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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/17/1981 • i CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 17, 1981 PRESENT: Chairperson Virginia Sterling, Douglas Dahlent Rita Gutenkauf, ` David Mi11er, Robert Naegeli, Terry Langager, Staff inember Mike Bassett. ABSENT. Joanne Hollenbeck City Council Member Barbara Savanick arrived at 8:45 p.m. Chairperson V. Sterling called the meeting to order at 7z05 p.m. Terry Langager was welcomed as a new member of the Park Committee by V. Sterling. Mi�utes of the March 3, 1981 , meeting were approved as mailed. PRESENT!�TION BY THEATRE 196--USE OF FARQUHAR BARN--Dick Anderson� Vice-President of Theatre 19 Also present� Paul Mathey, Artistic Director, Theatre �96; David L� Lindstrom� President; and five other members� Theatre '196. Mike Bassett prefaced the presentation by Theatre 196 explaining the interest this group has in talking to the Park Committee and possibly the City Council concerning the use of the barn at Farquhar Farm. Theatre 196 i� interested '- in the potential renovation of the barn to make use of that facility as a performance center for community plays, etc. ��Je are concerned with where Theatre 196 has been, where it is going and how it could fit into the city's plans. Dick Anderson began his presentation by passing to each member a proposal for an Apple Valley Arts Center. Theatre 196 wishes a performance base inside Apple Valley. They have been receiving support from School District 196 by using the Little Theatre a� Rosemount High School. Within School District �96, Apple Valley is where the action is� all members of the Board af Directors of Theatre 196 are from Apple Valley, most of the audience and those on the mailing list are from Apple Valley. Th� main objection to the eontinuing use of the Rosemount �ittle Theatre is location. Most of the audience is from Apple Valley. People also tend to associate Theatre 196 with the school district and think of it as a high school organization. Theatre 196 are concerned with projecting an image of being a community theatre. So that the Farquhar Barn could be used to the greater benefit of the community� Mr. Anderson felt this facility should be termed an Arts Center. Theatre 196 is not big enough to justify the use of the entire facility just for themselves. As detailed in the proposal, the Arts Center could be a multi-function facility: Performing Arts (Community Theatre, Children's Theatre, Historical Pageants, just to list a few examples) , Visual Arts (for example , antique shows, exhibits, and local history museum) , and Community Activities (community socials, dances, club meetings, as examples). Thes� are just suggested ways a facility mi�ht be used with no commitment that they would serve all these purposes--these are ideas of what might be acco�►plished. The Farquhar Barn area could be used as a summer theatre facility--the first theatre in open air. An inside theatre facility where � • PARK COMMITTEE M�I�'tTTES �Iarch 17� 1981 Page 2 the audience could be seated on two sides, u�ing removable chairs ar other types of portable seating. This seating could be moved or rearranged for dances� lectures, films, and other uses. Included in the proposal from Theatre 196 is a Bibl.iography of whieh Arts Centres, Every Town Should Have One ana Will It Ntake A Theatre? are two of the books Mr. Anderson sho�red the �roup. The second book deals with converting existing buildings into theatre,s and discusses safety, local 1aws, toilet facilities� width o£ aisles, etc. The remainder of the pri�ted proposal contained copies of ne�aspaper articles that dealt with Theatre 196 and a list of its Board of Directors. DI�CUSSION: Chairperson Sterling asked ifthey want the Park Gommittee to renovate Farquhar Barn? Mr. Anderson stated that Ti�eatre 196 operates on a very small �ash flow. A production costs about $1 ��00 and their past rate of success is to break even. Theatre 196 is lookin� for ZMAGE--how the publie and Theatre 196 perceives ' itself--searching for an identity and looking for a H�ME is part of the pracess. Rosemount Little Theatre is ideal except for its location--Theatre 196 wishes to fe�l a closer bond with its audience composed maily of Apple Va11ey residents, Use of App1e Valley High School Theatre--is beyond the ability of �heatre �96 to use. The seating capacity at AUHS Theatre is 6�4. A comrnunity theatre is much smaller and more intimate. The long-range goal of Theatre 196 is to perform at AVHS Theatre. Audience--Rosemount I�ittle Theatre seats 1&�� and they have less than 50/ capacity. Parkin� should be considered for 50 cars. Charge for Performances--9�3.50 for adults, �2.50 for students and senior citizens; a 50¢ discoUnt on both �v�es of tickets if pre-sold. Some advertisements are so1d. Response from busi�esses in Apple Va31ey seems more favorable than Rosemount. Committee member Terry Langager stated that there was support from city of Rosemount� the initial dollar amount from Parks and Recreation in 1978 was a couple of hundr.ed dollars, the School District gave some money the first year� but now contributes use of the faeility. Last year custc�dial fees and theatre use. Ferformances He1d--primarily durin� theatre season; summer productions are almost like a second season since audiences tend to decrea�e. S.ummer stoek theatre is one way to fill the void. Mr. Anderson desires that Farquhar Barn become a year-round theatre facility. He welcomes summer