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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 4/11/2011CITY OF GLENDALE, ARIZONA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING 7 P.M., MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2011 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS—ROOM B3 5850 W. GLENDALE AVENUE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jonathan Liebman, Chair Elizabeth Fernandes Gary Parr Donna Williams Margaret George MEMBERS ABSENT: Danielle Silvas Dana Dale OTHERS PRESENT: Karen Hesser, Deputy Director Bill Schwind, Deputy Director Roger Boyer, Project Coordinator Christine Frederickson, Management Assistant CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Liebman called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Chair Liebman noted that Commissioners Dale and Silvas were absent and Commissioner Hernandez recently resigned. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MARCH 7, 2011, MEETING Commissioner Parr motioned to approve the March 7, 2011, meeting minutes as written. Commissioner Williams made the second. The motion passed 5—0. II. ADOPT-A-TRAIL UPDATE Mr. Boyer stated that the Adopt-A-Trail Program has been utilized at the Thunderbird Conservation Park, and will be promoted at the Skunk Creek Linear Park and the Grand Canal Linear Park. Mr. Boyer noted that after the visitor outreach in November 2010, a base group of leaders were contacted and trained on the first project at Thunderbird Conservation Park regarding the various types of projects to be completed as well as the proper methods to complete the projects. Projects include: trail maintenance, painting trash cans and picnic tables, litter pick up, dog waste pick up, parking lot maintenance, brush and tree trimming and many other tasks. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting April 11, 2011 Page 2 Mr. Boyer reviewed the following Adopt-A-Trail Program in detail: Thunderbird Conservation Park o Volunteer Groups include: Mountain Ridge High School Interact Club Midwestern University Wilderness Medicine Society Eye Clinic o First Trail Clean Up—April 2, 2011 Volunteers 16 Hours Donated 48 Value to the City $1,025 Mr. Boyer noted that the Adopt-A-Trail program has taken some time to get established because it is not neighborhood-based, but it is progressing nicely. Mr. Boyer announced that Arizona State Parks has advised staff that the Glendale Parks and Recreation Department will be receiving a $40,000 grant from federal highway transportation funds for the trail maintenance program. Mr. Boyer will be rehiring an Idaho-based firm that has specialized equipment for trail maintenance which can complete the job faster and more efficiently than by physical labor. Mr. Boyer expects the project to begin in December 2011 or January 2012. Commissioner Williams asked if City Council had to approve the use of the funds. Mr. Boyer replied that this is not required since the funds are not given directly to the City. Instead, the City determines the necessary trail work, hires the appropriate contractor, and all invoices are sent directly to the State Parks Department for payment. He also stated that staff has assessed the trails that are in most need of maintenance and will provide a detailed plan of completion. III. ADOPT-A-PARK UPDATE Mr. Boyer stated that the Adopt-A-Park Program has been quite successful thus far, with four groups registered to-date. Mr. Boyer noted that a one-year commitment to the park is required by the program. Mr. Boyer explained that the program brings neighborhoods and groups together to benefit themselves, the adopted park, and the City of Glendale as a whole,by saving city staff time and maintenance expense. Mr. Boyer reviewed the following Adopt-A-Park Programs in detail: Desert Mirage Park o Located at 87th and Maryland o Neighborhood group led by Mr. John Kolodziej o Committed to a clean up on the first Saturday of every month o Five clean up events held since November 2010 o Volunteers 48 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting April 11, 2011 Page 3 o Hours Donated 297.5 o Cost Equivalent 6,355 Hidden Meadows Park o Located 76th Avenue and St. John o Volunteers from the Arrowhead Mall Employees Group o Still in organizational set up Mission Park o Located at 47th and Sunnyslope o Neighborhood group led by Ms. Nancy Steindem o Committed to a quarterly clean up o November 2010 clean up Volunteers 15 Hours Donated 30 Cost Equivalent 640 Sunset Palms Park o Located at 54th and Sweetwater o Neighborhood group led by Ms. Danielle Martinez o Committed to a quarterly clean up o November 2010 clean up Volunteers 12 Hours Donated 12 Cost Equivalent 256 IV. MASTER PLAN STATUS UPDATE REPORT Mr. Schwind stated that staff is tentatively scheduled to give a presentation on the updated Master Plan at a City Council Workshop on May 17, 2011. Mr. Boyer anticipated the presentation would last about twenty minutes and staff and the project consultants will be on hand for the presentation. Staff is currently finalizing all aspects of the Council Workshop presentation. V. SUMMER MEETING SCHEDULE Mr. Schwind noted that historically the Commission vacates the summer meetings and asked the Commissioners to determine the summer meeting schedule. Commissioner Parr motioned to vacate the July and August 2011 Commission meetings. Commissioner George made the second. The motion passed 5—0. VI. COMMISSION GOALS The Commissioners discussed the status of the completion of goals. