The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03/01/2012 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 1, 2012 Minutes of the March 1, 2012 Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. PRESENT: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Russ DeFauw; Committee Members, Cindy Hart, Darrell Retka, Brenton Schulz, Lee Strom, Patrick Sullivan, and Katherine Wright; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Valleywood Manager Jim Zinck; Recreation Superintendent Scott Breuer; Park Maintenance Superintendent Tom Adamini; Arena Manager Gary Pietig; Department Assistant Dorene Perkins Monn. ABSENT: None ITEM 1. Committee Chair Russ DeFauw called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ITEM 2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: by Darrell Retka, seconded by Patrick Sullivan to approve the agenda as presented. 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 January 2012. MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Brent Schulz to approve the January 5, 2012 meeting minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 5.A.1. Agenda Items – Election of Committee Officers for 2012-2013 By majority vote of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, Lee Strom was elected Chair and Darrell Retka was elected Secretary. ITEM 5.B. Agenda Items – Sports Arena and Hayes Park Arena 2012 Fee Proposal - 1 of 5 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 1, 2012 Arena Manager Gary Pietig presented staff’s proposal of a $10/hour increase to prime time arena ice rental fees and no increase to the non-prime time rental hours. Management’s goal is to meet the operating expenses of the arenas. Prime time rental hours are 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and non- prime time hours are 9:45 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Arena Manager Pietig noted a majority of the prime time hours are scheduled. By increasing the rental fees $10/hour he estimates an additional $30,000 to $35,000 will be generated in revenue. The main rental groups are Eastview and Apple Valley hockey associations. Chair DeFauw complimented Arena Manager Pietig on his continued efforts to maximize revenue, cover operating expenses, and minimize operational costs to the general tax payer. MOTION: by Lee Strom, seconded by Patrick Sullivan recommending City Council approval of the 2012-2013 Sports Arena and Hayes Park Arena Fee Schedule as presented. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 5.C. Agenda Items – Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center and Redwood Pool Year-End Report and 2012 Fee Proposal Recreation Superintendent Scott Breuer presented the 2011 aquatics season summary report for the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center and Redwood Pool. The aquatic season total net loss in 2011 was $951 vs. a net gain of $33,425 in 2010. Recreation Superintendent Breuer attributed the revenue difference to the early season weather. A major part replacement in the wading pool and other repairs in the main pool caused an increase in expenses at Redwood; $83,893 in 2011 vs. $75,085 in 2010. The revenue increase was attributed to almost 100 additional swimming lesson participants in 2011. Lazy river walking and lap swimming at the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center will continue to be offered in 2012. Youth birthday party packages are also being developed. Staff recommended no change in the aquatic fees for the 2012 season. A survey of competitors shows many are remaining at 2011 rates also. Chair DeFauw commented Redwood is kept open as a matter of public policy to serve that part of the community and to facilitate swimming lessons. It cannot possibly break even. The goal is to break even or make a little money on the total aquatics operation. MOTION: by Darrell Retka, seconded by Katherine Wright recommending City Council approval of the 2012 Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center and Fee Schedule as presented. Redwood Pool - 2 of 5 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 1, 2012 VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 5.D. Agenda Items – Valleywood Update (verbal) Valleywood Golf Course Manager Jim Zinck presented photos showing construction progress of the new clubhouse. He reported the project is on schedule and he anticipates opening the building in the fall. Staff is planning customer routing around the construction zone and preparing for the upcoming golf season. Golf Course Manager Zinck presented a report with key points within Valleywood’s business units; rounds of golf, overall revenue, food and beverage revenue, liquor, season passes, driving range, and pro shop. In 2011 the golf course generated a positive cash flow of approximately $38,000 and recorded approximately 31,000 rounds of golf. Staff believes the optimum number of golf rounds would be 36,000. Staff believes the food and beverage operations are very important and will continue to be so in the new facility. It’s an area where most of the additional revenue and outing opportunities will be. The patron policy was modified in 2011 to include resident patron cards. 200 were sold. Staff was encouraged with the 2011 season and are optimistic for 2012. They reported receiving a lot of positive comments regarding the new clubhouse. Compliments from the committee. Chair DeFauw noted 2011 was the fifth year in a row Valleywood has generated an operating revenue surplus. No tax payer dollars are used; golfers and facility users cover the operating costs. Because of the difficulty getting complete financial reporting numbers by early January, the plan going forward will be for staff to provide proposed season fees for approval in January and then come back to the Committee in March with a comprehensive financial report. ITEM 5.E. Agenda Items – Park Bond Update Director Johnson noted the 2007 park bond provided funding for several major projects; Quarry Point Athletic Complex, lazy river added to the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center, Hayes Community and Senior Center, plus many improvements throughout the park system. Through good bids, management, and luck money remains for additional projects. - 3 of 5 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 1, 2012 $315,000 for the completion of Cobblestone Park remains as an outstanding commitment. Working with the City attorney’s office and Traditions Development, staff has nearly completed acquisition of the land. Traditions Development has asked to hold off on a couple of the pieces until individual property lines are defined. The developer has indicated they want to partner with the City on development of Cobblestone Lake Park. Traditions Development had previously committed $1 million for that purpose. Staff anticipates when construction resumes/picks up Traditions Development will provide the $315,000 matching funds to be used for the development of the park on the south and west end of the lake. Amenities planned include restrooms, small performance area, and play equipment. The other outstanding commitment is the $40,000 final payment for the fluid cooler at the Hayes Community and Senior Center. The unit initially installed did not work properly. Staff has been working with the City attorney’s office to get the issue resolved. A new unit should be installed soon. Director Johnson presented the 2012 proposed list of additional park bond projects totaling $238,000. Items include; asphalt, plastic edging for playgrounds, reforestation trees, landscaping supplies, hockey rink replacements, volleyball court lights, playground structure replacement, and scoreboard replacement. Committee member Schulz requested additional signage for bike paths be considered. Director Johnson will investigate what has been done through Dakota County’s bike and awareness initiative coordinated by the City’s Planning and Public Works departments. He will bring information regarding status and a cost estimate for additional signage to the May Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. MOTION: by Patrick Sullivan, seconded by Darrell Retka recommending City Council approval of the 2012 list of proposed park bond expenditures totaling $238,000. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 ITEM 6.A. Other – Next Meeting Date – May 3, 2012 Next Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 3, 2012. ITEM 7. Adjourn There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. - 4 of 5 - CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 1, 2012 MOTION: by Cindy Hart, seconded by Patrick Sullivan to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 7, No – 0 Respectfully Submitted, Dorene Perkins Monn Dorene Perkins Monn, Dept. Assistant Approved by the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee on May 3, 2012 - 5 of 5 -