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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 2/13/2006CITY OF GLENDALE,ARIZONA MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION HELD MONDAY,FEBRUARY 13,2006 GLENDALE MUNICIPAL OFFICE COMPLEX,ROOM B-3 5850 WEST GLENDALE AVENUE The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00p.m. by Chairperson Ted Hansen, with Commissioners Chuck Jared, Michael Socaciu, Ruben Gutierrez, Raymond Kultala, Stanley Long, Sarah Berry, and Loric Harding Representing city staff was Gloria Santiago-Espino, Becky Benna, RJ Cardin, Shirley Medler, Roger Boyer, and Clyde Brown. Members of the public were also in attendance. Chairperson Hansen read the mission of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The purpose of the Parks and Recreation Commission is to advise the City Council on policies, rules, and regulations referring to planning, acquisition, deposition, operations, use, care and maintenance of parks and recreation facilities. The Commission is also responsible for development of a continuous master plan for the city parks system and its recreation programs. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Long to accept the minutes as written. Commissioner Kultala seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Public Comments Chairperson Hansen asked for comments from the public. Mr. Brian Brekke, Cactus District, stated that he was representing American Youth Soccer Organization, which is a nation wide organization serving the youth of Glendale and Peoria for the last 20 years. He stated the organization uses the fields at Sahuaro Ranch Park. He said the fields are deteriorating and are in desperate need of attention. The fields have many rocks and the grass is gone. He said the annual soccer tournament is held at Sahuaro Ranch Park and the Glendale Community College fields. This year it will be held the first weekend in March and more than 80 teams will be participating in the tournament with half of those teams coming from out of state. He said over 300 games will be played in two days. He asked that the fields be attended to and offered his assistance. Chairperson Hansen introduced the two newest student commissioners, Sarah Berry and Loric Harding. Commissioners introduced themselves. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2006 Page 2 III. THUNDERBIRD CONSERVATION PARK Ms. Benny reviewed Thunderbird Conservation Park(TCP) notebook that was distributed to the Commission. The notebook includes: 2004 TCP public meeting minutes; studies completed by consultant Logan, Simpson Design, Inc: the Biological Study, Cultural Study, Land Use Study, Soil, Slope and Geological Study, Visual Study, and Watershed Analysis; June 14, 2004 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes and the PowerPoint presentation; on-site user surveys conducted in September and October 2005; draft preliminary master plan maps; TCP web page information and FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions); December 12, 2005, Park and Recreation Commission meeting minutes; park tours information; on-site survey results; meeting notes from the Persons With Disabilities Commission held on November 15, 2005; September 14 and 17, 2005, TCP public meeting minutes; and September 6, 2005, Public Focus Group meeting minutes. Ms. Benny stated she realized this is a lot of information, but felt it was important for the Commission to have all the documents in one location. She also stated the studies; several documents and information are also posted on the TCP web page. Ms. Benny reviewed the action plan with the Commission regarding the progress of this project. She stated that administrative, park maintenance, and ranger staff met on-site again to review the draft preliminary master plan. The park staff also observed the use of the park's parking lots from late November through December 2005. One observation determined that the north parking lot(between 59th and 67th Avenues) is not heavily used. Ms. Benny stated staff was reviewing current utilization of existing parking lots. She indicated it has been proposed to take out some of the parking along the Wash. These may need to be relocated. One observation determined that the north parking lot between 59th and 67th Avenues) is not heavily used. Others, such as H3, are heavily used. Also,the 67th Avenue parking lot is well used. Chairperson Hansen asked for clarification on the location of the H3 Trail. Ms. Benny pointed it out for him. Ms. Benny stated staff has developed videotape of the similar park elements of other area mountain parks and the Thunderbird Conservation Park. This video will be presented at the March Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Ms. Medler provided an update regarding the on-site meeting that was held concerning the 59th Avenue culvert. She stated she met with the Park Rangers and the Community Action Team Police Officers Ida Trompeter and Juan Rivera and Police Department City Liaison Joan Campbell. If it is determined that the culvert is a feasible connector, the suggestions provided included to add low sodium lighting, maintain open landscape area round the culvert, make sure emergency vehicles are able to access the culvert, install street signs to keep users from getting disoriented (these types of signs are utilized at Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2006 Page 3 other city parks), and to establish a resident pride of ownership during the design stage. Ms. Benny stated