Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/17/1979 3 � . � CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARK COMMITTEE NiINUTES JUNE 19, 1979 PRESENT: Chairman Joe Beil� Bob Naegeli, Ellen Milo�, Carolyn Rodriguez; Park & Recreation Director Mike Bassett, l�ayor Garrisan, Councilme�abers Fitzsimmons, Savaniek and Kelly. , ABSENT: Dave Mill�r, Joanne Hollenbeck and Ginny Sterling. Chairman Bell called the meetir�g to order. Minutes of the June 5, 1979 meeting were approved as written. 2, Discuss B�iX Trac�. Mike Bassett reported that he and Mr. Milbauer and Joe Bell looked at several sites the other day for the track. With the amount of construction going on in �he area of Scott High.lands Park alot of fill h�.s been moved the the site and it wouid r�o� be a feasible plaee for the track. H� noted that:;�he Park Committee gave an okay for a track depending on the locati4n. The site that they found to be the most feasibie was at Cedar Knalls Park. Bassett explained the park and na�ed that the site would nat be an impact on the neighborh4od. There is also parking to accam�odate approximately 2� automabiles. Joe Bell asked l�r. �iilbauer if they had pursued any private �landowners. AHx�. Niilbauer noted that the liabiZity i��urance v�ould be a problem. He stated that they have com�mit�e�l to having a race in Apple Va11ey on the 22nd of Ju1y (see attached sch.edule) . Mike Bassett stated that alot of communi�ies are getting into �he BMX racing and it seems to be very popular. The site would be better if i� wrere closer to the c�nter of the community; however, at this time this seem� to be the most feasible. He a��c► noted that he spoke to the City's insurance people a�nd they do not feel it is an increased liability for the City. He expl.ained how the traek would be layed out. M�?TION: of Naegeli, s�conded by Milos to recommend that th� City Council approve the area at Cedar Knolls Park loca�ed at Galaxi� and 127th Street fcar a BMX Track. Yes - 4 - No - 4. 2. Review_Lac Lavcan Pronosal for Re�ional Park Des��nation - Mavor Garrison was present to answer auestions. Mike Garrison gave a historieal background on the area and reviewed what has been done -to date. It was noted that it is a 2�� aere parcel wi�h 1S0 acres located in Apple Valley. P�ayor Garrison explained that the County is the petitioning agen+�y and the philosophy of Dakota County is remiss in the preservation of water resources. We can look at Minneapolis and see what they have done. At the present time we would like to acquire a regional desi.gnation which �then opens the door for State and Regional. financing. The Parks and Open pace Commission will be making a decision sometime in September,,which would be followed by approval by the Met Council. Mr. Skeleton's deadline for a cocnmitment is Apri.l 1 � 1980. At the present time the Parks and Open Spac� Commission need a commitment for operating the facility vnce it is acquired and develaped, Page �2 Park Committee Minutes• � 6/19/79 •He stated that he has asked the County Commissioners to enlist the support to designate the area as a regional park and designate funding with the contingency that �he three cities and the County would put together an agreement for main�enance. Ellen Milos asked if the County Commissi�aners have changed their thinking. Mayor Garrison stated that they are in favor of the project with the contingency. Ellen stated that it is her understanding that the biet Cauncil needs to know that someone will maintain the area if it is acquired and developed. Mayor Garrison explained that at the present time they are seeking funding contingent upon putting together a maintenanae agree- ment. Onee the area is designated and we know tha� it will be pu�chased and developed then the three communities and the County can come up with a master plan and also address the program for maintenance. Ellen �Iilos asked what good the area would be if it is just going to sit there. What i� no one will gut anything in for maintain�ng and operating the area. �tayor Garrison �e.�� that the level of development cauld run the gamit. Initially there could be swa.mming beaches and the buildings could be used on site for ma.intenance purposes, He �eels that the site needs to be preserved, There would not be a problem with maintenance for at least five years. You could probably look to 1985 for a date for operating and maintaining the si�e. It is difficult to say w�at the costs would be as it would depend on the development. He also noted that there would be a tremendous cost to the taxpayer if the City would have to provide urban serviees for that area if it were developed as single family homes. He refered to the number of children for the schools, the busing costs, Spoliee and fire costs, City staff and the inerease in City services for