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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 8/9/2021Glendale A R I Z O N A MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION HISTORIC SAHUARO RANCH PARK FRUIT PACKING SHED 9802 N. 59TH AVENUE GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85302 AUGUST 9, 2021 6:00 P.M. Parks and Recreation Mission Statement A partnership of employees and community working together to create a better quality of life for Glendale through the provision of excellent parks, recreational programming, special events, tourism, and neighborhood and community facilities. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Schiavone called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Chair Schiavone conducted roll call. Present: Gayle Schiavone, Chair Sam McConnell III, Vice Chair Stephanie June, Commissioner Kathryn Mawby, Commissioner Reginald Martinez, Commissioner Also Present: James Burke, Director Walter Varney, Assistant Director Paul King, Recreation Administrator Diane Williams, Program Manager Caitlin Biliske, Park Ranger Supervisor Kelly Brookins, Civic Center Event Coordinator Laura Sauls, Recreation Coordinator Ryan Berninzoni, Parks Superintendent Adan Salaiz, Park Ranger Attendees: Bette Conley, Citizen Rosa Sauz, Citizen 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS Ms. Rosa Sauz made comments regarding her concerns to the Commission, which included the following: • Who is supposed to feed the peacocks and who is in charge of them? The peacocks are part of the park's history since 1933. If you take the tours or go on the website, they are part of the history of the park. There is an injured peacock right now that has been injured for almost a week that has been sitting and she cannot find one single individual, company, or rescue that can come and help it. It needs help. Who is responsible? I thought since they are part of the park history, the park itself was supposed to take care of it, but I can't find anyone that can assist that peacock and it is just sitting there. I called Glendale Police and they were supposed to send a police person to take a look. I called Fish and Game and they don't consider it part of their department. I called another company, Fallen Feathers. They will take the peacock and help it, but someone needs to get the peacock and physically take it. • I would like to know who is in charge of the library parking lot? What are the hours of opening and closing? • I would like to know about the feeding of feral cats. Myself and other individuals have been doing this for eight years or more. Taking care of them because a lot of them are dumped here by individuals. My friend here, Bette, actually was in your park and saw someone drive up, drop, and actually leave a black cat. Just dumped it. I know you have signs and everything but that doesn't do any good because people will dump cats. They dump bunnies. They dump rabbits. They dump chickens, roosters, you name it, they dump it, because there's no one here taking care of that. There's no one here that can be patrolling 24/7. You might have cameras, but I don't know if those cameras are really working. Because when I was coming to the park, I would see people pee on the buildings, sit on the rails, take pictures where they are not supposed to take pictures. I see kids on their bikes speeding on the front porch, on bikes, on skates, and any scooter. I used to call and report it, but then I was being harassed for calling on these individuals. So, I stopped calling. I said, you know what, let the park fall apart. I'm not going to do that. I'm not getting paid by the City of Glendale to do this. I was doing this as a courtesy. But when I'm being harassed by park rangers, it became all bets off. So if see something, I turn a blind eye. I'm not going to assist. Somebody was in the back orchard taking pictures and started to do something with some fire and smoke and the trees caught on fire. I had to call and say, 'The park is on fire' and they go, 'Where?' and they finally say, 'Oh, now we see the smoke.' But I'm not going to do anything after that. Because I figure, if those of us that are walking and trying to assist and protect what we call this beautiful park and history, and would like it to be moved to a status where people get rid of the picnic tables so they don't bring food and all that trash and peacocks are not being chased by kids on the weekends, people are not doing things to the buildings they shouldn't be, and trying to knock down doors, and trying to break windows. Because there's no park ranger on duty. And, I've been told many times, there's not enough rangers to be everywhere at anytime, but when you call one of them the first thing I'm told is to try calling police. Well, I'm not calling police, because once they come out here it's he and she and you get into arguments and I'm not going to go there. Chair Schiavone asked Mr. Burke for information as to how staff will respond to these comments. Mr. Burke stated that that citizen's contact information was on the yellow speaker card and staff will follow up to set up a time with the citizen for response. Ms. Sauz stated that she spoke with Mr. Paul King and thanked him for taking her call. Chair Schiavone thanked Ms. Sauz for all she has done. Ms. Bette Conley made comments regarding her concerns to the Commission, which included the following: • I also help with