HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 12/10/2007CITY OF GLENDALE,ARIZONA
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
7:00 P.M.DECEMBER 10,2007
MANISTEE RANCH
5127 W.NORTHERN AVENUE
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ted Hansen, Chair
Eric Simon, Vice Chair
John"Chief'Fries
Rod Passmore
Raymond Kultala
MEMBERS ABSENT: Liz Farley
STAFF PRESENT: Becky Benna,Director
Karen Hesser, Deputy Director
Shirley Medler, Deputy Director
Eugene Kraus, Parks Manager
Clyde Brown, Senior Management Assistant
Call to Order.
Chair Hansen called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. and read the Committee's mission
statement.
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 19, 2007 MEETING
Commissioner Fries motioned to accept the November 19,2007,minutes.
Commissioner Passmore made the second.
Commissioner Simon requested the following corrections to the minutes:
1. On Page 2, "Commissioner asked if the bridge..." should be changed to
Commissioner Simon asked if the bridge..."
2. On Page 10, "Chair Fries interjected that he..." should be changed to
Commissioner Fries interjected that he..."
Commissioner Fries motioned to re-state his original motion to accept the
November 19, 2007, minutes as corrected. Mr. Kultala made the second. Motion
passed 5-0.
II. PRESENTATION ON HISTORIC MANISTEE RANCH
Ms. Benna introduced Carol St. Clair, a member of the Glendale Historical Society and
caretaker of the Manistee Ranch. Ms. St. Clair thanked the Commissioners for having
the meeting at the Ranch and was very happy to share her knowledge of the Ranch. Ms.
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December 10, 2007
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St. Clair played a video on the history of Manistee Ranch.
Ms. St. Clair has volunteered at the Ranch for the past 11 years and has sometimes lived
in the house. Ms. St. Clair explained the background of the original owners and how the
ownership of the home changed over the years. In 1996, the last of the family of the
original owners died. The property was sold to the Glendale Historical Society and City.
The Glendale Historical Society owns the house and a portion of the land; and the city
also owns a portion of the land. Ms. St. Clair was very grateful to the city of Glendale
for the quality of service it gives to the Manistee Ranch. Ms. St. Clair noted that some
funding for preservation of the property is received through grants as well.
Ms. St. Clair stated that the Glendale Historical Society collects only items either from
the families who lived at the Ranch or items that were made or purchased in Glendale.
Many of the artifacts in the home are very old. Ms. St. Clair commented that the
community of Glendale is very proud of Manistee Ranch, as it is a true treasure of
Glendale.
Ms. St. Clair invited the Commissioners to tour the home after the meeting.
III. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Ms. Benna introduced Mrs. Winona Passmore, who serves on the Glendale Arts
Commission Board and Miss Jenna Nicole Kraus, a fifth-grade student at Northwest
Christian School.
IV. STAFF REPORTS
Ms. Benna distributed the final set of revised and adopted 2007-2008 Commission goals
for 2008.
Ms. Medler highlighted the following items:
The holiday event at Sahuaro Ranch Park will be held on Saturday, December 15,
from 5 to 9 p.m.
In November,the following events were held:
o The Foothills Turkey Fowl Free Throw Contest
o The Turkey Trot at the Glendale Community Center
o The NFL/Pepsi Punt, Pass, and Kick State Competition (partnered with
New Mexico, 15`" consecutive year hosted by Glendale, 20 boys and 20
girls ages 8 to 15 participated.)
On December 15, there will be a holiday dinner and party at the Glendale Adult
Center.
The 9th Annual Holiday Celebration at the Glendale Community Center will be
held on December 15th
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December 10, 2007
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Santa's Workshop will be held December 15th, at the Foothills Recreation and
Aquatic Center,whereby children can purchase gifts for$5.00 or less.
Ms. Medler noted that Glendale received a football HUB grant last year and were one of
five cities in the nation to receive this grant. This year, we received an additional HUB
grant of $11,900 enabling us to form a touch football league with the Glendale
Elementary School District. Four hundred fifty youth participated in 19 boy's and 10
girl's teams. We were also able to offer a field trip to 100 youth to participate in a
Cardinal's training camp event in Flagstaff. Glendale will host the other four
communities and participating associations in meetings in January at the Foothills
Recreation and Aquatics Center.
Ms. Hesser distributed the updated park inspection action plans and provided the
following updates.
Parks:
Staff is working with local Girl Scout Troup 1219, that has adopted Dos Lagos
Park as part of its community service activity.
Staff initiated the internal park audits of the small and neighborhood parks.
Staff coordinated with the Maricopa County Probation Department and a total of
65 hours were completed by the group who cleaned debris from the channel on
November 24. A second group will perform service work on December 29.
Programs:
Parks and Ranger staff will be assisting with the Holiday at the Ranch event, to be
held at Sahuaro Ranch on Saturday,December 15th.
Commissioner Fries mentioned a park in the Midwest that is deemed an"Eagle Park"and
the Eagle Scouts solely maintain the park as their project. Commissioner Fries thought
this might be a good idea for either the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts in Glendale and will
forward information to Ms. Hesser.
V. COMMISSION COMMENTS
Commissioner Fries mentioned that over the past two months he has been active with the
Super Bowl Volunteer Committee and will be finalizing his specific Super Bowl week
volunteer tasks soon.
Commissioner Passmore and his wife attended a function at the Midwestern University
Campus and greatly enjoyed the free concert at this very fine facility.
Commissioner Kultala participated in the Aerospace Challenge at ASU West this past
Saturday and Sunday. Approximately 400 kids were in attendance each day.
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Chair Hansen attended the November Bicycle Committee meeting as a citizen to gain
input on the bike lanes from Thunderbird Park down to Melinda and found the meeting to
be very interesting and informative. Chair Hansen stated that the issue of these bike
lanes should be resolved by now.
Chair Hansen attended the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association brainstorming
meeting whereby discussions were held about forming a specific advocacy group.
VI. NEXT MEETING SUGGESTED AGENDA ITEMS
Commissioner Simon asked if the Commissioners could receive a list of the 2008 CIP
items. Ms. Benna replied that a list of preliminary, proposed items would be provided.
VII. TOUR OF HISTORIC MANISTEE RANCH
The tour will commence after adjournment.
VIII. The next regular Park and Recreation Commission meeting will be Monday,
January 14, 2008, at 7 p.m. in Room B-3 of the Municipal Office Complex.
Commissioner Passmore motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m.
Commissioner Simon made the second. The motion passed 5—0.
Denise Kazmierczak
Recording Secretary