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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 10.15 PRC MinutesCity of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission 300 E. Superstition Blvd, Apache Junction, Az. A meeting of the City of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission was held on October 15, 2008 at the City Hall Council Chambers pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. PRESENT Theresa A. Nesser - Chairman Conrad Pisinski - Vice -Chairman Stephen Amrhein Mona Barton John Mahony Sandra Schenone Wayne Standage ABSENT Staff Present:Jeff Bell,Director of Parks & Recreation Mary March, Secretary CALL TO ORDER: Vice -Chairman Pisinski called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. and led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Mona Barton motioned to accept the agenda as presented. Wayne Standage seconded this motion which passed unanimously. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Mona Barton motioned to accept the minutes of September 3, 2008 regular meeting as presented.Wayne Standage seconded and the motion passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Bell thanked the Commission for their cooperation in accommodating this meeting outside of the regular schedule. Mr. Bell advised the Commission that Sandra Schenone was reappointed to the Commission for another three year term and introduced newly appointed members John Mahony and Stephen Amrhien and asked if they would like to tell the Commission a little bit about themselves.John Mahony, moved to Arizona from Braceville, Ii. about a year ago.Prior to moving here Mr. Mahoney had served on Braceville's Building and Grounds Commission for 5 years.He lives at Indian Summers.Stephen Amrhien explained he and his wife were winter visitor from 1997- 2000.They decided it was too expensive going back and forth so they moved to Arizona.Stephen has been retired for 21 years and has the need to be involved and welcomes the opportunity to learn more about parks and recreation so he can be more actively involved. Mr. Bell has been working with the VFW in sponsoring the American Traveling Tribute, which is an 80% replication of the Vietnam Wall.The tribute will be located at Prospector Park beginning March llth , around the clock through March 16, 2009. All Veterans organizations are involved in this cooperative effort.No one organization is wanting credit all prefer this be considered a community event. This Saturday October 18, 2008 is the Phestival on Phelps, from 8am to 5 pm we will have a booth, stop by if you would like and add your expertise.The Carnival starts tomorrow they are setting up in the old Bashas Plaza today.The musical entertainment will be performing by the Chamber on Saturday. On November 15 & 16 the Superstition Art Show will be held at Central Arizona College this is the 3 r d year for this event.The event has been expanding to include musical entertainment and the Boys and Girls Club will be offering a Kid Zone making it a more family friendly event.Scott Taylor is coordinating and is doing a great job marketing the event. City Council member Joe Severs resigned his seat and is relocating to Gilbert.His term goes through June 2009, the Council will be discussing what to do about filling this seat. In response to inquiries related to having a commissioner participate by telephone in order to have a quorum, the attorney said this can be done it just needs to noted in the minutes a such. Mr. Bell relayed we have been dealing with an issue, related to a food coop called Bountiful Baskets.They provide a wonderful service to members of the coop. The coop was started by a couple of ladies out of Mesa and has grown statewide.How it works is you can •go online and purchase a basket of produce for $15.00 + a processing fee of $1.50, they pool the money received contact a wholesale produce company and they tell them what they can provide for that amount.They contacted us for use of a facility for delivery and distribution of the produce. They were denied for several reasons our park rules do not allow for commercial activity, there group was growing with 30-35 members currently, whith:requires a reservation and fees would:be required. They--alSoneeded a facility -on an ongoing basis, this . type of use isHalso:prohibiteth They used the facility anyway. We 'contact them to get more information on their operation, we. received,a,letter They were very aggressive about us violating. their rights and civil liberties, claimed:bthercities:were cooperative.At the:request of the City Manager we allbw.them to use our facilities until we could get -our srms around this Staff contacted other.:cities they had claimed to have working relations with, research found that they were either using areas not related to cities but 1 -1.0 -A's or the :cities were unaware -of there use, but in most „cases the use would be _a prohibited under their city's rules-, also. The City Attorney has determined in order for them to continue they would need to reserve a facility, following the guidelines in place, get a city business license and provide a certificate of insurance.He is drafting a letter to that affect.Before the letter gets sent off,1 we would like to come up with possible locations that would suit their needs to provide them.This is an affordable opportunity for our community and fills a need. County Supervisors Smith has been contacted but, has not yet replied. The Vice -Mayor is checking with Veterans organizations. They do not what to use a church.If anyone has any suggests please advise. Chairman Nesser suggested contacting Judy atHthe Boys & Girls Club the club is -not in use on SaturdayS.. OLD BUSINESS: Discussion and recommendation on proposed -offleash facility and Phase:lIV development of Prospector Park Mr. Bell _presented the -Off -Leash Facilityand. Prospector Park Phase,IV -Development Plan to the Commission.The plan includes additional parking and restroom facility, entrance :area with grass area and water feature:, perimeter -trail.for walking and calming,d0gs and pod concept, -which has proven -to be better for: turf maintenance.Each pod has picnic ramadas]and-double gate entry system.Planning,process involved.input -from:Marta St. James local dog enthusiast, -Animal Control Officer S011ey, award:winning dog park:design -company J2 