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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 5/9/2011CITY OF GLENDALE, ARIZONA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING 7 P.M., MONDAY, MAY 9, 2011 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS—ROOM B3 5850 W. GLENDALE AVENUE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jonathan Liebman, Chair Elizabeth Fernandes Gary Parr Donna Williams Margaret George Danielle Silvas Allison Tedford MEMBERS ABSENT: Dana Dale OTHERS PRESENT: Erik Strunk, Interim Director, Parks, Recreation & Library Bill Schwind, Deputy Director Mike Gregory, Park Manager David Seid, Recreation Manager Chris Gallagher, Recreation Manager Deanna Ortiz, Recreation Manager Lori Bye, Recreation Manager Christine Frederickson, Management Assistant I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Liebman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Chair Liebman noted that Commissioner Dale was absent this evening. Chair Liebman also introduced and welcomed the new student Commissioner Allison Tedford from Mountain Ridge High School. Chair Liebman presented Commissioner Fernandes with a plaque in appreciation and recognition of her contribution and service to the Parks and Recreation Commission for Fiscal Year 2010-2011. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE APRIL 11, 2011, MEETING Commissioner Tedford motioned to approve the April 11, 2011, meeting minutes with a change noting that the next Commission meeting was scheduled for May, not June. Commissioner Silvas made the second. The motion passed 7—0. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 9, 2011 Page 2 IV. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR None. V. FINAL OVERVIEW OF SAHUARO RANCH BALL FIELD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Mr. Gregory and Mr. Gallagher gave an overview, including before and after pictures, of the Sahuaro Ranch Ball Field Improvements. Mr. Gregory noted that, in January 2009, Mayor and Council approved a professional services agreement with Ritoch-Powell and Associates for facility assessment, design services and construction administration of the Sports Complex improvement project. Mr. Gregory added that in June 2010, Mayor and Council approved the construction contract and as of April 2011, all construction has been completed. Mr. Gregory discussed the priorities considered and stressed in the Sports Complex improvements as follows: Health and Safety o Efficient Lighting o Detail to field conditions o Shade Operations and Maintenance o Lower Operations Cost (achieved via durable turf, reinforced fencing, performance-based lighting, irrigation-on-timer system and a fertigation system) Life Expectancy o Field Modifications and Additional Play Areas o Increased Programming Capacity Aesthetics o Consideration of turf slopes, fencing, landscape and spectator shade Mr. Gregory discussed the design and construction milestones which included the following: Irrigation: Up to 30% cost savings (in funds and actual water use) Field Lighting: Up to 40% annual cost savings Fencing: Spectator safety Concrete: Improved aesthetics Shade: Spectator friendly Slope and Turf: Maintenance and player friendly Mr. Gregory commented that staff worked diligently with the vendor on the lighting to reduce spillage into the neighborhood. Staff is very pleased with the results of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 9, 2011 Page 3 lighting and the contract with the vendor regarding lighting performance and maintenance. Mr. Gregory displayed various pictures of the complex including an aerial picture one month prior to construction and one month after construction. Mr. Gallagher discussed the various programming opportunities on the newly improved ball fields including City Leagues, Youth Baseball and Softball tournaments, Adult Softball, Youth Football, Soccer and Lacrosse, and Special Events such as dog shows or youth events. Mr. Gallagher displayed before and after pictures of the multiple views. Commissioner Parr commented that he recently played on one of the new ball fields and liked the lighting and the larger size of the new dugouts, however was slightly displeased with the size of the infield area. Commissioner Williams asked when staff would be able to report on the annual cost savings actually realized by the new lighting and irrigation systems. Mr. Gregory replied that the cost savings could take a few years and it also depends on the levels of programming. Mr. Gallagher stated that in the past, the department lost the bookings of weekend tournaments due to various circumstances but now the Sahuaro Ranch ball fields are scheduled every weekend through Christmas. As a result, the new programming levels will make a prior year's comparison a little difficult. Staff is also looking into over-seeding the playing turf in the winter which has never been done before. Mr. Schwind announced that the Sahuaro Ranch Sports Complex renovation project has been submitted for an award from the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association. Mr. Schwind noted that an exceptional job has been done on this park renovation project. VI. SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM UPDATE Staff provided information on highlights of the Summer Programs available through the Parks and Recreation Department as well