that staff is also contacting other jurisdictions that have culverts in their parks. Feedback will be provided to the Commission. Ms. Benny continued with the next action step, which was to identify area school interest in the use of the park. Staff is planning to meet with representatives in the next month. Staff is also planning to meet on-site with residents that are adjacent to the sedimentation basin. Deputy Director RJ Cardin stated he met with two representatives from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. One of the Arizona Game and Fish representatives included an Urban Wildlife Specialist. Part of his responsibilities is to watch for urban wildlife activities in the valley. Mr. Cardin said they walked the entire sedimentation basin area and looked at the surrounding vegetation. They continued with a drive of the entire park. Mr. Cardin said he would be providing Arizona Game and Fish the studies completed by Logan Simpson and Design. Game and Fish will provide comments on the studies. The representatives stated since the water for the sedimentation basin was effluent, no designations such as "wetland" could be attached. They did state that they were very impressed with this urban wetland. Ms. Benny stated a study regarding the sedimentation in the lake should be completed end of February and March. Ms. Benny added although Logan Simpson and Design has provided much of the technical design and studies, the city staff is taking the lead role in completing the master planning process. Chairperson Hansen asked if there were to be changes recommended, will Logan Simpson Design make those recommendations or will staff make recommendations to them. Ms. Benny stated that staff will provide the change recommendations to Logan Simpson Design. The proposed changes will be reviewed and discussed with the Parks and Recreation Commission. Dates for public meetings will then be determined. The original draft of the preliminary master plan and one with proposed changes along with any estimated costs will be presented at the public meetings. Ms. Benny also stated that staff will also meet with Arrowhead Amenities and the Arrowhead Lakes Homeowners Association to discuss management and maintenance of the sedimentation basin. The remaining action steps for completing the master plan process are still to be determined pending completing review of the public input and additional information that is being collected. Commissioner Gutierrez asked how many school districts would be contacted. Ms. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2006 Page 4 Medler stated she plans to contact one representative from each school district. She added that some members of the focus group were affiliated with the school districts and she planned to contact them as well. Chairperson Hansen asked if Ms. Medler would also be including the Glendale School District. Ms. Medler said yes. Chairperson Hansen asked how many restrooms are located at Pinnacle Peak. Ms. Benna described the facilities for the Commission. Ms. Benna concluded her presentation and offered to answer any questions. Chairperson Hansen opened the floor for public comment: Mr. Mike Rupp addressed the Commission. He felt the planning process was out of control and inconsistent with the wants and needs of the frequent users of the park. He expressed that his greatest concern was the outdoor use area. He referred to his letter to the Mayor and City Council. He stated the entire area between the mountain and Pinnacle Peak Road will be developed. He said the consultants did many surveys, but had not conducted a user survey. This was completed by staff at the public's request. He said the most received response was to do nothing to the park. Commissioner Long referred to an article in the Arizona Republic where Mr. Rupp was quoted. Mr. Long stated he was concerned that Mr. Rupp was not reflecting accurate information in his article. Mr. Rupp stated the consultants have been disinterested and unresponsive to the repeated recommendations that have been made. He said after reviewing the Master Plan in September 2005, he was personally offended by planning process. He said based on the survey results received by staff, the users of the park are not interested in the changes proposed. Chairperson Hansen asked if the most current preliminary master plan is displayed on the website. Ms. Benna said yes. She indicated that the plan reflects what was presented to the public in September 2005. Changes have not yet been made to that plan until the collected additional information has been reviewed and completed. Once the changes have been determined, a revised plan will be developed and will be presented along with the original draft of the preliminary master plan. Mr. Larry Clark addressed the Commission. He expressed his concern with the proposed educational facility. He says although he is in favor of education he is opposed to the development of this facility. He said this is a one of a kind park and should be treated differently. Mr. Clark said the surveys should be taken into consideration. Staff should listen to what the users say about the park. He added his concern with the existing wildlife. He appreciates staff taking their time to review the entire master plan. He felt Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2006 Page 5 that education can be provided by other means rather than having the children inside the proposed building. He said there were unabtrusive method might be interpretive boards and that