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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/17/2009 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 17, 2009 Minutes of the March 17, 2009 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Russ DeFauw, Committee Members Cindy Hart, Tina Rankin, Darrell Retka, Patrick Sullivan, Lee Strom, and Chris Steadman; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Park Maintenance Superintendent Tom Adamini; Recreation Superintendent Scott Breuer; Police Chief Scott Johnson; Police Captain Jon Rechtzigel; ThisWeek Newspaper Staff Jessica Harper; and Parks and Recreation Department Intern Nicole Gorman. ABSENT: None ITEM #1. Committee Chair DeFauw called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda Request by Committee member Rankin to add Formal Acknowledgement of Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson’s Receipt of the MRPA Clifton E. French Award as Item 4.A.1. Request by Parks and Recreation Director Johnson to add Review of Agreement with American Legion for Baseball Field Advertising Sales as Item 4.E.2. Request by Committee member Steadman to add Acceptance of Resignation as Item 4.J. MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Russ DeFauw to approve the agenda with the additions of Item 4.A.1. Formal Acknowledgement of Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson’s Receipt of the MRPA Clifton E. French Award, Item 4.E.2. Review of Agreement with American Legion for Baseball Field Advertising Sales, and Item 4.J. Acceptance of Resignation. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM #3. Approval of the November 2008 Meeting Minutes MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Pat Sullivan to approve the November 2008 meeting minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 - 1 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 17, 2009 ITEM 4.A.1 . Agenda Items – Formal Acknowledgement of Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson’s Receipt of the MRPA Clifton E. French Award Randy Johnson has been named the winner of the 2008 Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award by the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association. It is the highest award given by the Association for professionals in the parks and recreation field. Congratulations were given to Director Johnson for this notable achievement. ITEM 4.A . Agenda Items – Welcome New Member Darrell Retka New Committee member Retka was introduced by Director Johnson as being a member of the community for more than 27 years. He is a member of the Valleywood Golf Course men’s club and works part-time in the pro shop. The Committee welcomed Darrell Retka and looks forward to his input and participation in Committee activities. Committee member Retka thanked the Committee and said he appreciates the opportunity to volunteer. ITEM 4.B. Agenda Items – Alimagnet Alcohol Policy Director Johnson gave a history of Alimagnet’s park-specific alcohol policy as it currently stands. In the 1970’s the park was a very secluded area where youth held beer keg parties. Alimagnet is unique in that it is the only park requiring a special permit for beer consumption from City Council. As time has progressed, keg parties have virtually disappeared. Park user traffic has increased within the park since the installation of the disc golf course. Residents around the park have said they feel safer because of the increased number of park users. Burnsville’s side of Alimagnet Park allows beer consumption. The Apple Valley Police Department representatives were asked if they believe that public safety will be compromised if beer is allowed in the park. They responded that they do not believe that public safety will be compromised. They also commented that vandalism to the park has all but disappeared. They stated that they believe there is a correlation between the increase use of the park and the reduction in vandalism. The Police Department did not recommend that beer be allowed in Alimagnet Park nor did they recommend that it not be allowed. They stated that is the role of the Park Advisory Committee, not the Police Department. It is the role of the Committee to advise the City Council and that it will be a policy decision on the part of the City Council. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Russ DeFauw to recommend to City Council removal of the beer restriction from Alimagnet Park, to bring the park into compliance with all other Apple Valley parks. DISCUSSION: Committee members report comments received from some of the Alimagnet Park neighbors state they were unaware of an alcohol restriction in the park. They asked that if the policy is changed, Police continue their patrol and care of the park as they have been doing during the last couple of years. The neighbors also asked the Committee to review the park, including police reports, in the Fall of 2009 or early Winter of 2010. - 2 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 17, 2009 VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Russ DeFauw to recommend to City Council removal of the 3.2 alcohol designation in the City code pertaining to parks, retain the restriction as to the type of alcohol – no distilled hard liquor, but allowing beer, wine, and wine coolers. DISCUSSION: The Police Department representatives suggested that if the ordinance is changed, eliminate the 3.2% clause in all city parks as it is about impossible to enforce. The Police Department also recommended that if the ordinance is changed that wine coolers be allowed in city parks and commented that at the time this ordinance was last amended that wine coolers probably did not exist. They recommended that distilled liquor (hard liquor) not be allowed in any city park. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Tina Rankin to recommend authorization of Parks and Recreation staff’s removal of the gate at Alimagnet. DISCUSSION: It was questioned whether the issue needed to be placed on a meeting agenda for public information? The gate is a relic of a past era. The newer park user profile is much different than 25 years ago. A park asphalt overlay is planned for 2009 and the gate would be removed to allow the project work to be completed. