Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 09.03 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 September 3, 2014 at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Present Absent Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman Judy Borey Wayne Standage Jr., Vice -Chairman Mona Barton Jesse Gage Jennifer McGraw Jeff Struble Staff Present: Jeff Bell, Parks Superintendent Mary D. March, Administrative Assistant CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Nesser called the meeting to order at 6:07 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: Mona Barton motioned to accept the minutes of June 4, 2014 regular meeting.Jennifer McGraw seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Bell provided fall activity listing and played video of last year's mud run put together by our Fitness and Aquatics Coordinator Larry Binion, promoting this year's event. Mr. Bell distributed fact sheet related cost and conditions of Apache Trail and additional roads in our community, that desperately need repair. The City Council has been considering ways to raise additional revenues for repairs and would like to get the message out that we need to take care of this now before they get worse and continue to cost us more in the long run. City staff have been tasked with alternative revenues ideas to take the place of a two tenths sales tax increase once sunset is set by state on HURF dollars. Mr. Bell relayed that he met with State Trails Director, Kent Taylor in regards to feasibility study to utilize CAP corridor for trail connectivity/linkage as set out in the Pinal County Open Space and Trails Plan.Pima County is already utilizing the corridors in their area, so is very doable. We had budgeted money for this several years back before the economy went south but the County did not have funds to do so at that time.Mr. Taylor would like to keep us involved. Mr. Bell relayed that on Friday, September 19th Central Arizona College Apache Junction Campus, S.A.L.T is having a planning session encouraging individuals interested in conservation, open space and trails to participate in what direction the community would like to see them put their efforts. Mr. Bell relayed that the City's Emergency Management team went to an emergency planning meeting at a virtual training facility in Mesa, operated by the Fire Department. AJ Fire Department and City Leadership were all in attendance. A mock exercise/incident is to be schedule sometime next week putting our emergency operation center into effect, we will see how we do. City's Human Resource Department will be accepting on-line applications in the near future, staff is in the process of training. The City Clerk's office annually requests that individual serving on city boards and commissions, whose terms expire this October express their interest in continuing in their capacity or not.Jeff Struble and Jesse Gage have both express interest in continuing and will be consider for reappoint along with new talent bank applicants this coming October. Mr. Bell thanked both commissioners in there interest to continue. OLD BUSINESS: Update and discussion on proposal to dedicated the Apache Junction Rodeo Arena in memory of Gary Mulholland. Mr. Bell relayed that recommendation to the City Council from the Commission, for dedication of Rodeo Arena in memory of Gary Mulholland was approved by City Council in July. We will be working with the SMPC who made request for dedication to insuring everything is ready for dedication at Lost Dutchman Days February 2015, opening day. Contractor, Jerry Burgess Jr.,Valwest Construction,who performed ADA and pickleball court work at Prospector Park, donated labor & materials toward installation of plaque, he had worked with Gary previously. Update and discussion on intergovernmental agreement with Apache Junction Unified School District. Mr. Bell relayed that there has been no public discussion only executive session discussion related to the IGA since last month's meeting. The School maybe awaiting the outcome of the upcoming budget override, before considering any further action. Commissioner Barton, voiced that you would think resolving this issue would benefit the override outcome, since the last two or three have not been successful. Mr. Bell relayed that several Council members express these same concerns to Dr. Wilson during a council meeting.There are many individuals who feel the same and have express these same feelings. NEW BUSINESS: Presentation and discussion on parks and recreation related items on City Council legislative work plan. Mr. Bell advised the Commission that with the budget every year the City Council adopts a work plan, and he provided a list which included parks and recreations part of that work plan plus additional departmental items as follows: Finalize department's safety program and parks division lead. Maintenance staff that Kelly Martin Park Ranger Supervisor, supervised were moved to the park maintenance area of parks. That responsibility was replaced with the department safety program. Nick and Kelly have collected and compiled all the City' safety responsibilities and Kelly will maintain and supervise our department's program. No involvement from the Commission necessary. Provide staff support to update IGA with school district. This continues at staff level with City Council & Attorney. No involvement until resolved. Assist with advancing downtown public space concept. There are several sites downtown the Old Grand Hotel site on Apache Trails, Chevron Station at Idaho Road and Highway 60 and Apartment Complex on North Apache Trail,that the City would be interested in for open space areas downtown.The apartment complex is located on 3 acres and would be a nice venue for small events and for large events. North Apache Trail could be blocked off between Idaho Rd and Apache Trail for larger events. Parks and Recreation's involvement would be for design. Commission would assist in this process. Advance ADA transition plan. City has an approved document in place.Our department has $20,000 budgeted toward improvement this year. As long as we have a plan in place and are making progress we are compliant. Establish mobile stage use/fee policies. Since the acquisition of our mobile stage, utilized for the 4th of July this year, we will need to develop policy for use and related fees for such use.It will be used at the Festival of the Superstitions by the Chamber of Commerce in November, as a City supported event.Staff will research other communities with mobile stages and bring back information to the Commission for discussion and recommendations. Assist with the development of a "youth commission" concept. The City Council has had this on their workplan for several years now.Every year about this time the City Council attends the Arizona League of Cities & Towns Conference. Many cities have a youth council in one form or another and a lot of times these kids attend with council members and our City Council always asks why we don't have a youth council.We feel if this comes about this will become our responsibility. Chrystal Sawyer our Special Interest/Event Coordinator is our go to on this as she has prior experience from when she was employed by Queen Creek.Our department had a Youth Advisory Board in the late 80's and we had a Youth Services Coordinator, employee in our department. Research/review/update fee schedule.• Last review was 2010, need to look at market. Staff will provide research information to Commission for input and consideration. Assess dog park design to reduce cost. We have plans setting on shelf for development of a dog park at Prospector Park.Plan is very expensive, 2.2 million, primarily due to location which would require extension of utilities and construction of restroom facility. Possibly need to consider new location or phase development approach. Pilot a low water landscape project for future consideration on the Trail. We have utilized the space where the old administration building use to be to put in drought tolerate landscaping material, with larger decomposed granite and river rock to see how it does. If successful we could consider for future use on Apache Trail. Continue to look for efficiencies in department's organizational structure. Are department is always looking for ways to work smarter and more efficient.We have moved the recreation maintenance position at the MGC to parks.So, now instead of one individual to perform maintenance and repairs, several individuals can be assigned to address repairs in a more timely fashion. Mr. Bell further relayed that MGC adult interest has been going down with the opening of planet fitness. We are a more family oriented facility.We have lowered our age that a child has to have an adult supervise them from 13 to 12 and worked with the school, district to designate the MGC.as a bus stop from QCJHS. Parents sign them up at no cost, they do need a membership and they are signed in. Chairman Nesser, expressed how much she appreciates all that Park Ranger Supervisor Kelly Martin does, she sees him everywhere all the time, he does a great job. Jeff Struble asked if all the impact fees were utilized, Mr. Bell relayed that all had been utilized for purchase of mobile stage, fencing, tents, new pickup, gator and for improvements to Prospector Park. Commissioner Stuble inquired if we know how much we have for this year.Mr. Bell explained $90,000 and we have purchased a $91,000 backhoe. After the purchase, finance has been performing back reconciliations and advised we really only had $47,000. Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda. Intergovernmental Agreement with Apache Junction Unified School District; S.A.L.T. Meeting Update; Dedication Update; Stage Fees. Selection of next meeting date. October 1, 2014 CALL TO PUBLIC: None ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m. p Wiet 4rmmv,