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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/06/2010 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 6, 2010 Minutes of the May 6, 2010 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Russ DeFauw, Committee Members Cindy Hart, Matthew Mittelsteadt, Tina Rankin, Darrell Retka, Lee Strom and Patrick Sullivan; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Recreation Superintendent Scott Breuer; Department Assistant Dorene Perkins Monn; City Planner Kathy Bodmer; and Dan Cornejo of Cornejo Constulting. ABSENT: None ITEM #1. Committee Chair DeFauw called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by to approve the agenda with Lee Strom, the addition of Item 6.C. Committee Member Rankin’s Statement. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM #3. Audience – 10 Minutes Total Time Limit – For Items Not on the Agenda No one present to speak. ITEM 4. Approval of the Minutes for March 2010. MOTION: by , seconded by Lee Strom, to approve the March 2010 Tina Rankin meeting minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 5.A. Agenda Items – Appointment of Committee Officers This is a housekeeping item required by City policy. The Committee is to elect a chairperson and a secretary. The duties of each position were reviewed, ballots were distributed and votes tallied. Russ DeFauw was elected as Chair and Lee Strom was elected as Secretary. - 1 of 9 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 6, 2010 ITEM 5.B. Agenda Items –Park Bond Update Director Johnson reviewed the 2007 Park Referendum brochure as a recap on where we are and what we need to do to fulfill our duty to the citizens of Apple Valley. The three major projects are complete, on time, and on budget. The Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center expansion opened in 2009 and has been well received by the public. The Senior Center was renamed Hayes Community and Senior Center. Located at Hayes Park, it has been in use for eleven months. The main user group is the Apple Valley Seniors. We’ve also been successful in bringing in other groups; i.e., special events expo last week, weddings, etc. thst Quarry Point Park at 160 Street and Pilot Knob Road opens June 1. First tournament for soccer is scheduled June 4 and 5. The only part of the project not yet completed is the playground equipment. The fourth leg of the bond was the park system improvements. Noted were playgrounds at Apple Ponds, Alimagnet, Faith, Galaxie, Hayes and Wallace parks. Apple Ponds playground was completed in 2009. The others were scheduled for 2010. We are also doing infrastructure repair at Redwood Pool. The two to three week project will start next week and includes sandblasting, recoating of the pool, and some mechanical work to extend the life of the pool by possibly seven to ten years. We have also completed overlays, tennis court repairs, soil corrections, reforestation, replaced retaining walls, and work on fence projects. Director Johnson will give the same bond update presentation to City Council May 13, 2010 with emphasis on playground equipment. Staff is proposing that the existing playground equipment at Alimagnet, Faith, Galaxie and Wallace parks be refurbished and additional equipment added. Rather than tear out the existing equipment that appears to have another five to ten years, the equipment would be supplemented. Staff has proposed playground equipment to complete Quarry Point Park and a sun shade structure for the safety of the users. Committee member Retka asked clarification of the proposal for the four parks receiving additional equipment. Mr. Johnson responded that the existing equipment will remain, be refurbished, and additional equipment added adjacent to it. The current equipment may not need to be replaced/removed for maybe ten years. At that time, when the old equipment reaches the end of its life, it could be removed. The new equipment would be ten years old but will be able to interplay with what will be replaced. - 2 of 9 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 6, 2010 Chair DeFauw questioned the metal swing set replacements. Director Johnson replied that the old fashioned swing sets are beloved parts of the playgrounds and will remain in the parks. Committee member Strom noted that Hayes was listed in the original park bond brochure and asked what was the decision on this. Director Johnson responded that staff planned to wait until the end of the bond projects to make sure there is enough money left. The Hayes equipment is specialized for the two to five year old toddlers. The equipment is located next to Apple Valley Community Center and about fifty yards away is the six to twelve year old level Westview Elementary School equipment. Staff wants to be fiscally responsible before deciding to remove (and replace) the Hayes equipment. The Park Bond Construction Fund Summary as of March 2010 shows expenditures to date of $12,199,658  pending bills of $331,835  existing commitments of $1,542,368  proposed expenditures for 2010 of $640,000  proposed playground equipment of $245,000  non-designated amount of $657,368.  