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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/18/1999 � � • i ITEM #3. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE , May 18, 1999 Minutes of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee held May 18, 1999 . PRESENT: Committee Chair Greg Kopischke; Committee Members Tina Rankin, Russ DeFauw, Royal Bakke and Priscilla Zee; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Recreation Supervisor Sandy Wagner; Eastview Athletic Association President Lee Strom; and seven members of the public. ABSENT: John DiRico and Charlie Maus. . ITEM #1. Committee Chair Greg Kopischke called the meeting to order at 6 :40 p.m. Introduction of Priscilla Zee as the new Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee' s youth representative. She is an Apple Valley High School student and is also involved with the Youth Connection Council and Community-wide Council. ITEM #2. Approval of Agenda. Mr. DeFauw asked that an addition be made to Item 6-Other regarding Valleywood Golf Course, additional comments. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by Tina Rankin to approve the agenda with the addition to Item 6 Other. VOTE: Yes - 5, No - 0 ITEM #3 . Approval of February 1999 Minutes. MOTION: by John DiRico, seconded by Tina Rankin to approve the minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 0, Abstain - 1 (Zee) 1 • • . ITEM #4.A. New Business - Recreation programs for the disabled population in Apple Valley and south of the river communities . _ _ _ _____ __ Included in the Committee' s information packet was a memo from Recreation Supervisor Sandy Wagner outlining the Parks and Recreation Department's current position to youth adaptive programming and the avenues being pursued to ensure the Department is doing its best to meet the needs of the residents of Apple Valley. A public meeting was held beginning at 7 :00 p.m. Mr. Johnson introduced the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee members as residents of Apple Valley, interested in providing input for the parks within the city. Ms. Wagner stated that the meeting was called because� of a resident' s I phone call requesting that the Parks and Recreation Department do more �, programming for youths with disabilities. She outlined the attached memo, ' and stated that the South o� the River Recreator' s organization (SORR) , of which Apple Valley is a member, provides approximately four to six programs for the disabled population each year. Examples include sled dogs rides, dances, picnics, etc. The group also works in cooperation with Project Explore of the school district. There are other programs offered by CTIC and Dakota County for children and adults with disabilities. As part of the investigative process, SORR (the cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Lakeville, Farmington, Prior Lake, Rosemount, and Savage) has also looked at the Adaptive Recreation and Learning Exchange (AR & LE) , which includes the cities of Richfield and Bloomington, and the West Hennepin Community Services, which contracts out its services for eight cities . Annually, Richfield allocates approximately $73, 000 and Bloomington allocates approximately $143, 000 toward the AR & LE program. The program also includes a full time recreation therapist . SORR is working with West Hennepin County Services to conduct a needs assessment survey in the area communities. If the study cannot be completed by the end of the 1998-99 school year, there is a strong possibility that they may have to wait until the 1999-2000 school year begins in the fall. Public representative, Dave Modrynski, stated that he works with 36 clients with disabilities, and he doesn' t think there would be a problem duplicating the adult services; he thinks there needs to be more. Mr. Modrynski recommends that the City work with the County and also Project Explore to access their information. He also noted that there is an 2 . • � interest by his clients to attend and participate in activities, but transportation is an issue for them. Public Representative, Patty Berg, stated that she has a 15 year old enrolled..in_ Independent School District #196 . Mainstreaming the children is handled through the school, but she' s interested in a program that provides social activities for the disabled population. She knows of approximately 25 youth with disabilities in the area. Along with their parents, these youth started a social group last year. On a monthly basis, they attend movies, go bowling, etc. Average turnout is between 20 and 22 children. The softball team has 22 children signed up. Ms. Berg stated that she believes all of the parents would be interested and active participants in programs offered through the City. She recommended sending information on available programs to the children and families though the Special Education Department of ISD #196 . (Sue Backman is Special Education Director for Independent School District #196 . ) Ms. Berg also stated that she' s not looking for a lot of extra Parks and Recreation staff to be hired, maybe one staff person as coordinator. Public representative, Mike Garrison, stated that we hold north of the river organizations as gods, now that we (south of the river communities) are maturing we need to do more. Understandably, one community alone may not be able to justify the costs. The key word is inclusion. It's beneficial for the "special" kids and also for "normal" kids to interact with handicapped kids. He believes this would be a marvelous opportunity for teen volunteers to assist with involving these kids. He also believes there is a lot more we can do. In the next decade we could be like Bloomington and Richfield. Project Explore representative , Derrek Appleyard, stated that his program serves adults with disabilities and is funded through the community education departments of five school districts. They don' t do much programming during the summer. He sees this as a partnership between Parks and Recreation and the School District. He believes the money designated for