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Home My WebLink About2007 11.07 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 November 7, 2007, 6:00 p.m. at the Parks and Recreation Meeting Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Present Absent Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman Todd Olear, Excused Conrad Pisinski, Vice -Chairman Sandra Schenone, Excused Mona Barton John Kantowski (left at 7:00PM-Veterans Parade Meeting) Wayne Standage Jr. Staff Present:Jeff Bell, Director of Parks and Recreation Kelly Martin, Park Ranger Supervisor Mary D. March, Secretary Others Present: Kurt Montei, J2 Engineering and Design 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: Conrad Pisinski motioned to accept the agenda as presented. Wayne Standage seconded and the motion passed unanimously. ACCEPTANCE OF MINTES: John Kantowski motioned to accept the minutes of October 3, 2007, regular meeting as presented.Mona Barton seconded this motion which passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Bell informed the Commission the City Council approved the Master Plan amendment as recommended. A contract with consulting firm was also approved for the design of a dog park at Prospector Park, this will put us in a bid ready state should funds become available. Mr. Bell also informed the commission that he had the opportunity along with Rosemary Shearer from S.A.L.T. to present and discuss the Silly Mountain Park Project with the Gold Canyon Adobe Group.At that meeting Marta St. James, local dog enthusiast, asked if he would provide the new members of the commission with a dog park report that had been provided several year ago. OLD BUSINESS: Discussion and public hearing on Silly Mountain Park Master Plan. Mr. Bell provided background information as follows, about six years ago we applied for lease of Silly Mountain Park. Which took about 5 years for the ELM to act upon, approving lease of 200 acres at Silly Mountain approximately a year ago. BLM requires a development plan so we have contracted with J2 Engineering and Design to lead us through the master planning process, this is the second of three public hearing soliciting input, the third and final meeting will be held December 3rd.SALT has expressed interest in working cooperatively to revegetate the scar up the front of the mountain and define trails up top.After the third hearing J2 will provided alternatives based on input received, at which time the Commission will make a selection to forward to City Council. Mr. Bell further relayed that Dean Chambers of J2 and Nick Blake, Parks Superintendent would not be present tonight due to prior commitments. Mr. Bell opened the meeting to public comment, asking that each person state their name and address for the record. Mr. Bell also mentioned that on each seat you will find the results from the first public hearing in October. Jeff Serdy suggested ballfields be put on the 16 acres on the other side of the highway.There would be some concern with the lighting in 'relationship to the proposed Rhodes Home development and location of bypass alignment. Mr. Bell explained that scope of work provides for the design team to have a conversation with Rhodes Homes. Larry Williams 563 E. 10th Avenue Apache Junction, with Black and Gold Football League, recently had a tournament at Prospector Park the Apache Junction Little League assisted with parking issues.Mr. Williams expressed that our facilities and their working relationship with Parks and Recreation are better than any other in the valley. The biggest challenge that youth groups are faced with is vying for the same facilities. Wayne Standage inquired about goals identified in the recently amended master plan for lighting of the school ballfields. Mr. Bell explained that we have identified a shortage of lighted fields in the community, it is our intent to partner with the school district in an effort to light existing fields at an estimated cost of $100,000.00 per field. Laurie Casarez 6994 S.Sipapu Ct. Gold Canyon, mentioned the AJ Little League and Black and Gold Football League would like to work with the Parks and Recreation Department to obtain funding from Diamondbacks or Cardinals to help with more ballfields if approved. Jeff Bell, relayed that former council member Waldron had asked for this to be looked in to.We had an intern, who needed a project, so we have a report on the Diamondback program, and they have a limit of $100,000.00 per grant. Wayne Standage asked about utility accessibility. Mr. Bell replied no problem, electric already there and 24 inch water line going in currently. Rosemary Shearer with S.A.L.T., also old little league mom, explained that State Land has leased land for parking if you don't believe the 16 acres would accommodate enough parking for ballfields. She further mentioned that the bypass alignment has not been committed to as of yet to her knowledge and suggests to stay very involved with planning when alignment is addressed. She also mentioned that night lights will be a concern these are always and issue, especially in this area, but feels all these areas are resolvable. Chairman Nesser inquired if we build in this area can the state take for bypass. Mr. Bell explained it would probably involve at lot of attorneys.If we had something there it would fair better. Also our planning department is working with Rhodes Homes and their consultants working with the state land planning and they are aware of our development plans in this area, its being considered with all the development. Wayne Standage asked if one football field that could be converted into two softball fields on the slope of the mountain would be workable. Chris Ballow 2685 S. Gila Road, Apache Junction, that would be a great idea but, football and baseball will still be vying for the same area, youth leagues cannot keep up with growth currently. Chairman Nesser asked ideally how many fields would be needed. Chris Ballow suggested 4 softball, 4 baseball and 2 football. Betty Swanson 5274 E.3 2 nd Avenue, Apache Junction lives adjacent to park area and expressed that her neighborhood would like to keep the lights on the other side of the highway, ballfield activity does not lend well to the sereneness of the Mountain. Mr. Bell introduced Kurt Montei from J2 Engineering to explain what each individual is to do with dots and blue sheets. Kurt Montei explained that on the blue sheets individuals can put down their suggests and turn them in and with the five dots each individuals is to put a dot on each area of interest if area is not listed, open areas are provided for additions. Discussion and possible recommendation on Park Pals/Foundation concept. Mr. Bell explained that the Commission has been looking at different avenues on how to set up a non-profit organization outside of the city's confines for fundraising purposes by the community.We have received input from Friends of the Library and Mesa Art Center and Parks and Recreation Foundation.Roger Hacker, Grants Specialist presented an umbrella concept where several entities are served under one non-profit.We are to a point where we need to decide which way to go, a non-profit stand alone for Parks and Recreation or an umbrella concept serving many entities. Chairman Nesser asked which would be more advantageous. Mr. Bell replied staff's position is the umbrella would make more sense initially, providing a better opportunity to get up and running. Chairman Nesser read into the record an e-mail Todd Olear provided in his absence, in support of establishing and all encompassing non-profit organization. Conrad Pisinski motioned that staff proceed with umbrella concept for 501C3 with Roger Hacker.Mona Barton seconded the motion which passed 4 in favor, 0 opposed, 3 absent. NEW BUSINESS: Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agendas. Public Hearing Silly Mountain Park Master Plan;Skatepark Discussion; Parks Foundation Selection of Next Meeting Date. December 5,6:00 p.m.at the Parks &Recreation Meeting Hall. CALL TO PUBLIC: Chris Ballow asked what can be done about supervision at skatepark.He has a 12 year old son having issues with older children at Park. Chairman Nesser explained we can put this on next month agenda for discussion. ADJOURNMENT: Their being no further business and hearing no objection Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. /-7r -/7"/ Conrad PisVski, Vice Chairman