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Home My WebLink About11/18/2008 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 18, 2008 Minutes of the November 18, 2008 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Russ DeFauw, Committee Members Cindy Hart, Patrick Sullivan, Lee Strom, Chris Steadman; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Recreation Superintendent Scott Breuer; Valleywood Golf Course Manager Jim Zinck; Recreation Supervisor Matthew Bilek; and member of the public Loren Hegland. ABSENT: Tina Rankin ITEM #1. Committee Chair DeFauw called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Cindy Hart to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM #3. Approval of the September 2008 Meeting Minutes MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Chris Steadman to approve the September 2008 meeting minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM 4.A . Agenda Items – Recognition of Outgoing Committee Member Charlie Maus MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by Patrick Sullivan thanking Charlie Maus for his years of service to the Committee and the City of Apple Valley. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM 4.B. Agenda Items – Park Bond Referendum Projects Update Photos of the three major projects under construction were presented. Staff reports the Senior Center project is on target and on budget. Opening is scheduled for June 2009. Quarry Point Park Athletic Complex is scheduled to open the summer of 2010. Field lights have been installed and the buildings are up. The soccer fields have already been seeded and the baseball fields will be seeded in the spring. Once completed, the complex will have four soccer fields and four baseball fields. - 1 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 18, 2008 Construction is planned to be completed in 2009 and the fields will be allowed to grow in for a year prior to opening. Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center lazy river and new slides are expected to be ready to go on opening day in June 2009. Other smaller projects include installation of the Lac Lavon’s shelter, fencing and backstops repairs, and pathway overlays. Staff and Committee members report receiving positive feedback on the construction of Kelly Park’s restroom. A very complimentary letter to the editor of ThisWeek Newspaper in October thanked the City for Kelly Park. ITEM 4.C. Agenda Items – Valleywood Clubhouse The National Golf Foundation’s study conducted at Valleywood Golf Course in 2005 concluded that the existing clubhouse should be replaced due to structural, functional, competitive and ADA related issues. Staff presented a five-year business plan for consideration. The plan reflects positive revenue potential with the opening of a new clubhouse in 2010. It also takes into consideration the loss of one area competitor in 2012. Council Members, Committee Members, and Staff have conducted a tour of area golf course clubhouses seeking potential design options. River Oaks Golf Course clubhouse has been selected as an example that could work for Valleywood. The 14,000 square foot facility has 7,000 square feet at ground level and 7,000 square feet underground. It includes a pro shop, grill, banquet facility for seating up to 200, and a storage facility. Staff has consulted with CNH Architect Wayne Hilbert and Bossardt representatives to determine estimated construction costs. Basing estimates on the $220 per square foot construction costs associated with the Senior Center project, a 14,000 square foot building would cost approximately $3,080,000. Potential funding sources discussed were the City’s Future Capital Projects Fund and the selling of revenue bonds. The revenue bonds were rejected because of the cost increases that would be needed to cover the bond costs. As it is, Valleywood is a reasonably priced course that residents can play. It covers its operating expenses. Manager Zinck took the Committee through a review of the business plan. He stated the golf course business is overbuilt and competitive, but Valleywood is well positioned in this area and with its access. Residents voted to build the golf course, so the City is in it for the long haul. Staff has worked to increase revenue, but they’re limited with the current facilities. Committee Member Hart, noting the economy, stated that she’s not sure this is the time to go for a new clubhouse. Chair DeFauw said there is a good case for it, based on what has been heard from builders and developers. The City may be able to build this with less cost because of the economy. There might not be a better time to build. Manager Zinck stated that Staff’s job is to run the golf course, whatever facilities we have. His projection, without a new building, is that the course’s ability to break even will be virtually impossible. He predicted - 2 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 18, 2008 that three to four years down the road the City would have to subsidize the golf course because it would be out of contention with competitors. Committee Member Strom said that it’s a good argument, do it now when maybe there is a better deal on the construction or do it later. If it’s green space, the City would have to spend money on it to make it an open park with pathways, bathrooms, etc. for people to use as a park anyway. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by Patrick Sullivan sending Staff forward to City Council, requesting appropriation of up to $3 million from the Future Capital Projects Fund for design and construction of a new clubhouse at Valleywood Golf Course, construction to begin at the earliest point suitable when design plans and specifications are available. DISCUSSION: Items noted were the possibility of a work session with the Committee and City Council, Staff dealing with the project process, and mobilizing the support community. VOTE: Yes – 4 (DeFauw, Steadman, Strom, Sullivan), No – 1 (Hart) ITEM 4.D. Agenda Items –2009 Fee Schedules City Council will review and approve the overall City fee schedule in December. The recommended increase in fees for 2009 at Valleywood Golf Course, the Arenas, and the Pools is to help cover the increased expenses associated with operation costs, such as fertilizer, natural gas, etc. Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center suggested fees also reflect the new amenities that will be available and the staffing required to cover them. Suggestion was made to adjust the Aquatic Center non-resident vs. resident rates. It was determined that the logistics of processing non-resident vs. resident would be difficult because many people do not bring their license to the pool. Noting that the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center expansion was built on the assumption that it would pay for itself, Chair DeFauw suggested the daily admission rate be adjusted to $7.50 and the After 5pm rate be adjusted to $5.50. Even if the Aquatic Center sees a small loss in 2009, he believes the fees would be fair if we’re already asking them to pay with their tax dollars. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by Cindy Hart recommending acceptance of the proposed fee schedules for Valleywood Golf Course, Arena Ice Rates, Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center and Redwood Pool as presented, with the exception of the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center daily admission at $7.50 and the After 5pm admission at $5.50. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM 5. Other – Staff gave a verbal update of Alimagnet Park issues. A resident contacted Dakota County Soil and Water requesting a review of the park. Parks and Recreation Staff, Park Maintenance Staff, Natural Resources Staff and a Soil and Water Department representative walked the park in October. Findings show no significant impact to the park land or trees. - 3 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 18, 2008 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has contact Apple Valley Natural Resources Manager Jeff Kehrer. After discussion and seeing no infringements on the State level, the DNR views the ongoing issue as a land usage subject under City jurisdiction. Police Department has suggested the Committee recommend designating Alimagnet Park similar to all other Apple Valley parks in allowing beer. ITEM 6. Adjourn There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Russ DeFauw to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 - 4 -