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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 12/12/2010CITY OF GLENDALE, ARIZONA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING 7 P.M., MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010 GLENDALE ADULT CENTER 5970 W. BROWN STREET GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85302 MEMBERS PRESENT: Rod Passmore, Chair Jonathan Liebman, Vice-Chair Dana Dale Danielle Silvas Elizabeth Fernandes Edgar Hernandez Gary Parr MEMBERS ABSENT: Donna Williams Margaret George STAFF PRESENT:Becky Benna, Director Bill Schwind, Deputy Director Karen Hesser, Deputy Director Lori Bye, Recreation Manager Bryan Wagner, Crew Leader JB Shaw, Recreation Programmer Christine Frederickson, Management Assistant Call to Order. Chair Passmore called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and read the Commission's mission statement. I. Approval of Minutes of the November 8, 2010, meeting Commissioner Dale motioned to approve the November 8, 2010, meeting minutes as written. Commissioner Silvas made the second. Motion passed 7—0. II. INTRODUCTION OF PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSIONER Chair Passmore introduced new Commissioner Edgar Hernandez. Commissioner Hernandez provided a brief description of his background. III. INNOVATIVE PARK AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS Ms. Benna introduced Mr. Shaw who facilitates the afterschool program at the Sahuaro Ranch Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting December 13,2010 Page 2 Elementary School located at 63`d Avenue and Peoria. Ms. Benna praised Mr. Shaw for being a very creative and enthusiastic advocate of"green" issues. Mr. Shaw discussed the Green Crusaders Recycling Program, which he started in 2007 with the afterschool participants. The program began with recycling used ink cartridges and only included the kids at Sahuaro Ranch Elementary afterschool program. The First Annual Recycling Contest was held which raised $700 in just four months for the afterschool program. This contest was extended to all families in all afterschool sites. Various recycling items can be turned in for recycling, such as drink pouches, "Lunchables" containers, cell phones, candy and cookie wrappers, Elmer's Glue sticks, tape dispensers, spreads containers and much more. Mr. Shaw explained that the TerraCycle program is easy to participate in as the children take charge, are highly involved, are excited about the program and also sort the items. Mr. Shaw stated that this was a win-win situation as it reduces garbage and waste in the landfills, saves time used to empty trash bins, makes money for the afterschool program and engages children and families in a meaningful project. Mr. Shaw stated that the 2nd Annual Recycling Contest is currently underway. Mr. Shaw also presented photos of the "green crafts" made with the children which include: A corn cob for the fall: Materials used were paper towel holders, bubble wrap and yellow tissue paper. Christmas wreaths made out of pages from old telephone books spray painted green. Turkeys made out of plastic milk jugs which could hold coins. These were used for a fundraiser and included the whole Sahuaro Elementary School classes. The class who raised the most money was treated to a pizza party. Sahuaro Ranch Elementary School raised $550 in five days which was donated to the Salvation Army. Mr. Shaw also provided a presentation on the Health Nuts Nutrition and Fitness Program which he created for his afterschool program. The program makes exercise fun for the children. Mr. Shaw utilizes the P90X workout program on Monday, Wednesday and Friday which is modified for the children. Mr. Shaw tracks each child's progress which allows for the children to be inspired as they progress. Special guest speakers such as dentists and representatives from the Maricopa County Co-Op have addressed the children regarding important health issues. Mr. Shaw also offers a Peak Performance Club for the children in the afterschool program. On half-school days, those enrolled go hiking in different Valley parks. He shared stories of the children and how they have progressed through the exercise program and how they have also encouraged their parents to exercise as well. The results of a fitness tests are also tracked and shared with the children. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting December 13,2010 Page 3 Chair Passmore inquired as to how many children are enrolled in the Sahuaro Elementary afterschool program. Mr. Shaw replied that there are about 20-25 children that attend the after school program and approximately 15-20 children that attend the before-school program in the morning. Commissioner Silvas asked if any of the other afterschool program staff are utilizing the programs presented by Mr. Shaw. Mr. Shaw stated that he has shared this information with the other staff. Mr. Shaw added that not all programs will work at all sites as participation and interest is dependent on the children at each site. Chair Passmore thanked Mr. Shaw for his presentation and for his service and enthusiasm with the children. Ms. Benna introduced Mr. Bryan Wagner, a Crew Leader in the Parks Division. Ms. Benna stated that parks maintenance staff has been creatively addressing the challenges with the amount of toilet paper being used in various park locations. Mr. Wagner previously provided a presentation to City Council regarding a money-saving and time-saving