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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 4/9/2018 Pi a1 i..,E MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION GLENDALE MUNICIPAL OFFICE COMPLEX CONFERENCE ROOM B-3 5850 W. GLENDALE AVE. GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85301 APRIL 9, 2018 6:00P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Cole called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Chair Cole took roll call. Present: Barbara Cole, Chair Sam McConnell Ill, Vice Chair Gayle Schiavone, Commissioner Ethan McAffee, Commissioner Monica Lopez, Commissioner, (via phone) Absent: Dan Huston, Commissioner Pattie Johnston, Commissioner Jessica Edgar, Commissioner Also Present: Jim Burke, Director Public Facilities, Recreation & Special Events Mike Gregory, Deputy Director Bryan Wagner, Park Superintendent Heidi Barriga, Special Events Administrator Kim Larson, Communications & Marketing Program Manager Stephanie Miller, Program Manager 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS If citizens wish to speak on a matter concerning the Glendale Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission that is not on the printed agenda, please complete a Citizen Comments Card and provide it to the designated staff person prior to the beginning of the meeting. Once your name is called by the Commission Chairperson, please proceed to the podium and state your name and address for the record. Please limit your comments to a period of three minutes or less. Three members of the public addressed the Commission. 1. Phil Erickson, 5140 W. Royal Palm Road, Glendale, AZ of Councilman Turner and the Barrel District: Thursday evening (April 5) CM Turner had a citizen's meeting regarding Glen Lakes Golf Course. Mr. Burke, the Parks and Recreation Director, was the guest speaker and he updated the group about the new management company (Golf Maintenance Solutions) regarding the evaluation of Glen Lakes. Thank you, Mr. Burke. It was a very informative meeting. I am sure we will be hearing more from the management company about the needs of Glen Lakes along with what capital improvements should be made. Many areas were discussed, and one was the youth programs. In the past, there were many programs for the youth, not only summer programs but year-round. I was very excited to hear that Glen Lakes is having a week-long summer program for the youth to learn the game of golf. I hope this will excite the members of the Committee, as well as show that Glen Lakes is not only a golf course, but also part of Parks and Recreation. This gives the youth another activity for the summer. Once they learn the game it is one thing they can carry on their whole life. By having a strong youth program, it is the beginning of increasing the number of golfers for the future. This is an important role for Glen Lakes as it moves forward with the new management and I encourage the Committee to keep an open mind when you have to make your decisions. Glen Lakes needs your help to survive and again become a viable part of Glendale. 2. I am Jane Bachmann and I live at 8213 N. 51st Drive. I am here tonight because of my concern for Glen Lakes Golf Course. As a co-leader of the citizens group, Save Glen Lakes, I have done a lot of research into the history of the golf course and why it is in its present situation. Glen Lakes was once a flourishing, well maintained golf course that offered a lot of programs for ages. It was back in 2001, that Tiger Woods came to Glen Lakes and offered a golf clinic. When I mentioned this recently, people were skeptical and asked if I had seen him. No, I did not meet Tiger; however, I have proof right here-- a photo of Councilman Tom Eggleston shaking hands with Tiger. At a recent meeting on Glen Lakes, we were updated as to its present status by Mr. Burke and Mr. Turner, we were given a lot of good information and many of our questions were answered. You might be interested in these summaries of the meeting written by Save Glen Lakes team members. Currently the City is in the process of finalizing a contract with a new management company, Golf Management Solutions. This company has been chosen because it specializes in assessing failing golf courses and making recommendations. They are already up and running at Glen Lakes. At the end of a year (possibly two), the management company will submit their evaluation of what it would take to bring Glen Lakes "up to par". Our elected officials will then have to vote on whether or not to put the money into updating and revitalizing the course. After 50 years of no capital improvements by the City, the current condition of Glen Lakes includes a 50-year old irrigation system with many antiquated and broken parts. Years of neglectful watering have left some trees and the grounds in poor condition. Their status is being assessed by professionals. The pro-shop, restaurant, and restrooms are all in need of various and numerous repairs. The restaurant will be closed in the short term due to age of equipment and health concerns. Thank you for allowing me to speak. 3. Ms. Denise Clough— Barrel District—51st and Northern Avenue-As a longtime resident of Glendale, I would like to see the Golf Course remain a place where people can come together and enjoy the benefits of being outdoors and recreate with their friends. It adds great vitality and energy to the community. It also serves as a beautiful green belt to cool the heat island effect. People will remain more active and the exercise has many health benefits. The golf course is an integral part of the community and deserves to continue to provide a place to commune with nature. It is in the best interest of the community to allow the continued value this golf course has to offer members of the community and beyond. Children need a place to go and kids can go to the course as a relief from the streets. Golf develops good values, helps with fine motor skills, health, and mathematics and it is good for seniors too. Please consider keeping the course open. 