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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/22/1978 . • • CITY OF APPLE VALLEY . PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES � MARCH 22, 1978 PRESENT: Chairman Roger Wangen, Members Ginny Sterling, Bob Naegeli , Joe Bell , Ellen Milos, Mike DesParte, and Mike Bassett, Park & Recreation Director. ABSENT: Jake Frank Chairman Wangen called the meeting to order. Minutes of the March 8, 1978 meeting were approved as written. Chairman Wangen welcomed Mike DesParte to the Park Committee. Mr. DesParte gave a brief introduction of his background in the planning field as well as past experience on a Park Corr�nittee and also served as Alderman in the City of Middleton, Wisconsin. Chairman Wangen reported that the members of the City Council could not be present at tonights meeting because of the Public Hearing at Greenleaf School regarding 140th Street. Mike Bassett reported that he will be meeting with Dick Tuthill , AV Fire Chief, and Asleson, City Administrator to discuss the possible future park bond issue and the possible future fire station bond issue. He stated that the "key" will be how far apart they should go to the public. He also stated that the Fire Department is looking to other possible funding sources for the proposed �ire stations. There was some discussion regarding the need for the park bond -- a major concern being that the City is losing money in funds they could be receiving if they could apply for grants and • have the matching funds. The members felt that they have shown the need. It was noted that it is important to not alienate the Fire Dept. but work with them and recognize their need also. 1. Review Cobblestones Cash Park Dedication. REVIE COBBLESTONE PARK DEDICATION Mike Bassett reviewed the Cobblestones Development. (See attached compu- ��tion sheet). He stated that they had proposed the $7,000 per acre figure. The Park Committee felt the $7,000 was a good figure. Mike Bassett reviewed what has happened in the Cobblestones area to date. 2. Review of Wildwood Proposal . REVIEW OF WILDWOOC PROPOSAL Mike Bassett reviewed the Development Agreement with Wildwood and stated that they have fulfilled the requirements for park dedication. The area surrounding the present Wildwood townhouses is being rezoned and replatted for single family and four-plex development by Graham Associates. They are proposing that the area that was originally zoned commercial which is adjacent to the present park as well as the Woodland Club which the townhouse residents belong to,be dedicated for additi�nal parkland. The Woodland Club association has asked that 1/2 of the land be donated to them for future expansion and 1(2 to the City. Mr. Bassett stated that there is a need for a small parking area adjacent to the park and a tot lot could possibly go in the area. He explained the topography and stated that the parking lot could be fitted into the cot�tours of the hills. The parking lot could provide parking for both the Woodland Club and the adjacent park. � MOTION: of Naegeli , seconded by Sterling to recommend to the Planning Corrmission and the City Counci] that in the best interests of the City of Apple Valley the entire portion of land now zoned commercial which the developer wishes to donate be dedicated to the City of Apple Valley. The Park Cormnittee - Page #2 Park Committee Minutes • • 3/22/78 • further recommends that because this is a public area and the entire community will be served by the Wildwood Neighborhood Park, this land should be donated in its entirety. DISCUSSION: DesParte recommended that the City work with the Woodland club and consider their interests; Bassett stated that it felt it would be wise to discuss the situation with the Woodland Club. He also reviewed: the comments from the Planning Comnission minutes. Wangen stated that he felt it is in the best interest of the city to have the entire area; the maintenance would be consistent throughout the entire park area. VOTE ON MOTION: Unanimous. � 3. VA� Use of Neighborhood Park -- VAA PRESIDENT, Chuck Niggley VAA DISCUSSION RE PARK USE Mr. Bassett was unable to �each Mr. Niggley. The Committee members briefly discussed the VAA requests. Mr. Bassett stated that the VAA is interested in using the neighborhood parks for organized games. He read the City Council motion dated May 26, 1977 which authorized the VAA to use various parks for p�actice last year. The VAA is interested in working through the Park Committee. Mr. Bassett said that he doesn't feel that it worked too bad last year; he would like to have them using the community facilities such as Westview and Valley Middle School , however there is not sufficient space at these .two areas. Bell asked about feedback from them using the parks last year. Bassett replied that most of the reaction was good; people prefer to go to the local parks; the VAA will probably request use of the parks for soccer and some baseball . Naegeli questioned what happens if the neighborhood kids are • playing and the VAA kicks them off the field; he stated he is not against the VAA using the parks; however, is concerned about asking the neighborhood children to leave the park because it is scheduled by the VAA. Bell tends to agree with Naegeli and is concerned about the organized athletics for kindergarten and lst graders. Bassett stated that a "happy medium" will have to be reached. Bell emphasized that it is important that the park commitee not alienate the VAA. Wangen would like to give them temporary approval however, they have to understand that it is not a permanent situation. The Park Committee has to look at the aspect of not what they can do for the VAA; but ask what the VAA can do to hel� the Park Committee. Chuck Niggley, VAA Presadent arrived and was introduced by Mr. Bassett. He asked if the Park Committee would make a recommendation to the Council regarding their request to use the neighborhood parks. He stated that 1,650 children have registered for the summer sports programs and there are about 1,700 families involved in the VAA organization. They have 800 children registered for the spring track program. He said that they would like to use the parks