HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 12.03 PRC MinutesCITY OF APACHE JUNCTION
Parks and Recreation Commission
1001 North Idaho Road
Apache Junction, Az. 85219
A regular meeting of the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission was held on December 3, 2003 at 6:00
p.m. at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law.
Present Absent
Nick McVicker, Chairman
Patricia Richmond, Vice -Chairman
Richard Anderson
Vincent Barr
Theresa A. Nesser
Conrad Pisinski
STAFF PRESENT:
Shane Phillips
Jeff Bell, Director of Parks and Recreation
Elizabeth Langenbach, Recreation Superintendent
Nick Blake, Parks Superintendent
Mary D. March, Secretary
Roger Hacker, Grants Specialist
Melinda Larson,CDBG Administrative Assistant & Task Force Member
OTHERS PRESENT:Cate Bradley, National Parks Service
Howard Benyas, Task Force Member
Janet Conway, Task Force Member
Jayne Feldman, Task Force member
Don Gabrielsen, Task Force Member
Aubrey Mills, Task Force Member
Priscilla Wade, Task Force Member
Chip Wilson, Task Force Member
CALL TO ORDER:Chairman McVicker called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and the led the
commission in the pledge of allegiance.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:Theresa A. Nesser made a motion to accept the agenda as presented.Patricia
Richmond seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:Conrad Pisinski motioned to accept the minutes of November 5, 2003, regular
meeting as presented.Richard Anderson seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
STAFF COMMENTS:Mr. Bell informed the commission City Council awarded bid of
$11,500,000.00 for construction of City Hall/Multigenerational Center.
Groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 24, 2003 as part of the
City's Anniversary Celebration.
Mr. Bell invited Commissioner Nesser to share with the commission her recent
appointment by the State.Ms. Nesser proudly relayed the State Parks Board
recently appointed her to the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee.
OLD BUSINESS:
A.Open Space Preservation
Update:Mr. Bell briefly informed the commission of the tasks force mission to research
and provide to the commission a recommendation on open space preservation in
order for the commission to formulate a recommendation to the City Council on
this issue.Mr. Bell introduced Mr. Roger Hacker, Grants Specialist and Task
Force liaison.
Mr. Hacker expressed to the commission how delighted he was to be a part of
this presentation and what a pleasure it has been to work with such a dedicated
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Establish Next Meeting Date:
PUBLIC COMMENT:
group of individuals in researching this issue. Mr. Hacker further explained how
the presentation would be made by several of the Task force members.Starting
off with some background information, resources and methods used and
individuals comments, followed by recommendation presentation, continuing
with the importance and benefits to the community of preserving open space and
culminating with the next step and consequences of such an undertaking.
Three options were presented all recommended the 2700 acres that sits adjacent
to the BLM land currently leased by the city and designated as the multi -use trail
system, be considered for preservation.A phased plan that spans 30+ years was
also suggested in all options.
The primary focus of all three options is to assure trail linkage to Usery
Mountain Park and the Tonto National Forest creating a 25 mile, long distance
loop trail, producing a world class outdoor recreation experience with marketing
potential for natured based tourism and small business prospects.
The overall focus of all three options is to preserve and protect existing quality
of life amenities, outdoor recreation opportunities, surrounding mountains and
extraordinary views and having the foresight to create a legacy for future
generations.
Upon designation of open space areas for preservation the City can then request
the State Land Commissioner to reclassify said land for conservation. These
areas have to meet the Arizona Preserve Initiative criteria and must be purchased
at fair market value.Once the land is reclassified, matching funds for
acquisition can be applied for through an Arizona State Parks program, this
would be a 50/50 match.
Funding is a great concern and not only for acquisition.Other concerns include
staffing consequences, security,maintenance, equipment needs, regulatory
concerns, etc...
Theresa A. Nesser asked if once the land has been designated for preservation
can it be purchased at any time.
Cate Bradshaw replied that land can be purchased by anyone for any purpose,
designation does not protect the land from being purchased to develop.
Conrad Pisinski asked if there were federal funds available for this purpose.
Cate Bradshaw answered, no direct federal funds available, there is some
opportunity with the Land Water Conservation Fund and State Heritage
matching money.
Mr. Bell asked Mr. Hacker when we would get report from Trust for Public land
on our capabilities.Mr. Hacker answered the first quarter of 2004.Mr. Bell
expressed this to be crucial information.
Commission members after further discussion decided to designate meetings for
study session to further discuss this issue, starting with January's regular
meeting and go from there.They further thanked the Open Space Task Force
for their hard work and dedication.
January 7, 2003
NONE
ADJOURNMENT:Their being no further business Conrad Pisinski made a motion to adjourn.
Patricia Richmond seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
APPROVED:
Chairman
Vice -Chairman