HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/1979 r . � !
� CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES
MAY 15, 1979
PRESENT: Ghai�man Joe Bell, Park Committee members Bob Naegeli, Ginny Sterling, Carolyn
Rodriguez, Ellen Milos and Dave Miller; Mike Bassett, Park & Rec Director.
Absent: Joanne Hollenbeck.
1. Chairman Bell called the meeting to order.
2. It was noted that the April 17, 1979 minutes should be corrected to state that
the Committee discussed the memo recieved from John Voss; that should be added to
the first sentence of the second paragraph on page l.
MOTION: ' of Sterling, seconded by Milos to approve the minutes as corrected.
Yes - 6 - No - 0.
3. Discussion of 139th Street Park - Residents of the area were present.
(See attached copy of residents concerns which were discussed.) Mike Hoene stated that
they would like to discuss the development of the park with the Committee.
� Mike Bassett reviewed the Five Year Comprehensive Plan and gave background as to where
the Park Committee is at the present time working toward the development of the parks.
He asked for comments from the residents.
Mike Hoene asked when the City would begin moving dirt at the park, Mike Bassett stated
that the City has recently selected a consultant to work on the park plans. The majority
of the work will be done next spring. Some will begin this fall.
Mike Hoene reviewed the comments from the residents. He asked if there is any way a large
area in the park could be mowed this summer to provide a place for the children to play. �
The area residents are concerned about the traffic along 139th Street since 140th is ;
closed for construction and would like to keep the children off the streets. They '
would like to have an open area for the children to play. Mike Bassett stated that the �
City can mow an area; he doesn't feel that would be a problem. He stated that as far
as play apparatus or play equipment - that would be a problem becuase that will be bid
out at one time and it will not be done immediately. He did feel the City could start
mowing the area within the next two or three weeks. �
Cindy Hoene stated that they would like to have a skating rink at the park next winter.
She also stated that they object to the picnic tables in the park because it is so close
to the Zoo and they feel that the Zoo traffic would use the park for picnics. Mike
Bassett stated that the reason for the picnic tables is so the City Recreation program
could meet in the park during the summer.
' • Mike Hoene questioned if there is any way that they could put large signs stating
"children playing", "drive carefully", etc. along 139th Street so that the traffic would
slow down. Mike Bassett suggested that the residents write a letter to the City Council
requesting signage.
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� Dan Dancoff questioned the dashed line on the concept plan and asked if it is an alternate
route for the trail. Mike Bassett explained that it is the plan to put the trail through
the park and the trail route would be the solid black line; the dashed line was an alternate
route.
Chuck Walberg questioned what will be done in the parks and when? He asked what the
priorities are. Chairman Bell stated that the Park Committee is just beginning to work
on the development of the parks. Mike Bassett stated that initially the grading, seeding,
etc. will be done to establish the ball diamonds. He stated that the plan for 139th
Street Park in the first phase of development includes the ball diamond, game court, walk-
ways, picnic tables and benches and a play apparatus area. A second phase of development
could include a hockey rink, shelter building. The City will have to take a hard look at
tennis courts or' hockey rinks for this park because these facilities will be duplicated
at the Middle School area. He explained that it is possible that the City will develop
an expanded facility at the Middle School at some future date.
Barb Hanson questioned if the athletic complex question will go back to the voters again
next year. Mike Bassett stated that the City could expand the facilities in the area
when that area is developed; the developer would be required a 10% park deducation and
it could be taken as land to expa�d the school athletic complex. Joe Bell stated that
in his opinion they will not come back within a year with that question. He feels the
voters would 7ike to see what will be done in this area. Carolyn Rodrigues stated that
she would like to see it go back to the voters again.
Dave Miller questioned the size of the 139th Street Park. Mike Bassett stated it is 9.8
acres.
� Bob Cowles asked if the 139th Street Park is just a neighborhood park or will it be used
by the VAA for organized play or by other organized groups. Chairman Bell stated that
it is a neighborhood park. He stated that the Park Committee makes recommendations to
the City Council and they look at a number of things before recommending that a neighbor-
hood park be used for-organized sports. He would like to see it remain only a neighbor-
hood park, however, the VAA or other groups may use the park for practice. He noted that
131st is the park that would be better for organized athletics.
