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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/19/2000 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE September 19, 2000 Minutes of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee held September 19, 2000. PRESENT: Committee Chair Greg Kopischke; Committee Members Russ DeFauw left at 7:20 , Charlies Maus, and Tina Rankin; Parks and Recreation Director p.m arrived at 6:50 p.m Randy Johnson; Police Captain Craig Anglin; Public Representatives Corinne and Richard Johnson. ABSENT: John DiRico. ITEM #1. Committee Chair Greg Kopsichke called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by Charlie Maus to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes – 3, No – 0 ITEM #3. Approval of June 2000 Minutes. MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by Russ DeFauw to approve the minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes – 3, No – 0 ITEM #4.A. Alimagnet Gate Closing Policy Richard and Corinne Johnson introduced themselves as residents living near the entrance to Alimagnet Park. Mr. Johnson reviewed the memo sent to the committee members outlining some of the behavior complaints received by the Parks and Recreation Department regarding Alimagnet Park. He reported that five to six years ago, the police started locking the gate each day at 10:00 p.m. and park maintenance unlocked the gate each morning. This has helped alleviate some of the problems, but neighbors report it is no longer working. Due to some miscommunication, the park gate remained closed over the Labor Day weekend. Mr. Johnson received a call from one of the neighbors, Lance Huston, thanking the City of Apple Valley for keeping the gate locked. The same week, staff at Apple Valley Community Center reported receiving a call from a resident complaining 1 the park was not accessible over the weekend for a family picnic, because the gate was locked. Police Captain Craig Anglin noted that when the warm weather arrives in the spring, young people tend to use the park in higher numbers. Police representatives met with the park neighbors in August to assist in putting together a policy. A speed trailer will be set up in the roadway, patrols will be stepped up, police officers are expected to increase follow-up on complaints, and continue their diligence in locking the gate. The Police Department’s follow-up to the neighborhood meeting is to work with the Parks and Recreation Department to create a long-term solution. Other businesses in Apple Valley are also experiencing the same type of issues. Congregation isn’t the problem, it’s the inappropriate behavior that occurs at these gatherings. Police reports indicate the number of police contacts since the August meeting have remained about the same as prior months. One citation was issued for driver’s license revocation and one arrest was made for an outstanding warrant. Both were incidental to the park, not due to the park use. Two other citations were issued January 1, 2000 to July 31, 2000: juvenile tobacco use March 2000 and after-hours vehicle May 2000. Mr. Richard Johnson reported that just last month he found a whiskey bottle and fast food trash in the park. Trash is another of the neighbor’s concerns. Ms. Johnson stated this is a hidden location, but the park users can see the police cars come into the park. A major issue is the intimidation. There are adults that won’t go down to the park. She relayed the report of a meter reader encountering a group of youth while trying to do her job. They tried to intimidate her one month, and the next month the meter was smashed. Ms. Johnson said they want others to use the park, but don’t know of an alternative to the problem other than locking the gate. Mr. DeFauw suggested closing the park gate for the remainder of the season, try to re- open in the summer of 2001. Mr. Johnson reported that he has met with the Mayor and Councilmember Goodwin regarding the issue. Both are opposed to locking the gate and the Mayor suggested the use of video cameras in the park. The Police Department must work within a budget, and major public safety problems come before litters and other non-emergency concerns. MOTION: by Russ Defauw, seconded by Tina Rankin, recommending closing the Alimagnet Park gate now through Summer of 2001 with re-evaluation of the issue in Fall of 2001. DISCUSSION: Recognizing that the problem will not be eliminated, but moved to another location that may be more easily monitored by Police. 