HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/15/1992 4 ' • •
CITY OF APPLE VAI.LEY
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
September 15, 1992
Minutes of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Cnmmittee held
September 15, 1992 at the Apple Valley Community Center,
PRESENT: Chairman Greg Kopischke; Committee Members Connie Scheid, David
Gross, Charlie Maus; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Jahnson;
Associate Planner Meg McMonigal; VAA Representati.ve Chri� Dalhed; and
RAAA Representative Steve Reischauer.
AB3ENT: John DiRico, Tina Rankin and Russ DeFauw.
Item #1.- Chairman Kopischke called the meeting to order at 8:01pm.
Item #2. - Approval of Agend�.
Randy Johnson asked to have an item added to the agenda under Item #6.
Other Business, . . . Informational Update on the Formation of a "Youth
Athletic Needs Study Committee."
MOTION: by David Gross, seconded by Charlie Maus to apprave the agenda
with the addition to Item #b.
VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 0
ITEM �3. - Approval of May 1992 Minutes.
MOTION: by David Gross, seconded by Charlie Maus to approve the May
i992 minutes as presented.
VQTE: Yes - 4, No - 0
ITEM #ti.A. - New $usiness - Park Hill Development.
Randy Johnsan reviewed the information from the September 2, 1992 Planning
Commission public hearing £or the Park Hill Deveiopment near Farquar Park.
The residents are not used to having hoffies on that particular portion of
the area and they would like to keep it that way.
Park dedication requirements were satisfied when the area was originally
develaped. Wi�en the park property was established approximat�ly 2Q years
ago, the park equipmtent was inadvertently placed on private proper�y. It
wi11 have to bQ moved late this season after the majori�y of children are
finished playing on it far the year. T'he ar�a it will be moved to has
already been marked in the park for identi£ication purposes,
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Mr. Johnson feels this new development of homes will have a minimal impact
on the park itself.
There has been some mention of a fence around the park, but department
policy is that we don't fence parks. The department cannot financially or
physically do so.
The residents expressed some concern that there would be a drop off.
Chairman Kopischke, speaking professionally, stated that the lots appear
deep enough on the map and there shouldn't be a problem.
An advantage of the site is the hill. The developer wants to build the
homes to overlook the park.
Steve Reischauer speaking as an attendant of the Planning Commission public
hearing and a resident near Farquar Park, reported that there was some
discussion as to misleading of the park boundaries because of the mowing
done by City park crews, but the residents realize this was not done to
intentionally mislead anyone. Another question raised was the proposed
location that the play equipment would be moved to.
Mr. Johnson stated that the new location for the equipment should not
interfere with the flooding for the winter skating rink that has been
constructed near the tennis courts in the last few years. The rink may be
moved back to the northeast just a little.
Suggestion was made to the Associate Planner Ms. McMonigal that a
recommendation be made to the developer that they consider installing a few
evergreens on lot #8 of the development in consideration of future
scr�ening for the park. However, landscaping is not a requirement for the
developer as far as the City is concerned for construction purposes.
Chairman Kopischke stated that a few of the lots are very close to looking
up to the shelter area; and Mr. Johnson stated that the Park Department may
consider installation of a split rail fence to outline the park area.
There was some discussion as to whether lot #1 is a buildable lot as far as
width and depth. The idea of a possible land swap for lot #1 and parkland
was mentioned. However, legal problems and costs make it prohibitive.
There is the problem with land being designated park land vs. outlot and
the transfer of titie if the land is ever to be sold or transfer of
ownership done.
David Gross asked that it be noted in the minutes that. . .
The Park Advisory Committee and City of Apple Valley not
consider purchasing any additional land for this park; may
consider fencing at a later date if there is some safety issue.
Re-emphasizing the Committee's position on the park stance that
park dedication requirements have been met.
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Mr. Johnson reported that split rail fencs is rather inexpensive £or the
Parl� Department ta install and the area in question may cost approximately
$300 to have a fer�ce installed.
MO'TION: by David Gross, seconded by Cannie Scheid that the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Committee re-emphasizes their
stance that they do not feel that the City needs any
additional park land at Farquar Park at this tim�.
VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 0
ITEM #4.B. - New Business - Americans With Disabilities Act
Mr. Johnson reviewed th� in£ormation from a conference he attended last
month. Discussed there was the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Basically, it means opening eve thine to be handicap accessible.
He stated there is a very broad definition of disabled. He also explained
that the Parks a�d Recreation Depart�nent had a little experience in this
area this past swamer within the swim lesson program. A pa�ticipanC paid
$26.00 for one session of l0 lessons, then requested an interpreter £or the
child who was deaf.
The City Attorney reads the law as we are required to provide an
interpreter for a disabled person if one is requested. At quite a
substantial cost, this has a big impact on the program.