solution which is being shared with the Commission this evening. Mr. Wagner explained that there have been various challenges with toilet paper usage and loss, in the park bathrooms, which impacts the division in terms of replacement cost and staff time to replace toilet paper. Problems include the toilets clogging due to paper overuse toilet paper thrown and stuck on walls, ceilings and floors; theft of toilet paper rolls; and the time cost of re- stocking of toilet paper. Mr. Wagner stated that "free-spinning rollers" are installed in most of the park locations. This means that the toilet paper can spin freely on the roller. Mr. Wagner displayed this type of roller. Mr. Wagner said that after diligent research, it was determined that a flat-bar system, which prevents free-spinning and is a better method for a toilet paper holder/dispenser. Mr. Wagner displayed this type of roller. Installation was done and tested at a few high-use locations and found that there was still toilet paper left on the roller at the end of the day, which equates to a successful solution. As a result, a full roller conversion will be done at both Sahuaro Ranch Park and Thunderbird Conservation Park. Mr. Wagner estimated that approximately $4,000 per year, per park, will be saved on toilet paper expense at each of these two locations not including the time for staff to replace the empty rolls. Commissioner Parr inquired about the cost of a roller. Mr. Wagner replied that an outside vendor has been discovered and it will cost approximately $50 for a four-roll dispenser. Mr. Wagner stated that this was a good deal and save staff time and material expense to build each unit. Ms. Benna praised both Mr. Shaw and Mr. Wagner for their creative and moneysaving ideas. Chair Passmore thanked staff for their innovations and presentation. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting December 13,2010 Page 4 IV. THUNDERBIRD CONSERVATION PARK SURVEY RESULTS Ms. Hesser provided an update on the Thunderbird Conservation Park outreach user survey that was conducted in November 2010. Ms. Hesser stated that the goal of the survey was to determine the park usage levels, needs and wants of the users and engage visitors in the park maintenance processes. Ms. Hesser shared with the Commissioners some of the most popular answers to the survey questions which were answered by 463 people: Why are you using the park? 209 people responded hiking, 30 responded jogging/running and 7 people said they were mountain biking How often do you visit? 80 people answered 2-3 times a week, 59 people said once a week Which trails do you use the most? H1 and 113 were the most popular in this survey. Are you willing to help maintain the trails: 259 respondents said yes Any concerns or suggestions: Pick up of dog waste, new surfacing on the parking lots at 55` and 67`"Avenue are very nice, the trails are well maintained Ms. Hesser stated that staff will now work on the method of contact with respondents who are willing to volunteer at the park and will let them know of the available projects at the park. Ms. Hesser stated that projects would include litter pick-up, trail maintenance and trimming back overgrown plant material. Ms. Hesser anticipated that the first volunteer coordination meeting would be held in early January. Ms. Hesser also distributed a map which displayed the various geographical areas in the valley from which people travel to use the Thunderbird Conservation Park. Mr. Liebman found this map to be very interesting. Commissioner Silvas suggested that the Bureau of Land Management or State Parks office be contacted to see if representatives could help train volunteers on trail maintenance. Ms. Hesser will follow up on this suggestion. Commissioner Dale stated that there might be people willing to volunteer at the park that were not present on the days of the survey. Ms. Hesser agreed and stated that information will be disseminated in various manners regarding the volunteer opportunities. Chair Passmore congratulated staff on a successful outreach activity and survey. V. FOLLOW-UP ON COMMISSIONER PARK SITE VISIT UPDATES Ms. Hesser stated that there are some park site visit reports still being turned in and therefore, the full presentation on the park site visits will be done at the January or February meeting. Ms. Hesser stated that all items under staff control that have been noted on the reports turned in have been resolved. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting December 13,2010 Page 5 Commissioner Silvas stated that at the Paseo Racquet Center, the trees on the east side of the racquet area look stressed. Commissioner Parr recently visited the newly renovated Butler Park and encouraged all Commissioners to do the same. Commissioner Parr felt that the improvements have transformed the park into a bright spot in the neighborhood. Chair Passmore inquired about the City's tree replacement policy. Ms. Hesser stated that replacement decisions depend on the specific parks and location of the previous tree. Ms. Hesser stated that, for example, due to the size of the Grand Canal Linear Park and the budget constraints, the City cannot afford to replace all of the trees lost to the multiple monsoon events. Chair Passmore asked about three specific trees in the ramada area at Orangewood Park. Ms. Hesser explained that these trees cannot be replaced due to vandalism. Ms. Hesser added that the trees that were planted in the concrete wells along Murphy Park will not be