the cost of a survey conducted by West Hennepin Community Services would be better spent on services, when the same information is available through Project Explore. Mr. Appleyard suggested coordinating the activities as pay-for-services, allow them to pay for themselves. He also requested to be on record to applaud the Parks and Recreation Department and specifically the Recreation Supervisor, Sandy Wagner for their efforts in bringing in the models and a willingness to investigate. Speaking for Project Explore he volunteered to do anything they can to help. when asked by the public representatives if there is any money earmarked for this type of program, Mr. Johnson responded that the Parks and Recreation Department doesn' t have a problem with dollars for inclusion in 3 � • the regular recreation programs. The Department is right now working on the year 2000 budget, so this is a good time to investigate the project/population needs. City Council has always been very receptive to recreation programs for their citizens. Lee Strom, President of Eastview Athletic Association, reported that the youth athletic association has had special needs children participate in the youth sports. In 1998 the association had a child in a wheelchair on one of the baseball teams, and in 1999 an autistic child participated in track. When the special needs children become older, parents have to make a choice - mainstream or other programs targeted toward special needs children specifically. Tina Rankin stated, "Initially, a way to get into it, could be with special events and parent volunteers. " Mr. Garrison restated that inclusion is the way for some children, and Mr. Johnson replied that the Parks and Recreation Department could make that happen at the Teen Center with a couple weeks advance notice. Russ DeFauw noted that the School District has a special budget for special needs programs. He questioned how much money can be devoted by the Parks and Recreation Department to this . Mr. DeFauw stated that we can' t lose track of the cost/benefit ratio or we lose public support. Mr. Johnson replied that the current City budget takes us through 1999. The Recreation Department can stretch the $5, 000 - $6, 000 at $6 .75 per hour to hire an aid if some of the children want to visit the Teen Center. Depending on the number of people we need to hire and the number of volunteers would determine the dollars. We could set up a volleyball sand court, or a basketball court specifically for special needs quite easily. There is also a strong arts activity in Apple Valley (Ring-Around-the- Arts) . The Apple Valley Community Center Arts & Crafts Room may be set aside for art programs. A mailing list compiled from the visitor sign in sheet tonight can/will be used for Parks and Recreation programs and special events notification. ITEM #4.B. New Business - Receive Annual Report. Mr. Johnson distributed copies of the Parks and Recreation Department' s 1998 annual report and reviewed some of the highlights for the past year. ITEM #5.A. Old Business - Teen Center Kick Off Celebration Friday, April 30, 1999 . 4 . • Mr. Johnson reported a good turnout for the day' s events. The Mayor, Councilmember Sterling, several members of the public and various donors including Dakota Electric were all in attendance. Ribbon cutting ceremony was held at 1:30 p.m. and the day concluded with a band performance that evening. _ The Center has been receiving approximately 30 students per day, with big days seeing up to 75. The Apple Valley Parks and Recreation summer brochure lists several events specifically targeted toward the teen population. The Department has also established a Teen Advisory Council, which is open to anyone interested in providing input for teen activities. Committee members were asked to direct anyone interested in participating in the Council activities to Randy Johnson. Mr. Johnson reported that the Teen Center came out well, on schedule and on time. Staff is working with the Hockey Booster Club in their quest to have one or both of the hockey rinks near the Teen Center asphalted. They're working on joint fund raising to cover the $17, 000 needed for the project. ITEM #5.B. Old Business - Park Bond Dedication/Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Friday, June 4, 1999 . The event, by invitation, will be held at the Apple Valley Family .Aquatic Center beginning at 5 :30 p.m. Ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 6 :45 p.m. This will be a family event with a picnic supper provided. A city-wide grand opening is slated for the end of June. There will be special games and activities coordinated for the community members. ITEM #5.B. Old Business - Updated Park Bond Issue Projects . Mr. Johnson gave an overview of park projects : • The Teen Center has been completed except for landscaping. • The Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center is coming together fast. There are finishing touches to be done yet. Should be completed by the June opening. • There have been some large tournaments already held in the Apple Valley Community Center' s sport court gymnasium. • Playgrounds are all in and usable. Park Maintenance will be installing landscaping, boxes and sand throughout the summer. 5 � ! � • Staff will be going out for bids for the picnic shelters at Redwood and Johnny Cake Ridge parks, possibly Valleywood Golf Course, depending on the costs. The City received a grant for 50% match on the construction of a new shelter at Redwood. • Fence repairs, trail asphalt, and tennis court overlays were also included. ITEM #6.A. Other - Valleywood Go1f Course additional comments. In response to Mr. DiRico' s comments in the last meeting minutes; Mr. DeFauw believes the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee should review the financial numbers and hopes that the Committee will continue to ask for the numbers as more facilities are added. ITEM #7. Adjourn. There being no further business, the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by John DiRico to adjourn the meeting at 8 :45 p.m. VOTE: Yes - 5, No - 0 6