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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/16/1991 , ~ � • � CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE April 16, 1991 Minutes of the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee held April 16, 1991, at the Apple Valley Community Center. PRESENT: Chairperson Greg Kopischke; Committee Members Connie Scheid, John DiRico, David Gross, Charlie Maus and Russ DeFauw; City Council Member Tom Goodwin; City Administrator Tom Melena; Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson; Community Developrnent Director Dennis Welsch; Associate Planner Meg McMonigal; Visitors Heien Schultz and Don Romain. ABSENT: Tina Rankin. Item #l. Chairman Kopischke called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm. Item #2. Approval of the Agenda. Two items were added to the agenda under item #b. Other. B. Lakeville Joint Meeting. C. Attendance Policy. MOTION: by David Gross, seconded by John DiRico to approve the agenda with the additions. VOTE: Yes - 6, No - 0 Item #3. Approval of March Minutes. MOTION: by Russ DeFauw, seconded by Connie Scheid to approve the minutes as written. VOTE: Yes - 6, No - 0 Chairperson Kopischke welcomed the visitors and guests in attendance. Mrs. Schult and Mr. Romain stated that they were interested in item #5 B - Schultz Property on the agenda. 1 • • . page 2 of 9 April 16, 199T meeting minutes Item #4. New Business - A. Huntington Building Proposal from Centel Telephone Company. Several months ago Centel Telephone Company approached the Parks and Recreation Department for approval to build at free standing phone equipment building in Huntington Park. Negotiations have produced an agreement between the telephone company and the Parks and Recreation Department to build a joint park shelter/teiephone equipment building. 90� of the funding, not to exceed $40,000, will be provided by Centel. The Parks and Recreation Department budget will fund the remaining 10$ or about $4,000 to $6,000. No park dedication funds should be required for this project. The telephone equipment now located in Huntington Park will be moved indoors to a climate controlled room, bathrooms will be roughed in and a 36'x24' room will be designated for use by the recreation department. Centel Telephone Company has provided a preliminary plan of the building and cost estimate of $40,000 to $43,000. Overall size of the building would be 54'x24' . The Parks and Recreation Department's long range plans had already included a park shelter building in Huntington Park in the next three to five years. The building will be located in the southwest corner of the park, near the skating rinks. MOTION: by David Gross, seconded by John DiRico to accept and support the construction of the joint building at Huntington Park by Centel Telephone Company and the Parks and Recreation Department. VOTE: Yes - 6, No - 0 Item #S. Old Business - A. Cedar Knolls Park and Ride Development. Community Development Director Dennis Welsch gave some background information and a review of the current status of the Cedar Knolls area development. Mr. Welsch stated that the recent articles in the newspapers have been misleading. The City of Apple Valley will acquire through a donation approximately ten acres of land west of Germaine Avenue along the east side of the Cedar Avenue ramp. Staff recommendation for this land is for multiple family dwellings. 2 , ' ' • • page 3 of 9 Aprit 16, 1991 meeting minutes Commercial property development in this area would allow a 128,502 sq. ft, building to be constructed, generating traffic of approximately 15,000 cars each day. The property cannot be accessed from the north; there is only a south exit ramp off Cedar Avenue near this location. At the public hearing the developer decided that it may be in his best interest to donate the property to the City of Apple Valley. He has divided the ten acres into four 2 1/2 acre parcels to be donated over a four year period. The southern two parcels have already been accepted by the city. Another parcel will be received in 1992 and the last will be received in 1993. The site is not conducive to a major ballfield area because of the hilly terrain. The Planning and Development Department however, has received a few ideas for the development of this area. Some of them include: a park and ride lot, a church, townhouse project, dirt bike trail, park land, change the convenience store into a daycare, etc. . Tom Melena believes it will cost an estimated $200,000 to $250,000 to create a park and ride on the site. With the current budget concerns, the city does not have the cash to invest in a project of that cost. The Minnesota Transit Authority doesn't have the cash to invest either. HRA had mentioned an interest in building low cost housing units within the city. City staff inembers approached them with the proposal of building on the property west of Germaine Avenue along the east side of the Cedar Avenue ramp. HRA prefers the northwest quadrant, but the city will not have possession of the property until 1993. Once the HRA had the commitment from the city, they could then make plans for the development of the property. The city agreed to sell 50� of the ten acre parcel to the HRA for development. HRA inturn will build approximately 42 homes on the site for a $5,000 payment fee per home to be paid to the City of Apple Valley. The city intends to use the $200,000 from HRA to finance the construction of a park and ride lot on the remaining land area and possibly have some open space also. Staff believes the street has the capacity to handle 200 cars. 127th Street is scheduled to be upgraded in 1992 or 1993. The city has received only one letter negatively commenting on the idea of the HRA housing units. 