In theory, after the projects list is completed, staff would return to the Committee with a list of suggested items for the undesignated amount. Or, if City Council decides, the City doesn’t have to issue bonds for that amount. Director Johnson noted good news is that he is proud of the staff and Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee that helped accomplish this goal. The projects have been managed carefully and come in under budget. Chair DeFauw commented that we’ve had a combination of good fortune and good management. Most of the major projects came in ahead of schedule or at worst on schedule, under budget or at worst on budget, and we have a vastly improved park system for a good value proposition. He added “well done” to the Director and his staff. Committee member Retka suggested getting the local newspapers to do announcements about the opening of Quarry Point Park. Committee member Strom noted that Quarry Point Park has been a long time coming. He believes it has met everyone’s expectations and exceeded them. Committee member Rankin noted that since there has not yet been approval from City st Council on the playground equipment, it will not be in by June 1. Director Johnson answered in the affirmative. Assuming approval is received next Thursday night, the vendor has been notified to be ready to go. It’s about a six to eight week lead time for them to order the equipment, get it shipped, and get it installed. Staff estimates it will be sometime in August or September before we could be using it. - 3 of 9 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 6, 2010 Committee member Hart questioned, this is something we promised with the bond, listed it, advertised it as part of our bond right? Director Johnson answered affirmatively. Committee member Hart stated, in her opinion, that if it was promised then that’s what should happen. ITEM 5.C. Agenda Items –Participation Opportunity on the Trail and Sidewalk Study Task Force Kathy Bodmer of the Apple Valley Community Development and Planning Department presented the Committee members with an opportunity, as part of a task force, to help with the City’s Trail and Sidewalk Study. Dakota County Public Health Department received funding from the State Health Improvement Program and has allocated Apple Valley a $25,000 grant to hire a consultant to prepare the Trail and Sidewalk Plan for the city. The study is to determine what barriers there are that keep people from biking and walking, and to address those issues. Ms. Bodmer outlined the amenities already in place, the challenges and opportunities. The study is intended to position the City to compete for trail/sidewalk construction funding, meet goals of the Comprehensive Plan, and analyze trail and sidewalk circulation/connectivity in the downtown. It will create a prioritized list of missing trail and sidewalk segments. It will also assist in establishing policies related to active living, installation of missing trail segments, and overall community health. Dan Cornejo of Cornejo Consulting spoke as representative of the three consulting firms that have been hired to do the study; Cornejo Consulting, LHB, Inc., and HR Green. Mr. Cornejo noted that the study is an outgrowth of the Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of the work is to make the non-car option (of transportation) more attractive. It’s also about making connections between parks and land use. He outlined the schedule for task force meetings during the next couple of months. Key deliverables will be looking at gaps in the system, cross sections of streets, and ways to improve signage and sidewalk amenities. Issues noted were gaps, existing conditions, and where sidewalk is needed but conditions challenge. The consulting team is looking for a task force to prioritize the list of issues. They see the task force as consisting of two members from each of the City’s advisory committees; Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee. It would also include members from key businesses and user groups. Chair DeFauw noted a fundamental issue is that suburbia exists because of automobiles and how do we work around this automobile infrastructure to further expand and incorporate other forms of transportation. Committee member Strom questioned (1) whether the task force is looking outside Apple Valley for continuation of the system, and (2) is the County looking at anything different with Lebanon Hills Regional Park and its limited trails? Ms. Bodmer noted, yes, there is a regional trail that run from Farmington to the Minnesota Zoo and another that runs from Rosemount to Burnsville. - 4 of 9 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 6, 2010 Mr. Cornejo noted that part of what the consultants bring to the study is “best practices elsewhere.” He mentioned his attendance at an 8/80 Cities Conference that proposed if you can make a city work for an eight year old and an eighty year old, you’ve got something. Committee member Strom questioned whether the task force will include the