Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/14/1978 • • COMMt1NITY INPUT MEETING CITY OF APPLE VALLEY � PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 14, 1978 PRESENT: Chairman Wangen, Joe Bell, E11en Milos, Dave Miller, Joanne Hollenbeck, Ginny Sterling, Mike Bassett; Members of the City Council - Fitzsimmons, Holton & Savanick; Members of the Planning Commission and residents & concerned eitizens. ABSENT: Bob Naegeli. �.. Chairman Wangen welcomed the residents, etc. to the meeting and introduced the Park Gommittee members. He also explained the function of the Park Committee and the development of the Five Year Systems Plan. He then briefly reviewed the Five Year Systems Plan using the overhead projector (see attaehed list of transparencies) . Joe BeZl then presented same slides of the present developed and undeveloped Park,s and gave a brief backgraund. (See attached list of slides) . Chairman Wangen than asked for input from the public. Mrs. Del Burns stated that one thing the Fark System doesn't have is a BMX Track (Bicycle Motorcross) . Sh� explained that there is one in Minnetonka. The Track can be developed on flat or slightly rolling ground with gravel, [here is 3ittle to no upkeep. The area can be surrounded with tires -- and that is something she • would like to see in the parks. She pointed out that a number of children use Keller Lake where they have made a trail themselves and she feels that it could be dangerous. An open area with some rough terrain would be better and the children eould have fun. Dan Krueger, representing the Optimist's Club stated that they have been working with Joe Wa12 on a �imilar Ydea. They hope to have that type of thing for next summer. They have had some input from Minnetonka on the projeet. - Joe Milbauer, Valley Bike 'n Ski, stated that they have sponsored the races Iast summer. They require less than an acre of land. They are willing to work with � . anyone on the project. , Vern Yetzer stated that he lives near Alimagnet Wilderness Park and he feels that it would be more beneficial to spend the money in athletic facilities rathez than at Alimagnet; he suggested Ieaving the park in its natural state as it is. He r omm f i ment the ut in the tot lots ec ended that the decrease the amount o e u Y P Y q P as it isnft used and cut aut the expensive and higher priced equipment in the tot lots. The demand for athletic facilities could be decreased if they would allow organized athletics in the neighborhood parks. He doesn't feel there will be a wilderness park at Alimagnet after they spend alot of maney carving in roads; they are spending thousands of dollars that could be used for active athletic fac- ilities -- you couldn't believe the amount of money wasted in there already. Ann Dahlen recommended some kind of running area in the perimeter of the parks. • You could designate the area and put up small signs indicating I/2 mi1e, 3/4 mi1e, etc. She also noted that Eastern Apple Valley is lacking in park facilities. Don Krueger recommended lights for the Galaxie Hockey rink area -- the hoekey rinks ' are not being used enough withoat lights. Page �62 . _ Park Committee Input Mee� • 11/14/78 Jim Carlson stated that lights would also be useful for the tennis courts. Roger Wangen also noted that with the number of people interested in softball -- the aclult -� leagues lights could also help provide areas for more teazns to play. Larry Schadegg stated that the City league alone turned down nine teams because of the lack of facilities. He further explained the problems if a game was rained out. : Don Klober stated that he lives in eastern Apple Valley. He quastioned cshat the Park Cammittee has pJ.anned for that area in the future. Roger Wangen explained the coneept plans. Mr. Klober stated that there are alot of small children in that area. They would like to have a skating rink. The plans for the Parks on the east side aze great, however, they need something today while the children are small. Roger explained the lack of funds as opposed to not wanting to develop facilities. Sue Novak stated that she lives in the 12th Addition in Greenleaf and asked if theg wauld have a tot lot by next summer. Joe Bell explained that there is not money available -- explained the gossibility of obtaining future State & Federal Grants if we have the matching funds from a bond issue. Arleigh Thorberg questioned the amount of money in the park dedicati�n fund. Mike Bassett gave a recap of funds that are available now and what wilZ be available in 1979. He noted that monies are earmarked for special areas in the Fund as welZ as general -- $16,000 was used to purchase the four acres at Farquar Hills. Erwin Ulrich recommended using the cash in lieu of land policy in the coming development of the City. • Roger Wangen explained that the Present Park Committee attitude is cash in lieu of land; the City has 80% of the park land that will be needed at saturation population. If the public wants to say we want to develop these parks they will have a chance to pass a bond issue. It is difficult to say we want more parks if we don`t have money to develop the park land we now havee Larry Shadegg recommended a picnic area and swimming beach at Farquar Lake. Mike Garrison stated that he is a member of the Land Use Advisory Commission for the seven County area. He said that Apple Valley residents are spoiled with the level o€ goods and services that are provided them at this stage of our growth. Apple Valley is heads and shoulders above comparable