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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/26/2007 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE June 26, 2007 Minutes of the June 26, 2007 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Committee Chair Russ DeFauw, Committee Members, Loren Hegland, Charlie Maus, Lee Strom, Patrick Sullivan, Tina Rankin, and Chris Steadman; City Council Members John Bergman; City Administrator Tom Lawell; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Park Maintenance Superintendent Tom Adamini; Arena Manager Gary Pietig; Recreation Superintendent Scott Breuer; Valleywood Golf Course Acting Manger Jim Zinck; Recreation Supervisor Susan Muelken; approximately 35 members of the public. ABSENT: None ITEM #1. Chair Russ DeFauw called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Charlie Maus to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM #3.A. Potential Park System Improvements Bond Referendum Discussion Chair DeFauw gave a brief welcome and introduction. He noted that the Committee has been working with City Council on this project for almost two years. It’s been ten years since the last bond referendum. During the past several years, staff has received and tracked comments, requests, etc. from the public. Parks and Recreation Director Johnson gave an overview of list of potential projects compiled as a result of the unmet needs in the community. Public Comments: Scott Selby - State Director for Soccer and coaches five athletic teams. Apple Valley has an abundance of kids and coaches. What we don’t have is a centralized athletic complex. A lot more people than just the players would appreciate an athletic complex. It could remove play from some of the neighborhood parks and also host district tournaments. - 1 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE June 26, 2007 Brian Hepp – Three years experience with Valley Athletic Association, two on the Board and currently Vice-President. Involved with taking youth sports registrations. An estimated 2500 different families participate in the different youth sports. There are multiple family members in multiple sports. Mr. Hepp fully supports a bond referendum. He reiterated the use of neighborhood fields. Parking has been an issue, as well as traffic in and out of the neighborhoods. Paul Anderson – Presented a Powerpoint program in making his plea for additional funding for Apple Valley East Park. Previously understood that Apple Valley East was to be built up with Cobblestone Park as it developed. Tom Chrisfield – Valley Athletic Association member. Supports the referendum and encourages the Committee and Council to place a vote on the ballot at their earliest convenience. Mr. Chrisfield read excerpts from scholarship applications showing the positive aspects of sports participation. He stated that new athletic fields are critical in continuing to provide these experiences. Carol Geiger – Apple Valley Seniors is a very active group. They have fun and do a lot for the community, such as school volunteers, nursing home quilts, etc. They’re preparing for the sunami of seniors coming in the near future and would like to have the facilities to accommodate them. She encourages the Committee and Council to place a referendum on the ballot. Marv Iverson – Apple Valley Seniors are looking forward to this. The group has been growing and is currently at 600 members already. They’d like a place to gather where everyone could be welcome. Lisa Hiebert - Commends Apple Valley for making an investment in the future. Generally supportive of the bond referendum, but questioned the expansion of the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center as paying for itself. She recommended that money be used for park improvements and public meeting space. Marian Brown - Would like a place for all types of recreation, such as arts, history and music, not just recreation. Jim Doring - Recommended hiring a professional to design a disc golf course. Corinne Johnson - Alimagnet Park’s disc golf has been very successful. Thinks it would be great if it had another location. She’s very supportive of a bond referendum if disc golf is included. John Ludwig – Loves the senior center. It provides athletic classes, bingo, quilting, and is home to the Velvet Tones music group. Definitely in favor of a referendum. General questions and comments were accepted from the audience: - 2 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE June 26, 2007  Clarification of soft costs.  By statute, City Council would be asking taxpayers permission to enter into indebtedness on their behalf.  City Council funds operating costs out of the capital fund.  Number of new employees required- possibly, two additional full time maintenance, senior center coordinator would move from part-time to full time, additional seasonal such as lifeguards.  Would irrigation be included with new park constructions? Only on primary athletic parks.  What still needs to be done at Cobblestone? The park cost is approximately a 50% split between the developer and the City of Apple Valley. A majority of the flower beds are maintained by Cobblestone’s homeowners’ association. Chair DeFauw assured the audience that if their neighborhood park is on the list, there will be upgrades. Final costs are not formulated but the list of items, such as playground equipment, etc. are established. Committee Comments: Committee Member Rankin – Decision Resources survey included a question on the expansion of the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center. The facility turns people away on hot days because of capacity guidelines. An outdoor pool is a lot less costly than an indoor facility. Yes, we do cooperate with the school district to get the most miles on facilities. Chair DeFauw – The Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center helps cover the costs of Redwood outdoor pool’s operations. The next step is to take the information to City Council at their July 12, 2007 meeting. If th they choose to proceed, a bond referendum vote will be placed on the November 6, 2007 ballot. Council Member Bergman asked if Council elects to move forward, would there be public th meetings after the July 12 Council meeting? Chair DeFawu responded that he would defer to City Council for direction, but there may be meetings in the Fall. 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 7:40 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 - 3 -