HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 02.06 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 as held February 6, 2013 at the Apache
Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law.
Present Absent
Theresa A. Nesser (Chairman)
Conrad Pisinski (Vice -Chairman)
Mona Barton
Jesse Gage
Jennifer McGraw
Wayne Standage
Jeff Stuble
Staff Present: Jeff Bell, Director of Parks & Recreation
Liz Langenbach, Recreation Superintendent
Mary D. March, Administrative Assistant
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Nesser called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
and led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Conrad Pisinski motioned to accept the agenda as presented.
Mona Barton seconded this motion, which passed unanimously.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
Wayne Standage motioned to accept the minutes of December
5, 2012, regular meeting.Mona Barton seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Mr. Bell distributed Home Rule information to the Commission
which is coming up for renewal on the March 12, 2013, election
ballot.Mr. Bell further advised that discussion between the
school district and management staff will not resume until after
the election.
Staff has been very busy preparing for upcoming events,
beginning with the annual Lost Dutchman Marathon. Marathon
participation is down from last year. Marketing and advertising
was scaled back for this year based on how much registration and
interest was received last year.Also there is a brand new race
being offered, locally in about 2 weeks.
The following weekend will be Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo followed
by the Arizona Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association Show
at the Rodeo Event Center.He further explained at this year's
events a pilot program using quick response codes will be posted
at events. You scan the code with your phone and it shows you
what is available in downtown.
Commissioner Gage asked if this is something the Chamber of
Commerce should be involved in?
Mr. Bell advised Commissioner Gage that Janine Solley, the
City's Business Advocate is on the committee to work with the
business community to insure no one gets left out.
Parks crew renovations at the Little League Complex are about
99% complete. Sod is laid and we have had great weather for
establishment.The facility looks better than when it was
originally developed.
The City Council directed staff to better define special events
for permitting process.Currently the duties are shared by the
Parks & Recreation Department and the City Clerk's office
depending on type of event, location & purpose and differ in
requirements and permitting.The consensus is that there should
be one point of contact with the City for consistency and better
customer service.Patrick Brenner the City's Public Information
Officer has been designated to the take the lead.
Mr. Bell advised that we have some development impact fees that
are required by law to be used within a certain amount of time
from their accrual.Our department has about 1 million dollars
and half needs to be used within the next year. We have plans
for Dog Park at Prospector, estimated development cost is 2
million.We also need restrooms at Prospector Park and Silly
Mountain but, those will require design, which we would need to
start now in order to complete within time constraints.
Acquisition of land downtown for public/special events is
another huge need.This is an item that will probably need to
be put on a future agenda for discussion.
Jeff Struble ask if it could be used for the ballpark?
Mr. Bell advised it is required to be used for new development
not maintenance or renovation.
OLD BUSINESS:
Update and discussion on proposed changes to Park Naming Policy.
Mr. Bell advised the Commission that currently there is no clear
direction on how to proceed with formalizing the recommendation
presented to the City Council on the Park Naming Policy.
What is clear is that the City Manager would like to wait until
after the Home Rule election. Mr. Bell will keep the Commission
advised.
Update and discussion on recreational opportunities for the teen
population.
Liz Langebach Recreation Superintendent and Commissioner
Jennifer McGraw have been in communication working on a few
ideas basically to gauge what is of interest in our community
for this age group.Comissioner McGraw reached out to the
Cactus Canyon Junior High School PTO so that we can get input
from parents to see what they are willing to provide, like
transportation, which is very important for this age group. The
meeting will be taking place tomorrow night.We have been in
contact with Assistant Principle Joyce Gingrich to set up
meetings this spring to come into some homerooms, we have also
been given permission to meet with any clubs and groups at the
Junior High. We will holding meetings with these groups to
discuss interests, what they are willing to provide for, things
that may already be available that they are not aware of, things
we may be able to offer and what are the challenges and
barriers.
Liz advised the Commission that another Youth Forum is scheduled
for the spring which will be another source of good information
and expressed she feels we have several ways of getting
beneficial information, in regards to our community youth
interests and challenges we face.
We have also had some discuss with the school's transportation
department, which is hesitant to having a concrete discussion,
due to the current status of the IGA.They are also maintaining
what is currently in place.They did say a bus stop could be
possible but were not open to dropping of students to no one. We
can anticipate some barriers but these are the type of things
that need to be work out.
NEW BUSINESS:
Presentation and discussion on the Apache Junction Multi-
Generational Center operating budget.
Mr. Bell distributed information related to 2011-2012
expenditures and revenues for the Multi -generational Center per
Commissioner Struble's request.
Mr. Bell advised personnel expenditures include the separation
package taken by 4 individuals.
Commissioner Struble asked when the facility was built?
Mr. Bell advised 6 years ago and our goal was to generate about
6(Th of its operating cost annually.
Mr. Struble noticed this was a large item in the budget and
wanted to be better informed of it financial operations and
thought information received was good to know, in his capacity
as a commissioner.
Request by the Commission for placement of items on future
agenda.
Development Impact Fees; Park Naming Policy; Teen Recreational
Opportunities Update; Update on February Events; Special Event
Permitting Process.
Selection of next meeting date.
March 7, 2013
CALL TO PUBLIC:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Chairman Nesser adjourned the
meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Vice -Chairman