replaced due to issues with underground utilities. Chair Passmore expressed concern and asked if all the trees will eventually be gone. Ms. Hesser acknowledged that this could be possible, but that an individual assessment would be made using the underground utility maps. Ms. Benna added that staff is determined to ensure in the Master Plan that design standards are established to avoid such issues in the future. Commissioner Liebman commented that on a recent Sunday at the skate park at Union Hills and 57th Avenue, there were kids on bikes and visitors with dogs in the skate areas even though the signage clearly states that this is not allowed. Commissioner Liebman stated that this could cause a dangerous situation. Ms. Benna encouraged the Commissioners and all citizens to call the phone number on park signage, 623-695-3004, to contact an on-call ranger and report any such incidents. Ms. Benna noted that the park rangers have a great relationship with the Glendale Police Department and if the police are needed, they will respond. Ms. Benna stated that the City was advised by the Legal Department that from a liability and design standpoint, bikes cannot be allowed in the skate park. Ms. Benna stated that the skate park is a use-at-your- own-risk facility. Ms. Benna announced that a potential new vendor for the concession area in the Foothills skate park is being interviewed. Commissioner Fernandes expressed concern over some the uses occurring at the park at 83rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road. Ms. Benna stressed calling the police department or the phone number for the ranger on call if she witnesses any uses that are prohibited. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting December 13,2010 Page 6 VI. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. VII. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Hesser provided the following report: As part of the effort to increase outreach efforts, Park Maintenance Division Crew Leaders Bryan Wagner and Pete Lavander, along with Park Ranger Leo Gomez, attended the Desert Mirage Elementary School "Careers-on-Wheels" Day on November 9. o Mr. Wagner and Mr. Lavander took a John Deere bat-wing mower and wood chipper and Mr. Gomez had Seemore Eagle Eye literature and the new Park Ranger pick-up. Their presentations were well-received and appreciated by the students and teachers. Crew Leader Pete Lavander met with neighborhood representatives from Mission, Desert Mirage and Sunset Palms Parks to review the maintenance standards and provide guidance for the various group clean-up efforts through the Adopt-A-Park Program. The large shade canopy at Elsie McCarthy Sensory Garden was replaced and fitted onto a new, taller structure. Mr. Schwind provided an update on current projects and activities, which included the following: The Youth and Teen Division in partnership with the Glendale Fire Department, will distribute toys collected via the Toys for Tots Program at four recreation program site locations on December 17. Recently, 150 children participated in a holiday arts and crafts program and received give- aways at the Glendale Community Center Foothills Recreation Center: On December 15, the Adult Center's Afternoon Delight Program will feature a holiday dance and show. The holiday luncheon will be held Friday, December 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. On December 18, the Foothills 5K Run will be held. The event is sponsored by Dick's Sporting Goods. VIII. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Parr commented on his recent trip to Italy and attended Glendale Glitters last Saturday night. Commissioner Dale attended Glendale Glitters and worked at the snow field and had a great time. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting December 13,2010 Page 7 Commissioner Liebman attended Glendale Glitters on opening night and also last Saturday night. He shared suggestions for the Parks and Recreation website and My Community magazine: On the main page, the website does not have a link to the "My Community" magazine. The link to the Community Services Group is not easy to find and it is not listed on the quick links. The "My Community" magazine looks great online. An article should be included in the "My Community" magazine regarding volunteer opportunities at Thunderbird Conservation Park. The Adopt-A-Park Program is hidden in the volunteer section on the website and should be linked at the top of the volunteer page or included in the "My Community" magazine. Furthermore, there should be more information on the Adopt-A-Park program. Commissioner Silvas attended the opening night of Glendale Glitters and said it was a lot of fun. Commissioner Fernandes has been using the Western Area Regional Park X-Court. Chair Passmore attended the Gingerbread Nights and stated that they were well-staffed and the event was well-attended. Chair Passmore thanked staff and the Commission for the hard work and dedication to the Glendale parks during the year. Chair Passmore praised staff for the many accomplishments despite the budget challenges. IX. NEXT MEETING SUGGESTED AGENDA ITEMS Master Plan Update Distribution of Park Site Visit Spreadsheets Status of Commission Goals X. ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting will be Monday, January 24, 2011, at 7 p.m. at the Glendale Adult Center, 5970 W.Brown Street. The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m. by consensus. Respectfully Submitted, Denise Kazmierczak