3 • • ` ' � page 4 of 9 April 16, 1991 meeting minutes Dennis Welsch has talked with the HRA representatives discussing the option of selling the entire ten acres to them and the city's maintaining a scenic easement to provide an open space. They stated that a playscape area is part of their standard development. At this time, the city has not offered the northeast quadrant to HRA yet. Staff would like to have some open space if George's Market decides to relocate and the market is redesigned into a daycare center. Ms. McMonigal mentioned that the city staff is working on connecting the Cedar Knolls neighborhood with the Briar Oaks Park by way of a pathway this summer. One of the concerns was that the public outcry for a park to be built in the area was to ensure that the low income housing units were not built. Staff believes that the design of the units will be based on the Burnsville development and should fit in quite well with the city's standards for housing. Mr. Melena stated that the HRA has agreed to build their development in two phases, because of the land donation timeframe. This will help save some of the large trees in the northeast quadrant also. Chairperson Kopischke thanked Mr. Melena and Mr. Welsch for attending the meeting and stated that the committee will allow their past recommendations to stand in regards to the addition of new park land in this section of the city. Item #5. Old Business - B. Schultz Property (Pennock Avenue and 138th Avenue) . Randy Johnson stated that one of the concerns for the Pennock and 138th Avenue areas was that there is no park in this development. It does not fall within the 1/2 mile radius for park land. The Parks and Recreation Department receives quite a few phone calls questioning when the park will be developed. Mr. Don Romain addressed the committee as the real estate agent for Mrs. Schultz in the sale of her property. He has submitted a proposal for the sale of the land to the City of Apple Valley. There are two parts to his proposal: a. ) Approximately 3:5 acres from Pennock to Greenland with the dimensions approximately 2E0 ft. x 590 ft. 4 � • page 5 of 9 Aprit 16, 1991 meeting minutes b. ) Approximately 5.4 acres from Pennock to the proposed road access for Granada with the dimensions approximately 260 ft. x 900 ft. . David Gross questioned the access to the park area, "what about children crossing Pennock Avenue to get to the park?" Mr. Melena outlined the requirements to have a stop sign installed as 500 cars per hour over an eight hour period and 200 cars per hour at the stop sign coming from the opposite direction. The Parks and Recreation Department believes the property size would not allow for a parking area along with the play equipment. It would be designed as a neighborhood park. Mr. Johnson stated that it would be nice to have the entire 5.4 acre parcel, but with the financial constraints and considering what it would be used for, the 3.5 acre parcel would be sufficient. Mr. DeFauw expressed his desire to see the entire 5.4 acre parcel purchased. He sees the area as a real asset when the city is running out of natural open space. Maybe purchase the land now and then look at the park at a later date for development. He feels this area has gone without a park for quite some time. Mr. Gross stated that he would like to see an off-road parking area. According to Mr. Johnson, if the entire 5.4 acres are purchased, it may be five or six years before any playground equipment or any other amenities can be added to the park because of financial constraints. The purchase will also mean that the reserve amount will go below the $500,000 mark. The reserve amount was initiated to perpetuate a continuing fund for the future projects. In Mr. Melena's opinion, it makes sense to purchase the 5.4 acres and then sell the three or four lots on the east side to raise cash for the amenities. There are limited resources available so if there are ways to do things, everyone needs to be innovative. John DiRico also agrees to purchase the 5.4 acres with the stipulation that access be provided from all areas, including Hallwood Highlands area. Mr. Gross stated that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee's theme over the last few years has been to take park land and not take cash in lieu of or to sell park land. There is a sliver of land that Erickson's own just to the north that could be considered a natural inclusion to the park in the future. S • � � ' , page b of 9 April 16, 1991 meeting minutes MOTION: by David Gross, seconded by Charlie Maus to recomtnend to the City Council that the city purchase the full 5.4 acre parcel and if they have to sell the extra lots, so be it. The sale would be something better handled by City Council. Ms. McMonigal pointed out that if the City of Apple Valley purchases the parcel of land $25,700, then that inturn will dictate what the cash in lieu of rate will be based on. Any park dedication fees from that development will be collected at the $25,700 rate. Charlie Maus requested clarification on the dollar amount of $70,000 to $100,000 that can be expected over the next few years in revenue for the park dedication fund. Ms. McMonigal answered that this is a conservative estimate. Hopefully the amount will be more. Mr. Johnson reminded the committee that a