communities around the seven count} area. He noted that he has done consulting work for Inver Grove Heights, Eagan & Apple Valley and in comparison for the1977 Audits -- Inver Grove Heights spends 5.17% of their general fund budget for parks; Eagan spends 7.61% of their general fund budget for parks and Apple Valley spends 13.22% for parks -- that is comparing Apples to Apples. Apple Valley is already spending a large portion of the general fund budget for parks and recreation. At the present time we have 34 parks with a total of 344 acres -- 18 of the parks are developed; 16 parks are undeveloped. He urged e�phasize or. the development of the 16 parks rather than further major aequisition of land or further dedication from developers of park land. He recommended that the Committee place emphasis on the cash in lieu of land. He explained the present policy of ld% for parks and 5% for ponding -- a total dedication of 12% maximum from the developers. He reeommended a cash in lieu of land policy unless there is an obvious void of parks in the area proposed for development. He recomm�nded continuing the policy of workin� r,aith the schoaYs; it makes good fiscal sense to get together for school and park sites. fte stated that many years ago there was an emphasis on the small neighborhood parks; they were very popular at the outset. The small parks are expensive to maintain a.nd their utilization has waned. He would like to recommend that the City tend to pu� emphasize on more centralized parks. � Page ��3 Park Committee Input Me *ing 11/14/78 � ` - He recommended that an Eastview Complex comparable to the Westview Complex be pursued. ' � He encouraged the public service organizations to assist in maintenance of the parks. He recommended that the Park Bond Issue that is anticipated for Spring include a balanced issue so it is saleable to the entire City. He stated that the Iast bond issue included acquisition of land at Alimagnet and he blamed that for the failure of the band issue. He does not see a need for additional acquisition in tha� area. He stated that when the Farquar plat was approved the historical committee recognized that area for a possible future Historical Park. He recommends cantinued endorsement on the regional designation of Lac Lavon -- the City does not have the financial where- withall to acquire and develop that area. He recoramends that Dakota County and the three Cities surrounding the area could jointly operate that park as cheaply or cheaper than providing services required by a housing development. It would provide many amenities such as trails, ballfields, swimming, etc. there is an unlimited pe�tential for thae area. He also stated that while campaigning in Palomino Hills he realized the obvious lack of park land -- there are no areas for active play. A resident indic- ated that there is an undeveloped lot on Cimarron Road that could be used ta provide a ballfield for that area; there is nothing available for about 400 to S00 hornes. He feels that it is important to put our heads together to try to make the City of Apple Valley a better place to live for everyone. Lue y Van Gelder, representing the Gardenettes, stated that they have planted over $1,040 worth of shrubs and flowers in the parks. She thinks that more people could get a group together in their neighborhood and do something similar. She noted that in another City the neighborhood men got together and built a climbing area and they purchased a concrete culvert and painted it -- the neighbors put their money together to do it. She also recommended that the Park Comcnittee work with the service organ- • izations in that regard. She wouid also like to see picnic benches in the parks -- they see people coming and bringing their `children to the parks and there isn't any place for the mothers to sit. Ron Hughes stated that he had three suggestions: I) Consider an outdoor classraom in the forested area of the City; this could provide an area for the children to go from the schooZs to the wooded areas of the City. He stated that he understands that there are Federal Funds available for that type of project. 3oe Bel1 noted that the Park Cammittee has discussed the idea of a Nature Center, however, we have to have the matching funds to get the Federal Funding. 2) Mr. Hughes stated that he would like to see the cars used less and the trail system provide access to the parks and schools'. 3) He alsa stated that there are other ways to fund the parks -- he recommended eonsidering a sur- tax on all attendance at the ZoQ; the money could go in the Park Fund. They use aur facilities and roads; he noted that the City had to build Johnny Cake Ridge Road. He added that a surt� could be charged on the Mono-rail and that money cauld go into the Park Fund. 3erry Marko questioned the trail in the Farquar area; he stated that nature trails are nice; not all bicycle trails -- he would like to see the trails finished. Mil�e Bassett explained that they have required some of the developers to put in segments of the trail system. Vern Yetzer recommended that the City and Park Committee work more closely wieh the civie groups -- he refered to an incident at Galaxie where beeause the Council did not react the hockey assocation couldn't get lights put up. • Joe Milbauer questioned the process for a volunteer organization to work with the City and Park Committee. Lucy Van Gelder would Iike to see the athletic type areas and equipment kept around the schools. . The ball diamonds around the neighborhood parks