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting April 11, 2011 Page 4 Commissioner Parr motioned to table Goal #5 until the next fiscal year with the ability to re-evaluate the choice of a visit to the Oasis Water Treatment Plant at that time. Commissioner Williams made the second. The motion passed 5—0. Chair Liebman complimented the Commissioners on an excellent job of goal completion and noted that much was accomplished during this year. The Commissioners commented on the success of the Parks and Recreation Commission booth at the Green Festival. Chair Liebman inquired about the upcoming park visit forms. Ms. Hesser noted that the forms will be sent to the Commissioners by the end of next week and they will be due back on May 6, 2011. Ms. Hesser will then bring the completion status report to the June Commission meeting. Mr. Schwind noted that the terms for the two student Commissioners expire in May. Mr. Schwind added that Commissioner Silvas' term expires in June and due to work commitments, she will not re-seek a second term. Furthermore, there are two open Commissioner positions, since Chair Passmore's term expired last month and Commissioner Hernandez recently resigned. Lastly, a Vice-Chair is to be appointed as well. Mr. Schwind stated that Council has been notified of the current and upcoming vacancies. VII. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. VIII. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Hesser provided the following update: Construction for the O'Neil Park improvements is well underway and is scheduled to be completed this month. The facility will remain closed through May for the turf to become established. The Sahuaro Ranch Sports Complex renovation is complete. The first games of the season were played on April 1st and the re-dedication ceremony will be held this Saturday, April 16th at 9:00 a.m. Vice Mayor Frate and other City Council members will be on hand to deliver the first pitch. The Folk and Heritage Festival was an enormous success. Over 4,500 visitors attended the event and staff received several letters from citizens who expressed their appreciation for the event. Over 700 visitors toured the Sahuaro Ranch historic homes during the two day festival. The annual Arbor Day event will be held on April 21st at 9:00 a.m. at Desert Garden Park, located at 71st Avenue and Ocotillo. Staff is partnering with the second grade classes to make this year's event a success. All are welcome to attend. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting April 11, 2011 Page 5 An artist was selected to design and fabricate new entrance monuments for Sahuaro Ranch Park. The city Arts Commission is facilitating and funding the process and the contract is expected to be approved by the City Attorney's Office later this month. Mr. Schwind gave an update which included the following highlights: Cowtown Skateboards will be the new skate shop retailer at the Foothills Skate Park. A meeting will be held soon with the company to determine the opening date. Cowtown will offer a full skate shop facility. On Saturday, April 9, a fun walk and Healing Arts Fair was held at the Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center sponsored by the West Valley Cancer Connection. Over 35 exhibitors were on hand and a health walk was conducted. Staff from the Youth and Teen division staffed a booth at the Glendale Jazz and Blues Fest and raised approximately $650 for the youth scholarship fund. On April 27, at the Glendale Adult Center, Peggy Kaye and the Blu Notes will entertain at the Afternoon Delight event. The Reconnection Program is held every Thursday afternoon at the Glendale Adult Center. This is a program whereby children in the afterschool programs are transported to the Glendale Adult Center to play billiards and other fun games with the seniors. It is a great program which provides one-on-one mentoring to the children. This Friday at Sahuaro Ranch Park, a volunteer recognition brunch will be held. IX. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Fernandes participated in the Relay for Life this past weekend. Commissioner George attended the Jazz and Blues Fest and the Folk and Heritage Festival. Commissioner Williams attended the Folk and Heritage Festival and also assisted with set up of the event. Commissioner Williams also participated in the Glendale Family Bike Ride and helped at the Commission booth at the Green Festival. Commissioner Parr attended the Jazz and Blues Fest, helped with the Commission booth at the Green Festival and played in a ballgame at the improved ballfields at Sahuaro Ranch Park. Commissioner Parr complimented the new lighting, dugouts and scoreboards at the complex. Mr. Schwind praised the lighting technology utilized by Musco Sports Lighting, noting that the company's lights provide better illumination with less spillage, are low cost to operate and come with a twenty-year maintenance package. Chair Liebman worked at the Commission booth at the Green Festival, attended a Cholla District meeting on April 6, and participated in the Adopt-A-Trail Program clean up at Thunderbird Conservation Park on April 2. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting April 11, 2011 Page 6 Mr. Schwind announced that former Chair Passmore would be recognized by the Mayor at the next Council meeting for his service to the Parks and Recreation Commission. X. NEXT MEETING SUGGESTED AGENDA ITEMS Progress of the Master Plan Update City Council Presentation Park Visit Updates Pictures of the Sahuaro Ranch Park Complex Improvements Summer Recreation Program Update XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. by consensus. The next regular meeting will be Monday,May 9, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Room B-3, Glendale, Arizona. Respectfully submitted, Denise Kazmierczak