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 4.C. Agenda Items – Valleywood Clubhouse Update - verbal Mr. Retka stated that a new clubhouse is needed. The current building is underutilized compared with other facilities. Mr. Sullivan questioned whether a project plan can be put together to start the planning stage. Response was that it would require funding to do that. Director Johnson will bring an agenda item for Valleywood to the May Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting. With recommendation, the item could go to City Council in the fall. ITEM 4.D. Agenda Items – Redwood Bathroom Building - 3 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 17, 2009 This item was included in the 2007 Park Bond Referendum and budgeted at $200,000. The figure was based on a stick-built model with architectural fees, utility work, etc. Redwood Park has been serviced by two portable toilet units during the picnic season without reported problems. Staff asked for a recommendation from the Committee as to size of Redwood’s bathroom building to be installed this summer. A picture of a two room facility was included in the agenda packet. For comparison information - a prefab facility with two unisex stalls was used at Kelly Park. It has been questioned that the facility may be too small for the park user load. Demographic differences between Kelley Park and Redwood Park were discussed. Alimagnet Park’s two room restroom facility has adequately accommodated the picnic groups and park users. MOTION: by Cindy Hart, seconded by Lee Strom, recommending the Cortez model two- room restroom building for Redwood Park. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 4.E. Agenda Items – Cobblestone Bathroom Building This custom-made facility will be provided by the Developer as part of the already approved 50-50 matching funds from the City. It will be located on the west end of the park and may include a pavilion and information center. There are no cost estimates yet available. It was suggested that the Committee make a design recommendation prior to the Developer putting together construction plans. Staff recommended a four unit – two room facility due to anticipated park user load. Scheduled completion is mid-July to August. MOTION: by Cindy Hart, seconded by Darrell Retka, recommending a four unit-two room restroom building for Cobblestone Park. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 Review of Agreement with American Legion for Baseball Field ITEM 4.E.2. Agenda Items – Advertising Sales In November 2006, the American Legion proposed, and the Committee approved, a two-year agreement for the sale of advertising signs on the Johnny Cake Ridge Park baseball outfield fences. A copy of the Letter of Understanding between the American Legion and City of Apple Valley dated December 8, 2006 was provided for Committee Review. City Council has charged Staff to building revenue. Staff suggestion was that the Understanding between the American Legion and the City of Apple Valley not be renewed. Chair DeFauw noted that the City Parks and Recreation is in the business of maximum inclusion. The American Legion goals are not in agreement with those goals. They are not interested in promoting baseball to the most players, but to the most talented. - 4 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 17, 2009 MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Russ DeFauw, recommending against renewal of the Baseball Field Advertising Sales on Johnny Cake Agreement with American Legion for Ridge Park’s Legion Field. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 4.F. Agenda Items –Bond Project Update The Bond Referendum Status Report dated February 2009 was included in the agenda packet and reviewed by Committee. ITEM 4.G. Agenda Items –Senior Center Name The Committee was made aware there was an informal three-vote on the City Council that had decided to name the facility something other than Senior Center. The logic is that some people would not come to a building called Senior Center. Staff was directed to bring three potential names to a City Council meeting, and also instructed as to what two of those names should be. Nationally, some percentage of senior centers have changed their names. Examples include the Prior Club in Prior Lake and the Rambling River Center in Lakeville. The Apple Valley Seniors have assumed that the facility would be called Senior Center. They put a good effort into passing the bond. Committee Member Rankin said the appropriate expectation was Senior Center. Committee Member Hart noted that the Seniors feel an entitlement because they helped pass the bond that helped all of our parks. Director Johnson requested recommendation from the Committee on a facility name to be presented to City Council. Chair DeFauw suggested that apparently a majority of City Council had already decided on a name and due to the large agenda for tonight’s meeting, the Committee give no more consideration to the subject. The Committee expressed consensus with that decision. ITEM 4.H. Agenda Items - Senior Center Fee Structure A proposed fee structure was included in the agenda packet and reviewed by the Committee. Committee Member Rankin noted that the staff has been successfully handling the facility fees and the Committee does not need to micromanage this area. Chair DeFauw noted, as a brand new building, it’s breaking ground operationally. Staff will need to get comfortable with it and workout the relationship with the seniors. He believes that it’s reasonable to think that after the facility opens, the senior group will grow. He also firmly believes this is a facility of the citizens of Apple Valley. Director Johnson stated that is will be a facility coordination effort by staff. - 5 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 17, 2009 MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Cindy Hart recommending approval of the fee schedule as presented. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Russ DeFauw recommending Staff be directed to solicit bids for caterers and liquor providers for the senior center, and develop a pre-approved list of potential providers. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 4.I. Agenda Items – Informational Meeting for Construction of Whitney Pond The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee received a presentation on the Whitney Pond proposal last fall by Natural Resources Coordinator Jeff Kehrer. There will be a public information meeting Tuesday, April 7, 2009 in the Council Chambers. Tom Adamini will be attending as the Parks and Recreation Department representative. ITEM 4.J. Agenda Items – Acceptance of Resignation Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Youth Representative Chris Steadman issued his letter of resignation. The Committee thanked Mr. Steadman for his participation on the Committee during the last two years. They noted that he has done a nice job of representing the students of Apple Valley. MOTION: by Darrell Retka, seconded by Russ DeFauw, to accept Chris Steadman’s resignation from the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 5. Other – There were no additional items. 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 8:35 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 - 6 -