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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 09.06 PRC MinutesCITY OF APACHE JUNCTION Parks & Recreation Commission 1001 N. Idaho Road Apache Junction, Az. A regular meeting of the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission was held on September 6, 2006, 6:00 p.m. at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Present Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman Conrad Pisinski, Vice -Chairman Vincent Barr Mona Barton Aaron Bradley John Kantowski Sandra Schenone Absent Staff Present: Jeff Bell, Director of Parks and Recreation Corinne Cherryholmes, Recreation Assistant (Aquatics) Mary D. March, Secretary CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Nesser called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Vincent Barr accepted the agenda as presented.Conrad Pisinski seconded and the motion passed unanimously. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Conrad Pisinski motioned to accept the minutes of August 2, 2006, regular meeting as presented. Mona Barton seconded this motion which passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Bell would like to acknowledge those who attended the APRA conference last week John, Theresa, Conrad and Aaron, really appreciate your attendance and hope it was of some value for you. For those who were unable to attend we would like to share with you the —Outstanding Facility" award received for the Multi Generational Center and a wall hanging received from. the Architect when the Multi- Generational Center received a design award from Recreation Management Magazine early this year.Mr. Bell will be giving an annual report to the City Council in October. Mr. Bell introduced Corinne Cherryholmes,Recreation Assistant (Aquatics) to present end of aquatics season report. Corinne distributed information on Aquatic Classes, Water Aerobics, Swim Team, Pool Party Rentals, and Open Swim number for the last three years. Morning swim lessons went down a little this year, we feel this is due to the addition of the 4 day a week evening classes which you will notice evening attendance increased. During open swim non -swimmer customers went down a little, that would be due to the fact that only adults supervising children were allowed in this year rather than allowing anyone not dress to swim. John Kantowski asked why we close Labor Day weekend when it is still hot. Corinne explained, staff is largely made up of student returning to school.Harder to staff and attendance drops dramatically. OLD BUSINESS: Update and Discussion on Park Improvement Projects for Fiscal Year 2006/07. Mr. Bell relayed that we have received proposals for design services for the first phase of the Rodeo Park Improvements. At the next City Council meeting we will be requesting approval to contract these services. We have a design ready to go on Superstition Shadow Park Improvements, the cost estimate is right around $100,000.00. If it costs more, a.formal bid process must be followed, so we are seeking informal quotes from contractors to see which process we are required to follow. We have received a proposal from a landscape/architect firm to design the improvements to the City Hall/Multi- Generational Center, which we will accept and get started on. Update and discussion on ''off -leash" and grant practicum. Mr. Bell. relayed that John Kantowski has asked this be put on the agenda for discussion, relating to the grant practicum he participated in about a year.ago, resulting in a draft grant proposal. Mr. Bell further relayed that we need to have matching funds budgeted and a resolution stating such for state parks.We also need to include this facility in our Master Plan to receive additional points. NEW BUSINESS: Election of officer's for fiscal year 2006/07. Chairman Nesser asked for nomination. John Kantowski nominated Theresa Nesser for Chairman Chairman Nesser asked for any other nominations for Chairman.There being no other nominations Sandra Schenone seconded all in favor none opposed. Chairman Nesser asked for nomination for Vice -Chairman. John Kantowski nominated COnrad Pisinski.Chairman Nesser asked for any other nominations for Vice -Chairman.There being no other nomination Mona Barton seconded all in favor none opposed. Update and discussion on "trails" planning. Mr. Bell briefed the Commission on the status of multi -use trails system.We currently have 1600 acres to the North and East of the City.We have had a master plan document setting on the shelf since 1993. The first phase of fencing and signage has been done over the last 13 years.We have archaeological sites needing to be mitigated, before we can continue, this gets very costly.The plan itself calls for a paved trail for bicycling and a natural trail for horseback riding.The good news is the trail gets used. Pinal County is tackling a large trail master plan, Mr. Bell has been serving on an advisory committee to insure our trail has linkage to Pinal County's trail and our best location for connectivity will be the CAP Canal and utility corridors to the east We currently have linkage with Maricopa County at Usury Mountain Park. Update and discussion on comprehensive Parks & Recreation Master Plan. Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission he asked J2 Engineering, who has done master planning work with Peoria & Queen Creek, for a proposal to do this for us. We received a proposal for more than we have budgeted we need to sit down and negotiate with them.Mr. Bell would like to get a comfort level with where we are going and 'come up with a document that can be easily updated on an annual basis. When your population is above 50,000 state law -requires you have a master plan. Chairman Nesser asked if the Commission could take a more active role, and perform some of the functions for J2 to help cut costs and suggest holding some master planning work sessions and how soon should we start. Mr. Bell suggested getting started with next month's regular meeting. Sandra Sehenone suggested a more specific agenda outlining what needs to be discussed, what particular issues so that they can come to the work session prepared. Mr. Bell asked the Commission for input on what kind of master plan they would like to see, how detailed.The City already has a General Plan that our master plan needs to compliment.. In our current Master Plan we divide into short term goals and long term goals. Mr. Bell suggested .one way to do this is to hold several public meeting seeking input for prioritization of list. Or the Commission can develop a prioritized list and present it to the media and ask for the public's reaction. That seems to work better. Sandra Schenone expressed concerns with not knowing the specifics of development at sites such as, Silly Mountain Park or can it be included on the list with the specifics being provided after it's a part of the list. Mr. Bell replied we need to get all facilities included in the master plan for planning. Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agendas. Parks & Recreation Master Plan, Volunteer Opportunities, Park Improvement Projects Selection of next meeting date. October 4, 2006 CALL TO PUBLIC: Randy Moore with Whiplash off road racing would like to be put on the agenda for next months meeting to discussion use of state trust land adjacent to the Rodeo Grounds for future off road racing events. State Trust is asking for a letter from the City stating there are no objections to this type of use at this location. _ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business and hearing no objections Chairman Nesser adjourned I114_meeting at 7:00 p.m. Conrad -PiAinski, Vice Chairman