To prove "undue burden" in providing these accommodations, ail City funds
would be examined, not just a specific account. The money would not
necessarily have to come from a Parks and Recreation account, as an
example, there ma.y be funds remaining in the snow plowing account and those
funds wauld have to be available for this kind of accommodation for the
disabled.
This Act has a far reaching effect. Financially we could not run our
programs with these requirements. &egistration fees would have to be
raised substantially or a special fund would be needed for these type of
cases. The Parks and Recreation Department asked the City Council for, and
received in the 1993 proposed budget, an extra $5,400 as a cushion to help
offset these types of expenses.
A questions has been raised about wheelcha�,rs being able to go through the
sand that the park departments typically use under the play equipment.
There is now available a aew type of astro turf material thaC cbuld be
used, but it may be cost prohibitive to replace all of the existing play
aress with this. A play area similar in size to the one at Hayes may cost
$10,000 to have the astro turf material installed.
One recommended answer to the problem would be to divide a city the size of
Apple Valley into four quadrants and in each quadrant have a completely
handicap accessible play area.
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The estimated time to deCermine the acutual impact of the ADA could be four
to five years yet.
The three new sets of play equipment installed over the past summer are
handicap accessible. Also installed was a special handicap swing at Long
Lake Park.
Recommendation was made to do some research and expand on the quadrant
concept for play equipment handicap accessibility and which parks would be
so desiganated; explain why it would be economically prohibi,tive to redo
all of the parics within the city; and, how many people would it serve?
Organizational meetings would have to be held, press releases issued, cable
television notices broadcast, and copy in the Parks and Recreation brochure
announcing the meetings. The Committee and Park Department could take a
pro-activ� approach, have the meeting notice for the January Parks and
Recreation Advisory Committee published in the December Parks and
Recreation brochure.
At some of the upcoming meetings the Commit�ee will research the cost
involved; and, if the idea of the quadrant concept is determined to be the
best, most acceptable, which parks would be designated. This is really a
city-wide issue.
ITEM #S.A. - Old Business - Update on Summer Projects
Randy Johnson reviewed the accomplishments of the Parks Advisory
Committee's approved list of projecCs for the summer of 1492. He reports
that the Park Department has received complimentary calls on all three of
the new playscapes. Alimagnet's phase II should be completed next year.
The Department has received a large amount of help from the local scout
traops, Highland Elementary and Scott Highland Middle schools in planting
trees. This is something the Department will probably pursue again in the
future. 340 of the 350 trees planted (bare-root stock) have survived thus
far. The seeding and sod went mainly to the athletic fields.
The Sentence to Service progXam of Dakota County's was used extensively
this year also. The County funnels the individuals that have community
service requirements imposed on them into this Sentence to Service program.
The County then supplies a supervisor for the group and sends then out in a
van to the work site.
The services of the Twin Cities Tree Trust were also used again this year.
They did a lot of work at Eastview, timbered volleyball courts, etc.
The Park Dedication fund balance is estimated at $630,000. Mr. Johnson
will bring to the next meeting a report from the Finance Department on the
updated balance of the account.
Meg McMonigal was asked to have available at the next meeting the Planning
Department's projections for 1993. She reports that recently there has
been little development within the City. If there is more park dedication,
it would probably come from commercial development.
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ITEM #6. - Other - Youth Athietic Needs Study Committee
Councilmember Tom Goodwin at the last City Council mee�ing created an Ad
Aoc Committee to study the sports facilit}r nesds of the c�mmunity and asked
them to com� up with a "dream" list. The Comaaittee members will consist
af:
Robin Curran, Urban Affairs Committee
Bsrnie Dusich, Apple Valley Hockey Association
Karen Edgeton, Planning Commission
JoAnne Ellison, CommuniCy Education Director & District Demographer
David Gross, Park Advisory Committee
Jeff Krause, Valley Athletic Association
Steve Reischauer, Rosemount Area Athl.etia Association
Tom Swoope, Valley Athletic As�aciation
Randy Johnson, City Staff Liaisor�
They will report to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and then on
to the City Council within 100 days. The Committee will be working to
provide some real documentation to determine if the current facilities are
being used efficiently, if there is a need for additional facilities, etc.
VAA reports that 878 of their participants are Appl� Valley residents and
R�A reports that approximately 42� of their participants are Apple Valley
residents,
ITEM #6. (part 2)
Con�ie Scheid presented a musical group's tape to Randy Johnson for hi.s
review and consideration for upcoming performances that are sponsored by
the Parks and Recreation Department in the parks.
ITEM #6. (part 3)
The next meeting of the Farks and Recreation Advisory Committee will be
scheduled for October 22, 1992 at the Apple Valley Communit3� Center at
7:30pm.
ITEM #7. Adj ourn
There being no further business on the agenda, the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Comanittee meeting was adjourned.
MOTION: by David Gross, seconded by Cltariie Maus to ad�ourn the
meeting at 9:15 pm.
VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 0
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