Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 3/9/2009CITY OF GLENDALE, ARIZONA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 7 P.M., MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009 5850 W. GLENDALE AVENUE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS—ROOM B-3 MEMBERS PRESENT: Rod Passmore, Chair Raymond Kultala Liz Farley Jonathan Liebman Pascal Tjahjo Margaret George MEMBERS ABSENT: Marissa Capleton Gary Parr John "Chief" Fries OTHERS: Becky Benna, Director Clyde Brown, Senior Management Assistant Karen Hesser, Deputy Director Shirley Medler, Deputy Director Bill Schwind, Deputy Director Roger Boyer, Project Coordinator Eugene Kraus, Recreation Manager CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Passmore called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and noted that Commissioners Fries, Parr and Capelton were absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 12, 2009 MEETING Commissioner Farley motioned to accept the minutes with the following changes under agenda item V: Commissioner Farley attended the Westgate Farmer's Market." Should be changed to "Commissioner Farley was a greeter at the Westgate Farmer's Market." It was the first weekend of the event" should be changed to "It was the third month of the event" Commissioner Kultala made the second. The motion passed 6—0. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting March 9, 2009 Page 2 I.SAHUARO RANCH PARK IMPROVEMENTS DESIGN UPDATE Mr. Schwind provided an update on the renovation of the picnic pavilion. Mr. Schwind stated that staff is now working on the re-design of the entire park and distributed a diagram with preliminary notes and changes. Mr. Schwind explained that within the next few months, a schematic design with aerial photos would be available and the city will begin its review process and public meetings will be scheduled. Ms. Benna stated that the goal of this project is not to expand the park, but to take care of and enhance the existing amenities (i.e. sports lighting, turf, picnic tables, barbeques and ramadas). II. PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN UPDATE Ms. Benna announced that staff is in the initial stages of drafting a request for proposal for the master plan updates. Staff plans to utilize expertise from other city departments such as GPS mapping and economic data) to assist with the process. III. COMMISSION GOALS The Commisioners discussed the status of goal completion: GOAL#1: Completed in January 2009 with the meeting at the Rio Vista Recreation Center in Peoria. GOAL#2: 50% Completed. Due by the end of March. GOAL#3: Completed. GOAL#4: The Spring recruitment event was a possibility. However, Ms. Benna is unsure if this event will occur and will advise with other opportunities if necessary. GOAL#5: Completed on August 27, 2008. GOAL#6: Completed in December 2008 with a meeting at the Sahuaro Ranch, Packing Shed. GOAL#7 To be completed with input on the Master Plan Update. GOAL#8: Commissioners have been scheduling and completing ride-alongs with park rangers and maintenance staff. Commissioner George described her ride-along with Park Ranger Baldonado. Ms. Hesser noted that Commissioner Parr rode along with Park Ranger Cummings and Commissioner Fries rode along with one of the maintenance staff. IV. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting March 9, 2009 Page 3 V. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Benny provided the following updates: Mayor and Council will hold a budget workshop on March 17 for fiscal year 2009/2010. An update will be provided to the Commission in April. The Parks and Recreation staff is reviewing ways to trim its budget without major impact to citizens. Volunteer furloughs have been offered and utilized by staff as a cost savings measure. Staff is working on new revenue opportunities while keeping a close watch on expenditures. Ms. Hesser and Ms. Benny are travelling to Washington, D.C. to attend the National Recreation Park Association (NRPA) Legislative Forum. Mr. Ted Hansen, former Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission and now Arizona Parks and Recreation Association's citizen board representative, will be attending as well. Ted, Karen and Becky serve on several national committees for NRPA. The goal of the trip is to perform advocacy for parks and recreation, and to determine funding availability and opportunities in the Federal Reinvestment and Recovery Act. An update on the trip will be given to the Commission in April. Chair Passmore suggested that Mr. Hansen be invited as well to present his opinions and findings to the Commission. Mr. Schwind discussed the Glen Lakes Golf Course. In October, management of the course changed from American Golf to Glen