theatre but still wi11 not be satisfied until it becomes a year-round Arts Center. Funding--is unfamiliar to Mr. An.derson, but the thinking of Theatre 196 i� to expect to pay some form of rent. Typically, arts are supported in that much of the costs are underwritten by a large orJanization like municipal government Use by other groups while theatre in production--usually a s�age is tied up for two coeeks prior to opening night but not always. �7avid I,indstrom� Presiden� of Theatre 196, explained when the faeil.ity is used at Rosemount High School, a curtain can hide the sta�e area. It depends on how the facility is laid out; a fixed portion of the stage can be tied up but not necessarily the entire � • PARK COMt��1TTEE M�NUTES March 1'7, 198'I Page 3 stage area. Mr. Paul Mathey, artistic director for Theatre 196, told of portable sets and other arrangements which can be used for productions depending on the type of play to be presented. Farquhar Barn has a seatin� capacity of 80-'I00 people. Da4id Miller expressed further concern as to how much Farquhar Barn would be tied up when Theatre 196 is performing and practicing to that other activities could be carried on at the same time. Mr. Anderson pointed out in the proposal that they (Theatre �96) see Farquhar Barn as a multi-functional facility. Theatre 196 needs a HOME for a certain amoun± of time� and an audience that irientifies with Apple Va11ey has been developing. Miller stated he sees the need of audience facilities� a lobby� restrooms, working space, construction rooms, workshops, storage space, lighting, etc. Lighting could be conceivably be providec3 by Theatre '196. Mr. Bassett expressed concern that the area they seem most interested in serving is Apple Valley. The population o� Rosemount is expeeted to double or triple as new developments are completed. The the Philosophy of Theatre 196 to serve District '196 or just Apple Valley. Mr. Anderson feels the theatre and arts are important in the community in which you live. Mr. Bassett wondered if it would be just Apple Va11ey Theatre in the long term. Anderson spo&e of theatre people not being bound to audition for plays just in the community where they Iive. Theatre people consider an entire area and will audition for plays wherever the opportunity exist. Mr. Bassett felt the options discussed by representatives of Theatre196 would not limit the scope of the building. Each of the �ee areas or levels could have multi-purpose uses. The City would control the types of uses and rent urould be involved. Mr. Bassett reported the one hundred thousand dollar T,awcon Grant had -been approved by the Federal Government. From that grant, 80-100 thousand dollar� could be used to renovate Farquhar Barn and farmstead. There wi11 be an architect working with the City. Theatre 196 is very interes�ed in imput and sug�ested the committee invite other arts concerns in to see e�hat they desire as to how the facility could also serve thern. Popularity of Theatre '196--sees themselves as performing small scale works and staying; they desire a Community Theatre, they wish to stay in the community and are willing to make a long-term commitment to the City of Apple Valley for a certain number of years. Ms. Sterling pointed out that �utting Farquhar Barn on the National Historic Register would not alter the use of the building. No commitment to Theatre 1o6 can be made at this time, but the �ratitude of the committee to Theatre '196 for their presentation was expressed by Chairperson Sterling. � • PARK COMI�II`�TEE MINi1TES March 17, �981 Page 4 REVIE`� DAKOT� COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN--Mr. Chuek Lowery� Director of Parks� Dakota County, and Ms. �arbara Schmidt The Metropolitan Land P1.anning Act requires a parks plan as an element in the County Comprehensive Plan� The Park System Policy Plan, which examines the existin� and future status of parks in the County Park System b5r establishing goaTs, objectives, and polica.es for �akota County� has been prepared to satisfy that requirement and to update the �975 County/Regional Park System P1an. The Comprehen5ive Plan includes 5 parks--Thompson County Park, Zebanon Hills Regional Park, Sp�i�� Lake Regional Park Reserve, Lake Byllesby Regional Park, and Miesville Ravine Regional Park Reserve, which is to be acquired. The County�s role in the area of parks ar�d recreation involves acquirin� and developing a County Park System, operating and managing county-owned parks and recreational facilities, planning and implementing a variety of trails within �arks, along roads and trail corridors, and input into the planning efforts for federal, state, regior.al, and park and recreatioral facilities. A major func�ion of the County Park System is to provide 1arrTe parks for recreational activities that are not usually available at the 1oca1 level. Users from a large area� sornetimes beyond County boundaries� are attraeted. With this concept there are also big problems. Concern is for �reserving the quality of Holland Lake, which at 90 feet is the cleepes�; it is a good fishing lake. McDonough Zake could become a children's fishing lake. Swimming activiti.es would be limited to Schultz Zake so that necessary supervision can be provided. Larger picnic areas will be developed near .