Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 5/10/2010CITY OF GLENDALE, ARIZONA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 7 P.M., MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010 5850 W. GLENDALE AVENUE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS—ROOM B-3 MEMBERS PRESENT: Rod Passmore, Chair Jonathan Liebman Vice Chair Margaret George Danielle Silvas Pascal Tjahjo MEMBERS ABSENT: Marissa Capleton Gary Parr Jose Rivas OTHERS PRESENT: Becky Benna, Director Karen Hesser, Deputy Director Bill Schwind, Deputy Director Paul Bernardo, Recreation Manager Chris Gallagher, Recreation Manager Deanna Ortiz, Recreation Manager Mike Gregory, Project Coordinator Christine Frederickson, Management Assistant CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Passmore called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M. I.APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE APRIL 12, 2010, MEETING Commissioner George motioned to accept the April 12, 2010, minutes as written. Commissioner Silvas made the second. The motion passed 5—0. II. RECOGNITION OF STUDENT COMMISSIONERS Ms. Benna announced that this would be the last meeting for Commissioner Tjahjo as his term on the Commission has come to an end. Ms. Benna thanked Commissioner Tjahjo for his service to the City of Glendale and to the Commission. Ms. Benna added that Commissioner Tjahjo will serve on the Library Commission in the upcoming fiscal year. Chair Passmore presented Commissioner Tjahjo with a plaque from Mayor and Council in commemoration of one year of service on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Chair Passmore thanked Commissioner Tjahjo for his contribution and dedication to the Commission. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 10, 2010 Page 2 Ms. Benna added that Commissioner Capleton's term has ended as well and added that her service and contribution to the Commission will be greatly missed. Ms. Benna stated that Commissioner Capleton will also receive a commemorative plaque in honor of her service. III. PARK SITE VISITS REVIEW Ms. Hesser thanked the Commissioners for their park site visits and stated that resolution of noted issues were underway. Ms. Hesser said that the site observations spreadsheets would be distributed at the June 14 meeting as there were a few park visits pending from Park Commissioners. Ms. Hesser mentioned that as of May 1, a new landscape maintenance contract began with Mariposa Landscape Arizona, Inc. The Commissioners all agreed that the parks looked very good. Ms. Hesser announced the results of the departmental reorganization in February. Mr. Gregory has assumed the additional responsibilities of supervising the neighborhood and community parks and Mr. Bernardo has assumed the additional responsibilities of supervising all regional parks and trails and supervising the irrigation crew. IV. SUMMER PROGRAMS REVIEW Mr. Gallagher, Ms. Ortiz, and Mr. Schwind provided an overview of Parks and Recreation 2010 summer offerings. Mr. Schwind's update included the following: Swimming lessons will be offered at Foothills, Rose Lane, Ironwood, and Cactus pools. Glendale's Water Safety Day will be held on June 4 at the Foothills Recreation and Aquatic Center. The Glendale Fire Department is partnering with the Parks and Recreation Department on the program. The Foothills 360 program is an all-day supervised recreation program for kids during the summer. Kids can register for five days or three days a week. The program ends on August 6. The 3rd Annual Family Swim Night will be held on June 26, and the Guinness World Records event will be held on July 17, at the Foothills Recreation and Aquatic Center. There are 140 special interest classes being offered this summer at various locations. The summer concert series will begin on June 30, and the Patriotic Party will be held on July 2 at the Glendale Adult Center. 2 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 10, 2010 Page 3 The Adaptive Recreation has a new program called "Have You Ever Tried?" This new program will expose kids to different activities such as science, singing, etc. Mr. Gallagher's updates included the following: The Parks and_ Recreation Department is working on its plan for expanding the rentals of the City's fields to various sports organizations instead of competing with them in offering leagues. 650 kids have signed up for the summer baseball and softball program. This will be the last season for this organized sports program. Ms. Ortiz's updates included the following: There are a total of ten summer programs offered in the Youth and Teen Division. Four summer drop-in recreation sites will be open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and four "extended sites" will be open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The program is open to kids from 1st through 8t' grade and will include activities such as a science programs, a nutrition program, Tae Kwan Do, games, and activities. Chair Passmore inquired about the field at Landmark Elementary. Mr. Gallagher explained that the City has an intergovernmental agreement regarding the use of the fields at the school and the City has provided the lights for the field. The school uses the facility during the day and the Parks and Recreation Department rents and/or uses the facility after 6:00 p.m. for football, soccer, lacrosse, and other sport programs. Chair Passmore stated that more bleachers were needed at the fields. Mr. Gallagher indicated that this would be the school's responsibility. Commissioner Silvas inquired about the types of field rentals available through the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Gallagher explained that there are premier rental rates the lighted sports complexes) and non-premier rental rates (school complexes and older park fields.) Commissioner Silvas asked about any profits made on rentals. Mr. Gallagher replied that the rates basically cover costs but it is preferable to having the fields empty and not in use. Chair Passmore thanked staff for their updates. 