feeding the cats. It's been a great place for me to bring my grandkids. • I would like to add, when we're being harassed feeding the cats, there have been so many that have been dumped here that there is a group of women who come in. We don't have to trap and release these cats because these were cats that were dumped. We are removing them at our own expense from the park, getting them fixed, rehabilitating them, and we're finding them homes. So to harass us for coming and feeding and trying to help the situation here. I alone have taken eight cats out of this park in just the last year, and have found new homes for them and have paid to have them cared for. I currently have one right now that was so badly abused in the park, that got dumped here, I don't know if I'll ever get her back to normal. But it is a problem and I just don't think that harassing someone that's come here, trying to do good in an ugly world, should be harassed. Chair Schiavone asked how the citizens were being harassed? Ms. Conley gave an example of being told they were not allowed to feed to cats, as they are feral. She stated that most of the cats in the park were not feral and she can walk up to them and touch them. She said these are animals that were abandoned in the park. She said as soon as the group finds a new dumped cat, they work fast to get the cat out of the park and rescue it. She stated the group was there to help the situation and get the cats into homes. Chair Schiavone asked who was harassing her? Ms. Conley stated that some of the officers present have a problem when the group comes and feeds the cats. She wondered with all of the issues going on at the park, why the officers would pick on some women who are feeding cats. She said the group was not just feeding, but rescuing and taking the cats out of the park, at their expense, to get them into homes. She said the other side of it was to help and keep the park clean. Chair Schiavone thanked Ms. Conley for her comments. 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes of June 14, 2021. Motioned by Commissioner Reginald Martinez, seconded by Vice Chair Sam McConnell III to approve the June 14, 2021 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting minutes as written. Motion carried 5 — 0. AYE: Chair Gayle Schiavone Vice Chair Sam McConnell III Commissioner Stephanie June Commissioner Kathryn Mawby Commissioner Reginald Martinez Passed 5. NEW BUSINESS a. INFORMATION: COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Mawby reported that some of her neighbors commented to her that Sunset Park looked really good because of the recent rains. Commissioner Mawby stated that the neighbors requested replacement of the playground equipment. Commissioner June stated that her family has been participating in the programs at Foothills Recreation Center and it was nice to see the programs running at full speed again. Vice Chair McConnell stated that the experimental field at Sahuaro Ranch Park had not received good care for the last year and a half. Vice Chair McConnell commented that the Truck & Tractor group is looking at other possibilities for the field, such as planting oats, and welcomed suggestions for ideas or volunteers to assist the group. Chair Schiavone reported that she visited the Glendale Adult Center in late July and the facility looked beautiful. She noted that there used to be cups available for drinking water, however on her last visit, there were no cups, only the bubblers. Chair Schiavone commented that cups should be available at the facility as an easy source of water for senior participants to stay hydrated. b. INFORMATION: PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH Mr. Burke announced that July was National Parks and Recreation Month and Mayor Weiers issued a proclamation for the City as such. Mr. Burke displayed the proclamation and a copy was provided to the Commissioners. C. INFORMATION: NEW STAFF IN PUBLIC FACILITIES, RECREATION & SPECIAL EVENTS DEPARTMENT. The following new staff members were introduced and brief backgrounds were provided. • Laura Sauls, Recreation Coordinator • Kelly Brookins, Civic Center Event Coordinator • Caitlin Biliske, Park Ranger Supervisor d. INFORMATION: RECREATION UPDATE Mr. King gave an update on programs in Recreation, which included the following: • Summer Aquatics Programs oThe new Rose Lane Splash Pad is up and running • Summer Youth Camp Programs o Two locations for youth camps were open to serve the community in north and south Glendale. oA maximum of 40 children were allowed in each program due to COVID. The previous maximum was 80 children in each camp. o There were special programs and themes each week, such as Nature Week or Super Heroes • Fall/Winter Programming o Registration and information for the Fall/Winter programs are in the new Glendale @Play, which was distributed to the Commissioners. o Programs include Youth Flag Football, Youth Baseball & Softball, Special Holiday Events, Lap Swim • Glendale Community Center After School -Program o New Program for the community • The program began August 9, 2021 • The ages served are 5 to 14 years old • Dates and Times: School days — 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Early Release Days — 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. • The Glendale Community Center has now been designated as a bus stop for the schools, so the children arrive by bus to the Center. • The program