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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 02.04 PRC MinutesCITY OF APACHE JUNCTION •Parks & Recreation Commission 300 E.Superstition Blvd. Apache Junction.Az.85219 A regular meeting of the Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission was held February 4. 2009.6:00 p.m.at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Present Theresa A.Nesser,Chairman Conrad Pisinski.Vice -Chairman Stephen Amrhein Mona Barton John Mahony Sandra Schenone Wayne Standage Absent Staff Present: Jeff Bell.Director Parks and Recreation Nick Blake,Parks Superintendent Keith Graves,Parks Supervisor Kelly Martin.Park Ranger Supervisor Joe Ornellas,Parks Supervisor March March,Secretary CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Nesser called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Conrad Pisinski made a motion to accept the agenda as presented.Sandra Schenone seconded and the motion passed unanimously. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Sandra Schenone motioned to accept the minutes of January 7,2009.meeting as presented.Wayne Standage seconded this motion which passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr.Bell relayed to the Commission that staff has met with Martin Loftus and are discussing a desert bike race event for this fall.Budget constraints have been shared with Mr.Loftus and he has offered to solicit sponsorships. Mr.Bell further relayed to the Commission that the next eight weeks are going to be very busy with community events.Upcoming events include the Lost Dutchman Marathon. Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo,Southwest Senior Softball Tournament,Superstition Horsemen's Association's Fun Event.Veteran's Traveling Tribute.Arizona Early Day Tractor and Gas Engine Association Show.Goldfield Ghostriders Poker Ride. Recreation staff has just completed fee research.Staff made their service presentation to the City Council and will be presenting at the Citizen Leadership Institute next week and to the Commission at next months meeting. Finally,the Focal Point project is well underway and looks like it will be completed ahead of schedule. OLD BUSINESS: Presentation and discussion on fiscal year 2008/2009 budget shortfall. Mr.Bell explained that staff has not received any guidelines at this time in preparation for next years budget. Mr.Bell provided a handout related to proposed budget savings for 09/10 budget that has been approved by the City Manager.As an example by offering two open gym sites for the summer program plus at the Multi -Generational Center,rather than four school sites a significant savings in part-time seasonal staff is realized with little impact to services offered. Theresa Nesser commented that i t looks like the plan does not impact recreation activities negatively. Mr.Bell replied that is indeed the intent. NEW BUSINESS: Introduction of key park division personnel and overview of responsibilities. Mr.Bell introduced Nick Blake,Parks Superintendent,Keith Graves and Joe Ornellas,Parks Supervisors and Kelly Martin,Park Ranger Supervisor,who head up the operations of the Parks Division. Keith Graves informed the Commission he has been with the Parks Division for 13 years starting as a Parks Attendant.Currently supervising a team of eight employees handling all responsibilities of the Parks Division due to Joe Ornellas and his team moving to right of way maintenance. Joe Ornellas informed the Commission he came aboard about the same time as Keith as a Parks Worker I and worked his way up.Initially Joe explained,he was reluctant to take on the Right of Ways responsibilities as he enjoys maintaining City Parks. Kelly Martin relayed he has been with the City of AJ 4 years and supervises 5 Rangers and 4 Park Attendants,his crew is responsible for Park cleanliness and safety.Kelly has nine years of Park Rang& service and relayed he would prefer not to work for anyone else - you cannot get the administrative support anywhere else like you do here. Superintendent,Nick Blake stated his job is made easier because of these three gentlemen. Nick came to the City from the private sector 14 years ago,and of all the places he has worked,he has enjoyed working with the City's Parks and Recreation Department the most. Everyone that works for this department has a real passion for what they do. Wayne Standage asked if the parks division would benefit from utilizing volunteers to help with park projects like fence maintenance,etc_ Mr.Blake replied that we have reaped the benefits of volunteers in the past for such projects.The biggest issue is insurance coverage,the organization must carry their own insurance. Mr.Bell relayed the Pat Brenner,the City's Public Relations Officers is putting together a blip on volunteer needs/opportunities. Mr.Bell also relayed that Commissioner Mahony will be lending his expertise,in assisting our shop technician with small parks equipment maintenance. Presentation and discussion on the American Veteran's Traveling Tribute.' Mr.Bell shared a video presentation on the American Veteran's Traveling Tribute with the Commission.Chairman Nesser asked if the Tribute was going to be anywhere else in Arizona and are they going to need volunteers. Mr.Bell replied that tribute will also be in Lake Havasu and yes they will be utilizing a lot of volunteers on security teams,litter control,maintenance.etc_ Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agendas. Fiscal Budget:Staff Introductions (recreation):Traveling Tribute itinerary. Selection of Next Meeting Date: March 4.2009 CALL TO PUBLIC: None ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business and hearing no objections Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 6:59 p.m. Vice -Chairman'