3 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 10, 2010 Page 4 V. MASTER PLAN UPDATE Ms. Benna provided an update on the Master Plan process. Ms. Benna stated that on April 29, 2010, a public meeting was held regarding the Master Plan update. The total attendance was 17 people, including three Parks and Recreation Commissioners. Ms. Benna distributed a compilation of the feedback that was received at the meeting. Ms. Benna noted that to date, there seems to be a general consensus to take care of existing facilities and structures. There is a positive sense regarding current offerings, however, some feel that the southwest community needs more amenities. Ms. Benna felt the meeting was very productive and is looking forward to the next public meeting. Commissioner Liebman noted that he had attended the meeting and added that some of the attendees stressed more attention to the southwest portion of the city. Ms. Benna commented that there is a Master Plan Update link on the City of Glendale Parks and Recreation Department website. Ms. Benna encouraged all to visit the link and to encourage others to complete the survey. The survey will be available until the end of May. The information will go directly to the Master Plan consultants and staff will receive a copy as well. Ms. Benna provided an update on the community-wide survey status: As of last Friday, 600 statistically valid surveys were received. The goal is for 1,000 statistically valid surveys to be completed. Staff will conduct focus groups as well as individual interviews. These meeting will be conducted through mid-June. There are a variety of opportunities for public input: The statistically valid surveys, public meetings, online surveys, focus groups and interviews, meetings with Mayor and Council, Park and Recreation Commission meetings, and department and other city staff. Ms. Benna announced that the next Master Plan public meeting is scheduled for June 29, 6:30 pm -8:30 pm at the Adult Center. VI. COMMISSION GOALS Chair Passmore asked the Commissioners for goal updates: Commissioner George and Chair Passmore completed all goals. Commissioner Liebman and Tjahjo both had job shadowing as outstanding goals. 4 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 10, 2010 Page 5 Commissioner Silvas had job shadowing and Master Plan public input as outstanding goals. VII. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. VIII. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Hesser provided the following updates on activities during the past month: Special Events and Historic Sahuaro Ranch Divisions The department fundraising golf tournament was held on April 17, at Coyote Lakes Golf Club. The net revenue for the event was $6,200. These revenues are used to support various programs and events during the year. An additional $320 was raised specifically for the Hook-a-Kid on Golf program. The annual Arbor Day celebration was held at Hillcrest Park on April 22. The "Chuck-Wagon Family Campout" was held on April 30, at Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area. A total of 117 kids and adults spent the evening at the ranch. On May 4, the AZ Highways TV crew filmed a segment at the Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area. Mr. John Akers was interviewed about the history of the site and Glendale 11 was on hand to film AZ Highways film the park. Capital Improvement Projects Division: The renovations to Butler and Bicentennial Parks are nearing completion. The expected re-opening of the parks will be sometime in late June with re-opening ceremonies being planned for each park. Staff is moving forward with recommendations for the Sahuaro Ranch Sports Complex renovations. O'Neil Park Sports Complex ballfield renovations are underway. Mr. Schwind provided an update which included the following: Staff is partnering with Arrowhead Little League on the Foothills Ballfield #3. Arrowhead Little League primarily uses ballfield #3 and is providing funding for a variety of improvements, including raising the backstop and installing a. new outfield fence. Ms. Ortiz was the staff's Community Service Group team leader for the "Relay for Life" program which raised over$2,800 for the American Cancer Society. 5 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 10, 2010 Page 6 IX. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Tjahjo enjoyed the use of the Glendale parks this month. Commissioner Silvas completed park site visits, hiked Thunderbird Conservation Park, and enjoyed her Havasupai trip which was a fabulous experience. Commissioner Liebman attended the Master Plan Update public meeting and found it to be very interesting. He has noticed more graffiti during his park site visits and he used the trails at Thunderbird Conservation Park. Commissioner Liebman mentioned that there were some large river rocks on some of the trails as well as some erosion issues on the trails. Ms. Benna commented that this is an ongoing challenge and staff strives to keep the trails at specified maintenance standards. Commissioner Silvas stated that the Recreation Trails Fund was still available for fund requests to be used in such instances. Ms. Benna thought that this fund had closed, but will follow up on the suggestion. Commissioner George attended a Council District meeting, attended the Arbor Day event, completed her park site visit reports, and volunteered as a Glendale Greeter on Mother's Day. Chair Passmore participated in the Peoria Relay for Life and encouraged all to attend the City of Glendale Historic Tours on May 22. Three buses will leave from the Glendale Civic Center at 8:00 a.m. and will visit three different destinations. Chair Passmore expressed concern over the high usage of Murphy Park and the toll on the grass in the park due to this usage. Ms. Hesser understood the concerns and stated that after the first Saturday in October, no events will be scheduled at Murphy Park due to over-seeding and watering. Ms. Hesser added that staff is trying to utilize a new system for Murphy Park reservations. Staff is working on the language and parameters for the new procedures, which would allow for two reservations of Murphy Park per month from April through September. Ms. Benna added that there were no specific controls in the past regarding reservations for Murphy Park. Ms. Benna explained that staff is working to find a healthy balance between uses of Murphy Park and the time necessary for the park to recover from such events. Ms. Benny added that Murphy Park is well-loved and well-used, which is very good but does pose maintenance, grass, and watering issues for the park. Ms. Hesser will share the Chair's comments regarding Murphy Park with the Special Events Division. Chair Passmore also stated that various trees were damaged at Murphy Park when the Christmas lights were removed. Ms. Hesser will follow up on this comment. Chair 6 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 10, 2010 Page 7 Passmore stressed that Murphy Park is a premier park and needs to be well maintained. Ms. Hesser and Ms. Benna agreed. X. NEXT MEETING SUGGESTED AGENDA ITEMS Park Site Visits Focus Group Meeting Feedback Commission Goals—Final Completion Suggested Goals for 2010-2011 Commission Summer Commission Meetings XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. by consensus. The next regular meeting will be Monday, June 14, 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, Denise Kazmierczak 7