HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 08.03 PRC MinutesCITY OF APACHE JUNCTION
Parks & Recreation Commission
300 E. Superstition Blvd.
Apache Junction, Az. 85219
A regular meeting of the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission was held on
August 3, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as
prescribed by law.
Present Absent
Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman Sandra Schenone
Conrad Pisinski , Vice Chairman
Vincent Barr
Mona Barton
John Kantowski
Patricia Richmond
Staff Present:Jeff Bell, Director of Parks and Recreation
Liz Langenbach, Recreation Superintendent
Mary D. March, Secretary
CALL TO ORDER:
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
A. Update on Operational Issues:
Chairman Nesser called the meeting to order at 6:03
p.m. and led the Commission in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Vincent Barr made a motion to accept the agenda as
presented.Patricia Richmond seconded the motion
passed unanimously.
Conrad Pisinski motioned to accept the minutes of
July 6, 2005 as presented.Mona Barton seconded
and the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Bell informed the Commission of personnel
changes and additions as follows: We are recruiting
for three additional part time/24 hour Recreation
Leaders to work at the Multi -generational Center.
If you know anyone with good Customer Service
skills who would like a part time job at $9.00 per
hour.
Park Ranger, Cynthia Thario who was out on
Family Medical Leave due to shoulder surgery has
returned to duty full time today.This will offer
great relief to the Park Ranger Program all other
Park Rangers are part time evening positions.
We have offered the position of Parks Shop
Technician, to Daryll Forrest who comes to us from
the Mesa School District. He will start Monday,
August 8 th.This vacancy was created when Bruce
Ward took the Facility Maintenance Worker
position at the Multi -generational Center.
Multi -generational staff that has been hired at this
time has been very busy training, unpacking and
setting up equipment and furniture, readying the
facility for the public.
Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission that their Parks
and Recreation shirts should be delivered at the end
of this week and they will have them by the time the
recreation center opens or by next months meeting.
The Trust for Public Land representative will be
present at the September meeting to refresh our
memories and update us on open space issues.
In October, we will begin working on our next
Capital Facility Project, which is the Rodeo Park
Project.With the help of Project Manager Ray
Delzotto, who will help facilitate discussion with
public to see what amenities we would like to see at
the Rodeo Park,we will need to priorities and
associate budget numbers.This will be about a
three-month process.
Mr. Bell shared with the Commission two letters
received by our department.One from the City of
Phoenix Park Ranger Program, expressing how
impressed they were with our facilities and staff.
The second was from a parent of an autistic child
who participated in our Learn to Swim Program
who could not say enough about his instructor, Nick
Sutton.
B. Introduction of Staff:Mr. Bell introduced Liz Langenbach, Recreation
Superintendent.
Liz informed the Commission as the Recreation
Superintendent she is in charge of the Recreation
Division side of Parks and Recreation and came to
the department during her college years as a
Recreation Leader in Open Gym Program and
Basketball Clinics and things just kind of stuck.
She was originally going to school in psychology
and has been very fortunate that position have
opened for her.The Recreation Division is very
excited with all the new things happening, and of
course the Multi -generational Center is on the top of
the list,with the opening coming up at the end of
the month. The Recreation Division is split up into
different program areas operated and coordinated by
Recreation Coordinators in School Programs,
Special Interest, Aquatics & Special Events, Adult
& Youth Sports & Facility Reservations and
Marketing.The division has been creating goals
and priorities, on how to increase participant
numbers, reassessing and re-evaluating the
community's needs.
Liz distributed a brochure on the Multi -generational
Center with membership information and facility
amenities listed.These are being made available to
the community this week.Closer to the opening we
are planning to sending out a postcard invitation.
Other than program areas she is responsible for
researching and preparing division budget and
oversees all facets of personnel.
C. Discussion on Volunteer Opportunities:
OLD BUSINESS:
A.Park Project Update:
Mr. Bell asked Liz what special events are coming
up.The next special event would be Punt, Pass,
Kick, Halloween Carnival, G.A.I.N. Event, and
greeters for Multi -generational Center,
approximately 3rd week of August, the grand
opening will take place October 22nd.Liz also
relayed that we can always use help in the school
programs area with the AM Rec program the 2nd
and 4 th Mondays of the month.
Mr. Bell informed the Commission that BLM has
asked for our assistance in doing an environmental
assessment of the Silly Mountain site this year.
This would help to move our application along, we
have been waiting for five years.
Prospector Park Parking lot improvement has a few
minor cosmetic issues.
Phelps Drive Improvements has Nick Blake heavily
involved in the landscape design.We will also be
responsible for maintenance upon completion.
B.Multi -Generational Center Update:
C.Heritage Fund Report:
Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission that the walk
through inspection is scheduled for tomorrow.If
everything goes well we plan to conduct tours and
sell membership beginning mid August and be open
for use by the 1st of September.
Mr. Bell reiterated the importance having this on
our monthly agenda as it serves us well for grant
opportunities.
Mr. Hacker is offering a grant writing class in
January and has offered to use the Dog Park as the
project.
NEW BUSINESS:
A.Request for Future Agenda Items:
State Land/Open Space; Silly Mountain Lease
Application Site Plan; Volunteer Sign Up Sheet;
TPL Presentation
B.Establish Next Meeting Date:September 7, 2005
PUBLIC COMMENT:None
ADJOURNMENT:
APPROVED:
There being no further business Vincent Barr made
a motion to adjourn, Mona Barton seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
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Vice Chairman