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Home My WebLink About1989 02.27 PRC Minutes CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 1001 North Idaho Road Apache Junction, Az 85219 REGULAR MEETING February 27, 1989 A regular meeting of the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission was held on February 27, 1989 at 7.00 p.m. at the Apache Junction City Hall Complex pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. PRESENT ABSENT Judd Williams-Vice Chairman Loyd Lynch (Excused) Lois Broman - Secretary John Granillo Jr. (Excused) Paul Miller Nick McVicker Ramona Sleeseman STAFF PRESENT. Jeff Bell, Director of Community Services Mary March, Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: Paula West, Tempe Sister City Association CALL TO ORDER. Judd Williams, Vice Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE• Judd Williams led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA• Nick McVicker made a motion to accept the Agenda as presented. Paul Miller seconded this motion which passed unanimously. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES• Ramona Sleeseman made a motion to accept the minutes of January 23, 1989, regular meeting as presented. Nick McVicker seconded this motion which passed unanimously. STAFF COMMENTS. Jeff Bell distributed monthly highlights and informed the Commission that• Henry Arias was hired on as a Laborer I with the Parks Division in January. The Clerk/Receptionist position remains vacant pending election results and position assessment. The Chamber of Commerce will not be budgeting funds for the 4th of July fireworks display The City will be fully responsible for this annual, community wide celebration and will be seeking approval from the City Council to expend $3,500 to $4,000 for the fireworks display, which was not an expense anticipated in the department's current fiscal budget. Igor's Cowboy Jazz Band, which was received r P & R Commission Regular Meeting 2/27/89 Page 2 exceptionally well during our Concert in the Parks Series, have been contracted to perform on the 4th. NEW BUSINESS A. Sister City Discussion• Guest speaker, Paula West of Tempe's Sister City Association, briefed the Commission on how Tempe's program was set up. Their Pik emphasis is on student exchange and their organization is volunteer and separate from the City. Lois Broman asked what needs to be done initially and how long it takes? Ms. West explained that determining whether its going to be a volunteer organization or what kind of affiliation to have would be one of the first steps. Setting criteria for participation, joining Sister Cities International and submitting your criteria for comparison and referral purposes would be next. Then correspondence with other cities should be initiated. The initiation process takes anywhere from 6 months to 2 years with an average of 1 year. Jeff Bell, asked how Tempe's organization was funded? Ms. West explained Tempe has approximately 300 families participating in their program and membership dues are a minimum of $15.00 per family. They also receive annual donations from businesses e.g. Coors - $2,000, Tex Earnhart - $5,000 and do fund- raisers. Jeff Bell also asked, if Tempe concentrated on a student exchange program initially and does it conflict with other student exchange programs available9 Ms. West replied, Tempe's program began with an emphasis on student exhange. The kids stay involved, either by being selected or through a youth group, families parti- cipate by being hosts to other youth, serving as Board members, which are elected by people holding membership, or volunteering. And it does not conflict with other exchange programs, it's just another alternative. Nick McVicker asked if there is a criteria for selecting student exchange participants and what is it9 Ms. West explained that Tempe does have a selection criteria, that consists of 9 factors, which include communication skills, interaction with adults, neat appearance and P & R Commission Regular Meeting 2/27/89 Page 3 maturity. Grades and economical status are not factors in this process. Ms. West suggested that it would be beneficial to send a representative to the Sister City National Conference, which is being held in Portland, Oregon this year If anyone is interested they can contact her for more information. OLD BUSINESS• A. Status of Park Projects: Jeff Bell informed the Commission that: Designs for Little League Field Renovations and Prospector Park Phase III are 90% complete, waiting for approval on septic and zoning clearance from Final County. Once approval is received plans will be completed and we can apply for grants. Final inspection on Phase II of Prospector Park is scheduled for Tuesday, January 30th. City Council has given approval for the removal and replacement of the shuffleboard courts at our expense, based on concerns with future grant opportunities being jeopardized. The City Attorney will con- tinue to work on recouping the replacement costs. Courts should be completely replaced in 60 days. B. County Park Acquisition: Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission that even though he has not been officially notified he has read in the local newspaper that Final County has ceased all negotiations with the City on the County Park and are considering developing a County Complex at the site. Mr. Bell expressed concerns about maintenance of the facility in the mean time, the need for a centralized park in the community and the location being crucial to the face of Apache Junction. After some discussion Lois Broman made a motion for recommendation to the City Council giving support to pursue acquisition of the County Park as a park and directing staff to send correspondence to the County expressing interest in acquiring park as such. Nick McVicker seconded this motion which passed unanimously. C. Expenditure Limitation Discussion• Mr. Bell reminded the Commission of the up- coming election on March 21 and the crucial issue of proposition 100 and urged their support. P & R Commission Regular Meeting 2/27/89 Page 4 NEW BUSINESS. B. Facility Use Manual Discussion. Mr. Bell distributed copies of the current Facility Use Manual for review and annual updating and expressed consideration in increasing ballfield rentals, due to the amount of staff time expended for weekend tournaments and the future renovations of ^ the Little League Fields. Mr Bell will also contact the City Attorney to see if he is still comfortable or has any comments in regards to insurance or malt beverage permits. And would like to submit a newsrelease seeking community input. C. Request For Upcoming Agenda Items: Status of Park Projects, County Park Acquisition, Facility Use Manual, Sister City Discussion, 4th of July Fireworks. BOARD DISCUSSION. Judd Williams inquired on the status of John Granillo's resignation. Jeff Bell said he would contact John and find out his intentions. PUBLIC COMMENT. NONE ADJOURNMENT. There being no further business, Ramona Sleeseman made a motion to adjourn. Lois Broman seconded this motion which passed unanimously. i APPROVED. ( .2 2t/ C/ lh,,-d VL ,g/-1 01%4 MAN !LE_ CIIltffealf/d SECRETARY