+'�e perime- te� of the park north of Jense Lake and west of the Zoo. Lebanon Hills Regional Park is about 3� miles long� and �z to 'I� miles wide. DISCUSSION: Eees tc� be charged--Generally, char�es will not be made for using the park except for special uses. People feel tax money is tied up in p�rks and Mr. Lowery stated he would dislike havin� to close the parks to any- one who just wanted �o sit by a lake and enjo3T nature. Example of special use--paying to swim where life guards are on duty. Policing the Parks--The Dakota �a��.nty Park System has its otian palic� force and woula be responsible for policing the areas. Metro Council--has not yet accepted the plan. This council oversees park development in the seven-county metropolitan area, Mr. Lowery feels it is extremely important that the land needed be purchased now rather than say ten years from now. Improvements wi11 come when people can afford to �ay for them. It is important not to develop beyond what facilities can b�� maintained.. But if you have the land, you can later develop it. Key aspect is to make the land open and useable. Re�ional funds for acquiring and development of lar�e regional parks and park reserves make up the largest portion of the total expenditures for the County Park System, approximately �9.5 �illion, or 86% of the total expend�tures. Minnesota Zoo officials are not concerned about how further development will affect them. Lebanon Hills Regional Park current2� consi�ts of approximately 2'100 acre. and is 3�fz mzles long and /z to 'I�z miles wide. This area provides a lot of activities for people. . � PARK CO1��I�ITzEE MINUTES March '17, 1981 Page 5 Si�ns--routed signs �•�ill be used where they are not likely to be taken. International signage would be u�ed ,;rhere theft is likely to occur. Reading signs will be necessary for persons using the facilities. It is expected the Dakota County Comprehensi�re Plan wi11 be ap�roved in 2-3 months by the Metro Council. �3�5l004.O0 has already been set aside; bonds have already been so1d. There is strong feeling that the plan is a couple of months away from apnroval. Lebanon Hil1s Regional Park Master Plan--addresses the development of LHRP has been submitted to the Metro Council for approval of development funds i•�ith development planned to begin in �g8�. ARBOR DAY ACTIVITIES--�ave Gullifer, City Forester The Apple Valley Reforestation Committee is also the Apple Val�ey Park Committee. Previous diseussions have expressed coneern for observing Arbor Day crith the possibility of planting apple tree� at the Farquhar Orchard. Th�re was an apple orcharr� at Farquhar, so this Urould be an a�propriate observance. MOTION: by Robert Naegeli� seconded by Vir�inia Sterling, for the Appl.e Valley Reforestation Committee to plant ap ple trees at Farquhar 0rchard May 9, 1g81 , at 1U a.m. �iscussion�, Dave Gullifer st�te�. the trees should be_ planted west of the Farquhar Barn on the hi11; 30 tr�ees would be planted. Cou�.cil mernber Savanick wondered if the scouts could be involved in the �lanting of the trees. Miller su�gested the planting be the commit�tee 's res�onsibility. VOTE: YES--UNANIMOUS (Motion aU stated by Naegeli) Additional Discussion--Re�ent and Harrelson are two of the types of apples to be planted. Gutenkauf will be responsible for contacting the "Country- side" and "Pioneer Pressr' for newspaper coveraoe. Mi11er will contact the "Star" and the "Tribune." David Gu11if��r will be responsible for navin� the apple trees with instructions -on planting and any tools and other preliminary preparations. OTHER I�E�IS: �..�_..... Trash Cleanup--Councilmember Bar�ara Savanick would like to have groups that a�e in�erested gather trash in the parks on an informal basis. l�r. Bassett stated a major problem is supervision of projects but certainly things could be worked out. He also suggested pair�ting, uaeeding sand areas, etc. as other possible projects. Lawcon Grant--was again reported by Mr. Bassett as bein� funded and that nQw real decisions can be made. He, understandabl�,is very pleased this grant was approved to that now dollar figures ean now be attached to specific park needs. Golf Course Building--fifty percent of the building is being done at the VTC in Rosemount� and will hopef�zlly be completed by June '10. Tt will have indoor runnin� water, restrooms, kitchen facilities, etc. The golf course will open in 'I-2 weeks. i i PARK COMI�ITTEE P2INUTES March '17, '1981 Page � Ski and Boot Rental--was very well received the three days this service could be offered. Park Security Light at Walnut Park--is now within 4 feet of the re�ently installed street light. Mr. Bassett wil.l have the security light moved elsewhere. Naming of Parks--Mr. Nae�eli reported he attended the City Council meeting of Mareh 12 and was extremely disappointed regarding the matter of changing names of city parks. Council may now rename enery park. This item was tabled in Council meeting to April 30. Thus the Park Committee cann.ot make any signs. The Park Committ�e feels that names should not be changed without good reason. Namin� the parks has become a problem out of proportion. TheHistorical Committee and Park Committee submitted their list of park names to the Council with the Council to make the final decision on the park name5. Mr. Langager suggr;sted the Park Committee submit a list of names for the �a�ks and ask City Counci.l to come back and tell the committee what they wish the Park Committee to do �ith this list. Ms. Savanick felt the names must be carefull� selected to avoid a future problem with na.cknames be attached to the parks. MOTION: by Robert Naegeli, seconded bJ Douglas Dahlen to adjourn the meeting. P�Teeting adjourned at 10 p.m.