recommending City Council authorization of $50,000 expenditures from the Park Dedication Fund as requested. - 4 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 21, 2006 VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 ITEM 4.F. Award of Grant – Kelley Park (update) The City of Apple Valley has received notification of a $425,000 grant award from the Metropolitan Council 2005 Livable Communities Demonstration Account funding for Central Village – Legacy Park North (Kelley Park). A copy of the confirmation letter was included in the agenda packet. Community Development Director Rick Kelley was instrumental in obtaining this grant. He, City Administrator Tom Lawell, and Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson executed a three-part presentation to the Metropolitan Council. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Charlie Maus to recommend City Staff professionals creative design of the park color scheme VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 ITEM 4.G. Kelley Park Playground Selection MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Erica Robinson to recommend City Council enter into a contract with St. Croix Recreation, for the purchase and installation of Option B playground equipment as presented. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 ITEM 4.H. Kelley Park Gazebo Selection MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Erica Robinson to recommend City Council enter into a contract with Flanagan Sales, for the purchase and installation of a gazebo as presented. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 ITEM 4.I. Kelley Park Rubber Tile for Playground Selection MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Erica Robinson to recommend City Council enter into a contract with St. Croix Recreation, for the purchase and installation of rubber interlocking surface tiles as presented. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 - 5 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 21, 2006 ITEM 5. Other Committee thanked Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson and his staff for working with the Hockey Association on the arena project. ITEM 6. Adjourn There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Lee Strom to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 - 6 -