Engineering , Park Superintendent Nick Blake -and Mr. Bell.This facility is lit, estimated _cost for plan is Mr. Bell requested -a_ motion of reCommendation:to the City Council. Mona Barton was concerned with operating costs and development funds for this type of facility.This facility serves:aspecial interest group and takes away from activities for kids -like -the BMX Bike Park,:which:are desperately needed, for our youth.So further expressed: that she would like special interestHgroups, be requested to raisefunds towardadevelopment of this:type of Mr. Bell explained many funding avenues can be looked into. This project is part of the master plan as is the BMX Park.The Library was the last project of the first Capital Facilities Plan.We want plans available for funding opportunities and to be included in Capital Facilities Plan II. Conrad Pisinski madeHa motion recommendingapproval of plan for. Off -Leash, Facilityand:Phase IV Development :of. Prospector. Park to the City Council.Wayne Standage.seconded this motion and it passed unanimously,, Chairman Nesser inquired which meeting will this be scheduled for.Mr. Bell replied, :most likely thesecond meeting in November- Update and discussion on fiscal year 2008/09 budget. Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission that the City of Apache Junction has not been immune to what is going on with the economy, at the beginning of our Fiscal Year which is July 1st revenues were projected to be about 2.5 million less this year than last. At the end of September revenues are projected to be an additional 1.2 million less, estimating 4 million less than last years budget or :2 million less than projected. All spending as been suspended, any and allpurchases require approval through the City Manager's, Office.,No training, no hiring, :staff has. been asked to go back and see what they can trim ,from their bUdgets_Parks and Recreation 'has _offered up an additional $20,000-takingour budget to 3.9 million with 3 million -being salaries.',The Police Department 'has cut an additional 700,000A0 they .have the,largest_budget. of 9 million. The City is looking at a 1096 .reduction and believes these measures will accomplish what is necessary.The Manager's office 'has asked all departments to look at how we .can generate revenues.-.,OUT departmentHbrings in about $600,',000A0 annually. SO:in the near future staff will be bringIng_fee issues before, the Commission.For example resident/non-resident fees, youth serving' 'organizations currently axe not charged,—should they be? Pool rentals are very fairi.should they be increased? Staff will research and provide to Commission for input and possible recommendation to City Council. The City Manager currently has a list of 50 ideas for potential revenue generators from Property Taxes to increasing P&R fees. While considering fees we need to keep in mind timing is critical with Home Rule Vote coming up in March. Update and discussion on Silly Mountain revegetation efforts. S.A.L.T. who has provided a tremendous amount of volunteers and time in the development of the trails system at Silly Mountain Park, has scheduled for a Contractor to come and overseed the scar starting November 5th. The overseeding should take about two weeks.In addition starting the first Wednesday in November and every Wednesday after through the winter they are going to add a new trail. Currently there is only one trail up to the trail system, people are still utilizing the scar, even though it is signed. So an alternate trail is going to be offered in an attempt to keep people off the scar, giving the overseeding a chance and hopefully we will get the necessary rain this winter. Mr. Bell relayed that Ranger Martin reported today finding a trail sign axed down and someone had attempted to burn it.This is the first vandalism experience in about a year. Mr. Bell further suggested inviting S.A.L.T. to a future meeting and to thank them for all they have done and how much we appreciate them. Discussion and possible action to establish date for facilities tour for Commission. Mr. Bell asked the Commission when they would be interested in conducting a tour of Parks and Recreation facilities.After some discussion Saturday November 8th or Saturday December 13th were settled on. Mr. Bell needs to check his calendar may have a conflict with November 8th. The Commission will meet at the Parks and Recreation office at 8:00 a.m. and begin the tour with the Multi -Generational Center, complete tour should last about 2 hours.Department Secretary will notify commissioners of date the following work day. NEW BUSINESS: Presentation and discussion on acquisition of additional BLM lands (Commissioner Standage). Wayne Standage relayed to the Commission that the City Parks and Recreation Department had put in a request for BLM Land through the R&PP Act in the Goldfield Ghost Town Area.BLM asked for the City to rescind their request due to mining claims in the area.Wayne feels this would be a good time to request this land again from BLM to insure the continuation of our trail system.Wayne would like permission for he and Mr. Bell to draft a letter to BLM for this purpose. Chairman Nesser asked if we put in for the lease will they lease it to someone else and when are we required to meet the archaeological requirements. Mr. Bell informed the Commission that he does not know if a letter will be sufficient or if BLM will require a new application.What we need first is a recommendation to City Council for staff to pursue and get this included in the City's acquisition plan.Mr. Bell, also for the new members benefit, explained that all the areas they see shaded green on their maps are lands already leased by the City. Chairman Nesser asked if BLM was to notify the Parks and Recreation Department when the land became available. Mr. Bell believes he made that request at the time of withdrawal. Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda. BLM Land -reapply for Lease; FY08/09 Budget/Fee Review/Discussion; County Park Land (17 acres); City Attorney/Open Meeting Laws, etc...; Meet P&R Staff. Selection of Next Meeting Date: November 5, 2008, 6:00 p.m. at the City Council Chambers. CALL TO PUBLIC: ADJOURNMENT: None Their being no further business and hearing no objections Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 7:36 p.m. Conrad PisInski, Vice Chairman