HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 09.05 PRC MinutesAPACHE JUNCTION PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
PARKS AND RECREATION CONFERENCE ROOM
1001 North Idaho Road
Apache Junction, Az. 85219
A regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was held on September 5, 2001,6:00 p.m. at
the City of Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law.
PRESENT ABSENT
Nick McVicker, Chairman
Patricia Richmond, Vice -Chairman
Stephanie Fish
Theresa A. Nesser
Conrad Pisinski
Richard Anderson (Excused)
Clyde Nelson
STAFF PRESENT:Jeff Bell, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mary D. March, Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:Mitch Pugh and David Ballard, Renaissance Point HOA
CALL TO ORDER:Chairman McVicker called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led the
Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE AGENDA:
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
Pat Richmond motioned to accept the agenda as
presented and Theresa Nesser seconded the motion
which passed unanimously.
Theresa Nesser motioned to accept the minutes of
April 4, 2001, May 2, 2001 and June 6, 2001. Pat
Richmond seconded the motion for April 4, 2001 and
May 2, 2001. Nick McVicker seconded the motion
for June 6, 2001.Motion passed uanimously.
STAFF COMMENTS:Mr. Bell introduced and welcomed new commission
members Stephanie "Sam" Fish and Conrad Pisinski.
Mr. Bell informed the commission that we received
approval in this year's budget for two park positions
one being a Park Supervisor and the other a fulltime
Park Attendant position.We will be recruiting to fill
these positions in October.On the recreation side we
can always use more part time recreation leaders to
help with programs we hold at the school, like lunch
time recreation, afterschool sports and the a.m.
recreation' program which is new this year.
Recreation leaders also field supervise and work
special events as needed.
Mr. Belt relayed to the commission that at the end of
last year we had approximately 4,950 participants in
our recreation database. For the first four months of
this year our participant level has increased to 5,600
OLDBUSINESS:
A. Renaissance Point Landscaping Discussion:
B. Park Project Update:
participants.This increase is largely youth , due to
the summer recreation program and fall youth sports
programs. These figures do not include participants
in our adult sport leagues and senior softball leagues
which would account for an additional 1,200 to 1,500
participants.
Mr. Bell informed the commission that the School
District has made several requests of us this year.
They have expressed interest in applying for a grant
for the development of a ropes course at Superstition
Shadows Park. They have also requested the City
run an Open Gym program at night for young adults.
We will do our best to work with the district on these
requests, with what resources we have available.
Mr. Bell welcomed Mitch Pugh and David Ballard of
Renaissance Point Home Owner Association back
for further discussion in regards to the
rocking/landscaping of open space (wash) area at
Renaissance Point.
Pat Richmond asked if the Renaissance Point HOA
would be interested in taking over the maintenance of
that area once improvements were made.
Mr. Pugh and Ballard said they could put together
some costs on what it would take to maintain the area
and take it before the home owners board for their
consideration.
Mr. Bell will check on what it will take to formally
landscape this area.
Stephanie Fish asked if this area was deeded over to
Renaissance Point how would it affect the
development of community trail proposed in that
area.
Mr. Bell informed the Commission that Superstition
Shadows Park Skateboard Park is underway and bid
date for Swimming Pool Renovations is scheduled
for October 4, 2001 with Council award at October
16th meeting and construction to begin in November.
Improvements to maintenance building at Prospector
Park are complete.
Mr. Bell informed the Commission about the Arizona
Preserve Initiative where state land is reclassified as
open space and made available for purchase.Which
is very expensive. Lots of legislative initiatives
dealing with open space have been created, some
designed where communities designate so much open
C. Senior Center Relocation Discussion:
D. Multi -generational Center Discussion:
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Discussion of APRA opportunities:
B. Request for Upcoming Agenda Items:
C. Establish Next Meeting Date:
PUBLIC COMMENT:
ADJOURNMENT:
APPROVED:
space and the state has to sell it at an open space
price.
As this all develops there are three groups, the
education group lobbying for open space
preservation assisting the school system; Ranchers
and developers and their views on how much state
trust land should be preserved and then there is us
types who are working with SRP to set aside some
million acres across the state.The City Council at
their September 4, 2001 meeting adopted an
ordinance authorizing the inclusion of City of Apache
Junction Open Space in the State Trust Land Reform
Initiative for November 2002.
Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission that due to our
unsuccessful attempts to find the Senior Center a
larger facility.The Senior Center has decided to wait
for the development of the multi -generational center
since they are to move over there. We are providing
them some additional storage and dividers until the
project is complete.
Mr. Bell informed the Commission that the Boys and
Girls Club has had to utilize some of their funds for a
new facility to operate and maintain existing facility.
They have no plans to spearhead any major
fundraising for a new facility at this time.
They are a young organization that is struggling right
now and are not ready to partner in this type of
venture at this time.
Mr. Bell relayed that the Executive Director of
APRA requested names and addresses of board
members. They have a Board and Commission
section, Celeste Hamilton is the Chairman of this
section, they would like to get more volunteer board
members involved and keep them more informed.
Commission members feel this would be beneficial.
Renaissance Point Landscaping Discussion; Park
Project Update; Facility Tour.
October 3, 2001
None
There being no further business Pat Richmond
motioned to adjourn the meeting Theresa A. Nesser
seconded this motion which passed unanimously.
Vice Chairman