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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 12/14/2009CITY OF GLENDALE, ARIZONA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING 7 P.M., MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2009 GLENDALE COMMUNITY CENTER 5401 W. OCOTILLO ROAD, GLENDALE, ARIZONA MEMBERS PRESENT: Rod Passmore, Chair Liz Farley, Vice-Chair Gary Parr Jose Rivas Danielle Silvas Pascal Tjahjo MEMBERS ABSENT: Marissa Capleton Margaret George Jonathan Liebman STAFF PRESENT:Becky Benna, Director Karen Hesser, Deputy Director Eugene Kraus, Park Manager Bryan Wagner, Acting Park Manager Roger Boyer, Project Coordinator Clyde Brown, Senior Management Assistant Note: Prior to the meeting, the Commissioners were given a tour of the Glendale Community Center.] Call to Order. Chair Passmore called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m. and read the Commission's mission statement. I. Approval of Minutes of the November 9, 2009, meeting Commissioner Silvas motioned to approve the November 9, 2009, meeting minutes as presented. Commissioner Farley made the second. Motion passed 6—0. II. PARK INSPECTIONS FOLLOW-UP Ms. Hesser distributed the updated park inspections report, which included the status and the resolution of items at various parks, as noted by Commissioners. Ms. Hesser mentioned that the majority of items on the report have been resolved as many were due to the timing of the inspection and the maintenance schedule. Items remaining unresolved are being addressed. Chair Passmore asked how the department was doing with the budget cuts that all departments have faced. Ms. Hesser replied that staff is working diligently to prioritize areas of focus. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting December 14,2009 Page 2 Chair Passmore commented that there might be prudent ways to utilize volunteers to complete basic tasks or projects in the parks. Ms. Hesser agreed and stated that she has been working Mr. Gregory, Mr. Kraus, and Mr. Wagner on establishing an Adopt-A-Park program. The plan is to identify several pilot parks to get the program started. Utilizing neighbors who frequent the parks already and who are otherwise concerned about helping keep the parks clean and beautiful will be an important component of the program. Mr. Kraus thanked the Commissioners for their inspection reports, adding that an extra set of eyes is always beneficial. Ms. Silvas asked if the park department has received any type of stimulus funds. Mr. Kraus replied that another city department has applied for funding for sport court lighting. Chair Passmore thanked staff for their dedication to the parks in Glendale. III. MASTER PLAN UPDATE Ms. Benna provided an update on the status of the master plan process, which included the following information: On November 24, the Master Plan consultant contract was signed by City Council. The consultant team consists of Olsson Associates, Leisure Vision, and PROS Consulting. The master plan update contract fee is approximate $133,000. The master plan update process will take approximately 10 months to complete and will begin in January 2010. The Commission will be heavily involved in the process and the Master Plan consultants will attend a Commission meeting to give a presentation to the Commissioners regarding the process. An updated master plan is also a requirement of the recent National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Agency Accreditation received by the Glendale Parks and Recreation Department. IV. COMMISSION GOALS The Commissioners reviewed the status of goal completion. Goal 1: Completed December 14, 2009, at this evening's meeting. Goal#2: Part 1 completed November 2009, Part 2 Scheduled for completion May 2010. Goal#3 Pending completion. Goal #4: Pending completion. Goal#5: Pending completion. Goal#6: Completed December 14, 2009, at this evening's meeting. Goal #7: Pending completion. Goal#8: Pending completion. r Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting December 14,2009 Page 3 V. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. VI. STAFF REPORTS Mr. Boyer provided an update on current Capital Improvement Projects, including the following: The Carriage House at Sahuaro Ranch Park renovation is underway. Restrooms are undergoing improvements in ADA access and increased capacity. Other aesthetic improvements are planned. ADA restroom improvements have been completed at Thunderbird Paseo (both 59th Avenue and 67th Avenue restroom locations.) The following four other locations are under review for improvements: Paseo Racquet Center, Ironwood Pool, Cactus Pool, and the Community Center North. Scheduled projects at the Paseo Racquet Center include improvements to several tennis courts. The repairs began last Friday and the deadline for repair is February 11, 2010. At both 67th Avenue and Patrick Lane and 55th Avenue and Pinnacle Peak, a product is being used in the parking lots that is both acceptable to the park's master plan and sensitive to the environment. This product is a liquid pine tar treatment and helps to minimize dust. All treatments to the parking lot so far have been temporary until the permanent improvements to these areas as identified in the park's master plan. Older park renovations are moving forward at Butler and Bicentennial Parks. These are 120-day projects and therefore, should be completed by the end of March 2010. Ms. Hesser gave the following report: Parks Division o Staff worked to prepare Murphy Park for the Glendale Glitters opening weekend festivities. Attendance was estimated at 80,000 people over the weekend in and around Murphy Park. o Staff installed a portion of the river rock obtained in October at no cost, to several recreation and park facilities. Sites included the Adult Center and Skunk Creek Linear Trail. Community Service Workers provided approximately 60.5 hours of work at Sahuaro Ranch Park, which included litter pick up, grill cleaning, raking, etc. o Two community organizations assisted with clean-up projects along the Skunk Creek Linear Trail. Their combined efforts resulted in fifty-five bags of trash and two tires being removed from the wash area. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting December 14,2009 Page 4 Special Events and Historic Sahuaro Ranch Divisions o The "$100,000 Shoot Out" to benefit the Hook-A-Kid on Golf program was conducted and the amount raised totaled $1,300. o Mark your calendars for the annual "Citrus Zestival" which will be held on Saturday, January 23, at Sahuaro Ranch Park. Naturally the focus will be the grove area, but activities will be conducted from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. throughout the historic area. Sports Division o The Enrique Banda Memorial Softball Tournament raised over$4,800 for youth scholarships. Mr. Brown reported on the Youth and Teen Division: o On Friday, December 18, the 10th Annual holiday event will be held at the Glendale Community Center. o Several youth fundraisers to support the afterschool programs were recently held and raised over$8,000. Ms. Benny thanked the Commissioners for attending the City Council meeting last Tuesday whereby Ms. Jodie Adams, Past-President of the NRPA, presented its agency accreditation award to the Mayor and the Glendale Parks and Recreation Department. Ms. Benny thanked staff for their time and dedication in preparing for the accreditation. VII. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Farley attended the Glendale Glitters. Commission Rivas visited the Thunderbird Conservation Park and a few other.parks this past month as well as attending the Glendale Glitters event. Commissioner Rivas also supports the Adopt-A-Park program. Commissioners Parr and Silvas attended Glendale Glitters. Chair Passmore attended Glendale Glitters and the NRPA Accreditation presentation at the Council meeting. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting December 14,2009 Page 5 VIII. NEXT MEETING SUGGESTED AGENDA ITEMS Master Plan Update Distribution of Updated Calendar of Events Update on National Parks and Recreation Events and Information IX. The next regular meeting will be Monday, January 11, 2010,at 7 p.m. in Room B-3 of the Municipal Office Complex. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. by consensus. Respectfully Submitted,