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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/2007 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 15, 2007 Minutes of the May 15, 2007 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Committee Chair Russ DeFauw, Committee Members, Loren Hegland, Charlie Maus, Tina Rankin, Lee Strom, and Patrick Sullivan, Parks and (arrived at 6:45pm) Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Park Maintenance Superintendent Tom Adamini; Recreation Superintendent Scott Breuer; Acting Valleywood Golf Course Manager Jim Zinck; Community Development Director Bruce Nordquist; Dakota County Planner Curt Chatfield; Resident Corinne Johnson. ABSENT: Chris Steadman (Meeting tape recorded for personal purposes by Corinne Johnson.) ITEM #1. Chair Russ DeFauw called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Charlie Maus to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM #3. Approval of the March 2007 Meeting Minutes Request by Committee member Hegland to change page 5, paragraph 2 “parking lot” to “maintenance area.” MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Tina Rankin to approve the March 2007 meeting minutes with the change as requested. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0, ITEM 4.A . Introduction of Valleywood Manger Director Johnson introduced Jim Zinck as the Acting Manger of Valleywood Golf Course. Mr. Zinck was thanked for stepping in and doing a good job under pressure at this time of year. - 1 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 15, 2007 Mr. Zinck discussed some of the upcoming events being hosted at Valleywood, current promotions, and the changing liquor policy. He also noted that one of his goals is to connect with existing customers the course already has. th Staff will be taking the expanded liquor sales policy to City Council May 24. Once approved, necessary conversions, training, and other logistics will be completed. Staff anticipates the change could be in effect by July. On behalf of the Committee, Chair DeFauw stated, “Congratulations and we’re looking forward to working with Mr. Zinck.” ITEM 4.B . Dakota County Planning Department Long-Range Trail Plans Introduction of the City of Apple Valley’s Community Development Director Bruce Nordquist. Director Nordquist and his staff will be heading up the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update. The Plan is to be submitted to the Metropolitan Council by June 2008. Curt Chatfield of Dakota County Planning Department delivered an overview of the Dakota County Park System planning process. He outlined three concepts: Basic – County has county park model used for the last thirty years. Regional o parks that have less appeal for busy people. Greenway – Use partnership and cooperation to create a system of parks o connected by trails. Preservation – Protect open spaces, corridors along the rivers. The County would o spend money and efforts to protect what’s left of the open spaces. A map of a hybrid version of the three concepts was presented for consideration. Mr. Chatfield will be recommending the hybrid version to the County Board at a meeting the end of May, 2007. The new trail greenway in Apple Valley could be a challenge to develop. However, there is an opportunity to get Regional Money from the Met Council toward the project. Apple Valley has great parks, but not the big open greenways that other areas of the county enjoy. The Park Plan is designed to get people to enjoy the natural resources. The Greenway Concept is popular, but also controversial. The County would need to acquire property and easements. One of the options is to use the existing pathways and trails connecting the open spaces. Dakota County will draft a Plan this fall and hold a formal comment review period. Director Nordquist noted that the Ring-Route is a treed green corridor, but the east/west route is missing. He hopes the downtown core could have some of the attention; Founders Circle infrastructure is already in place. The Committee agreed that they’d like to participate. They find the plan to be interesting and a workable concept. - 2 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 15, 2007 Chair DeFauw sees this as a legitimate use of the park dedication system. Committee Member Strom would like to see Apple Valley use dollars to enhance the County/Region Plan. Mr. Chatfield suggested that if the City uses park dedication as the developments occur to help secure the necessary linkage, the County can reimburse the City. Mr. Chatfield accepted the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee comments and general support of interest. ITEM 4.C . Pond Excavation Projects Presented as information only, the Committee was informed of the upcoming work to be done on two city storm water ponds – Sunset Pond and Long Lake. The City’s Public Works Department will be clearing sediment from the ponds to bring them back to capacity. Letters will be sent to neighboring residents notifying them of the project. th ITEM 4.D . Joint City Council/Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting May 24 The two-hour workshop meeting will be held prior to the regular 8:00 p.m. City Council meeting. Conceptual information will be presented for potential park improvement items to be included in a bond referendum. If City Council gives the “go ahead,” staff will request funds from the Park Dedication account to cover costs of architectural and engineering fees, etc. for plan designs and cost figures. Public meetings will be held to receive residents’ comments. Traditions Development has agreed to partner with the City to finish off the park at Cobblestone. ITEM 5.A. Group Photo A group photo was taken of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee members. ITEM 5.B. Shirt Distribution The 2007 polo shirts were distributed to Committee members. 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 7:50 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 - 3 -