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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 04.01 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 April 1, 2009, 6:00 p.m. at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Present Absent Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman (arrived 6:15 PM)Mona Barton Conrad Pisinski, Vice -Chairman Wayne Standage Stephen Amrhein John Mahony Sandra Schenone Staff Present: Jeff Bell, Director of Parks and Recreation Liz Langenbach, Recreation Superintendent CALL TO ORDER: Vice -Chairman Pisinski, in the absence of Chairman Nesser (arrived late) call the meeting to order at 6:10 pm and led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA: Commissioner Schenone moved to accept the April 1, 2009 agenda a presented.Commissioner Mahony seconded the motion which passed unanimously. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Commissioner Schenone motioned to accept the minutes of March 4, 2009, regular meeting as presented.Mr. Mahony seconded this motion which passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Bell informed the Commission of his interest is placing information on the department's administrative staff responsibilities on the next agenda and will address the topic himself to avoid the necessity of overtime by having administrative staff attend the meeting. Director Bell informed the Commission of the successful American Veteran's Traveling Tribute event held at Prospector Park in March.According to Mr. Bell attendance surpassed 10,000 individuals with estimates as high as 20,0000. Mr. Bell advised the Commission that the Superstition Area Land Trust recently received $35,000 from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust to be applied to the interpretive Commissioner Schenone expressed concerns on the cost effectiveness of a non -residency fee taking into consideration the increased administrative cost to implement. After length discussion it was determined staff would come back with a recommendation on separate fees for non- residents based on the Commission's discussion and market research. Mr. Langenbach proceeded to describe the current policies regarding non-profit and youth serving agencies use of city facilities.Groups like Little League and the Senior Center are provided reduced fees or a waiver of fees for the services they provide to the community.Non-profit organizations providing community events like Lost Dutchman Day, Parades and the Marathon are approved by the City Council and are not assessed fees for use of public property.Ms. Langenbach asked for input on this long term practices. Commissioner Schenone and Chairman Nesser expressed interest in maintaining the current practices. Superintendent Langenbach stated we will bring that back with staff's recommendation. Finally, Ms. Langenbach described the current policy which prohibits commercial activity on park property.Staff is currently waiting on legal opinions regarding this practice from the Bureau of Land Management which we hold leases with on a majority of park land.This item will be addressed after learning more from BLM. NEW BUSINESS: Presentation and discussion on rural western publications by Commissioner Standage. Mr. Bell suggested we continue this item until the next meeting due to Mr. Standage's absence. Presentation of video on Apache Junction Park system. Mr. Bell played a video on the parks system arranged by Park Superintendent, Nick Blake.The video is one in a series of presentations being shown to City Council on the services provided by the organization. Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda. All items from the April 1st agenda are to be brought back with the exception of the park video. trail and accessibility improvement at Silly Mountain Park. Improvements will begin immediately. Lastly, Director Bell reported that NBC will begin airing a TV Show on April 9 titled Parks and Recreation.He encouraged everyone to tune into the comedy. OLD BUSINESS: Presentation and discussion on Parks and Recreation Department budget proposal for FY 09/10. Mr. Bell distributed copies of the operating budget proposal, excluding personnel.He reported the first meeting with the budget committee was an informational meeting to educate the committee on individual line items. According to Director Bell, staff continues to tighten the belt and for the second year in a row has proposed significant decrease in service and supplies line items. Mr. Bell advised the Commission this initial meeting with the budget committee is the first step of many.The next phase will include developing the personnel portion of the budget. Mr. Bell estimated the department's overall budget will decrease approximately 20% from the current year.This would mark a 40% reduction in the operating budget over the past two years. Chairman Nesser commented that she would need time to digest the information and asked for question and comments from the Commission.There were none. Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission that the budget discussion should remain on the agenda in the future so he can continue to report on the budgeting process. Presentation and discussion on proposed modifications to facility use and program participation fees and policies. Superintendent Langenbach distributed a hand-out describing issues related to updating fee and policies.She kicked off the discussion with the question of charging higher fees for non-residents then residents.Ms. Langenbach outlined the pros and cons regarding this type of policy and asked for feedback. Commissioner Nesser asked if consideration could be given to Final County residents similar to the Library's fee structure. Commissioner Amrhein suggested he needs more information and a better understanding of the parameters in order to discuss. Selection of Next Meeting Date May 6, 2009 CALL TO PUBLIC None ADJOURNMENT: Their being no further business Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m. Vide -Chairman