HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 1/25/2016 CITY OF GLENDALE
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
GLENDALE MUNICIPAL OFFICE COMPLEX
5850 W. GLENDALE AVENUE—B3
January 25, 2016
6:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Barbara R. Cole, Chair
Manuel Padia, Vice Chair
Jeri Ann Soper
Kerry Dewberry
Lorrie Moreno
John Faris
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Barnard, Assistant Director
Patrick Sage, Transportation Planner
Michael LaBianca, HDR
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Cole called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Chair Cole took roll call.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Moreno motioned, second by Commissioner Dewberry, to approve the November 9, 2015,
meeting minutes as written. Motion carried 6—0.
IV. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
None.
V. CITY OF GLENDALE TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN
Mr. LaBianca of HDR and Mr. Sage provided a presentation on the process of updating the Glendale
Transportation Master Plan. Mr. LaBianca displayed the 18 month project planning timeline, which began in
June 2015.
Mr. LaBianca's presentation included the following information:
• Project Overview
o Existing Conditions
• Demographics
• Roadway
• Transit
• Bicycle/Pedestrian
o Gap Analysis
• Outreach and Engagement
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• Corridors/Nodes
o Transportation Scenarios
• Population Projections and Changing Demographics
o Changing projections affecting travel forecasts
o Changing demographics affecting needs
o Statistics provided
• Planning Coordination
o Envision Glendale 2040
• Coordination with the Planning Department
• Presentations to the General Plan Committee
o Other Ongoing Project Coordination
• Pavement Management Program
• Northern Parkway
• Glendale Airport Layout Plan and Forecasts
• Valley Metro Transit Projects
• Identifying Transit Opportunities
o Leverage transit investments by other cities—especially Phoenix
o Prioritize corridors and projects for future regional funding
o Maps of alternative route options were displayed
• Bicycle Pedestrian Opportunities
o What does Glendale want next?
o Build on current plan
o High-level planning to detailed solutions
o Complete streets
• Outreach Program for Glendale
o Community Events, Open Houses, Informative Graphics, Diverse Notification, TV,
Radio and Other Media, Work with Local Service Clubs, Work with Community
Organizations, Online Tools, Bilingual, Interviews, Community Meetings, News
Releases, Have a Compelling Message
• Focus Interviews
o School District Transportation, ADOT, MCDOT, Glendale Airport, Chamber of
Commerce, Midwestern University, Banner Health, Westgate, Fire and Police
Departments, Luke Air Force Base, ASU West, Honeywell, BNSF Railway, Sun City
West, Westmarc, Valley Metro, El Mirage, Phoenix, Goodyear, Litchfield Park,
Sustainable Communities Collaborative
Mr. LaBianca opened up the meeting to focus interview questions for the Commissioners. Questions
and Commissioner's responses are noted as follows:
1. In your opinion, what is the major transportation issue affecting Glendale and why?
a. More information on what types of transportation is currently available. Not all residents
know about the current options and routes.
b. More options on getting kids to afterschool programs. Many parents work and are unable
to take kids to afterschool opportunities.
c. Development of a mobile application which could be used to find out how to get from
one location to another in the City on public transportation.
d. More accessibility.
e. Development of partnerships with businesses to provide shuttle or other type of
transportation for employees.
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2. What would you say are the top three improvements needed to existing roads and transportation
services in Glendale and why?
a. Holes in asphalt/pavement
b. Detour-routing during road closures
c. Marking of and/or better defined bicycle lanes
d. Improved bicycle lanes
e. Attractive/appealing bus stops to encourage ridership
3. What improvements or changes to Glendale's transportation system could be done that would
support your agency's/entity's long-range vision or goals?
a. Run busses more frequently
b. More regional access to get around the valley
c. More public education of the location of City parks and how to get to the parks on public
transportation
4. What major changes/trends/developments affecting transportation do you see occurring over the
next 20 years in Glendale or the region and how do you see them affecting the transportation
system and needs of the City?
a. High school enrollments are increasing and freshman classes are getting larger, which
impacts the transportation to schools.
b. More people are using ride-sharing or Lyft and Uber, and not getting driver's licenses.
c. Bicycle share programs are being utilized in some cities.
d. Incentives for carpooling and ride sharing could be utilized.
e. Installation of Wi-Fi on busses so people can work or do homework while commuting.
