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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/19/1999 ITEM #3. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 19, 1999 Minutes of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee held January 19, 1999. PRESENT: Committee Chair Greg Kopischke; Committee Members Russ DeFauw and John DiRico; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Recreation Specialists Bridget Samson and Bill Bird. ABSENT: Tiffani Anglin, Royal Bakke, Charlie Maus, and Tina Rankin. ITEM #1. Committee Chair Greg Kopischke called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda. Request was made by Russ DeFauw to add Valleywood Golf Course Financial Discussion as Item 6.B. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by John DiRico to approve the agenda with the addition. VOTE: Yes - 3, No - 0 ITEM #3. Approval of September 1998 Minutes. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by John DiRico to approve the minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes - 3, No - 0 ITEM #4.A. New Business - Family Pack Pricing for Aquatic Center. Randy Johnson introduced Recreation Specialist Bridget Samson, pool/aquatic center manager. Mr. Johnson reported that since the City Council’s approval of the admission rate structure, staff has received calls from residents 1 regarding the cost factor for families. As a result, staff has reviewed the rate structure and is proposing to revise it by adding a sliding fee for (resident) pool punch cards - $40 for the first card, $30 for the second, $20 for the third, and $10 for the fourth. After the fourth card, the fees would revert back to the $40 beginning price. This would constitute a $2.50 per punch/admission rate. As comparison, Redwood pool’s 1998 admission fee was $2.00 per admission. DISCUSSION: Russ DeFauw stated that recent events at Valleywood Golf Course (regarding season passes) dictates that the City reserves the right to adjust fees. Pricing is the only mechanism to meter supply and demand. The issue should be looked at every year to address capacity. After some discussion as to how the original price structure and approach to admission was achieved, Ms. Samson reported that staff liked the simplicity of the approved structure. Mr. Johnson advised that the opening of the aquatic center will be promoted through color inserts in the Parks and Recreation brochure which is mailed to every home in Apple Valley, and staff also anticipates a significant amount of press coverage from the local news media. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by John DiRico to recommend approval of the family rate structure for the Family Aquatic Center. VOTE: Yes - 3, No - 0 ITEM #4.B. New Business - Introduction of Bill Bird, New Recreation Specialist. Mr. Bird joined the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Department January 15, 1999. He holds a Masters Degree in Recreation Administration and will be working primarily with the teen center, teen programming and City special events. ITEM #4.B. New Business - Re-Appointment of Committee Members. All committee member terms expire March 1, 1999. Anyone currently on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee interested in continuing to serve on the committee should submit their application for re- appointment by January 26, 1999. Royal Bakke has submitted his resignation from the committee effective immediately. Staff will begin a search for a new senior representative. 2 Greg Kopischke, Russ DeFauw and John DiRico turned in their application to staff for re-appointment. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by John DiRico to recommend acceptance of Mr. Bakke’s resignation. VOTE: Yes - 3, No - 0 ITEM #5.A. Old Business - Verbal Update on Park Bond Projects. Mr. Johnson gave an overview of park projects:  The sport court gymnasium at the Apple Valley Community Center opened for adult volleyball league play January 15th. The City’s adult volleyball and basketball leagues, which previously were using some of the school district facilities, will now be moved to the Apple Valley Community Center. This will allowing a trickle down effect for the youth community groups to use the schools. The installation of the sport court floor vs. the hardwood floor saved a substantial amount of money on construction and will also save on annual maintenance costs.  The aquatic center is approximately 95% complete. Landscaping, the last lift on the parking lot, etc. to be done in April and May, 1999. Staff is working on the amenities detail.  The teen center is scheduled to open Friday, February 12, 1999. Construction delays caused a later opening than originally anticipated. The community has been very supportive of the project. Donations have been received from several, such as Walmart, Dakota Electric, and Bossardt Corporation. Two hockey rinks are planned to be installed over the summer.  The last four athletic fields at the Johnny Cake Ridge Park were seeded in the fall. Staff hopes to have then ready for play by June 15, 1999. That will bring the total number of fields to twelve, with room for one more constructed during the summer and ready for play by approximately June 15, 2000.  Installation of the last of the playground equipment was finished in the fall. Landscaping to be completed over the spring and summer of 1999. Staff has received several compliments from the public on the playground facilities.  Staff reports that all projects have been on budget. Committee members asked for an update on the park dedication fund balance and any potential new projects. Staff will have the park dedication fund information available at the February meeting. One potential major project on 3 the horizon is the 38 acres from the County after the gravel operation is finished at Pilot Knob and 160th Street. Staff believes this would be a good site for another athletic complex. Eight or nine fields could be constructed on the site. Staff has had some preliminary discussion with City Council regarding financing of the project. ITEM #6.A. Other - Mid-Winter Fest February 6 & 7, 1999. Committee members were invited to participate at the annual event. Copies of the activity flyers were distributed for information. ITEM #6.B. Other - Valleywood Golf Course Financial Discussion. Mr. DeFauw asked for the financial revenue and costs reports for Valleywood’s last three years of operation. He also requested that a finance department representative and Valleywood’s Manager Rick Dodge attend the next Advisory Committee meeting to discuss the reports. Mr. DeFauw believes there is a business opportunity in an indoor golf facility. He reports hearing that Braemar’s indoor facility is very successful. Mr. Johnson will request from Braemar, copies of their financial information for the Committee’s review at next month’s meeting. Committee members were given a copy of the 1999 budget details for Valleywood. 1998 final information should be available next month. Mr. DiRico voiced his opinion against the financial review of Valleywood’s operations. He stated that we’ve never asked for this before, and would feel better having a comptroller doing this. Feel uncomfortable asking for this when we don’t know what we’re looking for. ITEM #7. Adjourn. There being no further business, the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by John DiRico to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. VOTE: Yes - 3, No - 0 4