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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 6/14/2010CITY OF GLENDALE, ARIZONA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 7 P.M., MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2010 5850 W. GLENDALE AVENUE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS—ROOM B-3 MEMBERS PRESENT: Rod Passmore, Chair Jonathan Liebman, Vice Chair Elizabeth Fernandes Margaret George Gary Parr Danielle Silvas OTHERS PRESENT: Becky Benna, Director Karen Hesser, Deputy Director Bill Schwind, Deputy Director Mike Gregory, Project Coordinator Roger Boyer, Project Coordinator Clyde Brown, Senior Management Assistant CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Passmore called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE APRIL 12, 2010, MEETING Commissioner Liebman motioned to accept the May 10, 2010, minutes with the following change as noted by Commissioner George: On Page 1, "Chair Passmore presented Commissioner Tjahjo with a plaque from Mayor and Council in commemoration of two years of service..."should be changed to "Chair Passmore presented Commissioner Tjahjo with a plaque from Mayor and Council in commemoration of one year of service...". Commissioner Silvas made the second. The motion passed 6—0. II. NEW COMMISSIONER INTRODUCTION Chair Passmore introduced Commissioner Elizabeth Fernandes, the new student Commissioner representing the Yucca District. Commissioner Fernandes gave a description of her background. The other Commissioners introduced themselves as well. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting June 14, 2010 Page 2 III. PARK SITE VISITS Ms. Hesser and Mr. Gregory distributed updated park site visit resolution reports. The Commissioners reviewed the reports. Ms. Hesser stated that all issues have been resolved. Furthermore, there are a few unresolved items such as park signage whereby the signs have been ordered, but are pending delivery and installation. Chair Passmore complimented the well-maintained condition of the parks. Commissioner George was very impressed with the condition of Sands Park. Commissioner Silvas inquired about the city's campaign to replenish grocery bags for use in cleaning up pet waste. Ms. Hesser explained that there are drop-off locations whereby grocery bags can be donated for such use. Ms. Benna noted that new signs encouraging the pick-up of pet waste will soon be installed in city parks. Commissioner Liebman stated that the Cholla District parks were in good shape and also noted a few missing resolution dates on the report. Ms. Hesser was confident the issues were resolved and will follow-up with exact dates. Chair Passmore had recently taken a tour of Manistee Ranch Park and felt that the park was in great shape. Chair Passmore also praised the condition of Sahuaro Ranch Park. IV. MASTER PLAN UPDATE Ms. Benna gave the Commissioners an update on the Master Plan process and distributed a compilation of the feedback received from the online survey and recent focus group meetings. Ms. Benna explained that the online survey was available for resident input from May 12 through May 24, and was now closed. Sixty responses were received from the online survey. Ms. Benna noted that staff is also concluding interviews with other focus groups, community organizations, city departments and commissions, and individuals. A total of twenty-two focus groups/interviews were identified for the feedback process and the responses are still being compiled. Ms. Benna indicated that one main theme in the feedback regarding the parks is the maintenance and upkeep of the existing parks in the city. Other major themes expressed were safety at the parks, more awareness of offerings, and pursuing partnerships with other organizations. Ms. Benna commented that aside from the obvious benefits of the surveys and focus groups, new relationships and networking with partners has developed from this type of communication. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting June 14, 2010 Page 3 Ms. Benny stated that next Thursday,the results from the community-wide survey will be reviewed. The target response rate of 1,000 returned surveys was reached. On June 29, 2010, the next Master Plan Public Workshop will be held at the Glendale Adult Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Ms. Benny will continue to keep the Commission apprised of the Master Plan Update. V. REVIEW OF 2009-2010 COMMISSION GOALS The Commissioners discussed their progress on the established goals for the 2009-2010 year. All agreed that it was a very successful year for the Commission. Chair Passmore congratulated the Commissioners on achievement of the goals and thanked all for their dedication to the Commission. VI. 2010-2011 COMMISSION GOALS The Commissioners discussed and established goals for the 2010-2011 year. The Commissioners agreed on the following changes: 1. Replace Goal #5 with "As a Commission, tour the Oasis Water Treatment Plant during the fiscal year." 2. Goal #4 to be amended to state "As a Commission, participate in the 2011 Chocolate Affair to promote the Commission's purpose." 