2 Chairperson Kopischke suggested the Parks and Recreation Department may want to make signage notifying the park users of the change in schedule. Ms. Rankin stated there is nothing to stop the informal park users from parking in the cul-de-sac near the park. Mr. and Ms. Johnson believe the youth will not park there, it’s not secluded enough. Mr. Randy Johnson re-iterated that the gate closing policy could change if it isn’t working well. The gate could be opened on a regular basis again after an evaluation period. The winter will not be an issue because usual procedure has been to lock the gate and stop plowing the parking area. When asked if there had been any contact with the high school personnel, Captain Anglin reported that the liaison officer is aware of the problem, and when he has had time, he has made a pass through the park. VOTE: Yes – 4, No – 0 Mr. Randy Johnson will take the recommendation to City Council. In the interim the Police will continue their current policy of locking the gate at 10:00 p.m. and increased patrols. ITEM 4. B. New Business – Joint Powers Agreement for Valley Middle Park. Mr. Randy Johnson asked the committee to review their copies of a proposed joint powers agreement between the City of Apple Valley and Independent School District #196 for Valley Middle Park. Most of the park fields are owned by the School District and the City of Apple Valley Maintenance Department has done the majority of field maintenance without assistance from the District. Many years ago, previous Park Director Jim Bell made an agreement with the School District that the City of Apple Valley would operate a teen center out of the Valley Middle School and in exchange they would maintain the athletic fields. The teen center has ceased to exist. Mr. Johnson believes the new agreement will be a good one for the City of Apple Valley. Major renovations and cost shares are outlined, what will be preformed by the Park Maintenance Department and the School District in regards to field maintenance. Miscellaneous wordage will be changed in the final agreement, i.e. City of Eagan will be changed to City of Apple Valley. Ms. Rankin noted that the “hereinafter *Apple Valley*” is not carried throughout the contract. The final sentence of paragraph number X also needs to be clarified – This Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Charlie Maus to recommend Staff and City Council proceed with the proposed Joint Powers 3 Agreement with Independent School District #196 for Valley Middle Development and Usage Site. VOTE: Yes – 4, No – 0 ITEM 5.A . Old Business – Cobblestone Park Update. Staff have visited Centennial Lakes of Edina and Normandale Park of Bloomington. Both park areas have been used by the developer in the description of a proposed site development for the Cobblestone Development of Apple Valley. The Edina Parks and Recreation Director reported the Centennial Lakes project was done with TIF money. This option is no longer available. There was also a $7 million trust fund for the park. He reports they cannot maintain the park with the trust fund interest alone, the principle has been slowly eroding. He recommends assessing an extra fee to the Association or City to help with the maintenance. It’s a mistake Edina didn’t include inflationary costs into the figure. Revenue from boat rental, etc. is put back to the park. Mr. DeFauw stated that it would be interesting to know the number of users, that don’t live right on the park area. For comparison purposed, Centennial Lakes usage draws from a larger market than the proposed Cobblestone development. Chairperson Kopsichke suggested looking more closely at the Normandale and Como Lakes area. Mr. Randy Johnson reported that Community Development Director Rick Kelley has discussed with the developer the possibility of an extra fee for park maintenance costs. Staff will workout an approximate cost for a trail around the lake as a buffer zone for the park users and property owners. The State park dedication requirements have been reviewed with the city attorney. Basically, the City has cart blanche for park dedication land. Current park dedication requirements for the development are approximately 31 acres at $20,000 per acre. Staff is looking at linking the path with other city pathways and an underpass for access. They feel the pathway around the lake is a good idea. The development needs to go through an environmental study and this will be worked on over the winter. Mr. Kelley may have more Cobblestone Development details for the November Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting. ITEM 6.A. Other – Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center Preliminary Summary Report. The Aquatic Center experienced a cool and wet season. July and August numbers did increase over the earlier June attendance. Revenue is close to staff projections. Staff expects the next financial reports to reveal expenditures of only 85% for expenses. 4 Committee members expressed interest in the comparison numbers for Eagan’s Cascade Bay with the added amenity of the lazy river. Staff information indicates approximately a 50% increase proportionately because of the lazy river and their fee structure. The question of a lazy river for Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center has been previously discussed. Construction of the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center cost $3.4 million and the addition of a lazy river is projected to cost approximately $1.2 million. Committee Replacements: The City of Apple Valley is seeking Senior and Junior representatives for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Staff will place advertisements in the local media and contact high school personnel for recommendations. ITEM #7. Adjourn. There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by Tina Rankin to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 3, No – 0 5