Ellen Milos asked Mike Bassett to define neighborhood park; Mike Bassett read the defin-
ition from the Five Year Comp Plan.
Mike Hoene stated that he is involved in little league activities and it �aould be very
desirable to have facilities in their area.
Bob Naegeli stated that the question ��2, the athletic complex, has failed twice and the
Park Committee is taking a long, hard look at the plans for another athletic complex. I
Carolyn Rodrigues stated that the school has told her that they will be developing part '
of the school area for athletic facilities.
Joe Bell asked the residents what things they felt were the most important on the list.
Mrs. Hoene stated that they would like to have a tennis court in the park. Joe Bell
explained the plan for tennis courts and stated that before a tennis court is proposed
for 139th Street Park that they would have to see what happens a� the Middle School.
E11en Milos stated that the tennis courts in a neighborhood park seem to be used by the
� same people; if there is a large battery of tennis courts at one location it seems that
they are easier to find and it is easier to find a court available for play. She noted
that 131st Street Park and Diamond Path Park will both have tennis courts. Mike Bassett
explained the radius for the tennis courts and the areas that they would serve.
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5/15/7g
� Mrs. Hoene stated that if the question is presented to the public again that it should be
noted that the complex would include these particular things; �.lot of people thought that
the school would put them in anyway.
Joe Bell stated that when the Park Committee has a finaL plan for the park they will
contact the residents and ask them to come to another meeting.
Bob Cowles questioned what the hard surfaced area would be used for. Mike Bassett stated
that they would probably color code the court with markings so that it could be used for
volley ball, etc.
Dave Miller refered to the 4�2 comment from the residents regarding the wildlife preser-
vation, and noted that it is a small park and that with the requests for active sports
it is difficult to preserve a natu�?al area and asked how important that item is to them.
Mrs. Hoene stated that they prefer that the field by the pond be left as a natural area.
She did state that if it meant giving up the ball diamonds that they would prefer to have
the active play area as opposed to preserving the natural habitat for wildlife. Barb
Hanson stated that she feels there is sufficient room for both. Mike Bassett stated that
with alot of parks there is a great deal of maintenance i£ the entire area is graded
and seeded; the City hopes to be able to develop only those areas that have to be developed
and leave some of the area5 in a natural state.
Mike Bassett stated that with respect to item �67 on the list, the swimrning pool; because of
Minnesota weather the philosophy has gone away from the outdoor pool facilities because
of the cost and the short period of time that they can be used. They are letting the
� school provide the swimming facilities as it is more cost efficient.
Bob Cowles asked if the neighborhood could draft a proposal for the park. Joe Bell
stated that they plan to work on the parks one at a time and they will let the residents
know ahead of time: on a particular date so they can come back to a meeting with the Committee
anc� the residents could bring a proposal at that time. He noted that things are pretty
well set in the minds of the Committee, however they are always open to suggestions.
Ginny Sterling suggested that the Committee meet at the different parks during the summer;
she noted that this'had been suggested on their park tour last Saturday.' Dave Miller
suggested that the residents meet and select a spokesman for the group. '' Ellen Milos
also suggested that they mimo a flyer and set up a meeting to discuss the park with all
of the neighbors that are interested and select a leader at that time. Mike Bassett
stated that he would meet them on site within the next few weeks to discuss the mowing;
he suggested that they could set out stakes as to the area that they would like to have
mpwed.
4. Dave Bell introduced Pat Wirtanen, a new member representing this area on the Parks
and Open Space Commission.
5. Park Consultant - Inter Design, Inc. - Presentation.
Mike Bassett introduced Mr. Robert M. Lambert and Harold Skjelbostad from Inter Design,
Inc. Mr. Skjelbostad gave a slide presentation on work that they have done in the Metro
area.
� Que�tions: Ginny Sterling asked about the cost of the kiosks that were shown in the
slides. Mr. Skjelbostad stated that the cost was about $5,000. She also questioned the
cost of the summer/winter park shelter in St. Louis Park; that cost was $35,000 in 1974.
