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Home My WebLink About05/02/2024Imo* Gee* ease* *wpm* City of ago App Valley CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE June 6, 2024 ITEM: PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING DATE: SECTION: 4. June 6, 2024 Minutes of the May 2, 2024, Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Regular PRESENT: Committee Chair Lisa Hiebert; Committee Members Mark Schori, Dave Freed, Craig Long, Noel HammilGl, Randy Bailey, and Jess Smit x; Pare and Recreation Director Eric Carlson; Parks Superintendent Steve Rother; Recreation Superintendent Nate Rosa; Golf Course Manager Jim Zinck; Administrative Coordinator Kayla Hechsel; and Recreation Supervisor Nick Thompson. ABSENT: Recreation Facilities Manager Brian Christianson ITEM 1. Call to Order Chair Hiebert called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Everyone took part in the Pledge of Allegiance. ITEM 2. Approval of Agenda MOTION: by Hammill, seconded by Schori, approving the Agenda as presented VOTE: Yes — 7, No — 0 ITEM 3. Welcome New Committee Members Randy Bailey and Jess Smith Our two new committee members, Randy Bailey and Jess Smith, both took a moment to introduce themselves. They are both active members of the community and recently co -lead the Yes4AVParks Group that helped pass the 2023 Parks Referendum. Welcome, Randy and Jess! ITEM 4. Audience — 10 Minutes Total Time Limit — For Items Not on the Agenda No one present to speak. ITEM 5. Approval of the April 2024 Minutes. MOTION: by Freed, seconded by Long, to approve the April 2024 minutes as presented. VOTE: Yes — 5, No — 0, Abstain — 2 CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE June 6, 2024 ITEM 6.A. Agenda Items — Division Updates Recreation Superintendent Nate Rosa gave an update on upcoming youth and family programs, including our Little Orchard Preschool program, open gym programs, and special events. Superintendent Rosa highlighted our efforts to expand our open gym offerings on non -school days, which has been well received by the community. Committee Chair Hiebert asked for more information about program attendance and how we price our programs. Superintendent Rosa explained that we are almost to pre -pandemic numbers for program attendance and that we look at our surrounding communities to ensure we're priced fairly. He also explained that while some programs are more expensive (such as entries to the Aquatic Center) and others are completely free (such as Youth Open Gym). Recreation Supervisor Nick Thompson gave an update on field use for this season by youth associations, private rentals, and adult athletics. He highlighted the revenue increase in 2023 and predicted that 2024 would see another increase in revenue, he thanked the park maintenance crew for their excellent work keeping our fields in great shape, he mentioned our growth in adult free agents and our indoor volleyball program, and he shared the success of our basketball league collaboration with the City of Eagan. ITEM 6.B. Agenda Items — Parks Referendum Update The Parks & Recreation Department staff provided updates on progress of Parks Referendum projects. Parks & Recreation Director Eric Carlson stated that construction at Hayes Arena is on schedule and going well. Ice will be back in by June 10, just in time for the summer season. He highlighted the open houses we are hosting at the Community Center on Tuesday, May 14, and Wednesday, May 15, to discuss Redwood Park improvements and the youth baseball/softball complex at Hayes Park. He shared that 10 new pickleball courts will be built at Johnny Cake Ridge Park West (that will be tied into our existing eight courts). Parks Superintendent Steve Rother gave an update on spring work, including progress being made on the Emerald Ash Borer trees. Committee Member Schori asked how much green space we fertilize. Superintendent Rother explained that we fertilize heavily used parks and premier athletic fields, which we use a prescriptive fertilizer on. Committee Member Long asked what our replanting ratio is for trees removed for EAB, and Superintendent Rother explained that we've been replacing trees as we can, but for parks like Hayes that will see changes due to the referendum, we are waiting until the landscape plan is determined. Committee Chair Hiebert asked what residents can do for their parks, and Superintendent Rother said to clean up after themselves and Director Carlson said to clean up after their pets. Golf Course Manager Jim Zinck updated the Committee on Valleywood's start to the 2024 golf season. He expressed how thrilled they are with the newly completed irrigation system, which is working perfectly. He also acknowledged the amazing efforts of his staff, who made the transition to the new system seamless. Manager Zinck also addressed winter concerts at Valleywood, which used to take place but moved to Bogarts when they got too popular for -2of3- CITY OF APPLE VALLEY PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE June 6, 2024 the size of the Valleywood Clubhouse. He also highlighted their fertilization process, which is GPS-coordinated, very precise, and highly monitored. Administrative Coordinator Kayla Hechsel shared where to find information on Referendum progress and community engagement meetings on the City's website. ITEM 7. Committee/Staff Discussion Items Committee Member Hammill welcomed our two new committee members. Committee Member Bailey highlighted Rick's Bike Sale, which is happening on Saturday, May 11, ITEM 8. Input from Committee Members on Next Agenda No input was given. ITEM 8. Adjourn There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting was adjourned. MOTION: by Hammill, seconded by Schori, to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m. VOTE: Yes — 7, No — 0 Respectfully Submitted, LKzev Kayla Fl isel, do inistrative C ordinator Approved by the Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee on June 6, 2024. Lisa ..:. iebert, Chair -3of3-