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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 3/12/2007CITY OF GLENDALE,ARIZONA APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION HELD MONDAY,MARCH 12,2007 GLENDALE MUNICIPAL OFFICE COMPLEX,ROOM B-3 5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE MEMBER PRESENTS: Hansen,Ted, Chair Simon, Eric, Vice Chair Berry, Sara Farley,Liz Gutierrez, Ruben Harding, Lode Kultala, Raymond Socaciu, Michael MEMBERS ABSENT: Morris Russell STAFF PRESENT: Clyde Brown, Senior Management Assistant Bill Schwind,Deputy Director Roger Boyer, Park Coordinator Shirley Medler, Deputy Director Karen Hesser, Deputy Director Bob Rhodes, Park Manager Call to Order. Chair Hansen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and noted that all Commissioners were present except Commissioner Russell. Ms. Shirley Medler acted as facilitator of the meeting in place of Ms. Becky Benna who is attending a professional function. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—FEBRUARY 12, 2007, MEETING Commissioner Socaciu motioned to approve the February 12,2007 meeting minutes. Commissioner Kultala made the second. The motion passed unanimously 8—0. II. OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS PLAN UPDATE Deputy Director Bill Schwind stated that the Open Space and Trails Plan was a document originally drafted in October 2005 and has been on hold due to the 59th Avenue Road construction project and completion of the Thunderbird Conservation Park Master Plan. Mr. Schwind indicated a full review of this document and subsequent changes or updates will begin. Mr. Schwind noted that this plan includes many factors such as aesthetics, landscaping, zoning, biological and archaeological. Mr. Schwind expected that the full review should take about three months after which the draft of the plan would be presented to the Commission for review. Commissioner Simon wondered if the plan would be presented to Mayor and Council. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2007 Page 2 Mr. Schwind replied yes, it would still be presented to the Commission for review and recommendation and to the City Council. Chair Hansen asked if staff, during the original creation of the 2005 document, had secured any comments or recommendations from the public or the Commission. Mr. Schwind replied that there were public workshops held, but it would be great to receive a new review and commentary from the Commission. Chair Hansen stated that he was looking forward to this process and thanked Mr. Schwind for the update. III. FUTURE MEETING WITH THE BICYCLE COMMISSION Senior Management Assistant Clyde Brown followed-up on an agenda item from last month regarding meeting with another Commission. Mr. Brown stated that he spoke to Mr. Steve Hancock, the staff liaison for the Bicycle Commission to determine any interest on the part of the Bicycle Commission. Mr. Brown explained that the Bicycle Commission meets on the first Monday of each month and that Mr. Hancock invited the Parks and Recreation Commission to attend the May 7 meeting at the Bank of America. Mr. Brown commented that Director Becky Benna suggested presenting the draft of the plan's strategies of the Open Space and Trails Plan to the Bicycle Commission. Chair Hansen indicated that the draft plan might not be ready for presentation in May because Mr. Schwind estimated that it would take three months for completion of the plan review. Mr. Brown stated that he and Ms. Benna would prepare mutually interesting topics for discussion. Commissioner Simon suggested a more neutral meeting site and day, such as at the Adult Center on a Saturday morning. Commissioner Socaciu agreed, adding that there would be more seating at the Adult Center for such a large group of people. Commissioner Socaciu wondered if the meeting with the Bicycle Commission was intended to take the place of the regular monthly Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Mr. Brown replied that he believed it was the intent of Ms. Benna. After some discussion, all Commissioners agreed to hold the joint meeting on Monday, May 7 with the location to be determined. IV. COMMISSION MEMBER PARK INSPECTION REPORTS Deputy Director Shirley Medler introduced Deputy Director Karen Hesser and Park Manager Bob Rhodes who would be answering questions regarding the inspection reports completed by the Commissioners. Ms. Hesser thanked the Commissioners in advance for their hard work and shared that this was the first time the Commissioners were utilizing the new inspection forms. Ms. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2007 Page 3 Hesser explained that information on the forms would be input into a database for ease of update, review and follow-up for both the Commissioners as well as division staff Each Commissioner visited the parks in their districts and shared specific things that they felt needed attention including such items as replacement nets at tennis and volleyball courts, additional trash cans and the need to add material to the decomposed granite border areas at a few park sites. Commissioner Socaciu shared a PowerPoint review of Desert Mirage Park which was very helpful in getting a visual perspective of his suggested improvements. Some of the older parks are starting to show signs of age with tables and benches that need to be replaced and courts that will need to be resurfaced. Ms. Hesser shared that Bicentennial, Sands, Butler, and Clavelito Parks were next on the list for renovation. The design process will be underway during the next year with construction scheduled to commence in FY 2008. Additionally, Ms. Hesser described new water fountains that the City Building Maintenance Department was fabricating "in-house" and had begun to install in the parks. The severe weather this past winter caused many water fountains to fail and they are being evaluated and repaired accordingly. Commissioner Kultala met a few neighbors at two of the parks, who indicated they help to take care