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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 02.03 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 was held February 3, 2016 at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Present Absent Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman Judy Borey, Excused Wayne Standage Jr., Vice -Chairman Mona Barton Jesse Gage Marit Runyon Frank Schoenbeck Staff Present: Jeff Bell, Director 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: Wayne Standage motioned to accept the agenda as presented. Mona Barton seconded this motion, which passed unanimously. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Jesse Gage motioned to accept the minutes of October 7, 2015, regular meeting.Wayne Standage seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Mr. Bell introduced Frank Schoenbeck newly appointed commission member and asked him to tell the commission a little bit about himself. Mr. Schoenbeck advised the commission he was originally from Wisconsin and he is a member of our Multigenerational Center and admires the view from the track. Mr. Bell updated the commission on the status of City Council Boards and Commissions service recognition banquet. Members to be recognized should be receiving an invitation shortly, the banquet is to be held on Monday, March 7, 2016. Mr. Bell further advised that we have started our annual budget process. Departments have been advised to submit flat line budgets again this year. Every four years Home Rule goes to the voters for approval. Approval allows us to keep our dollars in our community. If this does not pass City services would become nonexistent. Frank Schoenbeck inquired how much does Home Rule usually pass by. Mr. Bell advised usually 70%. Mr. Bell updated the Commission in regards to changes at the MGC Active Adult Center. We have contracted services with East Valley Adult Resource Center out of Mesa for over 20 years. Recently with no notice Terry Crawford, manager at our site was let go after 14 years. Dan Taylor who we worked with retired and they have brought in a new CEO. We have reached out to find out what is going on, they provide such critical services for our community. Mr. Bell advised the ASU Capstone program students, that are finishing their master degree in urban planning, will be looking at our trails system as well as development to the south. They will be making presentation to City Council, an Open House meeting in February, and presentations to Parks and Recreation and Planning and Zoning Commissions in March or April. Mr. Bell advised our department is busy preparing for the Lost Dutchman Marathon which expects about 2500 runners and Lost Dutchman's Days Rodeo this month.Lost Dutchman/SMPC committee is partnering with the city to expanded holding pens for stock prior to this year's event. Department is very busy. OLD BUSINESS: Update and discussion on the Parks and Recreation Department 2015/2016 workplan. Mr. Bell provided and reviewed status of items 1 through 12 on the Parks and Recreation 2015/2016 workplan as follows: Water line that served the apartments that were located on the site of the downtown park need to be relocated to street easement. Our water district and Arizona Water are working together on the relocation.We are also working with SRP as part of their aesthetics program to relocate utilities underground along N. Apache Trail. City is seeking corporate sponsors for the development of the splashpad and restrooms in the first phase of development. Core Construction has already donated $5,000.00. Youth Advisory Council will help with the naming of the park. We are hoping by October/November to have the first phase of the park complete. This project has many moving parts. Applications are currently being taking for the Youth Advisory Council hope to have first meeting scheduled in April. We have been advised the concept of dog park development at Pinal County Complex retention basin has support from all involved, will reinitiate process once funds become available. ADA improvements to Prospector Park and Superstition Shadows parking lots have been completed. We had $10,000.00 budgeted towards compliance progress improvement process this year. Kelly Martin has taken on the safety responsibilities for our Department. Parks and Recreation Department's Citizen Brochure is being printed and distributed in our community again. This time at no cost to the City, The Independent Newspaper sells the ads and we provide the class information. Department will be assisting with information development & sharing related to the success of Home Rule. Application are due by the first of April to be recognized by Kaboom a non-profit organization making sure children have a balance life with an emphasis on play, as a playful city. Mr. Bell also provided a laundry list of things related to department operations. NEW BUSINESS: Presentation and discussion on leadership transition in the parks and recreation department. Mr. Bell announced this would be his last meeting as the Director.Internal recruitment for the Parks and Recreation Director's position will close tomorrow and ratification by the City Council should take place at the March 4th meeting. This will cause a domino effect in the department with positions needing to be filled as vacated. Call to Public: None Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda. Smoking in Parks (Park Rules);Youth Council; Dog Park with County; Park Naming Selection of next meeting date. April 6, 2016 CALL TO PUBLIC: None ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m. Vice-GMairman