5. What other groups, agencies, organizations, or individuals do you recommend we include in our
outreach efforts?
a. School districts
b. Economic Development Department
c. Business partners/private companies/owners of strip malls
6. How would you like to be involved as this study unfolds?
a. Mr. LaBianca will ensure that the Commissioners receive email updates regarding the
plan update. All information will be posted on the City website as well.
7. Are there any other issues you would like to express?
a. Some bus stops have shade structures and some do not. How is the design determined for
each location?
b. The Glendale Arts Commission could possibly be tapped to fund functional/artistic
design of bus stops.
c. Who funds the Glendale Avenue bus route on Sundays?
d. What is the role/function of MAG and who runs MAG?
Mr. LaBianca and Mr. Sage thanked the Commissioners for their input.
VI. HEROES REGIONAL PARK DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Mr. Barnard gave a presentation on the Heroes Regional Park development plan. Highlights include the
following:
• Background Information
o 86-acre regional park acquired and master-planned in 1998-99
o Development has occurred in phases. Last phase: September 2009
o Future build-out to include soccer field, baseball field, urban lake, internal pathways, proposed
recreation and aquatics center, and branch library
o Future development indefinitely deferred and contigent upon improved economy
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o Several pending park developments presented to Council on January 5, 2016, and scheduled to
begin in FY2016-17
o Located at 83rd Avenue and Bethany Home Roads
• Aerial maps of the following were displayed:
o Current park/developed areas
• Public Safety Facility: constructed 2004
• Skate/BMX Court: constructed 2007
• Basketball, Playground, Restrooms, Splash Pad: constructed 2008
• Infrastructure Roadway, Parking, Lighting: constructed 2007
• Ramada Complex, Restrooms, Volleyball: constructed 2009
o Proposed Enhancement: Archery Range
• Free and open to the public
• $56,000 estimated cost
• 46,875 sq. ft.
• 125 ft. x 375 ft.
• 16 archery lanes, landscaping and shade
• Grants and donations received—Arizona Game and Fish and AZSTA
• March-June 2016 construction
• Selection of an operator via RFP
• Conceptual drawing displayed
o Proposed Enhancement: 83rd Avenue
• New curb, gutter, sidewalk, landscaping and streetlights
• $487,000 estimated cost
• East side of 83rd Avenue from Berridge Lane to Grand Canal
o Proposed Enhancement: Basketball, Maintenance Facility, Water Recharge
• Phased Maintenance Facility: $200,000; 2,500 sq. ft.
• Additional temporary parking: $20,000; 65 spaces
• Basketball: $64,000; new court with lights; near existing ramadas
• Water Recharge: partnership with City Water Services to explore possible urban lake
system; Kick-off meeting will be held tomorrow regarding analysis of options
o Proposed Enhancement: X-Court Building
• 1,400 sq. ft. building
• Conversion from retail to new community center
• Tentative award of RFP in Spring 2016 with afterschool & summer STEM programs
• Non-profit to operate facility; multi-year contract
Mr. Beck gave a presentation on the proposed Western Area Branch Library. Highlights include the following:
• Request from Council at March, 17 2105 meeting to explore using Glendale Media Center as a possible
branch library.
• Staff reviewed the Media Center option and found several other potential options. Findings were
reported to council June 17, 2015.
• Staff continued to evaluate the Council request and options with the Library Advisory Board at August 8
and September 9, 2015 meetings.
• Recommendations from the Library Board were presented by staff to Council at the October 20, 2015
workshop. Council directed staff to create conceptual design options for the existing Glendale Media
Center site and for a new library facility at Heroes Regional Park.
• Staff contracted with the architectural firm DFDG to develop conceptual designs for the two options.
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• Seven public meetings have been scheduled to solicit feedback on design, layout, access, and services.
Citizens will also be able to leave feedback through the library's website, a telephone hotline and
physical surveys at each library facility and Gallery Glendale.
• City and DFDG staff will compile feedback and present findings to the Library Advisory Board and
Parks and Recreation Commission in a joint special session on Saturday, March 26, 2016.