budget that will be necessary to keep the sidewalks available. From a long range standpoint, he assumes budget is part of the project. Ms. Bodmer noted that it is easy to find funding for construction, but it is the ongoing maintenance that’s really the key. Russ DeFauw and Cindy Hart volunteered to participate on the task force as representatives of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. ITEM 5.D. Agenda Items – Consider Changing the Name of Legacy Park to Kelley Park Director Johnson stated that it has been suggested, as a result of discussion held with Staff and member of the City Council and Chamber of Commerce, that the Committee consider removing the Legacy Park name from the Apple Valley park system and re-naming the property Kelley Park to help the public more clearly identify the area. He noted that the Legacy Park name was requested by Hartford, the original developer of the area. They are no longer in business or involved with the development area. The entire area was intended to be Legacy Park, but got fragmented when City Council named the northern part Kelley Park in honor of deceased Community Development Director Rick Kelley. Committee member Retka questioned the consideration of a park that has a street through it. Director Johnson noted that the City has the same situation in other parks; example, Redwood Park is split by County Road 42. Committee member Rankin noted that most of the walkers access Kelley Park via the pathway of Legacy Park. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Darrell Retka, recommending to City Council that the name Legacy Park be removed from all records and maps, and be changed to Kelley Park. DISCUSSION: Committee member Retka said it makes sense. If Hartford is no longer involved, he doesn’t see any sense in loyalty there or maintaining the name. Kelley Park has obtained such a good reputation as a popular park, making it bigger is a good thing. Committee member Strom pointed out the statement that Legacy Park is basically a sidewalk at this point now that Kelley is what it is. - 5 of 9 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 6, 2010 Chair DeFauw stated that if we are going to rename a park, we have an unfulfilled need that is Robert Erickson Park. The City has a deceased City Councilman, Bob Erickson, who was a real founder of Apple Valley. Chair DeFauw stated that he is going to vote for this change because in researching, it is his understanding, that the Council is looking at a couple of other ideas with Staff for developing a piece of property. But as far as a park name is concerned, Chair DeFauw thinks Robert Erickson Park has to continue to be a high priority and if we weren’t looking at one or two other options as actively, his vote on this might be different. He might be proposing that we recommend Robert Erickson Park. Having said that, as long as we make some progress for Councilman Erickson, this seems to make sense to him. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 5.E. Agenda Items – Verbal Update - Kelley Park Staff has been informed by the City Attorney’s office that the bank that owns the property (on either side of Kelley Park) is still considering working out some kind of a deal to sell the property, but the wheels are turning slowly. Staff doesn’t anticipate anything happening soon. Committee member Strom asked about the status of the stage and shade cover. Director Johnson reported that Staff is working with the Mayor and a couple of local businesses to donate them. The concrete for the stage will be donated by Apple Valley Red-E Mix. Hopefully, the stage will be in place for the summer concert series that starts in June. ITEM 5.E. Agenda Items – Verbal Update – WiFi Towers The proposed towers were discussed at the May 5, 2010 Planning Commission meeting. The City received a number of email messages, particularly from people that live around Wildwood Park area, who are concerned about the 145 ft. tower proposed to be placed in Wildwood Park. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee talked about the project at a previous meeting. At that time, it was recommended that the Committee allow this to go through the procedure, the public hearings, and get the comments. Ultimately, it will be the City Council that makes the decision if the City is going to lease park property to the WiFi Towers in three of the city parks. - 6 of 9 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 6, 2010 Last night the Planning Commission held the first of two public hearings regarding the towers. They had a full house in the council chambers. Report from Community Development Director Bruce Nordquist indicates there were about 110 people in attendance. All those that spoke were in opposition of the towers. Eight speakers were from Wildwood Park area, two from Galaxie Park area, no one spoke from the Hayes Park area. There was some dramatic language and people that spoke with a lot of passion. It’s important to remember we have this type of situation located, not just in Apple Valley, but all over the metro area. In Apple Valley a lot of these are already located on water towers or other designated poles; example; a pole located at the Central Maintenance Facility that hosts cell phone and Wi-Fi equipment already. th The Planning Commission will continue the public hearing Wednesday, May 19. They will then make their recommendation to the City Council. