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Home My WebLink About2008 02.06 PRC MinutesCity of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission 300 E. Superstition Blvd. Apache Junction, Az. A regular meeting of the .City of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission was held on February 6, 2008 at the City Council Chambers pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. PRESENT Theresa A. Nesser Conrad Pisinski - Mona Barton John Kantowski Todd Olear Sandra Schenone Wayne Standage Staff Present: ABSENT - Chairman Vice -Chairman Jeff Bell,Director of Parks & Recreation Liz Langenbach, Recreation Superintendent Nick Blake, Parks Supervisor R. Joel Stern, City Attorney Mary March, Secretary Others Present:Dean Chambers, J2 Engineering and Design Kurt Montei, J2 Engineering and Design CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Nesser called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. and the led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Conrad Pisinski motioned to accept the agenda as presented. Sandra Schenone seconded this motion which passed unanimously. ACCPETANCE OF MINUTES: Mona Barton motioned to accept the minutes of December 3, 2007 regular meeting as presented.Wayne Standage seconded and the motion passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Jeff Bell relayed to the Commission that Dutch will be with us today, this is a tool taken from the Flat Stanley concept to get a better understanding of purposes, the hows and whys. Dutch has already visited all the City Departments in his quest for a better understanding of roles and responsibilities and now he is going to visit boards and commissions for the same purpose. Jeff further reminded the Commission that at last meeting it was decided to limit the agenda to one item, Discussion and input for proposed alternatives for development of Silly Mountain Park. All other agenda items will be assigned to the next agenda possible.Lastly Mr. Bell informed the commission that we have started our budget process, staff has been advised to maintain budget levels as we need to reduce the overall budget by about 4%. OLD BUSINESS: Discussion and public hearing on Silly Mountain Master Plan. 'Jeff Bell provided the following information.In 2006 the City secured a 25 year no cost lease for 200 acres from BLM at Silly Mountain.At that time a commitment was made to repair and revegetate the scar and make the trails safer.With the assistance & great partnership of The Superstition Area Land Trust, we are meeting this commitment. Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission that in their packet they will find a development plan e-mail from Bill Dillenges.Mr. Dillenges has taught Astronomy Classes for Parks & Recreation in the past.You will also find a petition with 128 signatures submitted by Mrs. Linda Scheible, information from the GC Bike/Pedestrain Pathway Organization Committee and a letter from the Moms Club all expressing needs and desires.Mr. Bell further relayed, at this time we have no money for development, this is purely to approve a design for future development. Mr. Bell asked Chairman Nesser to begin with J2 Engineering's presentation of alternatives and entertain questions by the. Comission, followed by a, break for alternatives boards to be reviewed and opening the meeting for public comment.That being said Chairman Nesser turned the floor over to Dean Chambers of J2 for presentation, Dean, Chambers began with a little housekeeping he informed the Commission that eve though the lease is for 200 acres it is actually,186 acres and right of way for US Highway 60.The east side is approximately 170 acres, the majority of which is above the 10% slope line, and can not be built on.Below this line, please note that all facilities designed are lower the 10 of the homes in the surrounding area.All the priorities that were designated as high and medium were incorporated into an alternative as well as some lower priorities.The west side is 16 acres andfwill'mot'likely get kaaller with future right of way related realignment of US Highway 60. Dean explained that they have prepared two Alternatives A & B for the 170 acres on the east side, and 5 options for the 16 acres on the west side of the highway; which also has a large wash that would need to be mitigate in order to develop.This is very costly. Alternative A has one main entrance off of Mountain View Road and access to trail head parking off of Silly Mountain Road. Facilities include desert botanical and demonstration garden, interpretive center, equestrian staging, play area with shade canopy,turf dog park, trailheads, picnic ramadas, restrooms and related parking and low level lighting. Alternative B includes interpretive center, equestrian staging area, covered play areas, volleyball courts, basketball courts, trail heads, 2 grassy areas in addition to the turf dog park associated parking and low level lighting with access from Mountain View Road, US Highway 60 and Silly Mountain Road. For the 16 acres on the west side of the highway Alternative 1 includes a 300' ballfield and 300' multipurpose ballfield with picnic ramada, covered play areas, restroom concession and 130 space parking lot.Alternative 2 proposes an educational, interpretive center, desert botanical and demonstration garden, trail head, ramadas, associated parking.Alternative 3 proposes two 225' little league ballfield and one 300' multi -purpose ballfield, concession/restroom and 175 space parking lot. Alternative 4 is amore of a neighborhood park concept with picnic ramadas, basketball courts, dog park, restroom/concession, shaded play area, turf areas and associated parking and lighting. The last Alternative 5 is to just leave as is and see what happens. John Kantowski expressed his concerns in regards to whether the 16 acres is the best location for ballfields/ playing fields with the impending realignment of the highway and asked about vacant area adjacent to Superstition Shadows or undeveloped area at Prospector Park. Mr. Bell explained that the School District was going to build an elementary school on the area by Superstition Shadows at one time but may have changed their mind, we can certainly explore this avenue. Mona Barton expressed concern with Alternative #4 neighborhood park concept, thought-City'did not want to maintain such types of parks, for those to be developed as part of the housing develop and maintained by HOA. After review of alternatives much input was received with concerns to no lighting, day use hours of operation only, limited access to park, preserving the natural habitat of the wash,increase in vandalism due to lighting, and preservation of natural vegetation versus turf.Of the two alternatives Alternative A was clearly the most popular design. Representative from Little League and Black and Gold Football felt that the 16 acres were not going to be able to accommodate their need and would be interested in pursuing other options. Mr. Bell offered to.meet with them to discuss other options available. Dean Chambers is to bring back lighting recommendations to future meeting.. John Kantowski recommended that no decision be made until next month's meeting allowing the Commission time to thoroughly review all alternatives presented in order to make a more informed decision.All Commissioners were in favor. NEW .BUSINESS: Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda. Silly.Mountain Park Master Plan Alternatives. Presentation and discussion on skate park operation and supervisiOn. Presentation and discussion on roles and responsibilities of Board -and Commission members.Update and discussion on establishing non-profit foundation. Selection of Next Meeting Date: March 5, 2008, 6:-0.0 p.m. CALL TO PUBLIC: ADJOURNMENT: None Their being no further business and hearing no objections Chairman Nesser -adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. APPROVED: Agild11111111111111111 Theres- A. Ness:.m.n Conrad Pisinski, Vice Chairman