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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/16/1999 ITEM #3. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE November 16, 1999 Minutes of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee held November 16, 1999. PRESENT: Committee Chair Greg Kopischke; Committee Members Royal Bakke, Russ DeFauw , John DiRico, (left at 6:45 p.m.) Charlie Maus, Tina Rankin, and Priscilla Zee; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; and Recreation Specialist C. Bridget Samson. ABSENT: None. ITEM #1. Committee Chair Greg Kopischke called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by John DiRico to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes - 7, No - 0 ITEM #3. Approval of August 1999 Minutes. MOTION: by Charlie Maus, seconded by John DiRico to approve the minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes - 5, No – 0, Abstain – 2 (Zee & Rankin) 1 ITEM #4.A. New Business – Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center Recap and Discussion. Mr. Johnson introduced Ms. Samson and thanked her for the successful management of the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center in its first year of operation. Included in the Committee’s information packet was a copy of the staff’s detailed review of the facility operations for 1999. As noted, projected revenue was exceeded for the season and 75,000 people passed through the gates. Staff plans to hit hard the exclusive use rentals in the promotional information for 2000. It is a nice niche for the facility and there is potential for increased revenue in this area. Staff requested Advisory Committee members’ input on continuation of the Aquatic Center crossing guard position. Ms. Samson distributed copies of calendars showing the daily number of patrons assisted at the Johnny Cake Ridge Road crossing guard station and the daily temperatures. The guard position was staffed by Aquatic Center employees, but also assisted crossing patrons from the east and west sides of Johnny Cake Ridge Park and also the Eastview High School facilities. Athletic tournaments helped increase the numbers; June-134, July-334, and August-57. Mr. DiRico questioned what was the impetus of the crossing guard position in the first place. Mr. Johnson responded that staff was concerned with the safety of potential Aquatic Center patrons attempting to cross the street and having to deal with the amount and speed of the traffic on Johnny Cake Ridge Road. The position was provided as a public service, but during the season the employees were subject to both verbal and physical abuse by motorists. Ms. Samson suggested that the numbers and abuse suffered by the guard don’t justify the continuation of the position into the 2000 season. Committee members suggested the installation of a traffic light in that area. Mr. Johnson stated that when the park department initially investigated the option in 1999, the public works department agreed to possibly install a light, but the park department would be required to fund the $180,000 cost. The budget did not allow such an expenditure. nd Committee members suggested that making the park exit/142 Street and Johnny Cake Ridge Road a four way stop may be appropriate for the area. With proper signage prior to the stop signs, motorists would have an increased awareness of those signs. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Charlie Maus to recommend Public Works Department investigate 2 the installation of stop signs at Johnny Cake nd Ridge Road and the park exit/142 Street. DISCUSSION: Charlie Maus and John DiRico recommended also reducing the speed limit from 45 miles per hour to 30 mile per hour on Johnny Cake Ridge Road in the Aquatic Center area, similar to a school zone. Ms. Rankin suggested installation of yellow flashing lights and a cross walk. Mr. Kopischke stated that there is also the option of seasonal stop signs that can be opened and closed as the season requires. AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION: The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee also recommends the reduction of the speed limit from 45 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour in the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center area of Johnny Cake Ridge Road. VOTE: Yes - 6, No – 0 The second item presented by staff for the Advisory Committee’s discussion was the continuation of the Aquatic Center’s admission ten-punch card vs. a season pass. Staff reported receiving a few phone calls at the beginning of the aquatic season, and a few again toward the end of the season, regarding availability of season passes for the Aquatic Center. The ease of use and convenience of the punch card are key points. The punch card eliminates the need for Aquatic Center employees to be admission police. The cards can be used by one person or several people for admission to the Aquatic Center. Changing the punch card color for next season was discussed, but was determined not to be a real option. Staff and the printer extensively researched color selection to minimize the potential for falsification by copying. Each card is also individually numbered. Staff reported the longest wait time in the admission line at the Aquatic Center during the season for punch card patrons was ten minutes. The system worked quite efficiently for both staff and patrons. Daily admission fee rates were discussed for the 2000 season. Staff will propose an approximate increase of 3%, bringing the rates to $6.00 for the daily rate and $4.00 for the after 5pm rate. Punch cards purchase fees may also increase by approximately the same rate, though staff reported that the rates of $100 per pack of four cards and $40 for individual cards were nice round numbers to work with. 3 The Aquatic Center budget originally included proposed expenditures for chemicals such as chlorine and cleaning fluid. Aqua Logic Staff was able to procure the services of , a professional pool monitoring company, to fulfill the required pool maintenance services using these expenditure dollars. This eliminated the need for additional City employees and training, plus provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week monitoring of water quality. MOTION: by John DiRico, seconded by Tina Rankin to recommend City Council approval of the continuation of the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center admission ten-punch card for the 2000 season, and also the purchase price increase of approximately 3% as proposed by Parks and Recreation staff. VOTE: Yes - 6, No – 0 ITEM #5.A. Old Business - Bond Issue Update. Staff is working on closing out the major 1997 bond project contracts, such as the Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center, Teen Center, and Apple Valley Community Center gymnasium expansion. The newer Fall 1999 projects are about 50% completed. These items include the two hockey rinks, a pleasure rink and lights at the Teen Center, the Alimagnet Park shelter upgrade, Redwood Park shelter, Valleywood shelter, and Johnny Cake Ridge Park shelter. After completion of these projects, staff believes there should be a reasonable amount of dollars remaining from the bond revenue to do some of the extra items that had been previously discussed, like the Valley Middle Park shelter. ITEM #6.A. Other - Group Photo for Brochure. A Committee photograph was taken, for inclusion in a future Parks and Recreation/City News brochure. – Additional item A short discussion was held regarding the potential decrease in the number of meetings per year for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Further discussion will be held at the first meeting of 2000. The Parks and Recreation Advisory 4 Committee by-laws state that the date and time of regular meetings shall be established at the organization meeting, which is the first meeting of the year. 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 7:10 p.m. VOTE: Yes - 6, No - 0 5