HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/17/1994 • .
ITEM #3.
CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
PARKS AND REGREATI01� ADViSORY GOMMITTEE
May 17, 1994
Minutes of the App1e Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Gommittee heid
May 17, 1994 at the Apple Valley Community Center.
PRESENT: Chairperson Greg Kopischke; Committee Members Russ DeFauw Iorrirrddc
a:40 p.,..1 John DiRico, David Gross, Tina Rankin and Laura Steadman;
Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Park Ma3.ntenance
Superintendent Tom Adamini; Apple Valley Police Sergeant Shaw;
RAt�A Representative Mike Kuran; and two residents - David Jabas
and Harry Wolter.
ABSENT: Charlie Maus and Royal Bakke.
Item #1. Chairperson Greg Kopischke called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
I�em #2. Approval of Agenda.
Request was made to add three additional items ta the agenda under
Item #b. Other: A. Sports Arena Second Sheet of Ice Update; B.
Distribution of Park and Recreation shirts; C. Potential park land
from Dakota County - County Road 46 and Pilot Knab Road.
MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Laura Steadman to approve the
agenda with the requested additions.
VOTE: Yes - 5, No - 0
ITEM #3. Approval of April 1994 Minutes.
MOTION: by David Gross, seconded by John DiRico to approve the
April 199�s minutes as presented.
VOTE: Yes - 5, No - 0
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ITEM #4.A. New $usiness - Resident's Request to Remove Basketball Hoops from
Diamond Path Park.
Copies of the residents' petition received by the Ci�y Council Thursday,
May 12, 1994 was distributed to Committee members. Of the 36 park
neighbo�rs, 32 have signed the petition. Mr. Jabas and Mr. Walter voiced
their concerns regarding the Diamond Pa�h Park usage by older teenage to
young adult men from outside the neighborhood, a large nutnber o€ them non-
white. He believes that by removing the basketball hoops from the park
area the attraction to the park will be e2iminated for these peogle.
This park functions as a neighborhood park. It is also a parL of the link
of Savanick Trail.
Sergeant Shaw outlined the police view of the situation as being a nuisance
type camplaint from the residents. Since Aprii 25, 1.993 to May 4, 1994
there have been eight complaint calls in reiation to this park received at
the police depaztment. The nature of the coffiplaints are dif£icult for the
police officers ta witness and therefore write citations for. If the
neighborhood residents come forward as witnesses, police can cite the
probiem individual.
Discussion was held regarding a possible progression of the problem to
other areas of the park if the basketball hoops are rems�ved. Several
members of the Advisory Committee and Park and Recreation Department staff
have been monitoring the park on a regular basis for the last several days.
No disorderly problems have been seen on these visits.
Chairperson Kopischke stated that the idea is to provide facilities for the
neighborhood to use, but the park is also available to the general public,
Sergeant Shaw recommended that a police officer meet with the neighborhood
group to discuss the witness type approach to the problem, whereby
residents would be willing to come forward as eyewitnesses to individusi
incidents within the park. The police are also trying to provide more
presence in the Diamond Path Park area as a deterrent.
Rax�dy Johnson stated that this may be a cyciical problem and within a short
time period it will taper off. The City wants to make the parks accessible
and cannot discriminate against the users. Mr. Jabas has Randy Johnson's
home phone number to contact him when there is a problem in the park.
MOTION: by Greg Kopischke, seconded by Tina Rankin
Continue to monitor the situation for another two weeks, police and
sta�f ask the residents to take a stand at the plate to protect their
interest, take pictures, video tape, etc. whatever is necessary to
remedy the sztuation. If the problem persists, the basketball hoops
wili be removed on a trial basis.
DISCUSSION: David Gross stated that we don't want to cloud our purpose ir►
providing for the users of the parks. This is a police issue,
maybe suggest adding more bite to the noise ordinance.
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Sergeant Shaw reminded the Committee and residents that
whatever policies are enacted will affect everyone.
John DiRico stated that the problem is with the people. He's
not in favor of after two W@E1CS just throwing up our hands,
they will just be pushed around the system.
�reg Kopischke agreed that it is a people problem and would
like tc� have the police work with the s�a£f.
David Gross agreed with John DiRico, but also acknowledged that
32 of the 36 park area residants signed ths petition.
Russ DeFauw noted that if the removal of the basketbail hoops
doesn't reiieve the problem, they can be replaced fairiy
easily. Th� Committee needs to be responsive to the neighbors.
VOTE: Yes - 5, No - 1/John DiRico
Due to the scheduled tree planting ceremony in honor of Cons►ie Scheid, the
meeting was adjourned to Palomino Park at 7:2� p.m. Items remaining on the
agenda were tabled until the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Committee.
ITEM #4.A. New Business - Tree Planting Ceremony for Connie Scheid at
Palomino Park.
Mayor Will Branning presented Rich Scheid and his family with a
commemorative plaque in honor of Connie Scheid's service to the community,
City Council Member Bob Erickson, Park and Recreation Advisory Committee
Chairperson Greg Kopischke and Park and Recreation Director Randy Johnson
spoke in memory of Ms. Scheid. After a prayer by Pastor Mark Huggenvik
from Christus Victor Lutheran Church, the family and friend were invited to
help glant a maple tree in the park.
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