Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 12.07 PRC Minutes CITY OF APACHE JUCNTION 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 December 7, 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 Conrad Pisinski, Vice-Chairman Vincent Barr Mona Barton John Kantowski Patricia Richmond Sandra Schenone Staff Present: Jeff Bell, Director of Parks and Recreation Jill Nowak, Recreation Coordinator II School Programs J.J. Underwood,Recreation Assistant School Programs Mary D. March, Secretary Others Present: Ray DelZotto, Pinnacle One,Gary Mulholland, SMPC, Glenn Frederickson and Larry Stoffard, Arizona Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Nesser called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Patricia Richmond accepted the agenda as presented. John Kantowski seconded and the motion passed unanimously. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Vincent Barr motioned to accept the minutes of November 2, 2005 regular meeting as presented. Conrad Pisinski seconded and the motion passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: A: Update on Operational Issues: Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission that parks staff in currently busy removing equipment at Goldminers Park,;the LDD Church did not renew lease agreement and we will no longer have_use of the facility as of the first of the year. Mr.Bell also distributed recent talent bank applications received. B. Introduction of Staff: Mr. Bell introduced Jill Nowak Recreation Coordinator II and J.J. Underwood Recreation Assistant responsible for School programming. Jill Nowak informed the Commission that she was born in New York and was raised in neighboring Mesa. She has been involved with children for about 13 years now mainly related to recreation. After she graduated from college she took a position with Mesa at their Multigenerational Center and from there went to their open gym program which she ran for about 2.5 years. About 2.5 years ago a full time position with the City of Apache Junction came open in Aquatics, she applied and got the position and has loved working here every since. Her position began as Aquatics and School Programs and has now become solely school programs. School Programs include the AM Rec program which is offered on late start days. We offer the parents and opportunity to drop the children off at their school, because they still need to get to work, where we have an open gym like program until school begins. Afterschool Sports consists of 3 or 4 eight week sports programs ran after school throughout the school year for e&5`h graders. Cool Kidz Club is an after school program at Four Peaks and Desert Vista we transports SMES kids to Four Peaks, we offer activities after school until parents can pick up children after work we try to incorporate some educational activities also. We have a Volunteer Club at the High School that meets monthly to decide:service projects. We still offer Open Gym programs during the summer and during holiday school breaks. We also offer a lunch time program at the middle school two days a week, one day they will play board games and the other they do a sports activity. J.J. Underwood informed the commission that he began participating in Parks & Recreation programs when he was about 8 years old. He volunteered for 2 years with the summer program and when he was sixteen he was hired part time to work summer open gym programs. He has also field supervised, worked special events and afterschool sports and is know a full time employee. C. Discussion on Volunteer Opportunities: Jill Nowak at Mr. Bell's requested relayed that.Winter break open gym begins December 26, 2005 and runs until January 9, 2006 from 7:30 a.m., to 5:30 p.m. daily Monday-Friday and assistance is always appreciated. OLD BUSINESS: A Rodeo Ground Development Discussion: Mr. Bell reminded the Commission that tonight is the third and final night for the commission to receive public input on the Rodeo Ground Development and turned the meeting over to Ray DelZotto. Mr. DelZotto asked-if anyone needed to add anything or further clarify,anything at this time and recapped what has been discussed up until this time. Theresa A. Nesser asked what is the process, what happens after this third meeting. Ray DelZotto explained that this input will be used to develop a solicitation for qualified designers to do a master plan, this should take from now until the better part of June 2006. However, the department has just completed selection of landscape architects for on call services. Some of those firms mentioned that they have consultants they work with the that have expertise in this area. If this is the case this could save us some time by not going through a completely separate selection process. Several conceptual renderings will be provided for public and commission input. Mr. DelZotto highlighted that since the last meeting you will see the addition of dedicated area for development of Tractor Museum/Exhibition Center and plowing demonstration and pulling areas. Gary Mulholland asked where this area was designated expressing concern with sites size. Mr. DelZotto explained that it would be an expansion to the current facility. Mr. Mulholland believes that the area designated for RV parking is excessive and should only offer dry camping. Mr. Mulholland also relayed to the Commission that the SMPC in cooperation with the City Parks Department will be performing improvements by redesigning the roping end of the arena prior to Lost Dutchman Days a donation of approximately $10,000.00. Mr. DelZotto, after review of amenities list, asked if anyone thought anything should be removed or added. Chairman Nesser felt that we should leave the list as is, allowing a qualified design team to see our suggestions and get an idea of our goal, fine tune and make suggestion of things we have missed. B. Park Project Update: Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission that the environmental assessment of the Silly Mountain site has been completed as required. BLM staff has completed a cultural survey and are putting the final touches to their report. BLM believes we should have a lease by the end of the month. The improvements to the parking area at the Little League Complex have begun this is a cooperative project between the city and school district. Our department has retained a-landscape architect firm to provide services to other city departments on an as need basis, allowing Nick Blake our Parks Superintendent to get back to Park design. C. Heritage Fund Report: Mr. Bell relayed that the November 8"'meeting scheduled to discuss the sunset clause was cancelled, he has-an AORCC meeting tomorrow, there is no update at this time. D. Multi-Generational Center Update: Mr. Bell relayed that the Multi-Generational Center continues to average visits of 350 people per day and has generated and estimated $110,000.00 to date. Theresa Nesser asked if we are keeping track of requests like time frames for specific classes, hours of operation, programming suggestions, etc... Mr. Bell relayed that we are doing exactly that, we have a suggestion box for public comments. At about the six month point Mr. Bell would like to have Multi-Generational Center staff make a presentation to include requests made to that point. Conrad Pisinski asked if we have had many requests for the installation of a pool, by Silver Sneaker members who were present and expressed concerns at last nights council meeting. Mr. Bell explained that the Silver Sneaker Program is a health maintenance program available to medicare eligible individuals. Saguaro Family Fitness has held contract and provided this service. The Silver Sneakers Program is not renewing their contract with Saguaro Family Fitness. We have been contacted by Silver Sneakers to provide these services. We do not have a swimming pool or spa and would like to work something out with Saguaro Family Fitness to meet the needs of people who benefit by water therapy/exercise. Mr. Bell relayed that we have been dealing with an odor problem at the Center. Pinnacle One and contractor or working on resolving this problem. Mr. Delzotto explained that they believe that the odors from vent stacks are being sucked into the air intake, when the weather is cooler the odors sits closer to the building and do not flow as freely. Everything is developed to code and meets all requirements. NEW BUSINESS: A. Discussion on Grant Practicum: Mr. Bell relayed that Roger Hacker,City Grant Specialist will be taking interested individuals through the Heritage Fund Grant process, by preparing a grant for a dog park facility. This group will be presenting their grant application to the Parks &Recreation Commision in March as if they were the awarding body. We will benefit by having a complete grant application for future consideration. B. Request for Future Agenda Items: Update on Operational Issues; Staff Introduction; Discussion of Volunteer Opportunities; Park Project Update; Heritage Fund Report; Multi-Generational Center Update; Discussion on Grant Practicum. C. Establish Next Meeting Date: January 4,2006 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business,Patricia Richmond motioned to adjourn.. Conrad Pisinski seconded and the motion pass unanimously. APPROVED: Chairman Vice Chairm