approximately 300 dwelling units. He feels that the area as a park can be maintained as cheap or eheaper than if homes were built there. Bob Naegeli a�ked wh�re the money would come from for maintenance. Niike stated that �he agreement could be drafted on a per capita basis. �Iike Bassett stated that the �unds could come from two sourees; the general fund and also by collecting fees and charges far parking, concessions� or a swimming f ee. Barbara Savanick ques�ioned Burnsville and thEir costs for Crystal Lake. Mike Garrison noted that Burnsville is much more excited about th� projec� �han Apple Va13ey. l�ike Bassett stated that it is his understanding that Burnsville would like to get rici of Crysta]. Lake because of th� problems. Counci�.member Savar�ick asked about what can be done to keep the lake from being pollu�ed. Mayor Garrison stated that i�ac Lavon does not interconnect with anything. He explained that it is alt4gether different than Crystal ' Lake. Bob Naegeli stated that it appears to him that the 64 acres of water is what is being pushed= he can see more value in the 230 acre parcel. Mayor Garrison explained �ome af the surrounding property that cc►uld be included wi�h �the park. Bob Naegeli sta�ed that he is concerr�d``� about the maintenar��e costs. He questioned another bond issue and the increased main�enance costs w�en the present parks are developed. He is coneerned �about the imp�.et t�at �t might have on another bond issue. Joe Bell stated that it is his uz�derstanding that the City is wasting their time on the project as he has Y�eard that there is no realistic possibility of gettin� anather regional park out here. Niike Garrison stated that the Parks & Open Space �ommission were concerned about th� total acreage and he also stated that it is a speciai use faciiity that we @on't have in this area. Page �3 P�rk Commit�ee �inutes� S 6/19/79 •Joe Be11 asked what the response is from the Parks & Open Space Commission. �Iike Garrison �xplained the method used for breaking the Metro area into ssven different sectors. He stated that one of the reasons for the contin- gency is so tha� the City does not spend alot of time un�il the area is designated. Joe Bell asked if Ma.yor Garrison feels that it is a good possibility that it will be designated. Ma.yor Garsisan stated that he feels that we have a good shot at it. Joe Bell asked what type of park he sees it being. Mayor Garrison stated that he feels there would be massive beaches;�f4r swimming� shoreline pathways for bi�ing and jogging� shoreline fishing; picnie areas, campgrounds and the �outhwest area eould be used for active sports. He stated that there is a 4,004 square foot concrete block maintenance building on the site which could handle some af t�ie future required expansion for our public works department. Bob Naegeli questioned Apple Vallcy using the buildings� Mayor Garrison stated that that wauld have to be worked out in the agreement. Mike Bassett noted that the only real interest in the buildings would be for App1e Valley beeause of the location. Mayor Garrison explained the office building= it could provide space far the �public works and park departments. Joe Bell stated that he v�rould like to see the area more natural and passive; he doesn't like the idea of active sports. He asked hovr the County and Burnsville ienvieion the area to be. They are interested in the passive areas, however, they haven't preeluded it being active also. . The County Commissioners are not in favor of i� for a County project= however, the Mayor feels that they could be convinced to participate. Mayor Garrison stated that Burnsville is very much in favor of the projeet� Lakeville has been very cool about .it and Ap�ple Val}.�y hasn•t been very acti.ve in the past couple years. There was some discu�sion on timetables. Mayor Garrison noted that �he County would be the petitioning agency and they would be responsible. Ellen Mi1os stated that the way the County worded their ReSOlution is that they would not commit t4 mair��enance and operation. Councilmember Savanick noted that life �uards are a big e�ense. Bob Nae�eli stated that he feels it is alot of money for a swimming hole -- it is a unique area. Mike Bassett stated that $�7 million has been approved by the Legislature. �7•5 million is for along the ra,ver - they will be payxng $100 to �200 thousand an acre for that area. The proposal includes acquisition for '�3,004 acres in the sev�n county area; alot is for land �hat is in danger of imminent development. Ellen Milos stated that when Marty Jessem �ras at the Park Committee meeting he was saying that the Parks & Open Space Com��r►►ission is behind in land development and that they would be sl.owing down in the acquisition of more land and developing what they have. Mike Bassett stated that they are