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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/2001 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 20, 2001 Minutes of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee held March 20, 2001. PRESENT: Committee Members Russ DeFauw; John DiRico, Tina Rankin, Loren Hegland, and Sarah Johnston; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Community Development Planner Tom Lovelace; and Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik Representative Sherri Buss. ABSENT: and Charlie Maus. Greg Kopischke ITEM #1. Committee Acting Chair Tina Rankin called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda. Randy Johnson requested the addition of New Member Introductions to the agenda items. MOTION: by John DiRico, seconded by Russ DeFauw to approve the agenda with the addition of New Member Introductions. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 Mr. Johnson introduced Loren Hegland as the new senior representative and Sarah Johnston as the new junior representative to the Committee. Mr. Hegland has lived in Apple Valley/Lebanon Township for more than 34 years. He is a retired highway engineer who now works part-time at Valleywood Golf Course. He was instrumental in forming the Valley Athletic Association and starting the hockey program in the school district. Ms. Johnston has lived in Apple Valley for more than eight years. She is an Eastview High School student who also works as a lifeguard for the City Apple Valley. ITEM #3. Approval of January 2001 Minutes. MOTION: by John DiRico, seconded by Russ DeFauw to approve the minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes – 3, No – 0, Abstain – 2 (Hegland & Johnston) 1 ITEM #4.A. Cobblestone Lake Park Update. In response to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee’s request at the January 2001 meeting, Sherri Buss redesigned her rendition of the Cobblestone Lake Park area. The new version opens the park to Dodd Blvd. to become more visible as a neighborhood park and includes the connection to the current Apple Valley East Park. Part of the lake is already constructed, restricting too much redesign. However; Ms. Buss suggests moving the southern lobe across the lake to the north, adding a wide swath to Dodd, allowing trails to connect to Apple Valley East, providing the City acquires the potential park expansion area between the two parks. A wider swath along the northeast corner of the lake and the broader area entrance will most likely cause the developer to reconfigure the home development in the northeast area of the lake area. Staff recommends a dual trail system in this development, allowing for separation of wheeled and walking users. The developer wants to take another look at dual vs. wider trails, based on cost. The City has encouraged them to look at Como and Sunset parks. The lake is approximately 1.5 miles around, comparable in size to Apple Valley’s Long Lake. It will be a fairly deep storm water holding pond. Some of the plantings around the lake are not only ornamental, but will also help control the goose population of the lake. A pedestrian underground crossing is proposed for Pilot Knob Road by approximately 2003. Lowering of the roadway is scheduled for completion in 2006. The City’s master plan has indicated some land around this lake area. The 320 acre development calls for approximately 32 acres of park land. The current configuration is around 30 acres and the extra triangle piece is about three acres. The developer is proposing giving the triangle as park dedication also. Randy Johnson asked for a consensus from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee on the park concept that the City can take back to the developer as a starting point for discussion. John DiRico stated that the new Cobblestone Lake Park design is an improvement over what was originally presented. Not sure the City should use park resources to improve the entrance. Mr. Johnson stated that the entrance would be used to draw users to the park. Russ DeFauw said, “A nice job of incorporating the feedback into the new design.” He still believes the developer will build this park (without City assistance). He suggested that the committee consider what could be done in the rest of the park system if the City opted for the cash in lieu of park dedication land. Park dedication formula is $20,000 per acre land value base x 10% x the development size of 320 acres = $640,000. Mr. Johnson believes that if the City doesn’t take the park land, the developer will build right down to the lake and the whole park will be lost. According to the plans, there is approximately 100 feet minimum along the lakeshore. He recommended looking at 2 cross-generational park usage options. He believes the City needs to look at this park for other user opportunities besides ballfields. There was some discussion regarding the park area population and park usage. The developer has proposed approximately 3000 units in the development. 3000 units x the average of 2.5 residents per unit = 7500 residents. Approximately 2/3rds of the units directly surrounding the lake are proposed as townhomes. The typical Apple Valley townhome owners are dual income adults with no children, and/or empty nesters. Mr. DeFauw stated that he would be interested in getting the developer’s opinion of the new plan versions. Mr. Johnson reiterated that the City of Apple Valley has the final word as to what the park design includes. City Council and the Administration support staff’s decision on the park also. MOTION: by John DiRico, seconded by Tina Rankin to proceed with the park concept as depicted by Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik, and Associates March 2001 design. Details to be worked out as it develops. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM 4.B . Park Bond Referendum Fund Update Nearly all of the major park bond issue projects have been completed. The 13 fields at Johnny Cake Ridge Park are a large success. The pool contractor negotiations are being dealt with for repairs and the final costs. Good fund management and cost efficiency have helped create the $650,000 remaining fund balance. Committee reviewed the list of additional projects to be accomplished with the fund balance. After completion of these projects, the bottom line balance will be $335,000. Ms. Rankin commended Randy Johnson and his staff for good money management and successful completion of the projects. ITEM 4.C . Valley Middle Shelter Renovation Proposed floor plan and renovations were reviewed. Staff would like to go out for project bids this spring. They will work closely with the athletic associations to coordinate the project construction with games, tournaments, and school usage. MOTION: by, Russ DeFauw, seconded by John DiRico endorsing the proposed Valley Middle shelter renovations and recommending approval by City Council. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM 4.D . Lebanon Hills Regional Park Master Plan 3 Area residents were upset about last year’s construction update of Lebanon Hills campground. They sent their complaints to Dakota County and formed a group called “Friends of Lebanon Hills.” As a result, Dakota County decided to form a stakeholders task force to assist in updating the Lebanon Hills Regional Park Master Plan and seek public input for the plan. Mr. Johnson, representing the City of Apple Valley, became a part of that task force in August 2000. Full copies of the Master Plan are available by contacting Mr. Johnson. Dakota County will accept public comment March 20 through April 9, 2001. Development concept map was distributed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Staff strongly recommends asphalt trails vs. the plan’s stabilized aggregate. The recommendation is based on experience. The asphalt trails allow for handicapped users and babystrollers. It has also proven more long-term and lower maintenance. Committee members were encouraged to send their recommendations to the County endorsing the asphalt trails. MOTION: by, Russ DeFauw, seconded by John DiRico recommending staff draft a letter endorsing the Lebanon Hills Regional Park Master Plan, but encouraging asphalt connector trails within that plan. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 ITEM 5.A . Seasonal Employment Search City of Apple Valley is in the process of the annual seasonal employment search. Staff requested any potential applicants be referred to the Parks and Recreation Department or Human Resources for applications and interviews. ITEM 6.A. Adjourn There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by John DiRico to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. VOTE: Yes – 5, No – 0 4