commitment has already been made for $90,000 in 1991. There will probably be $50,000 to $60,000 of revenue from building permits, plus the interest of approximately $50,000 generated from the $500,000 fund balance. If the balance goes below the $500,000 there will not be any new projects in the next few years until thA fund is up the minimum balance again. Mr. Melena stated that if the Advisory Committee do�es decide to recommend the sale of the lots on the east side .of the land parcel, the park dedication fund will also have to incur the cost of developing those lots into a saleable condition; sewer, water, completion of the roadway for access, etc. . Cost could be $15,000 to $20,000 for each lot. 6 � , , , ' • • page 7 of 9 Ap�il 16,_1991 meeting minutes Chairperson Kopischke feels that the purchase of property is an opportunity the committee can't afford to pass by. He suggested an amendment to the motion to include: AMENDMENT T0: The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee suggests THE MOTION that staff work with Mrs. Schultz and Mr. Romain to make sure what makes sense and benefits the area. Philosophically, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee feels that the city should accept/purchase the land in the area for a park land. VOTE: Yes - 6, No - 0 Item #5. Old Business - C. Apple Ponds Park The City of Apple Valley has received notice from the developer, Bart Winkler, that the 75$ (102) ievel of building permits has been reached in the Apple Ponds development. The City now has 90 days to exercise the option outlined in the "Supplementary" agreement with Carrollton Development, Inc. to purchase 4.6551 acres within the development for park land at $15,000 per acre. There are a few minor changes to the concept plan, but nothing major. The park dedication funds have already been collected and are available to use for the purchase option. MOTION: by John DiRico, seconded by David Gross to endorse the purchase of the option property at approximately $70,000 from park dedication funds. VOTE: Yes - 6, No - 0 Item #5. Old Business - D. Golf Course Building There are two options available for the bank building currently located near the corner of County Road 42 and Cedar Avenue: Option #1.) It could potentially be moved to Valleywood yet this summer. Dale Movers still believes they can move the building once the road load limits are lifted. However, Public Works . Director John Gretz feels that a building of that weight (90 tons) will ruin the city roadways. 7 • • , ' � • , page 8 of 9 April 16, 1997 meeting minutes After quotations for the moving of the building were received, Dale Movers was instructed to have the building moved to Valleywood Golf Course before the frost left the ground in February. They did not succeed in doing so, and now the building is left on the moving company's two axles just to the east of it's original site. Option #2. ) If the building is not moved to Valleywood by July or August, that location will no longer be an option. The new design of Pilot Knob Road will not permit the building moving along that route. The building could then possibly be relocated in January 1992 to the park and ride location near Cedar Kno11s to act as a transit office. Dakota County will charge $3,000 each for lowering traffic signals along the moving route. Item #5. Old Business - E. Soccer Field Lighting Project Council Member Tom Goodwin addressed the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to update them on the proposed field lighting project. He reports that City Council sees the project as a good idea but realizes that the park dedication fund is tapped out. Capital improvement or building funds may be options. Item #6. Other - A. 1991 Group Picture A Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and Council Liaison group picture was taken to be included in the Parks and Recreation summer brochure. Item, #6. Other - B. Lakeville Joint Meeting The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee metnbers received an invitation from Lakeville to participate in a meeting on April 25 with � other Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee's from Dakota County. The Parks and Recreation secretary will RSVP for Greg Kopischke, Russ DeFauw, David Gross, Charlie Maus and Randy Johnson. Connie Scheid and John DiRico were undecided. 8 . � . - � • • page 9 of 9 April 16, 1991 meeting minutes Item #6. Other - C. Attendance Policy In 1983 an attendance policy was drafted, but never adopted by City Council. It reads: miss three consecutive meetings or five meetings annually and recommend mandatory resignation of the committee member. Randy Johnson noted that the Committee has had to cancel meetings because of the lack of a quorum. The City Council is looking to adopt a policy for all city committees. Mr. Gross expressed his recommendation to return to the 7:OOam meetings as was done in the past. Chairperson Kopischke recommended following the Planning Commission's policy of: if after six absences or 25� absenteeism, the chairperson will notify the committee member in regards to his/her desire to remain on the committee. After that, there would be an option to inolude excused or non-excused absences. Council Member Goodwin stated that the City Council wanted to know if the people just weren't interested or if it was business preventing them from attending the meetings. Item #7. Adjourn MOTION: by John DiRico, seconded by David Gross to adjourn the meeting at 9:40pm. VOTE: Yes - b, No - 0 Next meeting is scheduled for May 21, 1991. 9