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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 1/11/2010CITY OF GLENDALE, ARIZONA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 7 P.M., MONDAY,JANUARY 11, 2010 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS ROOM B-3 5850 W GLENDALE AVE, GLENDALE, ARIZONA MEMBERS PRESENT: Rod Passmore, Chair Marissa Capleton Liz Farley Jonathan Liebman Gary Parr Jose Rivas Danielle Silvas Pascal Tjahjo MEMBERS ABSENT: Margaret George OTHERS: Becky Benna,Director Bill Schwind, Deputy Director Karen Hesser, Deputy Director Roger Boyer, Project Coordinator Clyde Brown, Sr. Management Assistant CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Passmore called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. I.APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 14, 2009, MEETING Commissioner Farley motioned to accept the minutes with no changes noted. Commissioner Parr made the second. The motion passed 8—0. II. MASTER PLAN UPDATE Ms. Benna stated that staff is meeting with consultant team members regarding the Master Plan Update schedule and input process which will be presented to the Commission at the February or March 2010 meeting. Ms. Benna explained that the various reports and documents related to department and city services have been provided to the consultants. The consultants are reviewing the information. Chair Passmore asked if any Commissioners could attend the public meetings. Ms. Benna replied yes and she encouraged commission members to attend the public input meetings and said minutes would be made available from those meetings as well. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting January 11 , 2010 Page 2 III. DISTRIBUTION OF THE UPDATED CALENDAR OF EVENTS Mr. Brown distributed a Parks and Recreation event calendar for January through March of 2010. Commissioner Silvas asked if there were enough volunteers for the Citrus Zestival. Ms. Hesser noted that Commissioner Parr, Chair Passmore, and Commissioner Liebman were all volunteering. Commissioner Silvas will be added to the list. Ms. Hesser will send an email with details to the Commissioners later this week. IV. UPDATE ON NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES Ms. Benna stated that the voice of Parks and Recreation at the national level is the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA.) Ms. Benna stated that the NRPA is a huge resource for training including: university certifications, therapeutic agencies, professional certifications, playground safety, aquatic facility operator, alternative fund development, and others. NRPA also facilitates citizen training. Ms. Benna commented that NRPA provides research and technical assistance to raise public awareness for Parks and Recreation. NRPA is also directing its focus on health and wellness. Furthermore, the NRPA is also raising awareness in children for environmental stewardship and sustainability. Ms. Benna noted that the NRPA is also working on studies regarding the effects of play on children. Ms. Benna stated that another major purpose of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is to work on national policy and legislation. One recent successful example is the increase in the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Land and Water Conservation Fund provides funding to the states and local agencies which are used for planning, acquiring, preserving and developing outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Commissioner Silvas stated that this year, it is anticipated that Arizona will receive nearly $1 million of the $50 million Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund national allotment. Commissioner Silvas felt that with all of the recent state budget cuts, many of the parks projects are being tabled, although the fund money has to be spent within 3 years. The anticipated federal $1 million must be matched 50/50 by the state/local agencies. Ms. Benna stated that the NRPA conducts a legislative forum and "the day on-the-hill" in Washington, D.C. that allows for citizen advocates and park and recreation professionals to talk with legislators about issues related to the park and recreation and impacts on communities. NRPA presents educational sessions to members on specific platform issues, voting issues, upcoming grants, park and recreation issues, public services, and introductions to the legislators. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting January 11 , 2010 Page 3 Ms. Benny announced that the NRPA has an annual national conference, which will be held in October 2010 which focuses on educational sessions for professionals and citizens with extensive exhibits on available services and products. Commissioner Parr asked how Arizona Congressmen and Senators stack up in support of park and recreation issues. Ms. Benny stated that it depends on the issues and their priorities. It is very helpful to understand those issues and priorities before speaking with them on current legislation. Commissioner Liebman asked if the Heritage Fund and Land and Water Fund were managed by the Department of Interior. Ms Benny stated that the Land and Water Conservation Fund is administered by the National Park Service in the Department of Interior. Commissioner Silvas stated that the Heritage Fund was a voter initiative and a percentage of the Arizona Lottery ticket sales are allocated to the Heritage Fund of which parks get approximately $10 million. This funds things such as state, local and regional parks, trails, historic preservation, etc. Ms. Benny asked that any Commissioners planning on attending the Rally for Parks and Conservation on February 1, to please let her know so that the appropriate intergovernmental staff could be notified. Commissioner Rivas stressed that it is important to keep in mind of the legislative jurisdiction and who is in control of certain money or appropriations between federal, state, city, and county governments. Ms. Benny also noted that it is important to know which committees the legislators are on and how the appropriations are controlled. V. CITIZENS COMMENTS None. VI. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Benny stated that an article on www.azcentral.com covered the Sahuaro Ranch mural and another article was also in the Saturday newspaper. Ms. Hesser gave an update, including the following: Park staff refinished the benches at the Elsie McCarthy Sensory Garden. Sixty hours of community service were completed at Sahuaro Ranch Park which entailed picking up litter and trash and cleaning ramadas and grills. The WAGS For Wishes Event at Sahuaro Ranch Sports Complex had 2,500 to 3,000 attendees and dogs. Holiday at the Ranch at Sahuaro Ranch Park had 2,000 people in attendance. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting January 11 , 2010 Page 5 Commissioner Farley completed her park inspections and stated that the concrete looks good at the Paseo Racquet Center. Commissioner Farley reminded all present about the upcoming Glendale Glitters this weekend and the Chocolate Affair coming to Glendale on February 5, 6, and 7. Chair Passmore inquired as to the timing of next round of commissioner park visits. Ms. Benna replied that the list would be distributed in April and is to be returned in May. Ms. Hesser noted that all items requiring resolution from the park visit reports have been remedied, with the exception of the major issues that require additional time or funding to address. VIII. NEXT MEETING SUGGESTED AGENDA ITEMS Master Plan Update Commission Goals Reorganization of the Parks and Recreation Department Sahuaro Ranch Park update 2010 Census IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m. by consensus. The next regular meeting will be held Monday, February 8, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in Room B-3 of the City of Glendale Municipal Office Complex, located at 5850 West Glendale Avenue. Respectfully submitted, Jayme Gillen