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Home My WebLink About01/16/2007 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 16, 2007 Minutes of the January 16, 2007 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Committee Chair Russ DeFauw, Committee Members, Charlie Maus, Lee Strom, Patrick Sullivan, and Tina Rankin; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Park Maintenance Superintendent Tom Adamini; Recreation Superintendent Scott Breuer; Friends of Alimagnet Park Representatives Bill Gossman and Corinne Johnson ABSENT: Loren Hegland ITEM #1. Chair Russ DeFauw called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Tina Rankin to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM #3. Approval of the November 2006 Meeting Minutes MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Lee Strom to approve the November 2006 meeting minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0, ITEM 4.A . Friends of Alimagnet Park Bill Gossman distributed copies of his speaking points presentation (placed in the file) responding to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee’s takeaway assignment from the November 2006 meeting. Highlights include: Primary goals/objectives for 2007; criteria for metrics for Friends of Alimagnet mission success short of disc golf removal; working meetings outline. Also noted was the question, “Under what conditions would the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and Dept recognize that disc golf is not an appropriate activity in its current location?” - 1 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 16, 2007 The City of Apple Valley has a five-year Capital Improvement Plan covering the infra structure and usage plans. The long term environmental plan is based on water quality. There are guidelines for the development of parks included in the City’s Master Plan. Mr. Gossman mentioned that the City of Minnetonka, as a five year process, is revisiting each park in their chain and talking with park neighbors to develop an action plan. Ms. Rankin noted that Apple Valley city staff work in conjunction with Dakota County; i.e. bike trails and pathways, and also with surrounding cities. Mr. Gossman stated that Friends of Alimagnet are interested in working with the Committee to develop a park plan, specifically Alimagnet Park. A working committee would establish goals and address the questions: what is the tolerance limit for damage to natural elements, quantifiable tolerance limit for number of complaints, reasonable capacity limit, alternate location, and directive from City government. The group is also making contact with Public Works Director Neal Heuer, regarding the Traffic Safety Committee, and the Police Department. Corinne Johnson suggested Natural Resources Manager Jeff Kehrer also be involved. Open meeting rules require that if three or more Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee members are in attendance, a public notice must be published and the meeting open to the public. Mr. Gossman noted that disc golf was the catalyst for Friends of Alimagnet organization, but more people have come forward with other park issues. There has been some crossover from other parks, such as Farquar and Cedar Knolls. Ms. Johnson stated that at first disc golf was the issue, then it was the accumulation of damage and the number of people involved. Without disc golf the group wouldn’t have felt the need to address the park issues, such as buckthorn. Friends of Alimagnet are looking for those type of directions to conduct surveys and remove buckthorn. They’ll provide the manpower. Mr. Adamini appreciated the fact that the neighbors are involved. He reminded them that it is an 85 acre park and buckthorn removal would be a major time commitment. In his opinion, the biggest threat to the woodland isn’t disc golf, but buckthorn. Director Johnson stated other parks and recreation departments with disc golf courses that staff have talked with haven’t lost any trees to disc golf. Some courses have been in use for more than twenty years with no trees lost to damage from discs. There will be Oak Wilt and Dutch Elm disease. It isn’t feasible to wrap all trees with mesh. The City needs to continue as they have, by planting good sized trees in the park. Chair DeFauw was inclined to hold a February Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting. Discussion items: find common ground, issue matrix to disc golf group and the committee. Invitations to be issued to Bill Ashton and other disc golfers, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee members, and Friends of Alimagnet., Police representatives, and Natural Resources Manager Jeff Kehrer. - 2 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 16, 2007 MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by Tina Rankin recommending a February Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting for the purpose of discussing Alimagnet Park. DISCUSSION: Suggestion was made to treat the meeting similar to a work session; motions discussed, votes brought to the next Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting in March. All Committee members should attend and other appropriate City staff. VOTE: Yes – 5 No – 0 ITEM 4.B. 2006 Aquatic Program Review Attendance and financial reports were reviewed. Redwood Outdoor Pool capacity is 300. Discussion included charging a higher admission fees at Redwood vs. the number of participants. Suggestion was made to look at the pool and entire park area within a park bond referendum. Other options would be a splash pad and/or combination with a teaching pool. Note: Kelley Park will have a splash pad opening in the summer of 2007. Redwood Pool is limited to specific open swim hours, whereas the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center is an all day admission. Chair DeFauw noted that Redwood Pool is a public service and not charged with making revenue at this point. Staff recommended continuing in 2007 with the same fee structure as 2006. MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Charlie Maus recommending keeping the Aquatic Program fee structure and maintenance schedules as in the past. VOTE: Yes – 5 No – 0 ITEM 4.C. Golf Course Fiscal Audit 2006 marks the third year in a row of losses at Valleywood Golf Course. Staff is looking for plan support and suggestions to take to City Council. Cash flow information for 1985 through 2005 was distributed. - 3 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 16, 2007 Chair DeFauw questioned what is keeping the City from moving to the sale of wine/liquor/full fledged bar at Valleywood. In the short term, liquor sales could be a major revenue enhancer. There are no capital expenditures budgeted for 2007; however, there may be unforeseen major items that come up. Staff is looking at leasing capital equipment rather than buying to spread the cost over time. A major concern is the clubhouse condition. PGA recommends against price wars between courses. Staff is trying to get those that play, to play more often by running a quality course. Recommendation was made to place a two- for-one coupon in the City Newsletter/Parks and Recreation brochure. Staff projects that as the number of courses in the area declines, Valleywood’s rounds of play will increase. ITEM 4.D. Bond Referendum Discussion City Council is seeking Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee suggestions. Citizens should be presented with what the Committee believes will be the last major park development bond. Time is good, decisions have to be made as to size and essentials to be included. Committee consensus was that a park bond referendum should be held in 2007. Chair DeFauw directed the Committee and Staff to compile a list of components in a priority list. Staff will cost estimate them for the March Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting. Items to be included: 1.Quarry Point Athletic Complex 2.Redwood Park and Outdoor Pool 3.Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center (enhancement) 4.Neighborhood Parks (6 – 10 park projects, trails, playground equipment, tennis court upgrades) 5.Senior Center MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by Lee Strom directing Staff to prepare preliminary plans and cost estimates for Quarry Point Athletic Complex, Redwood Park and Outdoor Pool, Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center, Neighborhood Parks, and Senior Center for the March Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting, with the idea to hash out the information and send it to City Council. DISCUSSION: Include information to address 30 acre vs. 50 acre athletic complex: Plan A vs Plan B. - 4 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 16, 2007 VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM 5.A. Mid-Winter Fest February 10 & 11, 2007 Committee and members of the public invited to attend the annual Mid-Winter Fest. Most activities to be held at Apple Valley Community Center and Hayes th Park on Saturday, February 10, and at Apple Valley Community Center and Valleywood Golf Course/Park on Sunday. ITEM 6. Adjourn Final comments from Corinne Johnson regarding Alimagnet Park:  Friends of Alimagnet are planning to get the School of Environmental Studies involved to help with the buckthorn removal project, it wouldn’t be just the neighbors. They (FOA) realize it is a big project.  The County has funding in regards to chemicals involved. 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 9:05 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 - 5 -