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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/16/2006 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 16, 2006 Minutes of the May 16, 2006 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Committee Chair Russ DeFauw, Committee Members, Charlie Maus, Loren Hegland, Erica Robinson, Lee Strom, Patrick Sullivan, and Tina (left at 7:35pm) Rankin; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; ISD #196 School of Environmental Studies Students Stephanie Hurt, Jessica Buchberger, Members of the Public Kevin Burke, Taylor Sukhun, Michael Umdelay, Andrew Dadash, Scott Buchberger, Shirley Buchberger, Sadie Buecksler, Christopher Anderson; Dakota County Heath Representative Pat Seger. ABSENT: None ITEM #1. Chair Russ DeFauw called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Erica Robinson to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM #3. Approval of the March 21, 2006 Meeting Minutes Request was made to remove the last sentence of Page 3, Paragraph 3 – “It is a stepping stone to the National Public Links Tournament.” Via phone call, Corinne Johnson requested changes to the minutes as follows: Page 4, Paragraph 1, First Bullet – Change “She estimated 150 people per week walk through the park.” to “She estimated 50 to 100 cars per day at the park.” Add “Richard Johnson estimated 700 to 1400 people per week going through the park.” Page 4, Paragraph 3, Second Line – Change “hiking trails” to “cross country ski trails” Page 4 Add DISCUSSION to the Motion – Mr. Maus suggested the Committee schedule a tour of the disc golf course. - 1 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 16, 2006 MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Charlie Maus to approve the March 2006 meeting minutes with the five changes as requested. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0, Abstain – 1 (DeFauw) ITEM 4.A . Request for Tobacco-Free Parks Policy Students Stephanie Hurt and Jessica Buchberger presented their Senior Project requesting the City of Apple Valley’s adoption of a Tobacco-Free Parks Policy. A letter outlining their request, a draft policy, statistic reports, and supporting letters from Principal Steve Degenaar, Principal Karen Toomey, and Fourth District MN Nurses Association representative Deb Kruse were included in the meeting agenda packet. Ms. Hurt and Ms. Buchberger reported that two counties and seventy-nine cities of Minnesota have adopted policies to restrict tobacco use in parks. Copies of a supporting petition signed by 25 residents of Apple Valley were presented. Committee discussed the difference between an ordinance and a policy. An ordinance is a law, whereas a policy is more of a request for compliance. Mr. Seger stated that approximately ten of the seventy-nine cities have ordinances and the others have policies. He believes that most people seeing a sign will obey the rules. Signs have been donated to the adopting communities. The difficulty of park policy enforcement was discussed. Mr. DeFauw noted that, in the Parks business the governing body tries to meet a broad spectrum of concern. He doesn’t like to set rules that we know in advance that we’re not going to enforce. The local youth athletic associations currently have no smoking policies. Mr. Strom stated that he is a non-smoker and has been involved with youth athletics. He’s had to ask many people not to smoke at events. He believes parks are for everyone and struggles with the idea of setting a no tobacco policy in the parks. Suggestion was made to post signs in the parks, exempting Valleywood Golf Course, discouraging tobacco in the parks and asking people to comply. Mr. DeFauw recommended Staff draw up two or three wording varieties for a sign and send them to Ms. Hurt and Ms. Buchberger for sign construction. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by Loren Hegland recommending adoption of a tobacco-free publicly stated policy, encouraging the public to make parks tobacco-free, exempting Valleywood Golf Course. DISCUSSION: Placement of cigarette waste containers/receptacles to help reduce litter was discussed. Staff reported rarely receiving complaints regarding - 2 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 16, 2006 people smoking in parks, possibly one or two per year. Mr. DeFauw suggested revisiting this issue in the future. Andrew Dadash stated that as a smoker, he’s in favor of the policy. Shirley Buchberger stated that if other cities are adopting a policy, it’s in line. She believes the general public expects cities to lookout for the health of their citizens. VOTE: Yes – 5 (DeFauw, Hegland, Rankin, Erickson, and Sullivan) No – 2 (Maus and Strom) Parks and Recreation Director Johnson will take the recommendation to City Council for their approval. ITEM 4.B. Thank You from Department of Natural Resources Letter from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Specialist Rod Ramsell thanking Valleywood Golf Course for use of the pond as a fish fingerling rearing site was included in the agenda packet. Also noted: Staff is working with two students from ISD #196 School of Environmental Studies on a nature trail at Valleywood Golf Course. ITEM 4.C. Kelley Park Construction Update Invitation extended to the Kelley Park Groundbreaking Ceremony scheduled for May 17, 2006. Staff reported grading and hardscape almost completed. Bid specs for the splash pad and fountains are being put together. ITEM 4.D. Public Art Memorial Installation Draft Policy The public art policy is being driven by the Public Works Department. A draft copy was included in the agenda packet. MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Tina Rankin recommending approval of the Public Art Policy as presented. DISCUSSION: Ms. Rankin stated that it’s a very good idea. It helps the City make decisions and pre-empts problems. Mr. Hegland suggested there is no inference of public funding for public art. Mr. DeFauw noted that once art is accepted, the City is responsible for maintaining it. Suggestion was made to know up front the maintenance costs. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 - 3 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 16, 2006 ITEM 5.A. Summer Brochure Copies of the Parks and Recreation summer brochure were mailed the first week of May to Apple Valley households. Decision Resources research study reported that the brochure is well known in the community. ITEM 5.B. Group Photo Committee moved outdoors for the annual group photo. The photo will be submitted to the fall Parks and Recreation brochure. ITEM 6.A. Optional Park Tour after the Meeting The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee visited Alimagnet Park at approximately 7:45 p.m. Noting the number of cars parked along the entrance street and the inaccessibility of the parking lot, staff was directed to remove the lock and open the gate to Alimagnet Park. MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by Russ DeFauw directing staff to remove the lock and open Alimagnet Park gate on a permanent basis. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 ITEM 6. Adjourn There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Tina Rankin to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 - 4 -