HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983 08.22 PRC MinutesCITY OF APACHE JUNCTION
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
1001 North Idaho Road
Apache Junction, Arizona 85220
REGULAR MEETING
August 22, 1983
A regular meeting of the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation
Commission was held on August 22, 1983 at 7:00 p.m. at the
Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to noitce as prescribed by law.
PRESENT
Michael Carden, Chairman
Chuck Heermans, Vice-chairman
Lois Broman, Secretary
Redina Bilotti
Suzanne Bartell
Janice Palson
ABSENT
Jennie Bennett (excused)
Irene Wernett
STAFF PRESENT:Jeff Bell, Community Services
Robin Backer, Secretary
CALL TO ORDER:
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
SUPERINTENDENT'S COMMENTS:
Superintendent
Michael Carden, Chairman, called the
meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Janice Palson made a motion to accept
the agenda as presented.Chuck
Heermans seconded the motion which
passed unanimously.
Lois Broman made a motion to accept
the minutes of the June 27, 1983
regular meeting as presented.Janice
Palson seconded the motion which
passed unanimously.
Janice Palson made a motion to accept
the minutes of the July 25, 1983
regular meeting as presented.
Suzanne Bartell seconded the motion
which passed unanimously.
Staff introduced the new commissioner
Suzanne Bartell.Ms. Bartell will
be completing the term of Lew Fitzwater.
Mr. Fitzwater resigned due to health
complications.Staff told the Commission
that Sandy Renz, Commissioner, submitted
a letter of resignation, stating that
she was moving out of state.
Commission openings will be published
in the local newspaper.
P & R Commission
Regular Meeting
August 22, 1983
page 2
OLD BUSINESS
A.Swimming Pool
Update:
Staff discussed with City Council an
earlier request by the Parks Commission,
to advertise for donations for handi-
capped pool equipment.The City Council
decided that more donations would
be received if the newsrelease was
printed after the return of the
winter visitors.
Adult Softball League continues to be
active.Twelve men's and seven
women's teams are participating.
Initially, six teams participated in
a co-ed league.
Little Rec trs (pre-school) will begin
on September 15.The program
provides schooling for sixty, 3 through
5 year olds.Classes emphasize
socialization skills and kindergarten
preparation.
Staff told the Commission that
registration is being taken for
Dance Aerobics and Jazzercise
classes.A $10 registration fee is
charged for each 8 -week class.
A joint organizational meeting is
scheduled between the City and Chamber
of Commerce to begin preparation
for Welcome Winter Visitor Day.Staff
will update the Commission at the
September 26 regular meeting.
Staff briefed the Commission on the
Little League All -Star Tournament
held during July.The tournament
was deemed tremendously successful,
and was the first Senior Tournament
for the newly sanctioned Apache Junction
teams.
Staff requested and received donations
from the Commission for the Muscular
Dystrophy Horseshow.
Staff received a letter from Hattie
Babbitt, wife of Govenor Bruce Babbitt,
asking for his assistance in planning
a "Put -A -Lid -On -Litter" Day.Staff
will be asked to designate an area
in the community most needy of
cleaning.Then, with the assistance
of volunteer individuals and organizations,
clean the area.The state-wide beaut-
ification project is scheduled for
October 22, 1983.
Staff told the Commission that permits
have been issued varifying the pool's
compliance with standards set by
State and County Health Departments
and the City's Building Department.
P & R Commission
Regular Meeting
August 22, 1983
page 3
B.Summer Recreation
Program Update:
C.Needs Assessment
Workshop:
D.Prospector Park
Update:
Staff told the Commission that in the
original pool drawings access into
the water was through the use of
ladders.Aqua Fab, the pool builder,
donated a set of inground steps,
valued at $1,500.00.
Bob DeBow, Jr., bathhouse constructor,
has applied for his City building permit,
and set a project completion date of
sixty days.
A sixty-day completion date was also
given by Aqua Fab for the swimming pool.
Staff noted the success and overall
increase in the Summer Recreation
Program participants.Approximately
1,200 to 1,400 individuals, including
the Adult Softball League players
participated.
Due to budget constraints, program
operating costs were moderately
reduced from previous years.
Staff acknowledged the school district's
cooperation in supplying facilities
free of charge.
Michael Carden, Chairman, questioned
individual class success.Staff
told Mr. Carden that Adult Creative
Writing was cancelled due to lack of
interest.Also, Beginning Spanish
had little success."How to be a
Magician" was continued despite a
small number of participants.
Michael Carden, Chairman, led a
discussion on the Needs Assessment
Workshop.The workshop was held on
July 7, 1983 in Casa Grande, Arizona.
The purpose of the workshop was to
elicit public input on the needs
and concerns of outdoor recreation.
Results of the workshop will be
prioritized by the Arizona Outdoor
Recreation Coordinating Commission
for use in distributing Federal Land
and Water Conservation Funds.
Commission representatives designated
softball facilities and the attainment
of open space as high priorities for
Apache Junction.Additional Commission
members attending the workshop were
Chuck Heermans, Lois Broman, and Irene
Wernett.
Staff told the Commission that Carter
Associates presented and received
City Council approval of their
conceptual drawings for Prospector
Park.
Lois Broman, Secretary, questioned
funds available during FY 1983-84 for
park development.
P & R Commission
Regular Meeting
August 22, 1983
page 4
NEW BUSINESS
A.Fall Activities:
Staff told Mrs. Broman that the only
capital in the Community Services
Department budget was $55,00000 for
swimming pool lease payments.
A discussion followed on the
feasibility of grading the active
park site, using the free services
of Superior Training School.Staff
continues to be concerned about the
dust problem and disturbing the natural
habitat without developing the land.
Chuck Heermans, Vice-chairman,
suggested ways to increase the publics
awareness of the park site, as an
actual park verses a proposed park
site.
Staff told the Commission that a
major obstacle to development was that,
$15,000.00 of the initially available
funds would be needed for water
extension.
Mr. Bell told the Commission that
once water extensions, grading and
possibly a ballfield have been com-
pleted, he would like to develop an
equipment "wish list".Individuals
would then designate an item off
the list they would like to purchase
for the park.Items range from
trash receptacles to picnic tables,
etc.
Staff requested at the June Parks
Commission meeting that members
provide suggestions for fall youth
activities.Suggestions were to be
geared at youth ,between the
fourth and sixth grade.
A lengthy discussion followed.Issues
considered were transportation, adult
supervision, and available facilities.
Emphasis was placed on the least expensive
activities.Also stressed was the
importance of involving youth at all
levels of physical competence.
After the discussion, the Commission
agreed to investigate the possibility
of organizing a youth soccer program.
Staff will investigate the league rules,
insurance costs, etc.
Chuck Heermans briefed the Commission on
his attempt to organize a Pop Warner
Football program.The program was
dismissed due to lack of available fields.
The Commission also discussed a "Saturday
Spectacular" program.The program,
including e.g., bowling, skating, etc.,
would be aimed at upper elementary
school -aged children.Lack of
transportation was pased as a major
obstacle.
P & R Commission
Regular Meeting
August 22, 1983
page 5
E.Next Months Agenda
Items:
ADJOURNMENT:
APPROVED:
Michael Carden, Chairman, requested
that the following items be included
on next months agenda:Halloween,
"Put -A -Lid -On -Litter" Day, Youth
Soccer Update, Swimming Pool, Fall
Activities.
There being no further business,
Janice Palson made a motion to adjourn.
Suzanne Bartell seconded the motion
which passed unanimously.
CHAIRMAN
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