3. Goal#8 to be eliminated as this goal was on the list two years in a row. Commissioner Liebman motioned to adopt the 2010-2011 goals as discussed. Commissioner George made the second. The motion passed 6—0. VII. SUMMER MEETING SCHEDULE Commissioner George motioned to vacate the July and August 2010 Commission meetings. Commissioner Parr made the second. The motion passed 6—0. VIII.CITIZEN COMMENTS None. IX. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Hesser provided the following update: Special Events and Historic Sahuaro Ranch Divisions Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting June 14, 2010 Page 4 o Toddler Water Day was held on May 14, at Sahuaro Ranch Park. Approximately 600 children and adults attended the event. o The school tours at the Sahuaro Ranch Historic Area concluded with a total of 847 students participating. o Events scheduled for the month include the "Adventures in History Camp" and the "Hook-A-Kid on Golf" program the week of June 28, at Glen Lakes Golf Course and the week of July 19, at the Desert Mirage Golf Course. o Parks and Capital Improvement Projects The renovations to Butler and Bicentennial Parks are 95% complete. The anticipated re-opening ceremonies will be June 30, for Bicentennial and July 1, for Butler Park. Invitations are forthcoming. The contract for the renovation construction of the Sahuaro Ranch Sports Complex was approved at the June 8, City Council meeting. Construction will begin in July and completion is expected in January 2011. Improvements are underway to improve the Foothills Dog Park area. A new, fenced area with benches and shade structures will allow the same type of "monthly rotation" of the turf areas that is used at Northern Horizon Dog Park. These improvements should alleviate the stress to the turf area. Thanks to the support of several Council Members, improvements of many city parks are now complete. Projects included painting of ramadas, refreshing granite, replacing playground equipment as well as replenishing wood fiber to fill in playground areas. Mr. Schwind reported on the following: Aquatics o Since the aquatics program opened on Memorial Day, 8,117 visitors have used the pool facilities. o Swim lessons began on June 7, and 2,400 people have registered for lessons so far. Glendale Adult Center o On July 2, a patriotic party will be held at the Glendale Adult Center. Lunch will be served and the Luke Air Force Color Guard will be on hand for the celebration. Adaptive Recreation o On June 18, for the Adaptive program, a Bingo Extravaganza will be held at the Glendale Adult Center from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. o On August 7, the Summer Luau will be held at the Ironwood Pool from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting June 14, 2010 Page 5 Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center o On July 17, the 4th Annual Guinness World Records Day event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Foothills Recreation and Aquatic Center. This is a free event with attempts at breaking current world records and other fun activities. o On June 26, the 3rd Annual Foothills Family Swim Night will be held. Sports o Complex renovations in progress include: Sahuaro Ranch Park Main Soccer Field Thunderbird Paseo Fields Improvements at Foothills and Lions Park Commissioner George inquired if all the drains in the pools were up to code. Mr. Schwind replied in the positive. IX. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Silvas inquired about the APRA Conference in August. Ms. Benny replied that the day for Commissioners to attend is Thursday, September 1, and all registration information is on the APRA website. Commissioner George participated in the centennial bus tour of Sahuaro Ranch Park, and Manistee Ranch Park along with Chair Passmore, attended a City Council meeting whereby she was officially re-appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission, and Mayor Scruggs honored the Thunderbird School of Global Management with a proclamation regarding restoration efforts. Chair Passmore participated in the centennial bus tour of Sahuaro Ranch Park and Manistee Ranch Park along with Commissioner George, had dinner with a Council Member in May, and attended a Master Plan Update meeting in April. Commissioner Liebman attended the Advanced Training for Boards and Commissions and took a bike ride on Saturday at the Thunderbird Conservation Park. Commissioner Liebman asked if there were any plans to add more trail signage. Ms. Benny replied that this was included in the Master Plan Update. Ms. Benny stated that the parking lots at the park are currently being improved. Furthermore, the conditions of the trails are a continuous project due to heavy trail use. X. NEXT MEETING SUGGESTED AGENDA ITEMS Commission Goals Master Plan Update Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting June 14, 2010 Page 6 XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m. by consensus. The next regular meeting will be Monday, September 13, 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