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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 02.05 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 as held February 5, 2014 at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Present Absent Theresa A. Nesser (Chairman)Judy Borey Mona Barton Jesse Gage Jennifer McGraw Wayne Standage Jr. Jeff Struble Staff Present: Jeff Bell, Parks 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: 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 November 6, 2013 regular meeting.Jesse Gage seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Bell updated the Commission on department activity as follows: Department is busy preparing for the Annual Lost Dutchman Marathon there are 1300 registrants currently, which is up 250 from last year at this time and we have 600 volunteers this year. Lost Dutchman Days will be held February 21, 22 & 23. The Rodeo is sanctioned for the first time this year rather than and open rodeo as in the past. A sanctioned rodeo generates more participants. The AzPRA quarterly magazine featured a picture of our Fit Family Mud Run on the cover with an article by our Aquatics/Fitness Coordinator, Larry Binion inside. Changes to department maintenance include internal recruitment for two Parks Assistant Supervisors in the parks division, which would allow for attainment of skills needed for internal promotion within the parks division, which currently does not exist and moving the MGC building maintenance responsibilities to the parks division, under the North Parks Assistant Supervisor's responsibilities. We are currently recruiting to bring employees in contract positions into permanent positions with all the benefits and opportunities as their co-workers. Recreation solicited bids for a lease to own contract for new athletic equipment at the MGC. No one bidder could satisfy the bid specifications, so all bids were rejected. Management has suggested instead of leasing maybe finding money to purchase. Finally, Mr. Bell advised that he and Nick Blake have the opportunity to go to what the Tonto National Forest is calling a listening session. The Federal Government mandates the National Forest to update their plan every 10 years. They are currently working under a plan that is 15 years old.They are approaching this as a multi -year project, which they are doing in-house, starting with sessions inviting individuals from the community who have gone through similar processes to get a feel for what has and has not been successful and to insure all entities have a voice in every community involved, due to the diversity of the Tonto National Forest. OLD BUSINESS: Update and discussion on intergovernmental agreement with Apache Junction Unified School District. Mr. Bell relayed that City Council and School Board Members have been meeting, along with Mr. Wilson. Mr. Bell outlined what has transpired, the School Board made a low ball offer which was not acceptable.The School asked the City to subsidize until next override.There has been some talk about the City Council and the School Board in its entirety meeting. Chairman Nesser asked what is the bottom line if the school cannot fulfill their financial responsibilities and the City cannot afford the additional facility expenses related to the intergovernmental agreement? Mr. Bell replied facilities would have to be closed. Jeff Struble inquired on who is paying what? Mr. Bell responded that the School is paying utilities and we are paying for and providing maintenance. Wayne Standage inquired on the condition of the pool. Mr. Bell relayed the pool was in pretty good shape. Jennifer McGraw inquired if we were ADA compliant. Mr. Bell confirmed we are. Update and discussion on "Impact Fee" study and utilization. Mr. Bell updated the Commission on utilization of impact fees collected prior to proposed change in laws. Prospector Park improvements to include new ADA accessible walkways, providing access from one area of the park to another and refurbish tennis courts, converting one tennis court into four pickle ball courts.Since we can purchase equipment utilizing current impact fees and cannot with future impact fees, much needed special event equipment such as mobile 32' tip out stage; 40x60 event tents; crowd control barriers and a power washer are being purchased. New Impact fees have been reduce significantly as well as what they can be utilized for, prior to final adoption there is a 75 day waiting period, final adoption should be in August. NEW BUSINESS: Presentation and discussion on Parks and Recreation Department FY2014/2015 budget. Mr. Bell relayed to the Commission the Manager's office has staff preparing department budgets early this year, so the budget is adopted July 1st, in line with the start of the fiscal year. Staff has been directed to submit a flat line budget. Mr. Bell further advised the Recreation & Parks Division budgets currently look like they are going up due to Finance calculating retirement benefits on seasonal employees in the recreation division, which they don't have and HURF employees being moved back under the parks division and the MGC Facility Maintenance Worker being moved to parks. Jennifer McGraw inquired if the new fitness center in town has had an impact on the MGC Revenues and asked if revenue report could be provided. Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda. Election of Officers, Parks & Recreation Commission's Role Discussion, MGC Fees Selection of next meeting date. March 5, 2014 or as needed CALL TO PUBLIC: None ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 6:53 p.m. Vice -Chairman