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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 9/10/2007CITY OF GLENDALE,ARIZONA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING 7:00 P.M. SEPTEMBER 10,2007 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 MEMBERS ABSENT: Raymond Kultala STAFF PRESENT: Becky Benna, Director Bill Schwind, Deputy Director Karen Hesser, Deputy Director Shirley Medler, Deputy Director Clyde Brown, Senior Management Assistant David Seid, Adult Center Manager Marcheta Strunk, Management Assistant Lori Bye, Foothills Recreation Center Manager Raul Daniels, Youth and Teen Supervisor Chris Gallagher, Recreation Manager Jen Godbehere, Recreation Coordinator Call to Order. Chair Hansen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., read the Committee's mission statement and welcomed the newest member, Commissioner Passmore representing the Ocotillo District. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE JUNE 11, 2007 MEETING Commissioner Fries motioned to approve the June 11, 2007 meeting minutes. Commissioner Simon made the second. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. II. 2007 SUMMER PROGRAM UPDATE Mr. Gallagher, Recreation Manager, presented the update of the Summer Sports and Aquatics programs. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting September 10, 2007 Page 2 Mr. Gallagher stated that the enrollment for the youth sports programs was very comparable to 2006 and some programs saw major increases in participation. Mr. Gallagher compared the 2006 and 2007 enrollment figures for the following summer programs. Youth Sports: Baseball/Softball/Teen Coed Youth Basketball Clinic Youth Volleyball Clinic Youth Wrestling Camp Lacrosse Camp Summer Weight Rooms Summer Open Gyms Hershey Track and Field(first time hosted) Pitch Hit and Run NFL Hub Grant (Marcel Shipp Youth Football Camp, GEST Youth Football League) Summer Adult Sports: Softball Sand Volleyball Basketball Summer Aquatics: Recreation Swim Learn To Swim Lessons Swim Team Dive Team Junior Guard Program Aquatics Staff Mr. Daniels, Youth and Teen Supervisor, discussed the Summer Youth and Teen Programs and the Glendale Recreation After School Summer Program by noting the following highlights: Thirteen drop-in locations were available for Kindergarten through 8th grade children. This is a free program. The sites are open from the hours of 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting September 10, 2007 Page 3 The majority of sites showed increased participation. Partnerships are important to the success of the program. Partners included: o A New Leaf o Youth ETC o Kids Café o Maricopa Tobacco Prevention o Glendale Elementary School District o Make and Take Crafts o Truly Nolan o Hook a Kid on Golf o Mad Science o Phoenix Zoo o Girl Scouts of America Approximately 260 youth, ages 8-12, participated in the field trip package which included trips to Makutu's Island, Water World and IMAX Theatre. Mr. Daniels compared the 2006 and 2007 enrollment figures for the Licensed GRASP AM/PM Program. This state-licensed program is offered at three elementary schools. Mr. Daniels stated that enrollment for the Glendale Community Center Teen Program held steady from 2006 to 2007. Among other activities, the youth aged 13-15 took field trips to Golf and Stuff, South Mountain Community Center, Water World and the AMC Theatres. The Senior Program at the Glendale Community Center was offered through a partnership with the YWCA. Attendance held steady over last year. Activities included Bingo, a July 4th Barbeque, and Ice Cream Socials. Program hours were offered 8 a. m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For the first time, a Youth Workforce Development Program was held at Copper Canyon High School. Youth participated in summer employment opportunities with local businesses and organizations. One hundred percent of the teens surveyed felt the program should be held again next year. The annual Family Night event was also hosted at Copper Canyon High School this summer with 1,500 people in attendance. Mr. Seid, Recreation Manager, presented information on the Glendale Adult Center by noting that the overall summer participation had increased from 2006 to 2007. Mr. Seid commented that a noon meal program, through a partnership with the YWCA, saw a very good increase in June and July over 2006. Mr. Seid stated that for some seniors,this might be the only hot meal of the day. Mr. Seid stated that although the programming at the Center is geared toward ages 50 and older, anyone over 18 is welcome to use the Center. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting September 10, 2007 Page 4 Ms. Godbehere, Recreation Coordinator, described the following Summer Events and Special Use Facilities: Toddler Water Days Hook-A-Kid on Golf Summer Band X-Court Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area Summer Tours Ms. Bye, Recreation Manager, presented information on the city-wide Special Interest Classes, such as: Culinary Arts Computer Classes Day Hikes Dance Exercise and Sports Languages Personal Development Youth and Teen Ms. Bye noted that the number of class offerings has increased and participation has increased as well. Ms. Bye also discussed the Foothills Recreation and Aquatic Center. Summer classes were well attended and the aquatics usage was very popular for the summer. A Summer Camp was offered and approximately 230 youths attended the program each month. The program