as the Library. Mr. Seid gave an update on the Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center programs which included the following information: Today is the first day for registration for summer swim lessons. Theme days and family nights will be held once a month. The Junior Lifeguard Program will commence. There are over 200 lifeguards on staff for recreation swimming and lessons at the Glendale pools. There is an approximate annual retention rate of 60% to 70% for lifeguards, therefore there Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 9, 2011 Page 4 are yearly vacancies. The lifeguards are Red Cross Trained and training can start as early as age 11. Special pool bookings available include swim parties, birthday parties and rentals. There is also a Foothills 360 drop-in program whereby kids have fun in a structured and safe environment Ms. Lori Bye gave a programming update, which included the following information: Adaptive Recreation o Summer Bowling Bonanza o Kids Theater o Fun in the Mud Pottery Class o I Can Be Safe Class Glendale Adult Center o Bingo Extravaganza Night o Summer Luau Special Event o Stars and Stripes Program on July 1st o Aloha Summer Strut Chair Liebman noted that during the Master Plan meetings, some residents requested more adaptive programming. Chair Liebman asked how staff 'advertised the adaptive programs. Ms. Bye explained that staff advertises through the use of flyers, press releases, the My Community Magazine and outreach to special schools with disabled programs. Chair Liebman inquired if there are more adaptive programs offered than before. Ms. Bye replied that there are more classes offered than in the past and also participation has increased. Mr. Schwind stated that suggestions regarding advertising methods from the Commissioners were always welcome. Chair Liebman suggested the use of social media such as Twitter and Facebook. Commissioner Silvas suggested more outreach through the schools. Ms. Ortiz gave an update on the Youth and Teen programs, which included the following highlights: There are 10 all-day summer programs offered Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Eight of the programs are drop-in programs offered at school facilities. Two of the programs are licensed programs and are more similar to a day care program for younger children. Mr. Gallagher gave an update on the programs of the Sports Complexes: Leagues are using the fields for practices and tournaments. There are 21 lighted ball fields for use. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 9, 2011 Page 5 Chair Liebman thanked staff for the updates. VII. UPDATE ON REVISED MASTER PLAN Mr. Schwind stated that staff tried to get the Master Plan Update on the June Council agenda for formal review and adoption by Council. However, due to a very heavy Council schedule, the Master Plan Update is tentatively scheduled for the September 20, 2011, Council Workshop meeting. Chair Liebman noted that in a recent Glendale newspaper article, some of the City Council made suggestions to the Master Plan. Chair Liebman asked if these comments were in the Master Plan documentation or at least addressed by the Master Plan. Mr. Schwind replied that City Council member comments are included in the first section of the Master Plan Update appendix as prepared by the consultants. VIII.COMMISSION GOALS AND PARK VISIT UPDATES Mr. Schwind suggested preparation of a Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission final report regarding achievement of FY 2010-2011 goals, what worked, what did not and suggestions for the future. Mr. Strunk agreed with the idea and also suggested that the Commission have a summer retreat during which the past fiscal year could be reviewed and goals for the upcoming year could be established. Mr. Strunk added that guest speakers could be scheduled for the retreat as well. Chair Liebman stated that nearly all of the Commission goals were achieved, except for the visit to the Oasis Water Treatment Plan due to the availability of the facility. All Commissioners liked the idea of a summer retreat and staff will prepare options regarding the date, time and location and will forward to the Commissioners via email. IX. STAFF REPORTS AND COMMISSION ITEMS OF INTEREST Mr. Gregory provided the Parks and Capital Project Division report as follows: On April 15, a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast was held at the Sahuaro Ranch Park ramada and the Mayor spoke at the event. On April 29, the 2nd Annual Family Campout was held at Sahuaro Ranch Park. 75 families attended the event which was very successful. The construction at O'Neil Park at 64th Avenue and Missouri has been completed. A full presentation will be provided at a future Commission meeting. On April 16, a grand re-opening of the Sahuaro Ranch Park sports complex was held. On April 21, an Arbor Day event was held at Desert Garden Park. 2011 is the 15th consecutive year that Glendale has been named Tree City USA. The Jazz and Blues Festival was held in Murphy Park on April 9 and 10. