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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/18/1979 � � CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 18, 1979 PRESENT: Chairma.n Joe Bell; Committee Members: Dave Miller, Joanne Hollenbeck, Bob Naegeli, Carolyn Rodriguez and Ginny Sterling. Park Director, Mike Bassett, Councilmember Marlis Overgard, Harold Skjelbostad, InterDesign, Inc. ABSENT: Ellen Milos 1. Chairman Bell called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. 2. Minutes of the December 4th meeting were approved as submitted. 3. Lac Lavon Resolution - MOTION: by Naegeli, seconded by Miller to send the Lac Lavon Resolution on to the County as amended. DISCUSSION: It was agreed that the Resolution would be amended to delete any reference to the Burnsville Park Commission in that they had not had an opportunity to act on the Resolution and would not be able to do so until January. Mike Bassett had talked to Dick Duerre of the Burnsville Park Commission and they generally agreed that Burnsville would send an independent resolution to the Gounty. It was also agreed by the Park Committee to delete that portion of the final paragraph that refers to the contingency of a joint powers agreement between Dakota County, Apple Valley and Burnsville. VOTE: Unanimously approved. 4. Park Design Plans - Harold Skjelbostad was present and began by reviewing the Chaparral Park play apparatus area. At the December 4th meeting he was directed to review Chaparral Park to determine if a play apparatus area could be installed. Harold indicated that space is available between the two Southern most ponds to properly place a play area. Dave Miller questioned the criteria for play equipment. Harold indicated that in under or undeveloped areas that as wide a range of play experiences as - possible would be provided. In developed areas it would be a ma.tter of augmenting what equipment is presently there. MOTION: by Rodriguez, seconded by Bell to install a play apparatus area at Chaparral Park. VOTE: Unanimously approved. The Park Committee discussed the placement of a play apparatus area in Heritage Hills Park. MOTION: by Naegeli, seconded by Bell to delete the placement of a play apparatus area in Heritage Hills Park. VOTE: Unanimously approved. � � Park Committee Minutes December 18, 1979 Page - 2 LONGRIDGE - The park bond program set aside $10,000 for the initial development of a park. Mike Bassett reviewed and explained a grading plan developed by Orrin Thompson whieh would provide for a ballfield and soccer field. There was some discussion of the necessity for placing a play apparatus area in the park due to its close proximity to the Valley Middle Gomplex. Bob Naegeli questioned the berming that was requested on` the West side of the park to protect the houses from sliding. Mike indicated that Orrin Thompson would be reminded of their commitment to accomplish this. Harold Skjelbostad requested some direction in designing a concept for the park and it was determined that he should orient toward athletic areas such as soccer and ballfield and downplay the establishment of a play apparatus area. NEWELL PARK - Harold indicated that some of the glanting stock that was purchased this fall would be planted in parks such as Newell to provide immediate landscaping and attempt to use the pianting stock in established park areas. Bob Naegeli indicated that a future pathway and landscape plantings should not interfere with a path through the park that has been historically used for snowmobile purposes. The basic philosophy of the park will be to provide landscaping around the play apparatus area and passive picnic area. NORDIC SOUTH - It was noted that there exists a water tower in the park. The pathway development will meander through the center of the park affording an opportunity for viewing the environmental nature of the park. The play area will be established in the existing open area. The trail that will be established will provide an opportunity of a trail link to a future zoo trail. Bob Naegeli felt it should be a top priority in the future to connect to the zoo trail from this park in that the park would provide a convenient rest stop area for the zoo trail users. PALOMINO HILLS - A minimal amount of development will occur here and will basically be in the areas of upgrading the planting stock and play apparatus. PENNOCK - While improvement of the play equipment is not budgeted, Mike indicated that this should be considered due to the heavy use that the park receives. Consideration should also be given to the installation of a drinking fountain in the proximity of the tennis courts. REDWOOD NORTH - The Park Committee felt that consideration :should be given to providing a drinking fountain off of the pump house so that it would be available for park users and specifically those using the tennis courts. Mike indicated that $1,500 was provided for this park for water but was basically intended to be used for the flower gardens and shrubbery in the Southwest corner of the park. Dave Miller requested the installation of posts and cable on the Eastern edge of the park adjacent to Walnut Drive in that frequently cars drive through the park in that location. Mike indicated that this would be an in�house maintenance item that