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Home My WebLink About11/20/2007 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 20, 2007 Minutes of the November 20, 2007 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Russ DeFauw, Committee Members Cindy Hart, Charlie Maus, Chris Steadman, Patrick Sullivan, Lee Strom (arrived at 6:40 p.m.); Past Committee Member Loren Hegland; City Council Members Tom Goodwin and John Bergman; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Recreation Superintendent Scott Breuer; Valleywood Golf Course Acting Manager Jim Zinck. ABSENT: Tina Rankin ITEM #1. Committee Chair DeFauw called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by Patrick Sullivan to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 ITEM #3. Approval of the September 18, 2007 Meeting Minutes MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by Russ DeFauw to approve the September 18, 2007 meeting minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0, Abstain – 1 (Hart) ITEM 4.A . Welcome New Committee Member Cindy Hart Appointed by City Council October 11, 2007, Ms. Hart’s committee application was included in the agenda packet for review. Welcome extended to Cindy Hart by Committee and staff. ITEM #4.B. Past Committee Member Hegland’s Service Award A recognition plaque was presented to Mr. Hegland for his work on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee between 2001 and 2007. Committee and staff thanked him for his service to the committee and community. ITEM #4.C. Park Bond Referendum – November 6, 2007 - 1 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 20, 2007 Council Member Goodwin thanked the Committee and staff for their great work on the successful referendum, specifically noting the effort to get the information out to the public by hosting open house meetings. Next on his agenda is finding alternative options for Valleywood Golf Course’s clubhouse. Council Member Bergman extended his thanks and congratulations to the Committee and staff for the bond referendum. ‘The City has spoken and we need to complete the package from the voters. The next priority is to make sure the City has a facility at Valleywood. This should be a top goal between now and 2009.” Committee Member Strom thanked Council Member Goodwin for his leadership and fore site in bringing the Quarry Point youth athletic complex to this point. City Council’s negotiation of the property ownership many years ago from Dakota County made it possible. th Approval of bond sales totaling $6.4 million will be on the City Council November 20 agenda. Director Johnson issued thanks to everyone that helped with the referendum. Included in the meeting agenda packet is a draft timetable showing the best guestimates for the various construction projects. After the bond sales, the next step will be to negotiate contracts with architects and engineers for design plans. The bid process will start in February or March. Committee Member Hart stated that the successful bond referendum shows confidence of the community and the huge value our parks have. She congratulated the Committee on including something everyone could feel good about in the bond referendum. Chair DeFauw also issued his thanks and noted that the referendum will be an ongoing discussion item on the Committee meeting agendas as the projects develop. ITEM 4.D. 2008 Fee Schedules – Valleywood Golf Course Chair DeFauw stated that he has every intention of advocating for a clubhouse; however, there are ground rules: 1. The Decision Resources survey told us the clubhouse was toxic for the referendum vote. It was the right decision not to include it. 2. If we go to City Council (for financial assistance), we have to show cash flow value. We have to prioritize in pragmatic order showing that we can get it done. Director Johnson noted that Jim Zinck took over management of Valleywood Golf Course in May of this year. City Administration is please with the results that have been achieved in 2007. The golf course industry has been overbuilt, and the City just needs to be patient with the course as supply and demand adjust. Valleywood is a valuable golf course resource for the City, it’s 190 acres of beautiful property. Mr. Zinck reviewed Valleywood’s 2007 year-end report, included in the agenda packet. Noting that the Committee’s approval of a golf coupon in the City Newsletter/Parks and Recreation Brochure set the bar for what course management staff could do. Special rates were offered during off-peak hours. Staff feels they’ve started well and laid the groundwork for the future. - 2 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 20, 2007 The number of golf rounds has been increasing over the last couple of years; however, there are revenue ceilings at Valleywood. The course can sustain a level of cash flow rather than profitability. Operated as a cash business, large pieces of equipment don’t depreciate over time. Implementation of both hard liquor and promotions has been helpful in increasing numbers. Staff will continue to pursue additional small corporation outings. A strong focus for 2008 will be food and beverage operations. Director Johnson is consulting with the City Attorney regarding lease options and food and beverage operations. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by Lee Strom recommending City Council approval of the Valleywood Golf Course 2008 proposed rates as presented. Committee also includes an endorsement allowing Randy Johnson and Jim Zinck latitude for special promotional events as needed to fill the golf course and enhance revenue. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 4.D. 2008 Fee Schedules – Sports Arena and Hayes Park Arena MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Patrick Sullivan recommending City Council approval of the Arena 2008 proposed rates as presented. DISCUSSION: In comparison to surrounding ice rink rates, Apple Valley is in the middle. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 4.D. 2008 Fee Schedules – Family Aquatic Center and Redwood Pool Director Johnson thanked staff for a great job running the aquatics program. It’s been six years since admission prices have changed. The cost of operation continues to rise, but the revenue income has stayed approximately the same. Staff is proposing a 50¢ increase to daily admission at the Family Aquatic Center and a 25¢ increase at Redwood. Committee Member Strom questioned an increase in fees during a construction year. Staff does not anticipate too much construction impact on operations and the Family Aquatic Center has a good core of returning groups like the YMCA, etc. Chair DeFauw noted that structurally we know we can’t cover the cost at Redwood, but we make money on the overall aquatic program. He supports the admission increase for 2008. MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Patrick Sullivan recommending City Council approval of the Family Aquatic Center and Redwood Pool 2008 proposed rates as presented. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 5.A. Other – Monthly E-News Letter - 3 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 20, 2007 Recreation Superintendent Scott Breuer reviewed the new monthly one-page flyer named “AVPR Slices” highlighting Apple Valley Parks and Recreation programs. The flyer will be available on the City website, at the Apple Valley Community Center front counter, and also through email blasts. “Apple Slices” purpose will be to get the Parks and Recreation name out to the public and tell them the good things being done. ITEM 5.B. Other – Email Received Regarding the Clubhouse A copy of John and Betty Sikkink’s email dated November 15, 2007 addressed to the City Council and Director Johnson’s response were included in the agenda packet for informational purposes. There was no discussion. ITEM 6. Adjourn There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Patrick Sullivan to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 4, No – 0 - 4 -