HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/15/2008
CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
January 15, 2008
Minutes of the January 15, 2008 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Russ DeFauw, Committee Members
Cindy Hart, Charlie Maus, Tina Rankin; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson;
Park Maintenance Superintendent Tom Adamini; Valleywood Golf Course Manager Jim
Zinck; Community Development Director Bruce Nordquist; City Planner Kathy Bodmer;
Hartford Development Representatives Patrick Sarver and General Council Frank James;
Member of the Public Laura Sullivan.
ABSENT: Chris Steadman, Lee Strom
ITEM #1.
Committee Chair DeFauw called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
ITEM #2.
Approval of Agenda
MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Charlie Maus to approve the agenda as
presented.
VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0
ITEM #3.
Approval of the November 2007 Meeting Minutes
MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by Patrick Sullivan to approve the November
20, 2007 meeting minutes with correction to the attendance list, noting
Tina Rankin as absent.
VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0
ITEM 4.A
. Kelley Park Potential Expansion
Committee recommendation of five years ago was for a minimum of five acres, but a compromise
was made for 3.2 acres. Kelley Park is a very popular amenity of the city. The developer is now
offering an opportunity for an additional 1.3 acres to the north. If the Committee is supportive of
the concept, funding sources would need to be identified.
Mr. James stated they want to take the Hartford Group’s MasterPlan Site Layout dated April 21,
2004 and modify it to adjust to move forward with their plan for this site. Residential housing is
a tough market right now and Hartford would like to shift to a more residential rental first, with
the potential to move to ownership property later.
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CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
January 15, 2008
Zone 11 of the Site Layout is currently labeled for two 20 unit townhome units. Hartford Group
wants to shift these uses and change the MasterPlan Site Layout to develop projects that are
livable in the current market and in the spirit of intent.
Committee Member Rankin noted that the original park is 2.9 acres plus the fresco terrace area.
The number of residential units would be significantly increased.
Mr. James answered that they would be adding 130 to 160 units. Hartford Group has
approximately a four to six month window to get this done. Regarding cost for the 1.3 acres,
Hartford has a master loan for the property. The land cost to the City would be approximately
50% to 70% of the appraised value, translating into more than $1 million.
Chair DeFauw noted that Hartford Group has changed the mix to facilitate/develop the project in
a shorter amount of time. He doesn’t think it’s a winner, the seven figures for 1.3 acres won’t
pass the Committee.
Park Dedication requirements for Legacy North is the equivalent of ten acres. The balance after
the 3.2 acres equals $.9 million (just under seven acres). Mr. James noted they are asking
significantly in excess of the current park dedication costs and understands that is a hurdle.
Chair DeFauw noted that the same dollars that could be used for this project, would be the dollars
the Committee would ask City Council to build a new clubhouse at Valleywood.
Director Johnson stated this is an opportunity to obtain land for a park. We’ve never seen a park
so popular. The issue is, is this acceptable in concept to have additional land.
Committee Member Maus questioned where in the new plan is there parking to accommodate the
additional people.
Committee Member Sullivan noted that if Hartford Group adds additional buildings, the park
becomes a “central park” and no longer a “city park.”
Committee Member Hart stated that if the amenities in Kelley Park are so popular, maybe we
need to put them in other parks. Park Maintenance Superintendent Adamini responded that part
of the issue is how we built the park. The City was fortunate to receive a $4.25 million grant
from Metropolitan Council to construct Kelley Park amenities. Community Development
Director Nordquist stated that one of the reasons it was funded was that the park was noted as an
“urban park.”
Community Development Director Nordquist will take tonight’s meeting notes to the Planning
th
Commission and then on to the January 24 study session with City Council.
Committee Member Rankin stated that the Committee would always love more park land, but the
significant fear is even if additional parking is put in, it would go to the apartments. It has to
“appear” to be a public park. It’s a community park, not a neighborhood park.
Community Development Director Nordquist stated that creating space by removing the
townhomes will take away the ownership of the park. They’ll be moving the buildings away
from the park.
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CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
January 15, 2008
ITEM #4.B.
2030 Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement
Community Development Director Nordquist requested Committee feedback of the City of Apple Valley
proposed updated Comprehensive Plan. The Plan was presented to City Council at their January 10, 2008
work session. After receiving comments, Community Development Director Nordquist will take it back
to City Council and then it will go public.
Committee comments included, “As an entirety, feel that it’s very well done and see nothing to change.”
and “It captures the spirit of intent.” A comment on the open space was they’d like to see a component of
reforestation.
ITEM #4.C.
Park Bond Update
Director Johnson updated the Committee on projects information as presented in the agenda packet. As
plans are drawn up, they’ll be presented to the Committee.
ITEM 4.D.
Golf Course End-of-Season Report
Congratulations to Jim Zinck on becoming Valleywood’s Manager. In 2007, under his management, the
golf course was brought back financially into the black after four years.
Manager Zinck thanked the Committee for their support. The golf course had a good year and staff is
encouraged by how the season went. Staff estimates about a $15,000 profit after the December numbers
and they’re hoping to carry the 2007 momentum into 2008. They will continue to build on the things
they’ve been doing.
Manager Zinck is investigating ways to increase the marginal profit of liquor sales opportunities and the
number of rounds of golf, noting that there is only so much revenue that can be made on food and
beverage at the current operation. As directed by City Council, staff is looking into private vendors for
the food and beverage services.
ITEM 5.
Mid-Winter Fest February 9 & 10, 2008
The annual event is scheduled for Saturday, February 9 and Sunday, February 10 with the return of many
events popular in the past and a few new ones. A complete list will be available at Apple Valley
Community Center, City Hall and on the City’s web site.
ITEM 6.
Adjourn
There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was
adjourned.
MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by Tina Rankin to adjourn the meeting at
8:00 p.m.
VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0
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