The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2016 06.01 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 June 1, 2016 at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Present Absent Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman Frank Schoenbeck, Excused Wayne Standage Jr., Vice -Chairman Mona Barton Judy Borey Jesse Gage Marit Runyon Staff Present: Liz Langenbach, Director JJ Underwood, Recreation Coordinator, YAC Liaison Justin Hewitt, Recreation Assistant, YAC Liaison Riley King, Recreation Assistant, YAC Liaison Mary D. March, Administrative Assistant Others Present: Jacob Briones, Youth Advisory Council, President Parker Schroeder, Youth Advisory Council, Vice -President Jessica Cruz, Youth Advisory Council, Secretary Lindsey Lofgren, Youth Advisory Council, Treasurer Clarissa Wilson, Youth Advisory Council, PIO Nathaniel Candelas, Youth Advisory Council, Member Michael Jada, Youth Advisory Council, Member Shea Major, Youth Advisory Council, Member Sidnee Major, Youth Advisory Council, Member Gabe Morris, Youth Advisory Council, Member Calista Smith, Youth Advisory Council, Member 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: Wayne Standage motioned to accept the minutes of April 6, 2016, regular meeting.Mona Barton seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Liz Langenbach updated the Commission on department activity as follows: Pool opening weekend had over 2000 entries from Saturday- Tuesday.First session of evening swim lessons, 2 sessions per night, are nearly full with 145 participants in 25 classes. April Pools Day had record numbers - nearly 400. Earth Day was also an overwhelming success, 150,000 ladybugs were released this year. We have received over $20,000 in scholarship money this past spring from Lost Dutchman Marathon Committee, Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo/SMPC and the Antique Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association. AJUSD resurfaced and added pickle courts to the tennis courts at Superstition Shadows Park. Downtown Park design is wrapping up should be out to bid next week or the week after. Councilman Gage mentioned it appears as though the overhead lines are being put underground. Ms. Langenbach replied through and aethestic fund, and with coordination by our Public Works Department SRP is moving electrical lines, she further mentioned that Arizona Water and the Apache Junction Water District are working together to upgrade water lines to meet the needs to support the park. Our design firm will adjust the concept to include the actual development. The City of Apache Junction is honored to receive recognition as one of 257 cities nationwide named as a Kaboom 2016 Playful City USA. Home Rule, proposition 410 will go to the voters in August. Home Rule option is were citizens can make decisions on how to spend their money "at home" through the elected City Council officials rather than by using the State imposed limitation that is based on a formula prior to us being a City. The City would have to spend $10 million dollars less than what is collected in revenues. NEW BUSINESS: Presentation and discussion on the downtown park naming by the Youth Advisory Council. Ms. Langenbach was very excited to advise the Commission, our recently established Youth Advisory Council members are present tonight to make a presentation on their very first project which is assisting with the naming of our new downtown park.In keeping with the Park Naming Policy that you, the Commission helped develop and adopt, this group spent considerable time developing a list of names for your consideration, discussion and recommendation. Before our President and Vice President start the presentation, we will ask each members to introduce themselves. Each council member stepped to the podium stated their name, what school they attended and year they will be in high school this fall. Jacob Briones,YAC President and Parker Schroeder, YAC V.P. advised the Commission that after much consideration they will present the seven names in order of choice and a brief explanation of why they were selected. Once completed they would like to receive input, suggestions or changes from the commission for discussion in order to finalize their list, keeping it to 7 or 8 names for presentation to the City Council next week. Starting with Jacob Waltz, a well known part of Apache Junction's legend and lore.Apache Junction Cultural Park to represent Apache Junction's rich and diverse culture. Lost Legends Park this would represent not one legend but all legends that came through Apache Junction. Prickly Pear Park, would represent what we have a lot of in Arizona and Apache Junction in a friendly way.Flat Iron Community Park is a very unique name representing the surrounding area. Goldfield Legends Park represents all the people who mined gold in Apache Junction and last but not least Miners Park the reason Apache Junction became a city, was all the miners looking for gold. Upon completion President Briones, asked for input from the Commission and thanked them for their consideration. After some discussion and combining of names the Commission chose Jacob Waltz and Flatiron Community Park and suggested Apache Junction Legends Park as a third alternative and thanked the Youth Advisory Council for their efforts in this project. Discussion on potential roles of the Parks and Recreation Commission members as a board and as individuals. Liz Langenbach address the Commission on the vital role boards/commissions play to various departments across the nation.Representing citizen input on programs, facilities and services in their communities. Having the ability, to advocate on the behalf of issues staff may or may not be able to directly, and requested input on how this commission and/or each commissioner wants to be involved or what ideas they may want to share. • Judy Borey expressed she would like to see commissioners be more involved with Parks and Recreation activities. Suggested Parks and Recreation could share opportunities for the commission. Theresa Nesser will help in anything needed by the department but does not do sun. Wayne Standage mentioned his continued involvement in regards to Open Space, Trails and the Rodeo Grounds. Jesse Gage expressed his interest to contribute and inquired if Liz was familiar with each commissioner's background, experience, knowledge and skills that may be useful. Liz advised the Commission of the Board and Commission Day at the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association Annual Conference in August and asked anyone interested to advise so we can get them registered. Call to Public: None Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda. Park Project Update; Budget Update; Impact Fees (Downtown Park; Youth Advisory Council representing city at Arizona League of Cities Conference; Youth Advisory Council Downtown Park Naming Update; Kaboom Playful City Information Adjournment. There being no further business, Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m. tiqa-ifii.P,Si- Vice-ChaiVrman