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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 10/15/2007CITY OF GLENDALE,ARIZONA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING 7:00 P.M. OCTOBER 15,2007 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS—ROOM B-3 5850 W. GLENDALE AVENUE MEMBERS PRESENT: Ted Hansen, Chair Eric Simon, Vice Chair John"Chief"Fries Rod Passmore Liz Farley Raymond Kultala MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Becky Benny, Director Karen Hesser, Deputy Director Shirley Medler, Deputy Director Roger Boyer, Project Coordinator Chris Gallagher, Recreation Manager Gloria Santiago-Espino, Deputy City Manager Erik Strunk, Community Partnerships Director Matt Cohrs, Senior Management Assistant Lesa Holstine, Acting Library Director Cathy Johnson, Library Manager Terry Johnson, Transportation Director Sandy Adams, Traffic Education Program Manager Steve Hancock, Transportation Coordinator Theresa Gunn & Dan Hartig, Gunn Communication Call to Order. Chair Hansen called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and read the Commission's mission statement. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 10, 2007 MEETING Commissioner Fries motioned to approve the September 10, 2007 meeting minutes. Commissioner Kultala made the second. The motion passed unanimously 6-0. II. TRANSPORTATION PLAN UPDATE Ms. Benny introduced Dr. Terry Johnson. Dr. Johnson thanked the Commissioners for their time and introduced Mr. Dan Hartig, Ms. Theresa Gunn, Ms. Sandy Adams, and Mr. Steve Hancock. Dr. Johnson stated that the last Transportation Plan update was done in 2001, when the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting October 15, 2007 Page 2 General Plan was prepared. Dr. Johnson commented that the city has seen much growth since 2001, and this has greatly impacted the plan update. The current update is in its very early stages, but moving forward. Dr. Johnson stressed the main focus of the plan as street projects, transit projects, and bicycle projects. Dr. Johnson commented that he and his staff would present the plan's status and would like to receive feedback or suggestions from the Commissioners. Dr. Johnson distributed the Glendale Onboard! (GO!) 2007 Annual Report, which shows the projects under construction and the projects in design in easy readable maps. Mr. Hartig distributed a handout detailing the Transportation Plan process: Obtain data for input Review needs (transit, streets, bicycles/pedestrians) Review financials Obtain public input Make modifications Complete project development and prioritization Finalize and publish the Glendale Transportation System Plan Mr. Hartig noted that this updated plan will include costs for the maintenance of any new facilities, which was not typically included in the past. Furthermore, the Transportation Department will be reviewing and adjusting for other city plans that are being updated at the current time as well. Mr. Hartig distributed a Transportation Plan project schedule, which was a timeline of tasks and estimated completion dates. Commissioner Passmore asked if light rail would be included in an impact study. Mr. Hartig replied yes, adding that as the plans for light rail progress, it will be incorporated in more detail into this plan. Chair Hansen asked if any equestrian groups were contacted. Mr. Hartig replied that this was a good idea, but he did not have a specific equestrian group to contact. Ms. Medler offered to provide a contact. Chair Hansen inquired about upcoming public meetings. Mr. Hartig responded that the first public meeting was scheduled for November 7, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Civic Center and all Commissioners are invited to attend. At this point, initial feedback from the public will be requested and the goal is for a draft plan to be ready by Spring or Summer 2008. Commissioner Farley suggested including bus service between the city recreation centers in Glendale. Mr.Hartig felt that was a good suggestion. Commissioner Fries commented that it is very difficult to get to the stadium from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting October 15, 2007 Page 3 regional park at 83` d Avenue and Bethany Home Road. Commissioner Farley agreed. Commissioner Fries added that parking for stadium events might be garnered in the lot just south of this same regional park. Ms. Gunn included these suggestions in her list. Commissioner Farley asked if any expansion was necessary to the Glendale Airport. Dr. Johnson replied that improvements have been made to the airport; however, it does not appear that expansion is necessary. Ms. Benna thanked Dr. Johnson and the Transportation Department Staff for their update on the plan. III. COMMUNITY SERVICES GROUP(CSG) OUTREACH PROGRAM Ms. Benna introduced Ms. Santiago-Espino and her staff from the Neighborhood Partnerships Office and the Library Department. Ms. Santiago-Espino thanked the Commissioners for their hard work on the Parks Committee and commitment to Glendale. Ms. Santiago-Espino stated that at the Community Services Group (CSG) retreat, staff discussed various ways of staying connected with the neighborhoods and their needs and desires. The CSG mission is "Connecting People Through the Power of Community." The Outreach Program will be designed to get staff into the community to meet with people who do not know of the departments and let them know what programs are available for them. Three pilot neighborhoods have been chosen for the roll-out of the outreach initiative: O'Neil Park, East Catlin Court Historic Neighborhood, and the Acapulco Neighborhood Group. The first meeting will most likely be in December and the Commissioners are invited and encouraged to attend. Mr. Cohrs commented that because this is a new and unique approach, the measurements of success will be garnered by obtaining statistics from the Library, the Recreation Facilities,and the Neighborhood Partnerships Office. Initial demographics, participation rates, and facility usage will be obtained and then compared at a later date to determine success of the outreach. Commissioner Farley wondered how residents would be contacted to attend the outreach events. Mr. Cohrs replied that because the goal includes current participants as well as residents who do not participate at all, various methods will be used to entice residents to attend an outreach event. Staff will partner with neighborhood organizations, such as churches and schools for other suggestions as to how to reach out to residents. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting October 15, 2007 Page 4 Commissioner Fries asked if these would be the only three neighborhoods in the program, or if others would be included at a later time. Ms. Santiago-Espino explained that these three were the pilot neighborhoods and others will be rolled in at a later date. Mr. Strunk noted that all of the other volunteer efforts and staff duties regarding outreach were still in place and running well. This outreach initiative is above and beyond the daily work of staff. Ms. Benna announced that the Commissioners would be informed of the dates of the outreach events and encouraged the Commissioners to attend if possible. IV. COMMISSION GOALS Ms. Benna distributed the final draft of the 2007/2008 Commission Goals. The Commissioners reviewed the document, provided feedback, and set goal completion dates. It was agreed that Goals #1, #4, #5, and #6 would be completed as a Commission and this would be stated as such in the list of„goals. Grammatical changes were also noted. It was agreed that wording in Goal #5 would be changed from "Meet with other citizen's commission"to "Meet with other city-appointed entities". Commissioner Farley motioned to accept the 2007/2008 Commission Goals as discussed and amended with the following completion dates: Goal#1: February 2008 Goal#2: November 2007 and March 2008 Goal#3: June 2008 Goal#4: May 2008 Goal#5: April 2008 Goal#6: February 2008 Goal#7: June 2008 Commissioner Fries made the second. The motion passed unanimously 6-0. V. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. VI. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Hesser provided an update including the following: Slides have been replaced at Foothills and Sunset Vista parks. Staff held the grand opening of the X-Court at Western Area Regional Park. Sixty new 55-gallon garbage cans were purchase for placement in parks. Several staff members are attending the Glendale Leadership Academy Classes. Two new water fountains were installed at Desert Rose Park. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting October 15, 2007 Page 5 Park Rangers were trained in Police Communication. Graffiti Guard", an anti-stick graffiti spray, will be sprayed on signs to keep graffiti from sticking. Ms. Medler followed up on two outstanding questions from last month regarding the ages of the children's soccer program and demographics of the Foothills Aquatics Programs. Ms. Medler also discussed the following: Youth sports, such as soccer, football, cheerleading, and t-ball began last Saturday. A HUB Grant was received for Flag Football. There are twenty-seven teams, of which ten are girls teams. Lifeguards are already being recruited for the 2008 summer season. Training classes will be held from November through April. On October 6,the Foothills Concessions Facility successfully opened. A new after school licensed program was opened by request today at Sunset Ridge Elementary School. GlendOberfest is scheduled for October 31, and volunteers would be greatly appreciated. The event will be from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Sahuaro Ranch Historic Park. Ms. Benna thanked the Commissioners who were able to attend the grand opening of the Foothills Concessions Facility. Ms. Benna stated that the park at 71St Avenue and Orangewood and the neighborhood park at 63`d Avenue and Butler are both under construction. VII. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Passmore attended the following events: The GAIN night event at Northern Horizon Park, which was a celebration of three neighborhoods The"Ballet Under the Stars"event at Sahuaro Ranch Park The grand opening of the Foothills Concessions Facility Commissioner Passmore also took a personal tour of the Foothills Recreation Center. Chair Passmore will attend the Rose Lane Park public meeting tomorrow night. Commissioner Farley attended the X-Court Grand Opening as well and was very impressed with the facility. Commissioner Kultala attended the X-Court Grand Opening and also stated that the event was well-run and well-attended by users of the facility. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting October 15, 2007 Page 6 Commissioner Fries attended the Glendale Tourism Ambassador training classes and is now a Certified Ambassador. Commissioner Fries attended the X-Court Grand Opening, the Bicentennial Park public briefing, and will also be attending the meeting for Sands Park on October 22nd Chair Hansen attended the Foothills Concessions Facility Grand Opening and complimented staff on the planning of the event. Chair Hansen also attended the Butler Park public meeting. Ms. Benna encouraged all Commissioners to attend the Rose Lane Park public meeting tomorrow evening. VIII. NEXT MEETING SUGGESTED AGENDA ITEMS The following were agenda suggestions: Open Space and Trails Master Plan Park Inspection Reports Neighborhood Meeting Updates Due to the Veteran's Day holiday, the next Park and Recreation Commission meeting will be held on Monday, November 19, 2007,at 7 p.m. in room B-3 of the Municipal Office Complex. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Denise Kazmierczak, Recording Secretary