these would be more cost effective. In closing, Mr. Clark felt that the original master plan guidelines should be followed as that was the purpose of the master plan and the purpose is still applicable today. Mr. Dale Woods addressed the Commission. He stated after reviewing the combined survey results the most requested issue was that the bathroom facilities need repaired. He asked the Commission to take into consideration what the people are requesting and make that a priority. Mr. Allan DeFranco stated his biggest on-going concern was the culvert. He stated the residents nearest the culvert expressed their concerns related to the culvert and changes were made and a meeting took place confirming that the police department does have concerns. He felt the trail near the sedimentation basin is unneeded and dangerous. He sad the lighting in the culvert might effect wildlife using the culvert. He stated concerns about how access could be provided to emergency vehicles. He said the Audabon Society has found 39 species in the sedimentation basin area. He said everyone believes in education, however there are any means of providing education rather than constructing the 10,000 square foot building. He thanked the Commission for its time. Commissioner Socaciu stated after reviewing the pictures provided to him, he wondered whether users have seen how disturbed the area already is. Chairperson Hansen referred to Fishhook Basin and questioned that the area is low habitat value. Ms. Benny stated staff would verify this information with the consultant. Commissioner Jared stated that he agrees with what is taking place and would like to see events return to Glendale where they belong. Commissioner Kultala suggested that the Commission hold a study session to discuss this item only. Commissioner Socaciu questioned whether the definition of Conservation Park had been revised. Ms. Benny stated the Parks and Recreation Department Master Plan provides definitions for each different type of city park. Ms. Benny reminded the Commission that the square footage of the proposed education facility was part of the draft preliminary plan presented to the public in September 2005. The square footage of such a facility has not been determined. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2006 Page 6 IV. COMMISSION GOALS Commissioner Long made a motion to continue this item to the March 13, 2006 meeting. Commissioner Gutierrez seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. V. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ms. Benna asked Parks and Recreation Project Coordinator Mr. Boyer to provide a brief update regarding the trail maintenance in Thunderbird Conservation Park. Mr. Boyer stated the crew is in the park working 10-hour days. He explained the current crew is international members all coming from outside of the United States. Mr. Boyer said the existing trails are being improved to state and national trail standards. He explained the order that the trails would be improved. In addition, the Glendale Hiking Club also assists in trail maintenance. The club and staff are working with the crew in order to obtain training as to how to maintain trails once the crews are no longer on-site. Ms. Benna added that publicity is expected on the trail maintenance. Ms. Benna stated that Kathy Spangler, Director of National Partnerships for the National Recreation Park Association will be attending the February 14, 2006, City Council meeting to officially present the Good Sports Community Award. Ms. Medler stated the Union Hills Classic III, the skateboard competition, had 180 participants. The event had over 1000 spectators. It was a very positive experience for all in attendance. VI. Commission Comments Commissioner Jared stated the Mensendick Basketball Tournament was played at one site. He provided the results of those that participated. The girls' tournament has been taking place for 21 years and the boys' tournament has been in place for 32 years. Commissioner Kultala said the Greenway Grenada Park fencing has no opening to the Paseo. Also, residents are requesting bathrooms be added to the parks. Commissioner Long stated that progress is being made at Utopia Park with regard to the shade structure. He thanked Mr. Boyer for his assistance. Commissioner Long asked if anyone is familiar with the web site States, Cities, and Municipalities of the United States of American. He stated that Glendale is represented on this web site and suggested the Commission look at the site. Last, Commissioner Long confirmed the upcoming tour of the Cardinals' Stadium. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes February 13, 2006 Page 7 Commissioner Harding stated he is looking forward to serving on the Commission. Commissioner Socaciu thanked Mr. Cardin for his assistance with issues at the Grand Canal Linear Park. He explained the Glendale Police Department was unsure of who owned the park and who maintained the park. Ms. Benna stated staff would contact the department to insure they are aware of property. Chairperson Hansen noted that the equestrian trail on the West side of 51st Avenue between Greenway and Cactus was being upgraded. Staff indicated the upgrades are being completed as part of a neighborhood grant. VII. Next Meeting The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 13, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in room B-3 of the Municipal Office Complex. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Diana Figueroa, Recording Secretary