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes of March 12, 2018. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. INFORMATION: RECAP OF 2017-2018 FESTIVAL SEASON Summary: Staff will present an overview of the enhancements/changes that were put into place for the 2017-2018 Downtown Festival Season. This will include information regarding the lighting in the downtown area, spreading out the event activities and vendors, the introduction of the Visit Glendale APP providing festival information to visitors, and free performance space for community groups and tent space for Glendale merchants. Ms. Barriga gave a presentation, which included the following: Overview of Enhancements for 2017—2018 Downtown Festival Season • Hometown Square in the Downtown Area •All white lights throughout Downtown • Murphy Park, the focal point with colored and moving lights • Building rooftops around Murphy Park outlined with white lights •Grand Avenue Entrance (NW and NE corner of 57th Drive and Grand Avenue) •Cleaner Look at the Festivals • Declutter Murphy Park • Reduced number of vendors • Removed inflatable rides in park and on 58th Avenue • Provided vendors with uniform white tents at Glendale Glitters, Glitter& Glow, and Chocolate Affaire • Downtown Festival Application •To provide an easy way for visitors to connect with festival information •Visit Glendale App—Android and Apple • Included festival maps, parking information, activities, and Downtown business information • Updated for Glendale Glitters, Glitter& Glow, and Chocolate Affaire •Community Programming • 1,000 to 1,500 visitors on off-nights •Sunday—Wednesday • Free performances at E Lowell Rogers Amphitheatre • Downtown merchants had the opportunity to sell merchandise in Murphy Park • Recommendation •This overview is informational only and no action is required. •A complete update of the 2017-2018 Festival Season and recommendations will be presented to City Council this summer. •Changes to the upcoming 2018-2019 Festival Season will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission this summer. Ms. Barriga opened the floor to questions or comments. There were no comments. b. INFORMATION: SUMMER PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS Summary: The "Glendale @ Play" magazine provides information about recreational and cultural programs, special events, and classes offered to the general public. In the fall of 2017, the magazine went from quarterly publishing, to three times a year: Summer, Fall and Spring seasons. Staff will provide the Commission with information related to the current publishing contract, the Summer Glendale @ Play/SplashBook content, publication statistics, water safety importance, and youth scholarship opportunities. Ms. Larson distributed the 'Glendale @ Play' magazine, which provides information about recreational and cultural programs, special events, and classes offered to the public. Ms. Larson provided information, which included the following details: •This issue marks one full year of the contract with the outside vendor/designer for the magazine. •At the end of the second year of the contract, staff will assess the results, as well as any impact from the change of issuing the magazine quarterly to three times a year. The magazine is published Summer, Fall, and Spring. •Various articles in the magazine were noted, including information on the new registration software system, water and pet safety, and items featuring Ranger. Commissioner McAffee inquired as to how the public finds out about the magazine. Chair Cole asked if the magazine was emailed. Ms. Larson replied that the magazine is emailed to addresses in the department database and it is also posted on social media in the rotation for the City's homepage. Ms. Larson added that hard copies of the magazine are available at the City libraries and recreation centers, City Hall, the Glendale Visitor Center, and other facilities. Ms. Larson explained that there is a link to the magazine on the Parks and Recreation home page and it is also available on the Parks and Recreation registration page. Chair Cole inquired about the two-year contract. Ms. Larson explained that it is a one-year contract, renewable each year and the City receives a portion of the ad revenue. Ms. Larson commented that it takes time to obtain advertisers, so the City agreed to renew with the vendor for a second year. Chair Cole wondered if the public is asked if they have heard about a program or class via the magazine. Ms. Larson stated that there are surveys in place and the new registration software has the capability to ask certain questions, such as if the registrant is a returning customer, and if the referral was from a friend or the magazine c. INFORMATION: PARK PATHWAYS PROJECTS Summary: The Public Facilities, Recreation and Special Events Department partnered with City of Glendale Engineering to engage a contractor to enhance existing, accessible walkways and create accessible routes to and from various park amenities. Staff will provide the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission a detailed description of the improvements and discuss the project scope and