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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/18/2000 ITEM #3. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 18, 2000 Minutes of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee held January 18, 2000. PRESENT: Committee Chair Greg Kopischke; Committee Members Royal Bakke, John DiRico, and Charlie Maus; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson. ABSENT: Russ DeFauw, Tina Rankin, and Priscilla Zee. ITEM #1. Committee Chair Greg Kopischke called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda. MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by John DiRico to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 0 ITEM #3. Approval of November 1999 Minutes. MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by John DiRico to approve the minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes - 4, No – 0 ITEM #4.A. New Business – Review ByLaws and Establish Meeting Dates for 2000. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, at their November 1999 meeting, requested the review of the committee meeting schedule and bylaws. Included with the committee’s January agenda packet was a memo from Mr. Johnson recommending a meeting schedule of January, March, May and October 2000. Committee members suggested a meeting schedule of every other month with the exception of the summer months; January, March, May, September, and November. The addition or cancellation of 1 meetings would be at the discretion of the Parks and Recreation staff. MOTION: by John DiRico, seconded by Charlie Maus to set the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting schedule for the year 2000 as January, March, May, September, and November. Additional meetings or deletions to be scheduled as needed. VOTE: Yes - 4, No – 0 Mr. DiRico noted that the bylaws of the committee have not been addressed recently. The latest information from City Hall is dated 1983. He was looking for something in the bylaws that gives the committee the authority to do comptroller work. He reported being uncomfortable addressing financial issues for Valleywood Golf Course last year. Mr. Maus agreed with Mr. DiRico that the committee shouldn’t be doing the work of a comptroller. Mr. Johnson stated that staff tries to keep the committee out of the detailed annual budget process; instead using the members as a sounding board on issues that affect the general population of Apple Valley. Mr. Kopischke replied that the committee does get into the budget a little because of requests for park items and that’s about all the farther they go. Mr. DiRico stated that other than that one item for park dedication, he doesn’t find anything in the bylaws that says the committee should be a watchdog for fiscal responsibility. He is comfortable with reviewing expenditures for park improvements and when specifically asked by City Council for specific input; however, if financial review items come up again, he will refer back to the bylaws. Mr. Johnson also suggested changing the text of the bylaws to “PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE BYLAWS”. read MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by John DiRico to Parks and Recreation change the bylaws to read Advisory Committee . VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 0 2 ITEM #4.B. New Business – Request from Eastview Athletic Association to Use Adult Softball Complex for Youth State Tournament. Included in the committee’s agenda packets was a memo from Mr. Johnson listing some items to consider while reviewing the request:  Adequate field space is available at the Johnny Cake Ridge (west) complex and Valley Middle park areas.  Adult softball leagues are scheduled at the complex Friday evenings until 10:30 p.m. and also on Sunday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.  The fence distance will make it virtually impossible for an 11 year old to hit a ball over the fence.  If we allow this use, it may become a regular request. Mr. Johnson reported receiving requests by youth organizations to use the Johnny Cake Ridge Park (east) complex since it opened. Staff has allowed Scott Highlands school use of the fields for their home games during the afternoon hours, because they don’t conflict with the city’s adult programs. The adult complex was constructed with the 1986 bond referendum, where the literature clearly promoted the fields as an adult complex. In response to the request from the youth organization, staff requested a review/revisit of the issue with the Advisory Committee for clarification on direction. Across the street from Johnny Cake Ridge (east) adult fields is the youth athletic complex with five fields. Park Department staff is researching portable fencing that can be set up on a field in about an hour. Potentially, an additional field could be fenced, taking into consideration the need for flexibility in allowing for soccer field layout also. The committee’s response to the request was:  Voters approved this as an adult softball complex, and only in unusual circumstances should that status be changed.  The requested hours conflict with the city’s adult leagues at revenue producing league times. 3  Field size doesn’t fit the younger age group.  There are adequate facilities across the street, equally equipped for the younger age group. Facilities are there, concessions, restrooms, etc. for a youth championship field.  Best field size/design for the 11 year old age group would be across the street from the adult athletic complex at the Johnny Cake Ridge Park (west). MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by John DiRico to deny the request from Eastview Athletic Association for the use of the adult softball fields for a youth state tournament. VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 0 ITEM #5.A. Old Business – Review Valleywood Golf Course 1999 Financial Report. This information item was presented for committee’s review and comments. Valleywood exceeded revenue projections, and had another healthy year. However, it appears there was a little less revenue in 1999 compared to last year. In 1998 golf was played until December. 1999 had a rainy spring that caused several lost days. Part of the increase in green fees revenue was due to the reservation system and increased fees. Staff expects to get the total rounds back up to 40,000 again in the future. A permanent picnic/sun shelter is to be installed behind the golf course clubhouse this summer, by using the bond issue funds. Clubhouse construction/expansion was discussed, but not an issue for now. Staff reports that Valleywood operations have been going quite well. They’re very happy with the reservation system. MOTION: by John DiRico, seconded by Charlie Maus to commend Rick Dodge and his staff at Valleywood for a job well done during the past season. VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 0 4 ITEM #6.A. Other. Sandy Wagner, Recreation Supervisor for the Parks and Recreation Department, will be leaving Apple Valley to become the Assistant Parks and Recreation Director of Shoreview. She has done a wonderful job for the City of Apple Valley and will be missed. MOTION: by John DiRico, seconded by Charlie Maus to extend the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee’s thank you to Sandy Wagner for the work she’s done for the Parks and Recreation Department. VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 0 ITEM #7. Adjourn. There being no further business, the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by John DiRico to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 0 5