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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/21/1992 . - ' � �� � CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND REGREATION ADVISORY COI�IITTEE January 21, 1992 Minutes of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee held January 21, 1992 at the Apple Valley Community Center. PRESENT: Chairperson Greg Kopischke; Committee Members John DiRico, Connie Scheid, Russ DeFauw, Tina Rankin (arrived at 7:SOpm); Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Rosemount Area Athletic Association Representative Steve Reischauer. ABSENT: David Gross and Charlie Maus. Item #1. - Chairman Kopischke called the meeting to order at 7:44 pm. Item #2. - Approval of the Agenda. MOTION: by John DiRico, seconded by Connie Scheid to approve the agenda as presented. VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 0 Item #3. - Approval of the November 1991 Minutes. MOTION: by Greg Kopischke, seconded by Russ DeFauw to accept the November 1991 minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 0 Item #4.A. - City Council Goal Setting Update. Randy Johnson distributed two handouts; l. ) 1992 Short Term Goals and; 2. ) Long Range Goals. 26 people from the City Council, committees representatives, and staff spent two days setting these goals for the City of 'Apple Valley. It was a good time of interaction between the various groups. In discussing the. Southern Athletic Complex. as goal number 2 on the _ Long-Range Goals, Mr. Johnson reported that the City already has a concept in mind. The schematic has been done. 1 : ' } � `, 7 In regards the goal number 5 of the Long Range Goals, research shows approximately 35 rental groups used Alimagnet Park shelter in 1991. This number does not include any of the school classes and individuals who did not reserve the shelter but used it on a first come-first served basis. Past discussions have included opening some trails in the park, a nature center, opening a road off Gardenview Drive. Though the idea is to make the park more accessible, it would still remain as a natural area. Chairman Kopischke noted that the City Engineer has drawn up plans for the park and Burnsville already has a nature walk area. Tying in with them would be a good idea. He doesn't expect a large increase in number of park users even with additional entrances. Visibility is a large concern for the park. The direction sign on Gardenveiw Drive has helped. Councilmember Goodwin stated that Alimagnet Park is a concern of - everyone's on the City Council, but he feels that the Southern Athletic Complex should receive more priority. As the city's population ages, there may be more of an inclination/demand for Alimagnet Park. Chairman Kopischke questioned where the City Council stands on the space needs issue. Councilmember Goodwin stated that City Council is not sure the present building is acceptable for the next 30 years. The public safety aspect is a major concern. City halls are designed for the ultimate; but no one knows what the ultimate is. City Council is struggling with a decision; part of the Council believe a new building should be located in downtown Apple Valley and other members of the Council want to pursue a temporary stopgap. Councilmember Goodwin questions whether the current location on 142nd Street and Cedar Avenue in a residential area is appropriate for 24 hour a day comings and goings of the police cars. The City Council is also aware that a senior citizen facility will probably be needed in the next few years. Randy Johnson stated that each year the Park Department and Advisory Committee looks at the Comprehensive Plan for guidance, but there are no pressing issues for the Park Department listed on the 1992 City goals. Councilmember Goodwin believe that the Southern Athletic Complex will be listed in the top five goals in the near future. Dakota County owns over 40 acres of land in Apple Valley, south of 160th Street where Pilot Knob Road and Dodd intersect. The City of Apple Valley owns land in Lakeville. A land swap is being considered. Item #4.B. - Keller Lake Water Surface Management Ordinance. With a review of the information supplied by Burnsville and an okay from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, Randy Johnson will take the issue to the City Council for approval. It will then be sent on to the 2 � � � � State of Minnesota and the Department of Natural Resources will put this new ordinance on their books for enforcement. The City of Burnsville has already approved an ordinance for Keller Lake similar to the one for Lac Lavon. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Connie Scheid to recommend the Keller Lake Water Surface Management Ordinance for approval by City Council. VOTE: Yes - 5, No - 0 Item #4.C. - Park Dedication Fund Current Balance - 1992 Projections. The projected fund balance as of February 1, 1992 is $524,661. This. amount does not include the outstanding payment due for the Schultz property. Russ DeFauw requested that before the eastern lots of this property are sold to developers, that the Park Advisory Committee have another option to purchase. Randy Johnson reported that the City is currently waiting for developers to approach them. The big issue was money when the Advisory Committee recommended purchasing the entire five acres and then selling three lots on the east side to help defray the cost of the park and/or developing it. Development would possibly include a playscape and walking path area. Meg McMonigal reported that 1991 was a good year for development in the City of Apple Valley. Interest rates were low and 1991 compared in strength to 1990. There is a lot less platted land available within the City. There may be some larger properties to be developed yet, such as the Doyle property and Apple Ponds area. The only commercial development on the horizon is the Whitney Plaza currently zoned for high density homes, located south of 153rd Street along Cedar Avenue. After zoning changes, this may include Jiffy Lube, Midas and Dairy Queen. They would pay the $4,000 commercial rate rather than the $8,000 residential development rate. Tom Goodwin looks at this area as a tough place to sell for residential. The only option may be a strip mall. Ms. McMonigal does not foresee that the 80 acres along 140th Street - Swan's property will be developed in 1992. There is a farmhouse located in the middle of the property and they wish to keep a substantial amount of land with that. There are quite a few mixed sites scattered throughout the City that are available. The Cody property (12 acres) - Zoo Road and southeast of Cedar Avenue may be .dev.eloped into townhomes. 