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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 1/12/2009CITY OF GLENDALE, ARIZONA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 7 P.M., MONDAY,JANUARY 12, 2009 CITY OF PEORIA RIO VISTA RECREATION CENTER'S LAKEVIEW ROOM 8866 W THUNDERBIRD ROAD, PEORIA, ARIZONA 85381 MEMBERS PRESENT: Rod Passmore, Chair Raymond Kultala Liz Farley Gary Parr Pascal Tjahjo John "Chief" Fries Margaret George MEMBERS ABSENT: Marissa Capleton Jonathan Liebman OTHERS: Becky Benna, Director Clyde Brown, Sr. Management Assistant Karen Hesser, Parks Deputy Director Shirley Medler, Recreation Deputy Director Roger Boyer, Project Coordinator Lori Bye, Recreation Manager CITY OF PEORIA: J.P. De La Montaigne, Community Services Director Jackie Stanley, Rio Vista Complex Supervisor CALL MEETING TO ORDER Mr. Passmore called the meeting to order at 6:59 P.M. I.APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 8, 2008, MEETING Commissioner Fries motioned to accept the minutes with no changes noted. Commissioner George made the second. The motion passed 7—0. It was noted that Marissa Capleton was absent. Commissioner Passmore stated this was her third absence. It was also announced that if an absence is to occur to please contact Mickie Cadena to notify her. II. DEPARTMENT MASTER PLAN UPDATE Ms. Benna explained that staff presented the current Master Plan Update information to Mayor and Council as mentioned in the meeting on December 8. Council is supportive of moving forward with the proposal to solicit consultant services to work through the process. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting January 12, 2009 Page 2 Staff provided updates and Commission comments in order to save the presentation and tour of Rio Vista before the adjournment of the meeting. III. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Medler provided the following update: Citrus Zestival - This new event will be held on January 24, 2009, from 11am to 4pm at the Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area. The event will provide the public with information regarding the historic area of the park; celebrate the historic grapefruit and orange trees, and all things citrus. A Community Breakfast is being provided by members of the Glendale Civic Pride from 9:30 to 11am. Enrique Banda Memorial Softball Tournament — Enrique Banda was a youth sports coach for nearly 35 years. This memorial softball tournament in his name is held annually to raise funds for the Youth Scholarship Fund. The tournament was held in December and raised $4,000. Foothills Recreation and Aquatic Center - A Health Fair was held January 10, 2009. There were 44 booths and some of the participants included Southwest Ambulance representatives, 12 students from Midwestern University doing blood pressure checks, information for testing yourself for diabetes and other health related services. Adaptive Recreation — Since April 1993, the cities of Glendale and Peoria have partnered through an intergovernmental agreement to provide adaptive programming. The two agencies share resources such as staff, facilities and supplies as well as cross promote each others programs. The Rio Vista Challenger Little League, Special Olympics Softball, social dances, and field trips are example of our cooperative programs. Wags for Wishes — Hosted January 16 -18 at the Sahuaro Ranch Park in partnership with a group from the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The event will feature activities for dogs such as herding, water retrieval, and agility courses. The Make-a-Wish Foundation will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Parks and Recreation Department's youth Scholarship Fund. Mr. Boyer commented on the following: Western Area Regional Park — The new large picnic ramada, turf area, sand volleyball court, playgrounds and xeriscape landscaping are currently under construction. Tarrington Ranch Park — Recently, two octagon shade structures were erected over the playground structures. Sunset Palms Park — The Sunset Palms neighborhood is completing a community build for an Evos play structure for ages 5 — 12 year olds like the play structure at Sahuaro Ranch Park. The neighborhood secured an $80,000 grant from the Neighborhood Partnership office for park improvements. This is a community build project, so the neighborhood volunteers will assist the parks department staff and Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting January 12, 2009 Page 3 Landscape Structures Company representatives to install the playground. The community build project is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2009. They are in need of 40 — 50 volunteers running a morning and afternoon shift from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 57th Avenue Bridge — The bridge is under construction and will be an eight-month project in which 57th Avenue will remain closed. The bridge goes through the middle of the Foothills Regional Park. Ms. Hesser commented on the following: Cactus Pool - Pending City Council approval, Cactus Pool refurbishment will be completed. New pool plaster and drains will be installed. Thunderbird Conservation Park - The hiking trails at Thunderbird Conservation Park continue to be renovated by the