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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/28/1988 � • ` � • CITY OF APPLE VALLEY JOINT DISCUSSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND - PARK COMMITTEE MEMBERS JULY 28, 1988 PRESENT: Mayor Willis Branning; City Council Members Tom Goodwin, Bi11 Holton, Gary Humphrey, Barbara Savanick; Park Director Randy Johnson; Parks and Recreation Supervisor Randy Johnson; Park Committee Chair Greg Kopischke; Park Committee Members Russ DeFau, John DiRico, Dave Gross, Tina Rankin. Assistant City Administrator Tom Lawell, Planning & Development Director Dennis Welsch, City Clerk Mary Mueller. ABSENT: , Park Members Charlie Maus and Ann Wyllie. Following are the topics and the discussion which ensued on each. 1. SALE OF BEER AT EASTVIEW ATHLETIC COMPLEX: Revenue from the sale of beer at Valleywood is approximately $4,040.00 per year. It was felt that beer should not be eliminated from our facilities. It is a simple operation for the Parks and Recreation to be in the concessions business; administratively, this can be handled, based on the experience at Valleywood. Council Mem- bers Holton, Goodwin, Humphrey suggested that beer be sold; it does not work out, it can be cancelled. Mayor Branning felt the sale of beer should be allowed; it is a part of today's society for the majority. Discussion regarding the fact that adult players already bring in their own beer, there is no beer present at youth soccer games, and in today's society, drinking of beer is the norm. Beer at Eastview would be tap beer. With the ability to purchase beer on the premi- ses, it was felt that the end result eould be less beer being consum- ed. If �beer is sold or not, it will be on the premises as a result of people bring their own in coolers, etc. The City Council gave its approval of going ahead with the sale of beer with the stipulation. that it be monitored as closely as pos- sible. A request has been received from the Hockey Association and the Val- ley Athletic Association to rent the Community Center in order to hold a fund raiser, and to bring in their own setups. Redwood has been the only facility, thus far, where this has been allowed. Under the City's Dance Ordinance, a one-time permit application will be considered. (This body has their own insurance. ) � � � o • JOINT MEETING CITY COUNCIL PARKS & RECREATION July 28, 1988 Page 2 2. 5$ Park Dedication Fee for Commercial Property. Chair Kopischke indicated the Park Committee would like to see the the 5� Park Dedication Fee required from commercial, industrial, or other nonresidential subdivisions as stated in the existing Apple Valley Code. The Committee feels they are really shortchanging � themselves not to collect this fee which is needed to further develop and maintain the parks which already exist. Mr. Kopischke works with many of the communities in the area in his business and almost all of them collect from commercial/industrial development. This fee can be applied on different basis; for examples in Eagan it is based on a square footage basis; in Burnsville on a percentage basis. Mayor Branning gave a brief history of why this fee had not been collected in the past. Also, he commented that with the difficulty of attracting` industrial/commercial ventures, none want to be discouraged from locating in Apple Valley. Mr. Kopischke indicated that he felt the bottom line of a business locating in a community is the population it will serve. Probably 90� of the communities in the metro area collect a fee. Mayor Branning said that there had to be a demonstrated need as stated in the ordinance. In the seventies, the need was to serve the residential populace. Mr. Kopischke indicated that there is a demonstrated need--many businesses sponsor softball/baseball teams and many workers who may live outside the community play on these teams and use the facilities. Ms. Rankin brought forth the park that has been _ proposed for the Government Center. Mr. Gross commented that the entire environment has changed. The way the ordinance is written now does include commercial and industrial property. There is a demonstrated need for funds for various park projects--expansion, maintaining, upgrading, etc. In a legal sense, what we are doing is not in compliance as stated in the Code. Mr. Goodwin felt that definitely charging for park dedication should occur especially since almost every community is doing this. He wished to ascertain the percentages being used and how it is based. This should be considered as a potential revenue source. Mayor Branning suggested that Eagan and Burrisville do not have problems attracting industrial/commercial base. Apple Valley is known for the finest park system in the metro suburbs. The Mayor said we would have to decide if we want to do it and what kind of a charge should required. . � � JOINT MEETING CITY COUNCIL PARK COMMITTEE � July 28, 1988 Page 3 Mr. Holton said there is already a 58 industrial/commercial fee that exists in the Code. It should be determined if this is based on the value of the property from a residential or commercial standpoint. Mr. Humphrey, too, indicated that this fee should be collected. He suggested that plans be made to implement it. Businesses will locate here; they are interested in access and population source. Ms. Rankin pointed out that as rapidly as the City is growing, the residential development will be coming to an end and the concern is how the established parks will continue to be main- tained. Commercial provides another source of income. Mr. DeFauw said that, as a businessman, he could not imagine a situation where a park dedication fee would deter a business from locating in a community. It was suggested that Park Director Johnson prepare an information packet for the City Council. Mr. Welsch shared a portion of a study which was done indicating the fee and the manner by which it is obtained by some of the surrounding communities. Mr. Welsh will prepare a detailed analysis of this and present the information to the City Council. Mr. Gross indicated that this is an opportune time to collect _ the industrial/coinmercial fee. Mr. Goodwin indicated he felt there is no doubt we should be collecting a fee as did Mr. Holton and Mr. Humphrey. The concern is that it be no higher than the surrounding communities. , 3. Fu11 Time Staffing Levels for the Recreation Department. Parks Director Johnson indicated that their department would be ask- ing for two new programmers to join their staff. Many new facilities have been added and essentially there was a cut in staff. It was recommended wholeheartedly that staffing be upgraded to accommodate the additional duties. Mayor Branning commented that based on the fact that during the past four years providing support staff has been a high priority, he feZt this request would be supported. It would result from the annual budgeting process. Other Council members concurred. • � � 30INT MEETING CITY COUNCIL PARK COMMITTEE July 28, 1988 Page 4 � 4. Inclusion of Park System In City Comprehensive Plan. It is important that in the updating of the City Comprehensive Plan, the Park System be included. It has been about eight years sinee the plan was updated and it needs to be kept current with the various trends in the City. The Park Committee desires that the Park System be integrated in the Comprehensive Plan more than in the past. Mr. Humphrey indicated that the City is way behind in this process. Mr. Welsch would like for the Park Committee to meet with the Planning Commission so that the two bodies can exchange their ideas and goals. Mr. Goodwin indicated that a11 Council Members agree that the Comprehensive Plan should be updated and that parks should be included. S. Additional Indoor Ice Facility. Park Director Johnson and City Administrator Melena have met with representatives of the Apple Valley Hockey Association. They are ' very interested in a shell-type facility for an additional sheet of ice. This facility would cost $500-800,000.00. Mr. Goodwin agreed that additional ice is needed, but any building constructed should be as "spartan as spartan can be. " Mayor Branning stated that the general populace would not vote in favor of a bond referendum to support an additional facility. Mr. Gross suggested the possibility of a joint venture with - Rosemount, Lakeville, and Apple VaZley. This could be a coalition of the three cities and set up much like the existing ambulance agreement. Park Director Johnson will further research�this need with the Park Committee to study this issue and make recommendations. It was felt this is a needed facility, but it should be constructed as economically as possible. The discussion ended at 8 p.m.