can be dangerous for the smal2er children. _ Page ��4 _ Park Committee Input Meeting 11/14/78 i � Jerry Marko questioned the Farquar Park Historical Development -- Mike Bassett explained the concept plan and stated that there are 16 acres at the park. Councilmeudber Fitzsi�s � suggested that Marlene Romain, Chairman af the Historical Committee comment. Mrs. Rom ; stated that the Histor-ical Committee is in agreement with the concept plan and the � integration of active and historical elements. She explained that the Historica3 Coznmittee would like to preserve the old Town Hall now located at the corner of �k42 and Pilot Knob Road and an old school house that goes back to 1866 which is located in Agnes Scott's back yard. 5he doesn't want the public to get the idea that this will be a tax payers I expense; tihey intend to follow through and also hope to preserve the farm site. I'I � � Arleigh Thorberg questioned the names of the parks; he stated that there is enough !, hisotry within the last 20 to 40 years to provide names for the pazks after sorae of I the people that did alot of work in Lebanon Township years ago. He recommended Steve Delany as an exam�.le. It was noted that the Historical Committee is working on this I project. : �I Vern Yetzer stated that maintenance of the parks is very important. He fee].s that one I�� of the reasons the last bond issue failed is because the parks are not taken care of that we do have. The Westview building is not open when peaple want to use it, etc. He recammended not purchasing so much playground equipment, just leave open fields for the children to play. He also suggested moving the playground equipment from the south side s�here the children are all older to the east side. Roger Wangen stated that the Park Committee does not get involved in maintenance; possibly the maintenance problem is because of the lack of development. Mike Bassett stated that the level of service must be considered; a park system sprung up overnight in Apple Valley and it takes awhile to build a staff and purchase equipment. He further explained the budget situation, etc. i �' Don Romain stated that he advocates the passive parks vs. the active athleties. He • I stated that there are many parks in AV that should be left in their natural state. il He stated that the Lac Lavon situation should be pursued only if the purchase and maintenance were to be handled by other than Apple Valley. He is not recommending any land acquisitions for the next bond issue -- he feels the bond issue should develop what we have. Ann Uanl.en, stated that the people in Apple Va1ley need to be able to be proud of their City and she feels we should take care of what we have. Chuck Nigglgy stated that the athletic problem needs to be solved -- passive parks are II fine, but we all know the problem with active athl,etics. With the number of children , participating in athletics in VAA and the number growing we are going to have more of a need. He feels that there is a definite need for an Eastview Complex for active athletics; App1.e Valley is an active City. Mike Bassett stated that they are working � with the needs for the VAA -- he noted the problem with the impact that soccer has had on facilities and the need for space. Chuck Niggley stated that there is also a big jump in girls athletics -- he questioned a need for Outdoor Volleyball Courts -- they might be considered. Lucy Van Gelder questioned the growing trends and the future population of the City. I Ba.ssett stated that projections are available. Joe Bell noted that the growth wi11 'I continue for the coming 10 to 15 years -- also we are facing inflation rates that are ��I fantastic. We need to provide both athletic facilities and passive areas -- we need to act now. Ron H�ghes suggested looking into faciliCies for indaor use in the wintert�ne. As • the community grows older we should provide build.ings for the older people. The tennis courts with the bubble were discussed. It was noted that you need a mass tennis court or a large group of tenni.s courts. f _ .. Page ��S Park Committee Input Me�ng � 11/14/78 Alice Reese recommended a civic center. • The YMCA was discussed -- it was recommended car�tacting the St. Paul Y as the division is now at Cedar Avenue. : Roger Wangen gave a sunnnary and asked for help from the people present at the meeting in support of a Park Bond Issue. Mike Bassett reviewed the taxation process and the amount of money the City receives from the progertq taxes. The sidewalk & trail plowing of snot.r was brought up -- he noted that the City generaily plows the trails and sidewalks on either side af the collector streets. � Roger Wangen stated that the park committee will review the suggestions from tonights meeting and within the next six weeks they will have some type of proposal finalized to be presented to the Gity Council for a bond issue. Tom Legace stated that he is familiar with the parks in Apple Valley and alo� of them are not being used. He questioned if they have given any thought to changing the parks that are there. Barb Savanick stated that people are mobile and there are always new toCs. � Chuck Niggley suggested that the Bond Issue have more than one issue ta vote on. Vern Yetzer stated he would like to have a bond issue with the necessary things that we really neEd -- one that concentrates on the east side of Apple Valley. Larry Schadegg recommEnded that the people be informed of what they are voting for and let them know what the Park Bond Yssue is. rieeting adjourned. • �