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 9, 2011 Page 6 Nearly all of the Commissioners' Park Site Visit Reports have been received. Playground Equipment Service Workers Mr. Ramirez and Mr. Williams both completed the playground inspector certification renewal through the National Recreation and Park Association. The national average for certification test score is 76%. Mr. Ramirez scored an 89% and Mr. Williams scored an 84% which are both noteworthy scores. Mr. Schwind gave an update on the following: Staff has been very creative with the use of alternative funding for park projects, which is very important during these difficult budgetary times. For the O'Neil Park improvements, there were available funds in the amount of 70,000 in an older park renovation account. Staff applied for a grant which doubled those funds and also obtained an AZSTA grant. The irrigation at the park was upgraded and a first class playing field was installed. A presentation on this park will be on the June Commission agenda. The Glendale Parks and Recreation Department is a finalist for a $13,000 grant award for the SNAG GOLF G-BALL program. This is a program to introduce youth to the game of golf. The Cactus and Ironwood Pool construction has been completed which included new diving boards, re-plastering and renovated slope work in the pool. McCarthy Construction donated $21,000 of work installing a Little League scoreboard at the Foothills Sports Complex. McCarthy Construction will be recognized at the Arrowhead Little League closing ceremony for their generosity. Mr. Strunk let the Commission know that there are a series of activities occurring in the Library System at the moment. He mentioned that the Parks and Recreation department has merged with the Library and Arts department, so this is an opportunity to share information on the following library activities. He handed out a list of activities and highlighted the following: It will soon be summer reading at the library and we are in partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Arizona Republic. The program will start in June and finish up in late July. Babytime is a program for a parent (or caregiver) and a baby, newborn to 18 months, designed to be an introduction to books, finger plays, action rhymes and puppets. Toddlertime is a parent-toddler program for children aged 18 months to 3 years accompanied by an adult. Includes stories, fingerplays & songs. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 9, 2011 Page 7 A-B-C! Read with Me! Is a 30-minute baby, toddler and parent or caregiver program for children from birth to three years. SAT Strategies 101, 6:30pm-7:30pm. This workshop explores the format and content of the SAT, including different types of questions. Parents and teens are invited to attend and get a study plan for the exam. This workshop is intended for high school students and their parents ONLY. Summer Art Camp Classes will run from June 27—July 21. Among the many creative activities offered, participants can make art inspired by other cultures, discover screen printing, playwriting, print making, sculpture and plaster casts, and the use of found objects to create recycled art. The workshops will take place in the Fruit Packing Shed at Sahuaro Ranch, 9802 N. 59th Ave. Mr. Strunk also reminded the Commission that the final stages of the budget review and approval process would be occurring later in the month and June. He encouraged the members of the Commission to follow it closely. Future Agenda Topics: The O'Neil Park improvements Marketing possibilities More information on Glendale Adult Center and the programs offered FY2010-2011 Commission accomplishments Discussion of FY2011-2012 goals X. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Parr stated that he completed his park site visits. Commissioner Fernandes rides along the Grand Canal to the Western Area Regional Park and then over to Discovery Park every Saturday. Commissioner Fernandes suggested that a path be constructed from Western Area Regional Park to Discovery Park since there is currently only a dirt trail between the two. Mr. Gregory explained that there is a logistical issue in that the school district owns the property north of Western Area Regional Park and also issues with the SRP utility company. Mr. Gregory noted that there is potential to work something out on this issue, but it is very complicated. Commissioner George will turn in the park site visit report shortly. Commissioner Williams stated that the parks she visited during inspections looked exceptionally better than on the last inspection visits. Commissioner Williams attended the Sahuaro Ranch Sports Complex grand re-opening event and complimented the improvements to the park. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting May 9, 2011 Page 8 Commissioner Silvas noted that this was her fourth time to conduct park visits as a Commissioner and felt that it was the most impressive. Frost damage from the harsh winter on the trees and shrubs was still visible. Chair Liebman stated that Thunderbird Conservation Park looked great, especially with the newly-painted picnic tables. Chair Liebman participated in the April 16, trail maintenance project at Thunderbird Conservation Park along with Mr. Boyer and four other volunteers. Chair Liebman announced that Commissioner Williams was appointed as the new Vice Chair of the Commission. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. by consensus. The next regular meeting will be Monday, June 13, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the Glendale Adult Center, 5970 W. Brown St., Glendale, Arizona. Respectfully submitted, Denise Kazmierczak