of the parks and he inquired as to how the department might be able to recognize them for their efforts. Ms. Hesser asked for their information and she would find a way to recognize them for their community work. Commissioner Farley noted a drainage hole under a bridge abutment that might have to be covered and Commissioner Berry mentioned that she received many compliments from kids who jog at Thunderbird Conservation park and enjoy the newly improved trails. Chair Hansen asked about improvements to the parking lot at Thunderbird Conservation Park and Ms. Hesser shared that the lots at 55th and Pinnacle Peak Road and at 67th Avenue were scheduled to be resurfaced with stabilized decomposed granite in the next few weeks. Chair Hansen also commented that all the parks that he visited were in great shape and maintained very well. Ms. Hesser thanked all of the Commissioners again for their comments and she assured the Commissioners that their suggestions were very important to the maintenance and upkeep of the parks and follow up will be provided at upcoming meetings. V. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2007 Page 4 VI. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Hesser noted the following: The grand opening of the new Sahuaro Ranch Playground was held on March 2. A tour was conducted of all of the Cholla District Parks with Councilmember Martinez. Director Becky Benna, Deputy Director Karen Hesser, Park Manager Bob Rhodes, Crew Leader Robert Chavez, and Council Assistant Nan Robinson all attended. Two new Park Managers were hired and are scheduled to begin on April 16. Mr. Brian Collins will be responsible for park rangers, pool maintenance, splash pads and fountains. Mr. Eugene Krause will be responsible for all parks and facilities as well as Sahuaro Ranch Park. Mr. Rhodes will now be responsible for irrigation, playgrounds, sports courts and ball fields, horticulture, and trails. As a follow up to the "Serve Day" event in February, a church group volunteered to return to Thunderbird Conservation Park to paint the tables once they have been sandblasted. The following park improvements have been completed or are underway: Repairs were completed to the splash pad at western area regional park New rip-rap at Northern Horizon Park 25 citrus trees were planted at Sahuaro Ranch Park A turf analysis was completed at both Hillcrest and Oasis Parks The Volleyball poles will be repainted at all of the parks Mr. Schwind provided the following update on capital improvements: The bid process is opening for a park facility at 71st Avenue and Orangewood, which will include a five-acre park and road improvements The final walk-through is scheduled for the Grand Canal Linear Park, between 75th and 82nd Avenues At 87th Avenue and Missouri, a joint-use park is under construction. The turf is installed the amenities still to be installed The skate court concession buildings for both the Foothills Park and Western Area Regional Park are being constructed offsite. Mr. Brown announced that Commissioners Harding and Berry would be leaving the Commission in May and asked for the names of any potential candidates to be brought forward. Mr. Brown distributed applications that could be given to any interested students. Ms. Medler distributed a list of recreation programs and events from March 15 through Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes March 12,2007 Page 5 June 30, 2007. Ms. Medler highlighted the following programs and events: The Spring Youth Sports programs began on March 3 and continue through April 21 Senior Recreation Coordinator Zach Skinner presented at the National Aquatics Conference and also completed the first year of the National Aquatics Management School The aquatics division has hired 35 of the additional 60 staff needed to fill all summer guard positions The Youth Football Hub Grant is progressing with a Stakeholders Summit scheduled for April 23. Invitations are forthcoming Black History Month was celebrated at the Barcelona GRASP site Grandma's House: This is an intergenerational program held at the Adult Center SCUBA diving classers are beginning at Foothills Agriculture Day was wonderful with a great crowd Touch-A-Truck was held on February 24. Had a great turnout Toddler Tales event was very popular with many attendees On March 31, staff will be conducting the Spring Extravaganza at Sahuaro Ranch Park with an expected attendance of 3,000 people. Last month, the Commission discussed hosting a booth along with staff and this would be a great opportunity. All Commissioners agreed this would be a good event to attend and would provide Ms. Medler with their availability for assisting at the booth. VII. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Simon requested an updated goal sheet. Ms. Medler will forward the request to Ms. Benna. Commissioner Simon asked if there would be a shuttle scheduled for the Luke Days. Ms. Medler did not know, but would find out. Commissioner Simon asked if the next meeting was scheduled for the Foothills Center at 55th Avenue and Union Hills Drive. Ms. Medler replied "yes". Commissioner Gutierrez suggested that the location of next scheduled meeting be included at the end of the meeting minutes. Chair Hansen expressed concern about the new playground at Sahuaro Ranch Park, which is made primarily of roping. Chair Hansen felt this type of structure could be inviting to vandals and wondered if there was night lighting. Mr. Rhodes replied that there was security lighting around the play structure. Chair Hansen attended Touch-A-Truck and noted that it was bigger and better than before. VIII. NEXT MEETING SUGGESTED AGENDA ITEMS Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2007 Page 6 Update on business at the Foothills Recreation Center(actual versus plan) A tour of the Foothills Recreation Center IX NEXT MEETING: Monday, April 9, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. at the Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Denise Kazmierczak, Recording Secretary