contractor. Tremendous progress has been made and will be finished by the end of January. The trails that have been worked on include H3, and the new spur from H1. Maps have been provided to the Commissioners to show where the work is occurring. Updated Commissioner Inspection Spreadsheet — The updated status report was distributed. For the upcoming spring inspections, the forms will be distributed in March, to be completed in April by the Commissioners and subsequently returned to Deputy Director Hesser prior to the May Commission meeting. Commissioner Fries commented that he spoke to a city employee about driving in the park. Ms. Hesser noted that there are times maintenance staff needs to drive into the park, but in this case, the employee was educated about an alternative way to get the task completed. IV. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. V. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Farley was a greeter at the Westgate Farmer's Market. It was the third month of the event, and was a sparsely attended event. Chair Passmore inquired as to the number of vendors. Commissioner Farley stated there were more vendors than patrons, approximately 20 to 25 vendors. Chair Passmore inquired as to the nature of the vendors how many were produce or food item vendors. Commissioner Farley stated about five. Commissioner Kultala reported that the ditch by the trail at Thunderbird and 59th Avenue in the Thunderbird Paseo Park has trash in it. Commissioner Fries attended the Sahuaro Ranch Holiday at the Ranch. He stated it was a good event with a lot of people in attendance. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting January 12, 2009 Page 4 Commissioner George attended the Glendale Community Partnership Holiday Party. She was also a greeter at the Westgate Marketplace in December. Commissioner Parr has a ride along with Ranger Wayne Drummond. Chair Passmore said there is a Farmers Market every Saturday on 57th Avenue and Glendale with about 12 vendors. In addition, Chair Passmore stated, tomorrow is the inauguration for the Mayor. Commissioner Farley, Commissioner Parr, Commissioner Tjahjo, Commissioner George, Commissioner Fries, and Chair Passmore plan to attend. Ms. Benny reminded everyone that the Glendale Glitter and Glow is this weekend. VI. RIO VISTA RECREATION CENTER PRESENTATION Ms. Benny introduced Ms.Jackie Stanley, Rio Vista Complex Supervisor and Mr. J.P. De La Montaigne, Community Services Director for the City of Peoria. Ms. Stanley provided an overview of the Rio Vista Recreation Center. The Rio Vista Recreation Center is located at 8866 W. Thunderbird Road in Peoria. Ms. Stanley explained that the center opened in September 2008 and this is the first center of its kind in Peoria. It is 51,000 square feet and it was challenging to build since it is surrounded by water on almost 3 full sides. Ms. Stanley stated the unique design decisions were driven by the park with a lake stocked by game and fish, and a wash behind. There is a lot of natural light and views of the recreation center. Ms. Stanley remarked that there is not enough storage in most other buildings. The round design of the center allowed for unique and creative storage. There is very little wasted space and since the building is round, it offers a good flow. Ms. Stanley acknowledged that technology was a large investment. Ms. Stanley pointed out that an effort was made to bring the public into the park to enjoy the water, ducks, fishing, and the Veteran's Memorial wall. Ms. Stanley also stated that the facility received an award for its architecture. Ms. Stanley discussed the rental information for the facility. Additionally, it has a catering kitchen and the catering truck can pull up to the kitchen without going through the facility. Chair Passmore asked about the development of the park. Mr.De La Montaigne stated that the 2000 bond issue funded the park and in 2004 the 1st phase with the soft ball and Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting January 12, 2009 Page 5 picnic area was completed. In 2007 the 2nd phase with the recreation center and little league field was completed. Mr. De La Montaigne added that the city funded bridge was built to access the trail systems and to link the east and west side. The cost for the bridge was $1 million dollars. Mr. De La Montaigne stated that residents wanted the bridge for park access, but there were also residents that feared since the park had skaters and other teens,it would increase crime rates. This however, is not true; the city has police reports and records that show no increase in crime. In fact with more people around, it would allow for an increase in security. Ms. Benny thanked Ms. Stanley and Mr. De La Montaigne for the use and tour of their facility and their presentation. Ms. Stanley led the City of Glendale Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission on a tour of the facility. VIII. NEXT MEETING SUGGESTED AGENDA ITEMS Master Plan Update Review Commission Goals IX. The next regular meeting will be held Monday, February 9, 2009, at 7 p.m. in room B-3 of the Municipal Office Complex. The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m. by consensus. The facility tour was conducted after the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jayme Gillen