is free to the children. Chair Schiavone noted that two of the larger community events were scheduled at the Foothills Recreation Center and inquired about inclusiveness of the other areas of the City. Commissioner Mawby echoed Chair Schiavone's comment. Mr. King replied that the Movies in Park are being held in different locations throughout the City and also Live@Murphy Park is in downtown Glendale. Mr. King stated that staff would be building on offerings in different locations in the future as well. Mr. Burke concurred with Mr. King. Chair Schiavone inquired about the Chocolate Affaire for 2022. Mr. Burke stated that staff is taking the discussion on this event to City Council in September. Mr. Burke surmised the event would be an indoor event in February 2022 and stated staff issued an RFP for vendors in regard to running the event. Chair Schiavone said that having the outdoor movies in different locations was a positive engagement. She expressed concern regarding the viability of downtown Glendale. Mr. Burke stated staff will work on other plans for events in downtown Glendale. Commissioner Martinez stated that he would like to see more programs back at Sahuaro Ranch Park. Commissioner Mawby inquired about potential transportation to include residents from other areas of the City, if they did not have their own transportation to attend events. Mr. Burke relayed that for the last few years, the three community centers were run by outside vendors and the City is slowly taking over the centers. Mr. Burke stated he would like to see budget funds for programming at the community centers over the next few years. Mr. Burke commented that by using the Disparity Report, staff can find creative ways to do things differently. e. INFORMATION: PARKS UPDATE Mr. Varney provided a Parks update, which included the following information: • Two New Positions in the Parks Division. The process of hiring is underway. o Service Worker o Senior Service Worker • CIP Projects Update o Heroes Lake Update • Four -acre lake • Fishing piers, benches, ramadas, landscaping . Currently under construction • $4.7 million project . Recent construction challenges with rain and material supply constraints o Sahuaro Ranch Ramada Project Update • $550,000 project • Replacing ramada columns and beams • Picnic table planks are being removed, stripped, and repainted • The project is slated for completion in time for the ramadas to be open for use on October 1, 2021. FCI Constructors, Inc. is the contractor on the project. A weekly activity report from FCI regarding the project was distributed to the Commissioners, which included the status and photos of the construction activities. 6. STAFF UPDATES Mr. Burke announced the following: • A new fiscal year has begun and there are 35 projects in the CIP for the next five years. • Staff is obtaining proposals for a consultant to prepare a Master Plan for Sahuaro Ranch Park. A Master Plan will also be developed for Thunderbird Conservation Park. Input from the public and the Commission will be obtained and included as part of the plans. • New resources are coming into the City in the form of an additional phase of federal funds. Staff is working on a list of additional projects that will meet funding guidelines. Mr. Burke will have more information on this item in the fall. Staff is looking for a location for a new splash pad in the central area of the City. The proposed splash pad will be similar to the one recently constructed at O'Neil Park. 7. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Commissioner Martinez stated that this was his first meeting whereby members of the public expressed comments during the meeting. He inquired about the process for Commission or staff response. Mr. Burke explained that a public comment opportunity is always on the agenda. Mr. Burke explained that staff will follow up with the members of the public regarding the concerns expressed and the Commission will be briefed on the follow-up as well. Vice Chair McConnell stated that the members of the public who commented this evening indicated that the park guards acted inconsiderately towards them. He said that he has been around the parks staff, and he has never had anyone treat him impolitely. He expressed concern if the residents who spoke this evening were not treated considerately. Chair Schiavone commented that it was nice to have the Commission meeting in a different location and announced the September meeting would be held at the Foothills Recreation Center. Commissioner June indicated that she was not always able to visit different City facilities, and it was nice to see them via the Commission meetings. 8. NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will be held on September 13, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., at the Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale, AZ, 85308. 9. ADJOURNMENT Motioned by Vice Chair Sam McConnell III, seconded by Commissioner Reginald Martinez to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 p.m. Motion carried 5 — 0. AYE: Chair Gayle Schiavone Vice Chair Sam McConnell III Commissioner Stephanie June Commissioner Kathryn Mawby Commissioner Reginald Martinez Passed The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting minutes of August 9, 2021, were submitted and approved this 13th day of September 2021. Gwen Benoit Administrative Support S ecp ialist Denise Kazmierczak Recording Secretary