3 ( • � � � The members of the Park Advisory Committee proposed setting the February meeting for review of how the Park Dedication Fund balance over the $500,000 recommended minimum should be spent for public reereation and � development. Randy Johnson reports that there will be several upgrades on staff's recommended list of projects. Item #4.D. - View New Commercial/Industrial Promo Tape. Anyone wishing to utilize this new tape may do so by requesting/checking out a copy of the tape from Randy Johnson. Positive comments were received from the Advisory Committee members after reviewing the tape. Item #4.E. - Mid-.Winter :Fest February 8 and 9. Randy Johnson distributed complimentary Mid-Winter Fest buttons to the Committee members and asked them to wear them and help get the promotional word out for this event. The winning button design was chosen from over S00 entries submitted by middle school and high school students. Mr. Johnson invited everyone to the Mid-Winter Fest activities on February 8 and 9. Randy Quale and Jim Zinck are heading up the Mid-Winter Fest Committee. Item #S.A. - For Profit Youth Athletic Tournament Update. -� There being no typical tournament, but Randy Johnson compiled information for an average tournament showing the cost to be approximately $2,017. He reports that the staff's concern is that there are getting to be more and more tournaments scheduled by the youth athletic leagues. The youth associations do not pay a fee to hold a tournament and it is a revenue generating event for their sports. If approved, the procedure/policy of charging a fee for youth tournaments would probably be implemented in 1993 since the 1992 tournament information has already been set. Donations made to the Parks and Recreation Department are at the discretion of the youth association board of directors. Some communities charge a fee for the first tournament and others say "run as many as you want. " All adult tournaments are charged fees. As an example, a softball tournament for adults at Eastview may pay $1,000 per weekend. Russ DeFauw stated that he has long been an advocate of a user fee for youth sports. He feels that tournaments are run for one reason and that is to defray the entry registration cost to the parents. To save the parents, it reflects back to the community by shifting the cost. 4 3 , � � Tina Rankin stated that the donations don't always come in the form that's needed. She asked for a rough idea of how many tournaments were run last year. She believes that the tournament play is a different issue from V.A.A. regular season play. It could be a luxury. Greg Kopischke believes that the players get a real charge out of a tournament. It's a different atmosphere for them. With a tournament fee it may hopefully eliminate some of the duplication. He feels that we're not trying to gouge anyone with a fee. Connie Scheid stated that it would have to be a charge across the board. This is a business, and we need to run our business. John DiRico stated that as much as Russ DeBauw is for user fees, he is against them. He questioned who would provide the volunteer time that V.A.A. does? What would be the cost to the City of Apple Valley if V.A.A. :did not exist? Steve Reischauer stated that a $1,000 user fee would pretty much negate any profit from a tournament. He disagrees with user fees. Tom Goodwin recommended bringing the tournament cost information to the full City Council and a policy decision will be made. He believes that one of the reasons for the registration fee buy down from tournament income .was to help the people that can not afford to pay for their children to participate in the sports program. John DiRico questioned whether the youth groups could help defray the cost of a tournament by providing volunteers to empty trash, move bleachers, etc. Randy Johnson stated that the youth groups already have volunteers that pick up trash, etc. as much as they can, but the cost listed on the breakdown sheet are for driving a dumptruck for trash pick up, moving bleachers from one park to another, and so forth. These kinds of jobs/tasks require trained personnel. Russ DeFauw suggested that hardship cases would have to be addressed by the youth association itself. Greg Kopischke stated that if the City's budget was not so tight, then the Committee would not be looking at user fees for youth athletics. The adult leagues already bring in apgroximately $100,000 per year in fees. Mr. Johnson gave an example of $20 more per team to register for a tournament if user fees were implemented. This would slow down the demand for tournaments. A futher example would be the Big Apple Tournament. It may have 30 fields going. If the school district's mowing schedule doesn't coincide with the tournament, then the City maintenance crews may have to mow, stripe and line the fields on school property. _ Mr. Johnson asked if there was some additional information he could get the Committee to help make a decision on user fees? 5 ` • a � � Mr. DiRico feels that the money is all coming €rom the same place. Russ DeFauw doesn't believe that user fees will turn anyone away. Connie Scheid stated that the policy should be an administrative decision. She suggested maybe have someone from staff in on the process for tournament planning. She doesn't see the user fee as being exorbitant. We're just trying to defray some of the costs. Randy Johnson stated that it is hard toeas n with thecotherccities in tournament. Price should stay within r the area. Usually in�M�h°ortanizationsnto askefor tournamentnfieldds out a letter to the y g requests. Chairman Kopischke requested that Randy information toktheaCity Council. the 1991 tournaments cost and give that He'.d like to get some direction from the Council. He feels the City ls six months to a year away from any implementation of a user fee or even how it's going to be handled. Mr. Johnson said it will probably be 1993 because budgets and fees for 1992 have already been determined. We should give six months notice to the youth organizations. Mr. DeFauw requested that the user fee item be placed on every Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee agenda until it is resolved. Randy Johnson suggested starting to break this information down; it helps to get a handle on it. Councilmember Goodwin stated that there will be a meetinga nin V AHe and staff to discuss fields, fees, etc. for toue��n on-site to be hopes to implement the idea of having a staffe�son would have the responsible for a designated weekend. That p ability to stop a game to prevent field damage. Suggestion was made to invite the V.A.A. and R.A.A.A. to the March or April meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to discuss the idea of user fees for youth tournaments. Tina Rankin stated that part of the Advisory Committeossibleus is to take care of the fields we have and provide more if p Steve Reischauer's (R.A.A.A.) intention is to attend the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meetings each month. Item #7. - Adjourn. There being no further business on the agenda, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Tina Rankin, seconded by Russ DeFauw to adjourn the meeting at 9:52pm. VOTE: Yes - 5, No - 0 6