HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 03.03 PRC MinutesCITY OF APACHE JUNCTION
Parks and Recreation Commission
1001 N. Idaho Road
Apache Junction, Az.
85219
A regular meeting of the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission was held on March 3. 2004 at
6:00 p.m. at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law.
PRESENT
Patricia Richmond, Vice Chairman
Richard Anderson
Vincent Barr
Theresa A. Nesser
Conrad Pisinski
STAFF PRESENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
ABSENT
Nick McVicker (Excused)
Shane Phillips
Jeff Bell, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mary D. March, Secretary
Roger Hacker, Grant Specialist
Cate Bradley, National Park Service
Howard & Joyce Benyas, Task Force Member
Janet Conway, Task Force Member
Don Gabrielsen, Task Force Member
Jane Feldman, Task Force Member
Melinda Larson, Task Force Member
Aubrey Mills, Task Force Member
Priscilla Wade, Task Force Member
Betty Swanson, AJ News
Don Davidson, Sr. Softball League
CALL TO ORDER:
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
PUBLIC COMMENT:
STAFF COMMENTS:
Vice -Chairman Richmond called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and
led the commission in the pledge of allegiance.
Conrad Pisinski made a motion to accept the agenda as presented.
Theresa A. Nesser seconded this motion and it passed unanimously.
Theresa A. Nesser motioned to accept the minutes of February 4, 2004,
regular meeting as presented.Conrad Pisinski seconded this motion
which passed unanimously.
Jeff Bell requested the Commission consider addressing this agenda
item prior to Staff Comments to accommodate Mr. Davidson.With the
Commission's permission Mr. Davidson 400 N. Plaza Drive Lot 265
Apache Junction, Az. 85220, expressed thanks for the ballfield
improvements at Prospector Park.Mr. Davidson also expressed
concerns about scoreboards that were purchased for the ballfield but do
not work. He further expressed his discontent with staff for allowing
teams from other communities, that out class local teams, to participate
in our leagues.
Jeff Bell relayed to the commission the we have hired a new Park
Ranger, Cynthia Thario and part time, 24 hours per week,Account
Clerk 1 , Evie McKinney.
Jeff Bell also informed the commission of some community events that
are taking place this month at our facilities as follows: Bluegrass
Festival, Lost Dutchman Days, The Antique Tractor and Early Day
Engine Show.
OLD BUSINESS:
A.Open Space Preservation
Discussion/Action:Roger Hacker, distributed TPL report to commission. The report was
favorable.TPL will send a representative to a future City Council to
make report presentation and answer questions.
B. BMX Facility Discussion:
After discuss in regards to funding possibilities Theresa A. Nesser
made a motion accepting the Task Force Report in its entirety and
recommending Option III to the City Council.Conrad Pisinski
seconded this motion which passed unanimously.
Mr. Bell distributed a draft report for BMX facility to the commission
and relayed that the City Council had directed staff to research this type
of facility.The draft report will be presented to the City Council in
April.Included in this report is the input received from the steering
committee at last months meeting, liability information, cost associated
with operation.There are few of these facilities in Arizona.
Mr. Bell further explained the report is an information item as
requested by Council, this will not come back to the Parks and
Recreation Commission until the City Council requests formal
guidance.
Parks and Recreation Commission directed staff to move forward with
the report on BMX Facility.
C. Park Project Update:Jeff Bell informed the Commission that the Multigenerational Center
development is on schedule.
D. Heritage Fund Update:
Jeff Bell distributed copies of Chapter 15 of the City Code- Public Park
Rules and informed the Commission ,staff is in the process of
updating public park rules.Through the Park Program we have been
tracking issues that we deal with and cannot enforce because they are
not covered in Chapter 15.Chapter 15 was developed along with
Prospector Park over 15 years ago, with the addition of the skatepark
and the upcoming multigenerational center we are dealing with issues
and will be dealing with issues that did not exist at that time. Theresa
A. Nesser pointed out that on page 3#b service dogs are not addressed.
Mr. Bell will check what is covered under federal law, good point.
Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission we have meet all our
administrative responsibilities associated with the grant for Superstition
Shadows Park and are waiting on ideal conditions for installation of
turf to complete project.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Request for Upcoming Agenda:Open Space Preservation Discussion; BMX Facility Discussion:Park
Project Update; Heritage Fund Update; Sr. Softball Issues
B. Next Meeting Date:April 7 th or May 5 th, 2004 as needed, staff will advise.
ADJOURNMENT:There being no further business Theresa A. Nesser made a motion to
adjourn.Vincent Barr seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Chairman
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Vice Chairman