HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/08/1978 I
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CITY OF APPLE VALLEY
� PARK COMMITTEE P�IINUTES
March 8, 1978
PRESENT: Chairman Roger Wangen, Park Committee members Ginny Sterling, Ellen Milos, Bob
Naegeli , Joe Bell . Mike Bassett.
ABSENT: Jake Frank
Chairman Wangen called the meeting to order. Minutes were approved as written. Roger
congratulated Bob Naegeli and Ginny Sterling for the awards that they received at the Community
Service Awards Night last week for their service to the Park Committee.
l. Discussion of last bond issue failure.
Roger stated that he would like reasons from each member and these can assist in passing the
next bond issue. Bell commented on the survey done in Iowa and asked about a similar survey
for Cities in Minnesota of a similar size to Apple Valley.
Sterling: Reasons for failure - 1) A lot of people did not get out to vote in the areas that
needed new parks. 2) VAA was not behind as much as it could have been as far as getting an
athletic complex. 3) A lot of people like a choice. 4) Alimagnet acquisition; for the money
parks were needed elsewhere. Things to do to get the next bond issue passes - l) Get input
and opinions of many citizens; give everyone the opportunity to say something. 2) Have a
�wo part issue or a 1, 2, or 3 phase issue. 3) She recommends a Saturday election; would give
re people an opportunity to vote. 4) Get a lot of publicity.
Milos: Reasons for failure - 1) One of the biggest reasons is that the bond issue tried to
please everyone and offered something for every area. 2) The general apathy in AV - feeling
that they don't want to spend any more money. 3) Not enough citizen input or participation.
4) Needs more PIZZAll - do something to get the community excited and enthused.
P�aegeli : 1) Time of the year, should have gone to the voters in the Spring - the Committee
was "geared" up to go in the Spring, sort of lost it in the last four months. 2) The Alimagnet
acquisition hurt the situation. 3) For some reason the presentation didn't come thru.
4) The school bond issue had just failed; people felt that schools are more important than
parks. 5) Only two of the members of the park committee were still on the Committee that had
worked toward the bond issue; it was difficult to create the enthusiasm because of the changes
on the Committee. Things to do to get the next bond issue passed - 1) Different time of
the year. 2) Better newspaper coverage. 3) Get the brochure out sooner. 4) Less money.
5) Two part issue. 6) Get VAA involved and enthused.
There was some discussian regarding the use of the neighborhood parks by the VAA.
Bell : 1) Lack of adequate publicity. 2) Because of the type of people that live in Apple
Ualley -- a lot of people move every three years, residents are apathetic. It is important to
get to the people who are community leaders. 3) He feels that the residents didn't believe
that there was a need for the bond issue. 4) Sectionalism was a problem. 5) People just
didn't want an increase in their taxes; they are taxed to the limit. Things to do to get
the next bond issue passed - 1) People better informed thru the newspapers. 2) Show the need
�r the funds to develop the parks; actively involve the community in the bond issue.
Citizen input. Go to the citizen groups and let them know what the needs are; ask for
their support and actTVely get their support and input. 4) Look at the success or failure of
the School Bond Issue. 5) Not get too specific; should sell the need and emphasize the need.
He also agrees with the time of the year -- Spring and getting the VAA involved.
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Park Committee Minutes • �
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er Wan en: 1) Value of the Bond issue -- people did not feel it was worth it. 2) It was
ggested by the information given out that there would be another bond issue in five years.
3) Some high maintenance things were obvious because of so many small parks. 4) There was
nothing to indicate a centralized area for social and/or cultural concepts. The opposite
effect was noted. NEED must be sold to the community.
Milos stated that she felt that the committee took a very neutral position. There was con-
siderable discussion regarding the Alimagnet situation with the last bond issue. The Committee
also discussed how they could "head off" that type of opposition in the future. Bell referred
to the survey done in Iowa regarding the school bond issues and stated that the Positive approach
is very important. Bassett noted also that the "FIRST" press release is very important.