taking a look at fu�ure acquisitions and the criteria. The Mayor reviewed some of the statements sent to the T,egislature regarding acquisition and development. Joe Bell stated that he feels it would be silly to let it go by; it doesn't e4st anything at this point. It does seem to him tha� it is quite important that there be unanimaus recommendations fram the Park Committee, Council� ete. �Iayor Garrison explained the organizations that have given the pr4ject their '�endorsement. He fe�ls that it is Wery �mportant that between now and September tha� there is broad based support for the project. � � i I Page #� Park Committee �inutes� i 6/19/79 �Bob NaegeZi asked what would happen if the project would be �ery expensive for th� City of Apple Va11ey. Niayor Garrison stated that th�n you can't meet the requirement of the eontingency. We don't know what would be �lanned for the area; a master plan far the site is need�d to determine the operation and maintenance costs. He doesn't feel that money should b� spent for a master plan until we know that it can be purchased and developed. Counci�member Savanick not�d that the cost of police protection needs to be con�idered, Bell noted that �here would be costs if hausing goes in the area and he feels that we should try to ge� it. Councilmember Savanick suggested a 1/2 way measure; she ref�red ta the �pls. area and puting a road around the lake and control the lakeshore. Joe Bell fe�ls that would loo�e what is there, Counciam��ber Savaniek stated that if it is going to housing in the next �hree years; ten to fifteen year� from now m�st of us wmn� be he�e. Joe Bell stated that we can't plan ev�rything for npws with the energy concerns people �ay be staying c2oser to home in the future. He doesn't see a problem in recommending the praject �ith a conti�gency. Councilm�mber Sav�r�ick questioned the l�mning �n the praperty. It is industrially zoned with the end use as R�1. Nlayor Garrison stated that the new Land Use �ap shows the area as open space with underlying R-1. Council- m�mber Savaniek stated that once they have zoning he could eome in and get building permitsi if you look,,forward ta the future and th� housing rnarket ends - he has industrial zonin�. She ques�ioned what �oals the City has to stop industrial deveiopment. l�ayor Garrisc�n stated that R�r. Skel�ton had a ten ye�.r eontract with the City. �Ellen Milr�s stated tha� there is staff time going into promoting the park= at �he ti�e } the land use designation was recommended the Park Committe� agreed that it was a good idea and it is a �terri�ic use for the l.and. The biggest concern is that we don't see App1� Valley bea.n� ab3e to shoul.der the maintenance c�� the area; she questioned the two Cities doir�g it. Mayor Garrison s�ated �hat the cost would be about �1.5 miliion �or acquisitipn and �1 million for development; he can see the possibilities of it rerving the large g�awth area and he feels that the communiti�s would be am�nable ta spending the money for maintenance. ElleraIvtilos stated that if you can get past �he Met Counci.l then the County shauld be worked on. They are capabl� af bonding. She thinks that the County budget can better afford the main�enance and operation expenses than �he City of Apple Val].ey. . Carolyn Rodriguez stated that she would like to see the Park Committee go on rec�rd as bea.ng in �'avor of the pro ject. There was some discussian regarding the Park Committee's involvement with the plan for the area. The Park Cammittee agreed �o discussing a Resolution at their next m8et].11g. 4. Park Devel.opmen� Prograrn. �ike Bassett reported that he has had se�veral meeting with the park consultants. "�At the pxesent time they are at�tempting to de�erma.ne how many contracts �iZl be put aut on this projec�. He eacplained �he different projects. Page �5 Paak Commi�tee Minutes� � 6/l9/'79 �There was some discussion regarding the Farquar Lake Park area and the builda.ngs an the site. The Park Committee agreed to a tour with the cansultants on August 4, 1979. They will meet at City Hall at 9:04 a.m. and go on a tour at 10s04 a.m. Due to the number of inembers that will be out of the City in July the Park Committee will not meet during the month. .�. Consider Join� meetin,� with Historical Committee. Jae Be11 will contact Mrs. Romain to discuss a meeting regarding the "Naming of the City Parks. " 6. Other Items. The Committee discussed �he na�ne of the school to be located at Pilot Knob and 1�Oth Stree�. MOTIONs of Naegeli, seconded by Milos to send a letter to the School Distriet stating that the Middle School name should be some- thing other than Scott Highlands because of the confusion with Scott Highlands Park and the geographic area. The letter shouZd come from the Chairman of the Park Committee. Yes - � - IYo - O. •Meeting adjourned. � �