hours were Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ms. Bye discussed the main revenue sources for the Foothills Center. Annual center revenues are expected to cover 78%of annual operation expenses. Recreation Pass Revenue SIC/Recreation Programs Facility Rentals Concession/Vending Sales Aquatic Rentals Aquatic Classes Aquatic Day Pass Revenue Merchandise Sales Child Care Revenue Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting September 10, 2007 Page 5 III. OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN Mr. Schwind updated the Committee of the status of the plan, noting the following highlights: Staff is reviewing and addressing the text, gaps and other details of the draft master plan developed in 2005. Since the original draft, Glendale has experienced great increases in population and construction costs. It is important to update the information for an accurate budget. The original plan did not include projected construction costs, but the new plan will. Public open house sessions will be held for input from residents. Once approved and finalized, the plan will be reviewed annually. Mr. Schwind and Ms. Benna both stressed that it was very important to maintain integrity and accuracy in the new plan. The plan will be presented to the Commissioners as soon as possible. IV. COMMISSION GOALS Ms. Benna distributed the proposed 2007/2008 list of Commission Goals as well as the list of 2006/2007 completed goals for comparison. The Commissioners reviewed the documents and discussed which goals for the 2007/2008 year. Commissioner Simon motioned to approve the 2007/2008 Proposed list of Commission Goals with the following changes: Goal#5 is to be removed from the 2007/2008 Proposed List. Goal #3 (from the 2006 completed list) is to be inserted into the 2007/2008 Proposed List. Commissioner Fries made the second. The motion passed unanimously 5-0. V. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting September 10,2007 Page 6 VI. STAFF REPORTS Ms. Hesser provided an update on the following: In August, the turf improvements were completed at the Glendale Youth Complex and new turf was also installed in the Sahuaro Ranch Park main soccer area. A city park tree inventory was completed by the department's Landscape Gardener/Horticulturist Kandy Van Meeteren. Approximately 13,000 trees were inspected and assessed. An intensive Skunk Creek Trail clean-up is under way. Hidden Meadows perimeter fence was recently painted as part of a recent Eagle Scout project. The Park Managers are working on a more efficient method of cross-departmental park facility maintenance. Ranger Joanne Naegle coordinated a mock rescue exercise, event with the Glendale Fire Department at the western area regional park X-Court. This rescue" was staged to ensure that emergency responders can easily access the X- Court in case of accidents and injury. Ms. Medler stated that the summer was very busy and successful. Ms. Medler distributed a quarterly calendar of events detailing events from September through December. Mr. Schwind provided the following update: 1. 63rd Avenue and Butler 2. Sunset Ridge Park: 87th Avenue and Missouri 3. Orangewood Park: 71st Avenue and Orangewood 4. The shade structure for the new playground at Sahuaro Ranch Park. 5. The park renovation program for older parks (Butler, Sands, Bicentennial, and Roselane) is underway. 6. Parking lot improvements and extensions have been completed at the Thunderbird Conservation Park. 7. Concession buildings at the X-Court and Foothills Recreation are nearly completed. The concession buildings are anticipated to be open for business in early October. Ms. Benna announced that a ribbon-cutting for the Foothills skate court would be held in October and all Commissioners would be invited. Commissioner Fries wondered if the department had applied for any historical grants. Ms. Benna replied that a grant was previously awarded to the city for the building assessment of the Sahuaro Ranch Park Historical Area. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting September 10, 2007 Page 7 VII. COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Fries reminded all present to vote in the election on Tuesday, September 11`1. Chair Hansen attended the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association Conference. Glendale was nominated for four awards (The 10-week Walking Program, The Smith Elementary GRASP Program, the EVOS Playground at Sahuaro Ranch Park, and the Foothills Recreation Center.) Chair Hansen stated that the conference was very informative and interesting. Many workshops were held. The 2008 conference dates are August 25th through August 29` . Commissioners should let staff know if they are interested in attending. Chair Hansen enjoyed the use of the pools at Roselane and the Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center. Chain Hansen visited the Thunderbird Conservation Park and saw unique surfacing utilized in the handicap spaces. Mr. Schwind stated that this material is environmentally friendly because of its dust control qualities. VIII. NEXT MEETING SUGGESTED AGENDA ITEMS The following were agenda suggestions: Open Space and Trails Master Plan Commission Goals and Timelines IX. The next regular Park and Recreation Commission meeting will be Monday, October 15, 2007 at 7 p.m. in Room B-3 of the City Council Chambers, 5850 W. Glendale Avenue. The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m. Denise Kazmierczak, Recording Secretary