projected time frame for completion. Mr. Gregory gave a presentation, which included the following: Project Focus •Create accessible routes to park amenities • Increase trail capacity along existing routes •Create alternate routes • Enhance fitness opportunities Locations •Thunderbird Paseo Trail •59th Avenue and Thunderbird Road •Orangewood Vista Park •78th and Orangewood Avenues • Discovery Park •79th and Maryland Avenues • Pasadena Park • 87th Avenue south of Camelback Scope of Work— Diagrams provided •Thunderbird Paseo Trail • Enhance nearly 1,400 linear feet of path •Widen over 700 linear feet of pathway • Relieve congestion at pinch points •Signage • Pasadena Neighborhood Park • 10' pathways connecting the north and south of the park •Three fitness stations •Connect to the ramada • Distance markers • Discovery Park—Scope of Work • 10' pathways connecting the east and west side of the park •Two ramadas • Distance markers •Orangewood Vista Neighborhood Park—Scope of Work • 10' pathways connecting to existing pathway •Two ramadas • Distance markers • Landscape rock Total costs: $790,712.66 Commissioner Schiavone inquired if the public is asked not to use a park when school is in session when the City partners with schools on a park. Mr. Gregory explained that the school will have exclusive use of the park from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on school days and all other times, it is a public park. Mr. Gregory explained that these arrangements have usually been very good, and the City shares the cost of maintaining the park with the school. Chair Cole wondered if the fitness stations would have shade covering. Mr. Gregory relayed that shade covers were not in the initial plan; however, this may be revisited as there is some contingency budget. Mr. Gregory noted that it may be very expensive to cover each piece, so staff will research potential strategic placements for shade covers. Commissioner McAffee asked if drinking fountains would be installed at the park with the fitness stations. Mr. Gregory replied in the negative, explaining that a water line would have to be installed and it would cost$15,000 to $20,000 per fountain. Mr. Gregory stated that studies show that most people bring their own water to parks now and, in the valley, it can be hard to keep the water cold enough at the fountains to be refreshing, especially during the warmer months. Chair Cole thanked Mr. Gregory for the presentation. 6. STAFF UPDATES Mr. Gregory provided an update on the following: •Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area and the Master Plan •An assessment will be conducted by Motley Design Group, which will focus on the structures. •The assessment will be included in the Master Plan; however, some items will need to be addressed immediately. •A landscaping assessment will be conducted. Some vegetation is 50 to 60 years old, which is concerning. • It is anticipated that the consultant will present to the Commission at the May or June meeting. • Mr. Burke suggested potentially meeting an hour before the next Commission meeting for the workshop on the Master Plan. •CivicRec Software • RecTrac was the old registration software used by the City for recreation registration. However, the software was becoming antiquated and limiting. • Mr. Cameron Dewaele conducted a great deal of research and recommended a change to CivicRec. •The use of the new CivicRec software began approximately two weeks ago. • Mr. Dewaele will be invited to the May Commission meeting for a demonstration of the new software. •CivicRec has capabilities to communicate with social media. • Users can reserve ramadas and ball fields online, which was not able to be done with RecTrac and users had to make these reservations by phone. •Class instructors have their own portals to access class rosters and more. With RecTrac, staff had to email this information to class instructors. Commissioner Schiavone noted that there was a sign at the Glendale Adult Center stating that members needed new photos. Mr. Gregory explained that new member passes have to be issued due to a new numbering system in the CivicRec software. Mr. Wagner provided information on the Skunk Creek Trail Closure: •The closure will be at 73rd Avenue and Grandview due to construction of a new housing development. •The developer will re-construct the path once construction is completed. Until then, there will be an alternate route. •This detour is anticipated for approximately six months. 7. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Commissioner McConnell asked if the Commission would receive an update in the near future on the Sahuaro Ranch Park Master Plan and the overall Master Plan. Mr. Burke replied that, as discussed earlier in the meeting, there would be a workshop scheduled next month regarding the Sahuaro Ranch Park Master Plan. Mr. Burke added that staff is working on the scope of the overall Master Plan and once drafted, it will be presented to the Commission. Chair Cole thanked staff for a very informative meeting. 8. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will be held on May 14, 2018 at 6:00 p.m., at the Glendale Adult Center- Room 104, located at 5970 W. Brown St., Glendale, AZ 85302. 9. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner McConnell, second by Commissioner Edgar, to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 p.m. Motion carried 5— 0. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting minutes of April 9, 2018 were submitted and approved this 15 day of May, 2018. Gwen Benoit Administrative Support Specialist Denise Kazmierczak Recording Secretary