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5/15/79
� Ellen noted that they showed alot of logs around the play perimeter areas; she asked if
the park development trends are more toward the natural types of equipment. Mr. Skjelbostad
stated_that the trend has been more towards the wood; however, the more colorful types of
play equipment are available. There was some discussion on the way a hockey rink or
tennis court is placed -- the hockey rinks should be north/south; tennis courts should also
be north/south.
Dave Miller asked how they get their ideas across and how "hard" they come across as to
their proposals. Mr. Lambert stated that they can be very convincing, they are not taking
orders as waiters, however, they try to present what they feel should be there and they
justify their suggestions.
Mike Bassett stated that the selection process of the consultant has an impact as to what
the park system will look like twenty years from now. He stated that there are a lot of
firms that can put in bids and plans; the intangible thing would be if they are creative
and easy to work with. He noted that inter Design is not a large firm. He feels that
it is important that the park system be creative and Inter Design is creative. He
further explained the process for the selection (attached are copies of criteria, etc.) .
Mike noted that the fees for consultants were very comparable. Mr. Lambert briefly
explained how the professional fees work; they do not use fee schedules any more, but '
charge a dollar figure for the time that is spent on a job.
Bob Naegeli asked what the City gets for the dollars. Mr. Lambert explained that they
do the followings '
� l. They will evaluate the plans for each park. ,,
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2. They will evaluate the concept plans, the Five Year Comprehensive Plan, etc.
3. They will do a basic schematic design for each park, then working drawings to
help in the bidding process and the construction. The 25% of the fee is to observe
the construction sites to be sure that the work is being done right. ',
Ginny Sterling asked if they wi11 look at each park and Mr. Lambert stated yes.
Bob Naegeli asked if they prioritize and what criteria do they use. Mr. Lambert stated
that they weigh things against the benefits of bidding all at once, they can recommend
what to do first, what projects, etc. They have not given total consideration to the
scheduling at this time.
Joe Bell asked what their time frame is for showing the Park Committee some basic plans.
Mr. Lambert stated that he can't tel.l before they look at a11 of the parks. Mr. Skjelbostad
stated that the bidding process along runs 12 months. Mr. Lambert stated that thev will
have a schedule in two weeks. Bob Naegli asked if the Committee h�.s_eomplaints caho should
they go to. Mr. Lambert stated that they come to them; they insist that you do not go to
the contractor. Mr. Lambert or a representative of Inter Design is the agent of the City. -
MOTION: of Milos, seconded by Sterling to recommend to the City Council that they
consider retaining Inter-Design as consultants subject to contract approval
by the City Staff.
• There was considerable discussion regarding negotiation of the contract, etc.
Vote on Motion: Yes - 6 - No - 0.
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May 15, 1979
� 6. Status report on BMX Track.
Mike Bassett reported that he-has met with Joe Milbauer and they have narrowed the site
to Scott-Highlands Park. They will check again in June and if the construction area is
cleared up they may go ahead. At the present time things are in a holding pattern.
7. Discuss criteria for naming parks.
Mike Bassett reported that the Historical Committee has come up with some criteria and
would like to meet with the Park Committee. This item was tabled until a later date.
8. Lebanon Hi11s Regional Park - discuss master plan.
Mike Bassett reviewed the plan for the park. He has met with the consultant and given
ideas. He noted that now is the time for the Park Co�ittee to give input. Mike is
concerned about the camping so far from swimming and also has some question about the
trails. He asked that the committee get their comtnents to him as soon as possible.
Bob Naegeli stated that he feels they should have holding stations and camping.
The Committee was asked to bring their comments to the June 5, 1979 Park Committee meeting;
they need to make recommendations by late June or early July. Mike Bassett will try to
get copies of the plan for each committee member.
9. Park Tour Discussion.
� It was reported that the Park Committee members visited severa� parks and they did write
their comments down. Greenleaf Phase IV needs trees, shrubs by the pond and then it
was suggested that the neighbors be asked to water the trees. Carolyn stated that she
talked to the neighbors and they seemed agreeable. There was considerable discussion
about the tour.
MOTION: of Ginny, seconded by Dave to adjourn.
The Park Committee will meet on June S, 1979 at the City Hall.
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