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Home My WebLink About2015 02.04 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 February 4, 2015 at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Present Absent Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman Wayne Standage Jr.(Excused) Mona Barton Judy Borey (Excused) Jesse Gage Jennifer McGraw Marit Runyon Staff Present: Jeff Bell, Director 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: Mona motioned to accept the agenda as presented. Jesse Gage seconded this motion, which passed unanimously. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Jesse Gage motioned to accept the minutes of December 3, 2014, regular meeting.Mona Barton seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Bell advised the Commission that at our next meeting we will take a little field trip to the MGC for a demo of the new fitness equipment. Commissioners should have received a survey sent out by the City on boards and commissions and the selection process.There is some debate by the City Council on issues like should individuals be able to serve on more than one board or commission, should it be a requirement to attend citizen leadership institute, etc_This will be an ongoing topic until they get things all ironed out. If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask. Arizona State Parks Director, Brian Martin has been dismissed from his duties, he served 3 years, he is being replaced by Sue Black from Wisconsin, new Governor, new staff. Jeff relayed that Nick Blake and he are involved with some Pinal County planning projects.Nick is serving on a work group for the CAP Canal Corridor Trail enabling trail linkage. Jeff is serving on Peralta Regional Park planning committee. The County is in the acquisition process of a 400 acre piece of BLM land on Peralta Road that they are master planning for future development.They have not acquired the land from BLM but, have been given permission by BLM to start the planning process. City is in the process of conducting a classification and compensation study, contracting with an outside agency.These are always difficult. We are just finishing up the classification portion and will be moving on to the compensation portion. Unfortunately since we last met we have lost some wonderful employees, Chris Curtis who had been with us for 14 years and served in many capacities starting out as a Parks Maintenance Worker, serving as our Shop Technician, Facility Maintenance Coordinator at the MGC and then he was promoted to Assistant Parks Supervisor. He has taken a position with the Mesa Police Department a lifelong dream of his.Instead of replacing the Assistant Parks Supervisor we will be recruiting for a new Shop Technician are equipment is in dire need of some attention. Jay Reynolds has left us to start his own business, he is a very special individual, he did all our marketing and graphics stuff. He not only provided these services for our department but for the entire City, a very talented individual, you can see his art work all over the City, he will be greatly missed.He was also our Facility Coordinator as well, so Jeff Kopp, Recreation Assistant, who assisted Jay in this capacity has stepped up and is now performing these duties. This month we have two of our communities biggest annual events the Lost Dutchman Marathon and Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo our staff are heavily involved in both. It is budget time department budgets are due in the end of next week. We have been requested to submit a flat line budget, basically due to awaiting the outcome of the classification and compensation study. OLD BUSINESS: Presentation and discussion on updating the Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule. Jeff relayed to the commission that staff identified issues that our current fee schedule does not address. Some fees are out of line, equipment has been acquired, like the mobile stage that is not covered in our current schedule, things we do not have or do anymore need to be removed, and the issue of resident/non- resident fees. So over the last couple of meetings staff has provided information gathered, from the city's market group related to these issues, to the commission and city council. Lately we have been receiving some push back from the City Council in regards to facility use fees, how we categorize and assess charges to non-profit groups, primarily related to a newly formed Youth Soccer Club.Assistant City Manager Bryant Powell and Councilmember Evans have children and grandchildren playing and are the ones that are getting asked the questions, and they are asking. So, it is clear we need to make sure we are all on the same page when it comes to our philosophy of establishing fees. Jeff would like to focus on this tonight and get input from the commission, to take to the city council so we know what our philosophy is, staff cannot operationalize if we do not know our philosophy. So what is a fee philosophy? It is who should pay, how much should the fee cover the facility or program cost, should certain groups receive special consideration or exemption? All these types of things need to be considered. We have people who argue that there should be no fees it's double taxation, limits participation by excluding families who can't afford and the belief that recreation is a basic need and should be provided. We also need to understand the need for fees, general fund dollars generated do not meet the demand, so many years ago it was determined there are some things we need to charge fees for, we provide parks to recreate in, sport field you play a game on at no charge, picnicking at no charge hiking, flying kites, etc_ any use of park facilities that does not need any additional services like field prep, staffing, special equipment, exclusive use of an area that prevents the public from use, these uses we charge a fee for.To assess fees we use the market and because of the makeup of our community we assess fees on the low end of the market survey. So, in your packet you have a copy of our Facility Equipment Use Guidelines on the third page under Prioritized Uses: you will find criteria for assessing fees. Liz Langenbach, Recreation Superintendent reviewed for the commission. Chairman Nesser, brought up concerns related to kids being excluded from activities because they can't afford. Liz explained that the fees the youth groups charge to the participants will be charged regardless of fees we do or do not assess for use of facilities.Those groups would need to come up with a scholarship program, like we are very fortune to be able to offer to the youth in are community that are in need of assistance. Chairman Nesser expressed concern with youth being left out of sports leagues.She asked what we do not offer that they may be left out of because they can't afford fees. Liz explained we do not offer tackle football or sports for youth older than 12. Jeff asked for input from the commission, after brief discussion Jesse Gage, expressed that he supports the current policy and philosophy. Chairman Nesser inquired about the use of the Electronic Marquee by local business. Jeff Bell relayed this is a topic that will be brought to the commission in a future meeting. Review and discussion of parks and recreation items on the City Council legislative work plan. Mr. Bell updated the Commission as follows: IGA with School District discussions are taking place in executive session, so do not know much other than what is on their website and we have received no response to last offer. The apartment complex on North Apache Trail will be demolished pretty soon. The design of the area will be our department's responsibility.We are currently going through the process of selecting a Landscape Architect Consultant for design. Vice Mayor Barker met with County Supervisor House in regards to using the County Retention Basin for a dog park.Supervisor House is open to the concept.Nick Blake is designing. NEW BUSINESS: Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda. Budget, Facility Guidelines; Fitness Equipment Demo; Park Project Update Selection of next meeting date. March 4, 2015 CALL TO PUBLIC: None ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Vice -Chairman