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee was invited to attend the public hearing or contact members of the City Council or Planning Commission to let them know how they feel about the issue. Committee member Retka noted the economic impact of having another competitor in the market place. He believes it makes good financial sense to consider it. He also stated that he lives in the vicinity of the Hagemeister tower and it has been no issue for the neighborhood. Committee member Strom stated that it’s competition, but it’s different than what we have today, in that they are wired. You can have wireless within your home, but this is one that that will be wireless away from the home also. He noted that a lot of cities have spent millions of dollars putting in wireless. This is a private company doing it and the City of Apple Valley doesn’t have to spend taxpayer money doing it. Committee member Hart noted that this is just an information piece and the Committee doesn’t have any voting power on the subject. Director Johnson responded that only the City Council has authority on the subject. The Committee previously reviewed the report and recommended that the process move forward. Chair DeFauw mentioned that it is in the Park Master Plan. It is an approved use. Part of the Committee’s mission is to augment city infrastructure where it makes sense. The City has ponds on park land, water towers, cell phone towers, well houses, etc. Committee member Rankin mentioned the rent to be received. Director Johnson noted the Galaxie tower is to be a light pole and he hopes to convince the company to co-located the pole at Hayes Park with the 60 ft hockey rink light pole, similar to Hagemeister’s hockey rink lights. Committee member Retka noted the very tall tower at Wildwood Park seems to be an excessive length, but considering where they are placing it, it has to be that high to be affective. He asked if the company considered moving it to Apple Valley High School. From his meeting with the company, Director Johnson’s understanding is that they have looked at - 7 of 9 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 6, 2010 all of the possible locations and contacted the property owners. The towers need a line-of-site and that’s why they need to be so high. He believes the company did approach the high school and was not successful in adding there, so the next spot was Wildwood Park. Committee member Mittelsteadt agrees that the high school would be a great spot with all the posts there already. Director Johnson stated that it will be a complicated and complex decision for the City Council to ultimately make because it is filled with passion and there are two sides to the coin; advancing civilization to the next step internet connections, and the tax implications because of the rent that will be generated to reduce taxes. ITEM 6.A. Other – Next Meeting Date – September 2, 2010 Next Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. ITEM 6.B. Other – Committee Recognitions Articles were included in the agenda packet regarding two Committee members. The Small Business section of the April 5, 2010 Star Tribune pictured Russ DeFauw with an article about his paper company titled Paper company rolls out reinvention. Matthew Mittelsteadt was recognized by the Minnesota State High School League with an Excel Award for leadership and community service. ITEM 6. Other Director Johnson presented the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation summer brochure/City newsletter scheduled to be delivered to homes within the next few days. ITEM 6.C. Other – Committee Member Rankin’s Statement Committee member Rankin presented her resignation from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee effective immediately. She is moving to Milwaukee, WI. She has been a member of the Committee for more than 25 years. She noted that the reason she has been with the Committee so long is because of the positive attitude of staff. Her initial reason for getting involved on the Committee was a result of her interest in playground equipment at the school district and safety of the kids. - 8 of 9 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 6, 2010 Committee member Strom told Ms. Rankin, “Thank you for your service all those years. You have made a difference, and it’s good to have had you on the Committee as Apple Valley grew.” Chair DeFauw told her, “You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Speaking for the citizens of Apple Valley, they’re proud of you. Thank you.” Director Johnson stated from the Staff, “We’ve always appreciated your support and your smile.” ITEM 7. Adjourn There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Pat Sullivan, to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 6, No – 0 - 9 of 9 -