Lakes Golf Management, LLC (owned by former professional golfer Mr. Jim Bellows.) As part of the lease agreement, Glen Lakes Golf Management will invest a half million dollars in capital improvements to the course. The proposed improvements include new targets at the range, a re-designed shade structure, a new contract for golf balls, the parking lot to be sealed and repainted, security cameras, new signage, resolution of drainage issues, new flooring, improved alignment of tee boxes to be neighbor-friendly, and replacement of irrigation heads. A wind storm blew off the metal shade over the tees on the driving range. That issue has been resolved and the other proposed improvements are well underway. Ms. Benny congratulated Chair Passmore and Commissioner Farley on being re- appointed as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, for the next fiscal year. Ms. Medler highlighted the following: There were approximately 2,800 attendees at the recent Touch-A-Truck event. This very successful event has been steadily growing over the past 8 years. At the Glendale Adult Center, a 30-foot flagpole was installed on March 6. A flag was raised for the first time on March 9 and is lighted at night. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting March 9, 2009 Page 4 On March 26, the second production of a Theatre Kids will be performed by 26 youth at the Glendale Adult Center. This performing arts event was organized by the Adaptive Recreation Committee and the Glendale Adult Center staff. On March 21 and 22, a new event the Folk and Heritage Festival will take place at Sahuaro Ranch Park with a variety of folk music entertainment. On March 28, the Family Fun Night will be held at the Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center. On March 28, the Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run contest will be held at Paseo Racquet Center and Ballfield Complex. On April 17, the Hershey Track and Field Games will be held at Centennial High School. Volunteers are needed for the event which begins at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Hesser provided the following report: Several park and trail sites were included in the annual Serve Day event on February 21: o Sierra Verde Park - The knee walls were caulked and painted. o Thunderbird-Paseo Trail - Over 70 bags of trash were picked up as a result of the efforts. o Skunk Creek Trail - Over 55 bags of trash were picked up. o Sahuaro Ranch Park - Citrus gleaning resulted in fruit being distributed to local food banks. Western Area Regional Park - Construction on the new ramada complex is well underway. Park Commission Inspection Reports - New inspection sheets with parks, addresses, etc. were distributed to the commissioners. Anyone wishing to receive an electronic form should advise Ms. Hesser. Completed forms should be returned by March 31, if possible. Commissioner Farley mentioned vandalized concrete curbing in a park and Mr. Kraus will continue to pursue a remedy. Commissioner Leibman mentioned light posts at Utopia Park which need to be straightened. Ms. Hesser will approach Arrowhead Golf Course regarding resolution. VI. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Farley attended the Glendale Glitter and Glow, the installation of Mayor and Council, the Glendale Chocolate Affair, and volunteered as a greeter at Westgate. Commissioner Liebman attended the Glendale University Economic class and attended the Glendale Chocolate Affair. Commissioner Liebman complimented the recently graded trails at Thunderbird Conservation Park that he rode on during a four mile trip through the park. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting March 9, 2009 Page 5 Commissioner Kultalaattended a Glendale Arts Commission presentation at the Sahuaro Ranch Packing Shed as well at the Legislative Day at the State Capital. Commissioner George attended the installation of Mayor and Council on January 13, the Glendale Glitter and Glow on January 17, Legislative Day at the State Capital on January 22, and completed a ride along with Park Ranger Baldonado on January 24. Chair Passmore attended Glendale Glitter and Glow, the Glendale Arts Commission presentation at the Sahuaro Ranch Park Packing Shed, the installation of Mayor and Council, and is taking the Citizens Police Academy Course. VII. NEXT MEETING SUGGESTED AGENDA ITEMS Master Plan Update Park Inspection Reports Mr. Ted Hansen update on the NRPA Legislative Forum Bridge Overview and Update X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m. by consensus. The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, April 13, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in room B-3 of Municipal Office Complex. Respectfully submitted, Denise Kazmierczak