from about 5:30 until dark. Track is not as much of a problem as the sur�ner sports - baseball and soccer are going to be. They would like to use the parks for a few track practices, however, then will use the track at the high school a�d at Valley Middle School . June and July are going to be the two months with the biggest problems. Soccer is growing very rapidly. He stated that the VAA is aware that the residents in the area of the parks will have to be considered and the cars will have to be parked away from the homes. They hope that the neighborhood parks could be used by the residents that are close enough to bike or walk to the parks which will eliminate alot of the parking problems. Naegeli referred to the neighborhood parks where children were asked to leave the parks because VAA had the park scheduled for practices. Bassett • stated that the element of surprise could possibly be eliminated by posting a schedule of VAA park usage similar to what they do for hockey. Bell asked Mr. Niggley how many parks they would like to use. Mr. Niggley stated that they would be interested in using Pennock, Faith, Galaxie and � 139th Street Park and Redwood North. They would also be interested in the park which is undeveloped at 131st and Johnny Cake - they could set up a back stop or use the field for soccer. �Page #3 ` Park Corr�ni ttee Mi nutes . • . 3/22/78 • He stated that they try to schedule the residents that live in the area for the activities that would be in the neighborhood parks. Bell asked what they would do if they were only allowed to use three, would they have to eliminate some of the activities or limit the numbers. Mr. Niggley replied that they may have to have more activities on weekends. Mr. Bell asked if they have looked to the future and wha.t their plans are for the future as the City grows. Niggley stated that they may have to put a limit on a first come, first serve basis -- tryouts take away the wh'le idea of what the VAA stands for. Bell is concerned about establishing some kin� of a precedent as we move along; five years from now there is going to be more of a problem. Niggley stated that he felt that they could get some good publicity out of the this situation. Stated that an article could be put in the papers stating that this year we are using the neighborhood parks, however, this can continue only to a certain point. There was some discussion on why the VAA did not endorse the last park bond issue. Bell pointed out that now they are asking for two more parks than they used last year; if the Park Committee is going to recommend that the VAA use the parks, they would like the support of the VAA on the next bond issue, we would like to have more developed parks. �9ilos recommended a long range solution. Naegeli stated that i� should be pointed out that they are granting only temporary use of the neighborhood facilities. Milos stated that they would like the VAA Boards help with a bond issue -- they could help get the public support. Mike DesParte recommended that Mr. Niggley and the VAA work with Mike Bassett on newspaper articles. This could provide more help for the VAA as well as the Park Comnittee to assure that the program for the bond issue is needed because of the demands -- it is not necessarily just a desire of the ParK Corr�nittee ta pass the Bond Issue to meet the demands of the City. Naegeli questioned that if they recommend the use of the neighborhood parks, where does the City draw the line. Niggley stated that it • could be stated that the parks are being used on a temporary basis. DesParte stated that some type of an educational program eould be developed -- develop some goals and objectives and incorporate a direct approach, provide additional alternatives and avenues of approaching the problem; the support from the VAA would be only one segment. Bell recommended a long range plan for the VAA; what are the plans for five years from now or ten years down the road. The Park Committee would like input from the VAA as well as other groups of people in the City. Wangen stated that we do have population projections for the City -- what are we going to do with 17 developed parks and 17 parks that are undeveloped. It has to be noted what is available and what could be available. The Park Comnittee has to plan so they can serve the total needs of the entire comnunity. There was some discussion regarding the VAA program and if the Gity would run the same type of program -- VAA has all volunteers. Wangen stated that the City will attempt to accommodate the VAA, they are not losing site of the situation. Planning for the future is very important. Mr. Niggley stated they would like to know by the first of May if they can use the parks. Naegeli recommended that Mr. Niggley meet with Mike Bassett and de�cide what they want for practice; what they wish to use for competition play, the number of people and the times. At the April 12 park committee meeting they can review the plans and make recommendations to the Council . Mr. Niggley stated that he will meet with Mike Bassett next week . Wangen would like to see a long-range plan from the VAA and a projection of their needs in the coming years. Bell also stated that he would like to see what alternatives there are and what would they do if they weren't allowed ta use the neighborhood parks. Bassett stated that there should be a direct, correlation between what the VAA plans are and what the City does. 4. Review Comprehensive Park System Plan. COMPREHENSIVE PARF • PLAN --- Bassett recommended that at the next meeting the Park Committee review the goals and standards of the Systems Plan. The Corr�nittee needs to start reviewing the System Plan and see where the problem areas are. , Page #4 • Park Committee Minutes , ! 3/22/78 + 5. Other items ----- OTHER ITEMS Wangen reported that he had been informed that Jake Frank will be submitting his resignation to the City Council because of other involvements. It was noted that it is important that the en�#re committee work throughout the coming months toward another bond issue. Naegeli asked about a tour of the Zoo; and also recommended that the Committee start tour- ing the parks in App1e Valley again. Meeting adjourned. � �