Mr. Barnard presented Next Steps for the Heroes Regional Park development proposals:
• Council approval of AZSTA grant for Archery Range in February 2016. Construction to begin in
March.
• Award to operate new X-Court Recreation site in April 2016.
• Award to operate Archery Range in May 2016.
• FY2016-17 Budget Process for 83rd Avenue street enhancement, basketball court, and maintenance
facility.
• Completion of water recharge study in FY2106-l 7.
• Presentation of Western Area Library Branch concepts in Spring 2016.
Mr. Barnard opened the floor for questions.
Commissioner Faris expressed concern regarding the Glendale Media Center option. Commissioner Faris felt
that the Media Center is a high dollar space and should be kept for its intended purpose.
Commissioner Moreno inquired as to the size of a new library build-out at Heroes Regional Park. Mr. Barnard
surmised it would be 7,500 to 8,500 square feet and that the Media Center is 8,000 square feet. Mr. Beck stated
that the sizes are comparable and the design build-out at Heroes Regional Park was increased for more even site
comparison.
Chair Cole confirmed that the location of Media Center is on the 3rd floor of the Renaissance Hotel.
Commissioner Moreno inquired as to the hours the Archery Center would be open. Mr. Barnard indicated that
the specific hours would be determined by the operator and there would be controlled access. However, exact
details will be determined once an operator is in place.
VII. AGREEMENT FOR CONCESSION SALES AT FOOTHILLS SPORTS COMPLEX
Mr. Barnard provided information on the Sports Complex at Foothills Regional Park and the proposed
agreement for concession sales with Tactical Service Inc. (dba Desert Snow).
Mr. Barnard explained that the Foothills Sports Complex, at 57th Avenue and Union Hills, is one of the City's
four premier sports complexes. It is a lighted, multi-use facility and has been in operation since 1992. The 10-
acre site has three regulation softball fields, one of which is a multi-purpose field and has a 350 square foot
concession building with space for concession sales, maintenance, restroom facilities, a small office, and
storage space. It is the home field of the Arrowhead Little League and there is also a 2.75 acre dog park on site.
Although the sports complex is heavily used, it does not currently have a licensed vendor for concession sales,
which is a key element for customer satisfaction at the many scheduled sports events and activities at the site.
Staff recommended the award of a concession sales agreement to Tactical Service, Inc. dba Desert Snow.
Commissioner Dewberry motioned, second by Commissioner Moreno, to recommend Council award
Tactical Service Inc. dba Desert Snow an operating agreement for concession sales at the Foothills
Regional Park Sports Complex. Motion carried 6—0.
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VIII. STAFF UPDATES
Mr. Barnard provided information on activities and achievements. Highlights include the following:
• February 5th—7th: Chocolate Affaire in Murphy Park
• February 1st—April 18th: AARP Tax Preparation Assistance at Glendale Adult Center
• January 4th—9th: Free sample classes at FRAC. Over 190 participants in 16 different classes.
• January 16th: Union Hills Classic Skateboard Competition held at the FRAC Skate Court sponsored by
DC. Over 250 participants. The winner in the Women's Division was a local Glendale woman.
• Volunteers gleaned approximately 13,400 pounds of citrus at Sahuaro Ranch Park on Martin Luther
King Day.
• February 20th: Volunteers will perform neighborhood clean-up tasked from 8:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m.
• The new Civic Center Event Coordinator, Mr. David Widoff, will come on board January 28tH
• Memorial trees will be planted at Thunderbird Conservation Park. Four trees are scheduled.
Commissioner Faris inquired as to the cost of a memorial tree. Mr. Barnard noted that the cost is $300.00 for a
24-inch box tree. A plaque is presented as a keepsake, but is not placed at the site of the tree. Furthermore,
there is a list of approved tree species as options.
IX. COMMISSION COMMENTS
Commissioner Soper commented that the high school student's STAND Tobacco has been making an impact as
she has seen less cigarette butts at one of the group's pilot parks.
Commissioner Dewberry felt the presentation on the transportation plan was very informative.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m. by consensus.
The next regular meeting will be held on February 8, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at the Glendale Municipal Office
Complex, 5850 W. Glendale Avenue, B-3.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Kazmierczak
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