The Committee also discussed appealing to the Community Leaders -- Chamber of Commerce, VAA,
Jaycees, etc. Bell would like to know what has happened in P�linnesota band issues. He would
like to make some calls and find out some of the types of things that are refered to in the
survey done in Iowa. Wangen asked about setting a date or proposed date -- or if the
Committee would like to see what happens with the School Bond Issue first. Milos pointed out
that there are many factors in the School Bond Issue that are different from the park bond
situation. Naegeli stated that it is important that the issue of fire halls be considered
when discussing a date for a future park bond issue. People are going to get concerned if there
are always bond issues for something coming up. When will the fire hall situation go to the
citizens? He feels that some kind of direction is needed from the Council . There was further
discussion on a date; Committee seemed to agree on the March date -- possibly March 22nd which
is a Thursday. Wangen will invite the Council Liason, Robinette Fitzsimmons to the next meet-
ing and also Mayor Branning to discuss the Council feelings in reference to another park bond
issue and get their input.
�e Committee also discussed dollar amounts, Ginny Sterling recommended two parts with park
development and improvements in one part and land acquisition in another. Milos stated that
she felt that it is important that the Park Committee be comfortable with the proposal that
they will be selling. Wangen asked for some kind of a dollar amount to start with and some
priorities that the Park Committee could work with. An idea of a budget; hov� much for
acquisition and how much for development -- the Committee needs to start with some figures.
He wants to have a program that is saleable to the community. Milos stated that` the needs
should first be determined; then look at the figures. Wangen stated that a figure of $500,000
could be used for development of 33 parks; would like to simplify the information and find
an easier route to go. Naegeli stated that there is no easy way -- the Committee needs to
review the park plans and determine the needs. Ginny questioned being so specific, she also
would like to see a brochure with fewer pages -- if someone wants to see the plans they are
available at City Hall . Bell recommended that they be less specific and emphasize the NEED
for the entire City. Wangen would like to have something before the Committee that could be
discussed. Bassett stated that just taking dollar figures would be too arbitrary. The Council
would want the figures to be justified. This is the amount of money the Park Committee feels
is needed for the following things. Milos & Sterling agreed that the Committee should first
decide what is needed then the costs. Bassett stated that the last bond issue could be
broken down into general figures for different areas. The Athletic Complex was discussed.
Bassett stated that he feels that another athletic complex similar to Westview is a key
component to the park system. It was also noted that there is a debt limit for the City.
The Goals of the Park Committee will be to l) establish a need and 2) establish a program to
get the "YES° votes.
` Discuss Questionnaire.
Bob P�aegeli distributed a proposed questionnaire for a telephone survey. (See attached)
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, Park Committee Minutes
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�geli pointed out the positive aspects of the telephone survey. Recommended calling a certain
mber in each precinct. He also recorrnnended using members of the R1rs. Jaycees or Women's
Club to do the calling. Naegeli felt that because of the Park Committee members knowledge they
could influence the answers. Bell questioned the results and what would be done with them.
6dangen stated that they could be tabulated and the data compiled in a positive sense. The
Committee discussed both sending out a survey as well as the telephone poll .
MOTION: of Sterling, seconded by Milos to have the Park Committee do a telephone survey.
Motion carried unanimously.
Milos pointed out that a certain percentage of each precinct should be used rather than the
same number from each precinct because of differences in size.
3. Bond Issue Timetable - This will be discussed at the next meeting after the Park Committee
has some input from the Councilmembers and P�ayor.
4. Other items - Wangen reported that he has not heard from Mrs. Romain regarding the naming
of the parks. He also stated that he will contact Jake Frank regarding his absenteeism. It
was pointed out by Milos that it is very important that the Park Committee have a complete
group to work with and follow thru the bond issue procedure.
Jim Sheldon stopped by the meeting and the Park Committee questioned him regarding the "selling
of a bond issue.° When the last bond issue was presented the Park Committee presented inform-
ation and did not take a definite "VOte Yes" stand. Jim Sheldon stated that he felt they could
organize a Citizens Group and that they are volunteers so they should be able to take a stand
� a "Vote Yes" campaign.
The Park Dedication Ordinance was also discussed with Mr. Sheldon. Questions were asked about
selling City Park land that has been dedicated by developers or giving land to the YMCA. Mr.
Sheldon stated that there are restrictions on a public corporation and the land has been ded-
icated for public purposes.
(�eeting adjourned.
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