HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 04.02 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 April 2, 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
Liz Langenbach, Recreation Superintendent
Mary D. March, Administrative Assistant
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Nesser called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
and led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Wayne Standage motioned to accept the agenda as presented.
Jennifer McGraw seconded this motion, which passed
unanimously.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
Wayne Standage motioned to accept the minutes of February
5, 2014 regular meeting.Mona Barton seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Mr. Bell advised Commission that Judy Borey has been very busy
filling in at the Boys and Girls Club.
Mr. Bell updated the Commission on department activity as
follows:
February and March are very busy for our department, with Lost
Dutchman Days Rodeo, Antique Tractor Show and Lost Dutchman Days
Marathon and we feel very rewarded. We received $2000 from the
Antique Tractor Show Association towards programs, $5250 from
SMPC LDD Committee also for programs and $24,000 from LDD
Marathon Committee, $18,000 for our youth scholarship program
$3,000 for Holiday Event Walkathon and $3,000 for Fit Family
Programs.
Internal recruitment for Assistant Parks Maintenance
Supervisors, which is a lead type position, has been filed by
Matt King who has been with the department for 16 years and
Chris Curtis with 14 years of service.The parks department
will assume maintenance responsibility of the MGC.
The Recreation Division in busy getting summer staff on board,
hiring about 50 seasonal employees.
Recreation offered and outdoor movie at Prospector Park on March
7 th which received a lot of interest, event was not cheap costing
about $1800. We are looking to see if we can buy equipment.
Department has been busy utilizing development impact fees that
have to be used by the end of this fiscal year. Approximately
$150,000 for a mobile stage that is currently under construction
and should be delivered mid -June, $300,000 for ADA & tennis
court improvements at Prospector Park, project is 98% complete,
tennis courts need to cure for 30 days. Equipment includes
$20,000 for Crowd Control Fencing, $22,000 for event tents, gym
floor cover for MGC, power washer for parks, possible parks
vehicle.
Commissioner Standage suggested checking on whether movie
equipment meets requirements to purchase.
The City and Dons of Arizona are entering into a 25 year
agreement related to the LDD Monument. The Don's will buy
directional signs related to monument and the City will install,
to heighten awareness of monument location.
All bids for lease of fitness equipment were rejected.City
management directed staff to bid purchase of equipment. For
$104,000 we will be replacing 18 pieces of equipment with modern
technology.
Commissioner McGraw inquired if the equipment was mostly cardio?
Liz Langenbach responded yes all other equipment will last about
15 years.
Commissioner McGraw inquired about certification for
maintenance?
Mr. Bell responded staff will receive training, there is no real
certification and manufacturer provides a very comprehensive
maintenance program.
Commissioner Standage inquired about the listening session with
the Tonto National Forest Jeff Bell and Nick Blake attended.
Mr. Bell replied basically seeking information on best way to go
about getting public input.
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
continued to meet, along with Mr. Wilson. Discussion related to
leasing of land has caught the interest of management. City
Attorney is working on lease of land which would be separate
from the intergovernmental agreement.
Commissioner Standage asked how Mesa was setup.Mr. Bell
advised very similar to how our agreement was.
Update and discussion on proposed 2014/15 budget for Parks and
Recreation Department.
Mr. Bell reminded commission that management requested staff to
submit flat line budget. We have requested funds for equipment
replacement we have a park ranger truck, case tractor and riding
lawn mower that are very old.Management has proposed a 3% base
wage adjust for employees.
Mr. Bell advised that Recreation Supervisor, Liz Langenbach is
present tonight to address, Commissioner McGraw's inquiring of
what impact the new fitness center may be having on MGC
Revenues.
Liz provided month by month information on revenues, memberships
and daily entries with previous year monthly comparisons. In
most instances we are comparable or higher on a month to month
comparison to the previous year.
The new fitness center is different from us they do not cater to
family or silver sneakers.It is really hard to compare based
on this difference and the difference from one year to the next
with the MGC, we lost 500-600 Silver Sneaker members due to
program being dropped. Some individual picked up Silver and Fit
or other programs. In November we had a 20% promotion on
memberships that generated our largest one day total since the
center opened and increased individual numbers for the month. We
have not seen a sharp decline in March as in previous years, due
to more winter visitors staying. Revenues have increased 3% over
last year, at this time, mostly due to November promotion.
Getting contract in -line to replace loss of Silver Sneaker
program is the issue right now but is very doable.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion on responsibility and role of the Commission.
Mr. Bell advised commissioners that he is frequently asked by
commissioners what's their role.The City Code is pretty clear
on this and there has been a lot of change since initial
establishment.Mr. Bell would like commission members to give
it some thought and if they have any ideas on what could be more
meaningful to them and helpful to us, we can discuss.
Election of Officers.
Chairman Nesser asked for nominations for Chairman of the Parks
and Recreation Commission.Commissioner Standage nominated
Theresa Nesser for Chairman.Chairman Nesser asked for
nominations 3 more times, no more nomination were received,
nomination were closed.Theresa Nesser was reappointed Chairman
6 in favor and 1 absent.
Chairman Nesser asked for nominations for Vice -Chairman of the
Parks and Recreation Commission.Commissioner Standage
nominated Wayne Standage. Chairman Nesser asked for nominations
3 more times, no more nominations were received, nominations
were closed.Wayne Standage was appointed Vice Chairman 6 in
favor and 1 absent.
Request by the Commission for placement of items on future
agenda.
Intergovernmental Agreement with Apache Junction Unified School
District; Role of the Commission; Budget FY14/15
Selection of next meeting date.
May 7th or June 4th, 2014 as needed
CALL TO PUBLIC:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Chairman Nesser adjourned the
meeting at 7:08 p.m.
Vice -Chairman