would not have to be funded through the development program. Mike made a note to review the water situation at both Redwood North and South with Harold. � � Park Committee Minutes December 18, 1979 Page - 3 REDWOOD SOUTH - Consideration of a drinking fountain was again mentioned for this park in addition to providing water for the planting areas. Some landscaping will be upgraded and the play equipment will be improved. SCOTT HIGHLANDS - The major item at Scott Highlands will be the installation of two tennis courts. Mike expressed a concern that some off street parking be provided in that Andy's Market was experiencing some problems with parking by people using the sliding hill. Front end parking should be installed directly North of the tennis courts and adjacent to Andy's parking lot. Bob Naegeli questioned whether a drinking fountain would be installed for the tennis court. Mike indicated that no funds were budgeted but if funds are available within the bond program then one should be installed if possible. The Park Committee discussed drinking fountains in park locations and developed the policy that drinking fountains should be installed if at all possible at all tennis court locations. VALLEY MIDDLE - Harold indicated that they had just recently received some additional base information for Valley Middle. Mike indicated that the ma.jor emphasis at Valley Middle should be the joint improvement of facilities in conjunction with the School District. Specifically, the addition of two tennis courts for which the asphalt is already in place and the improve- ment of the Northeast corner of the property into a ballfield and/or soccer field. In addition, the existingl�allfields should be improved to whateve.r degree money will allow in that these fields are being used for adult athletics on a regular basis. The softball field in the Northeast portion of the park should be considered for relocation in that it is currently a very serious sun field. The Valley Middle Complex will be reviewed at the next Park Committee meeting in more detail. Before Harold left it was agreed that the next meeting would be on January 8 at which time the following concepts would be reviewed: Valley Middle, Walnut, Hayes Field, Wildwood, Longridge, and Carrollwood. 5. Review Park Ordinance - Bob Naegeli questioned the Urban Affairs wording relating to curfew (Page 8, Section 14, No. 2) . Bob felt that leaving the closing hours to the discretion of the Park Director and/or Council might make them subjective and that criteria should be established to determine the closing hours. Considerable discussion ensued by the Park Committee concerning closing hours of the parks. Dave Miller s�ated that if no curfew is established for the parks we will ultimately expose ourselves to a large amount of problems and vandalism. Ginny Sterling favors the selective signing of parks if and when we have problems in them. Joe Bell stated that the curfew is a preventative measure and it is unfortunate that the few that cause the problems spoil it for the majority. He believed that 10:00 p.m. was a proper closing time for the parks. Mike explained that 10:00 p.m. was put in the ordinance to conform with Burnsville's Ordinance but 11:00 p.m. could be considered in that Eagan and Dakota County Park Ordinances use the 11:00 p.m. curfew. � ! Park Committee Minutes December 18, 1979 Page - 4 MOTION: by Joe Bell, seconded by Dave Miller that the Park Ordinance include a curfew time of 11:00 p.m. for all parks. VOTE: YES - Bell, Miller, Sterling, Hollenbeck. NO - Rodriguez and Naegeli. The Park Committee spent a considerable amount of time discussing the , allowing or not allowing, of alcohol in the parks. , i MOTION: Dave Miller, no second, that no alcohol be allowed in parks ' except upon permit granted by the City Council. MOTION: by Bell, seconded by Miller to restrict intoxicating beverages in parks for usage only by permit from the City Council. The Motion was amended by Bell to state "intoxicating liquor" rather than beverages. seconded by Miller. VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT: Yes - 3, No - 2. II VOTE ON ORIGINAL MOTION: Yes - 3, No- 2 I The Committee discussed sending the recommendations on to the City Council. ', MOTIpN: by Ginny Sterling, seconded by Joe Bell, to send the Ordinance + on to the Council as Amended above. VOTE: Yes - 4, No - 1. � 6. January Meetings - The Park Committee agreed to meet on Tuesday, January 8 and 29. 7. Other Items by Committee - Ma.rlis Overgard reviewed concern the Council has with some committees who are having quorum problems due to members missing meetings. She stated that the Council wishes to adopt a policy that would regulate absences such as an individual who misses three consecutive meetings or five m�etings per year would automatically be removed from the committee or commission. She emphasized that this was an example and that the Park Committee should discuss it at their next meeting. Her int�nt of bringing it to the Park Committee this evening was to gain their input rather than the Council developing a policy without input of any of the committees or commissions. The item will be put on the January 8th Park Committee agenda for discussion. 8. Adjournment- MOTION: by Bob Naegeli, seconded by Joe Bell to adjourn.