HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 04.04 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 April 4, 2007, 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
Mona Barton
John Kantowski
Sandra Schenone
Aaron Bradley
Staff Present: Jeff Bell, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mary D. March, Secretary
Others Present:Salvador Delgadillo, Sharon Fonzo, Dee Lefke
& Dylan Lefke, Martin Loftis,Joy McNulty,Todd
Olear, Wayne P. Standage.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Nesser called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm and
led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
John Kantowski accepted the agenda as presented.Mona
Barton seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
Conrad Pisinski motioned to accept the minutes of March 7,
2007 regular meeting as presented.Sandra Schenone
seconded this motion which passed unanimously.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Mr. Bell provided a list of potential volunteer
opportunities to the Commission.
Mr. Bell further relayed that last night City Council
determined how they were going to fill vacancies of boards
and commissions.They are inviting all candidates to
attend next months meeting. Conrad Pisinski's and Mona
Barton's terms are up for renewal and both have expressed
interest in continuing and should be receiving invitation
to next months Council meeting along with any new
candidates.
OLD BUSINESS:
Discussion on Park & Recreation Master Plan (Public
Hearing}.
Mr. Bell expressed his appreciation to all in attendance
and relayed that the master plan document is about eight
years old and reflects the project priority at that time.
As a result of the Capital Facilities Improvement Program
we have accomplished most of the top prioritized projects
over the past five years.These completed projects need to
be removed and prioritize project list updated.This is a
partial update, when the City updates the General Plan in
the next several years, we will be doing a more
comprehensive update as part of that process.
Staff has put together a recommendation based on requests
that have been received from the public over the last eight
years.Some of these projects include a BMX Facility, Dog
Park and Acquisition and Preservation of State Trust Land.
Over the next three months public hearing will be held to
see if any other projects need to be included or
prioritization changed.
Salvador Delgadillo inquired on status of multi -use trail
system archaeological sites related to the preliminary
investigation of 1988.
Mr. Bell relayed that investigation is still referenced and
we are still required by BLM to mitigate archaeological
sites in order to complete development of the multi -use
trail system.Estimates for this work is well over a
million dollars. Fortunately the trail system is useful in
it's current condition.
Martin Loftis has been a resident since 1995 and has been
involved with the Lost Dutchman Marathon and expressed his
concerns with motor vehicles accessing the trail system and
turning them into roadways.He would like to see the City
protect and rehabilitate non -motorized trails, it has great
possibilities.
Mr. Bell relayed that these issues have been identified and
our department, over the past six or seven years has fenced
a lot of this area, that was originally wide open, with a
goal to fence completely, and has established a Park Ranger
Program that patrols and enforces rules and regulations
related to the trail.
Sharon Fonzo, Teacher with the School District expressed
her excitement about Bark Park and her class's excitement
about a BMX Facility.
Dee Lefke & Dylan also expressed their interest in the BMX
facility.Also, likes the idea of it being located away
from the skatepark and would like to see a bike trail that
meanders through the city with connectivity to the schools.
Wayne Standage expressed his interest in equestrian trails
and has been working with Pinal County trails personnel.
He relayed that a lot of people are moving out to Apache
Junction from Scottsdale because it is becoming
increasingly more difficult to ride horses due to
development.
He also inquired if the rodeo arena was going to be covered
as part of the current improvements.He has heard a lot of
comments from people that a covered arena would be great,
extending time of use for training, etc_
Update and discussion on FY 2007/08 Budget.
Mr. Bell relayed that staff was directed to keep budget
flat.We have not requested anything for improvements
projects but did request a small amount for design of a
Dog Park and Silly Mountain Park,positioning ourselves
for when funds become available.Our department has met
with the Budget Committee.The City Manager is to present
to the City Council in about a month with adoption
scheduled in June.
Update and discussion on Rodeo Park Improvements.
Mr. Bell relayed that Southern Bleacher was awarded the bid
for covered bleachers at the Rodeo Grounds in the amount of
$450,000.00 this includes storage areas under the
grandstands and should be completed in 5 months.
We are still in negotiations with Valdez Construction on
the Restroom Concession Building and hope to get approval
from City Council in May.
Discussion on establishing "Friends of Parks".
John Kantowski relayed that he has been very interested in
the idea of how to solicit & receive donations for park
improvements.At last months meeting he brought this up
and found out that it needs to be and outside group with,
5013c status like "Friends of the Library ".Since last
month's meeting he has been researching what it would take
to form a 5013c "Friends of the Parks" or "Park Pals" in
the process he met with Bernadette and Dolores of the Pinal
County Volunteer Center who have suggested we form this
group under there 5013c and utilizing their volunteers and
allowing them to be paid administration fees.
Theresa Nesser would like to get direction from Joel Stern
& City Manager on how to proceed.
Mr. Bell relayed that our involvement with Pinal County
Volunteer Center would depend on how the Articles of
Incorporation and by laws are written.He further informed
the Commission that he had mentioned the idea to the City
Attorney in general and learned that Roger Hacker our
Grants Coordinator has been talking with the City Attorney
about forming a generic 5013c organization.The City
Attorney is researching and will be meeting with Roger and
Jeff in the near future.
Mr. Bell also encouraged Commission members to go the
Foundation for Mesa Parks and Recreation's website.This
is a volunteer group for Mesa Parks and Recreation that is
doing what you are interested in.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion regarding pet issues on City property.
Conrad Pisinski requested this item be placed on the agenda
last month, in regards to people walking their dogs in a
park area between 13th and 14 th on San Marcos and not
cleaning up.Mr. Pisinksi asked Mr. Bell to post signs.
Mr. Bell suggested installing a dispenser, along with
signage and enforcement by Park Rangers.Mr. Bell relayed
a dispenser was installed at the Library/Complex Park a
couple of years ago because it was a problem area and we
found out if provided most people will utilize.
Commissioners felt this was a good way to benefit the
community.
Discussion on creating communications binders for
Commission.
Mr. Bell asked the Commission to give staff ideas for
communication binders.
Basically having all the information together and readily
available is the desire. Minutes and agendas will still be
generated electronically and also included in binders along
with other pertinent information.
Request for Upcoming Agenda Items.
Discussion on Parks and Recreation Master Plan (Public
Hearing); "Park Pals" Update; Rodeo Park Improvement
Update; Pet Issues
Selection of Next Meeting Date.
May 2, 2007 at 6:00 pm
CALL TO PUBLIC:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business and hearing no objections
Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 7:50 pm.
APPROVED:
4
Vide.Chajhman