HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 09.05 PRC MinutesCity of Apache Junction
Parks and Recreation Commission
300 E. Superstition Blvd.
Apache Junction, Az. 85119
A regular meeting of the City of Apache Junction, Parks and
Recreation Commission was held September 5, 2012 at the Apache
Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law.
Present
Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman
Conrad Pisinski, Vice Chairman
Mona Barton
Wayne Standage
Jeff Struble
Absent
Staff Present: Jeff Bell, Parks and Recreation Director
Mary D. March, Secretary
CALL TO ORDER:
Vice Chairman Pisinski called the meeting to order at 6:05
pm, and led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Nesser was running late due to car problems.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Jeff Struble motioned to accept the agenda as presented.
Wayne Standage seconded the motion which passed
unanimously.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
Mona Barton motioned to accept the minutes of June 6, 2012,
regular meeting. Wayne Standage seconded the motion which
passed unanimously.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Mr. Bell informed the Commission that our department was
presented with the "Outstanding Education Award" at the
Annual Arizona Parks and Recreation Association Conference
and presented video of the awards ceremony.The award was
for our Fit Families program. This program is funded
predominantly by grant and programmed by MGC staff.Staff
members directly responsible for the program are Jamie
Sullivan, Larry Binion, Jill Ruot and Melissa Johnson. Mr.
Bell also provided a copy of APRA Magazine which included
an article on Fit Families and pictures of staff member
Jill Ruot in park with participants.
Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission the following:
The Parks Division has installed the first art structure, a
steelwork Javelina family, in the improved area of Old West
Highway between Idaho Road west to Phelps Dr.This is the
first of three structures proposed in this area.The
project was funded by a grant and TIF dollars.
Mr. Bell read a letter received from Mike Morris and
family, praising and expressing that his family thoroughly
enjoyed this years 4th of July Celebration.
Mr. Bell advised the Commission it has been four years and
Home Rule, which allows us to keep our monies in our
community, will be voted on this upcoming March 12th. We all
need to encourage support of this issue.
Jeff Struble inquired as to why the flags are not flying
downtown.Mr. Bell relayed that the flags are taken down
during the monsoon season.This is an agreement with the
Veteran's organization, the flags get torn to shreds and
are costly to replace.,
OLD BUSINESS:
Presentation , discussion and possible action relating to
modifying the Park Naming Policy.
Mr. Bell shared with the Commission research information
related to this topic, taking into consideration concerns
and idea expressed at last months meeting as requested by
the commission. Brentwood Colorado's Park
Naming/Dedications of Facilities Policy criteria for naming
of parks states that the name should be topographical,
historical or geographical to the area and recommends
dedication plaques for individuals who have performed
outstanding service.
Mr. Bell asked for input related to whether the individual
should be living or deceased?If deceased, should there be
a waiting period and how long should it be? Are volunteers,
staff and elected officials included? Residency
requirement? and most cities are not responsible for the
initial cost associated with the purchase of dedications
the nominating organization is, we would install and
maintain.The Commission agreed the individual should be
deceased and recommended a 1 year waiting period, they also
agreed that the nominating organization should be
responsible for initial cost and that any individual
whether a resident or not, volunteer, elected official or
staff member should be considered.
Mr. Bell will draft up the policy base on input, send to
City Attorney and Clerk for review and bring back to next
Commission meeting.
Update and Discussion on FY 12/13 budget
Mr. Bell relayed that the budget was adopted in August and
included a 2% merit increase for employees, the first in 5
years.Contract positions for Customer Service Clerk,
Recreation Leader III and a part time (19 hrs) Parks Worker
were approved and we are currently accepting applications,
which close on September 13th.Funding was approved for new
parks equipment i.e. mower and for renovations of
irrigation system at the Little League complex. Replacement
of the copier in the administration office was also
approved and very needed.
Mr. Bell relayed that Roger Hacker has arranged for an ASU
Intern to do some groundwork on the dog park, saving city
dollars.
Jeff Struble asked about the process for ideas of new
programs.Mr. Bell explained, a lot of our programs are
proposed by qualified special interest instructors.Staff
does research to see if the program is something of
interest to our community, are other cities successfully
offering the program, associated costs etc_ Currently the
big push nationally is nutrition & health, combating
obesity and open space for hiking, biking, etc_ rather than
development of golf courses.
Chairman Nesser suggested a bike safety program be
incorporated with fit families, due to the increase in
individuals biking and improperly doing so, for example
going against traffic rather than with traffic.
Update and discussion on Intergovernmental Agreement with AJUSD
Mr. Bell informed the commission he has nothing to share.
There has been no meeting since last commission meeting,
everything that needs to be addressed in the agreement has
been bullet pointed and new agreement needs to be drafted
by our attorney or by the school.
NEW BUSINESS:
Request by the Commission for placement of items on future
agenda.
Park Naming Policy and Intergovernmental Agreement with AJUSD.
Selection of Next Meeting Date.
October 3, 2012
CALL TO PUBLIC:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
Their being no further business, Chairman Nesser adjourned the
meeting as 7:17 p.m.
Vice -Chairman