HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 09.07 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 September 7, 2016 at the Apache
Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law.
Present Absent
Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman Jesse Gage (Excused)
Wayne Standage Jr., Vice -Chairman Mona Barton (Excused)
Judy Borey
Marit Runyon
Frank Schoenbeck
Staff Present: Liz Langenbach, Director
Mary D. March, Administrative Assistant
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Nesser called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
and led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Wayne Standage motioned to accept the agenda as presented.
Judy Borey seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
Frank Schoenbeck motioned to accept the minutes of August
3, 2016, regular meeting as presented.Wayne Standage
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Liz Langenbach updated the Commission on department activity as
follows:
The City of Apache Junction's Youth Advisory Council attended
the Arizona League of Cities and Towns Conference. This was the
City's first year to have a youth council participate in the
parade of flags, which is something the City Council has looked
forward to for quite a while.Of the over 90 cities in
attendance this year, 33 had teen councils.The conference
provides sessions just for the teens, they learned a whole lot
and it's just a real good experience for them.
Their next three big projects include assisting the AJPD with
Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities by purchasing and
tagging purple light bulbs for distribution to be displayed by
individuals nightly when they turn on their porch/yard lights,
raising awareness and promoting support.
They will be running several booths at Mad Scientist Night held
at the MGC coming up in September.
They are also working on ideas for a booth or booths at our
annual Halloween Carnival and may possibly be hosting a haunted
house.
This is the time of year when the City is appointing and
reappointing Board and Commission members, all members go
through an application and interview process.Mona Barton and
Judy Borey's terms are up.Judy has expressed her interest and
has submitted her application.Mona has other commitments at
this time and will not be submitting for reappointment.
A list of volunteer opportunities was provided.If anyone is
interested in participating in any activities listed please
contact Mary or Liz and we will forward your request on to the
appropriate coordinator.
The Park Rangers will be getting a new vehicle in October.
OLD BUSINESS:
Status of senior services provided by East Valley Resources at
the Multigenerational Center.
Liz Langenbach advised that since this presentation was provided
at the City Council last night and a lot of this information was
discussed and provided at our last commission meeting, she will
be presenting a shortened version. The information is also
available on the City website, this presentation is a public
record related to last night's City Council meeting.
Presentation outlined the main providers and their areas of
responsibility.
East Valley Adult Resources (EVAR) has provided services for 20
years and it has been a good partnership.We have provided the
facility (venue & utilities) health and human service funding
and some grant support. They are the only agency in the area
that provides a complete package of services.
Pinal Gila Council for Senior Services (PGCSS) is the state
appointed agency responsible for and primary funding
organization for Senior Services in our area (area 5).The
funding currently received by EVAR will remain available to us
to provide services. Services and how to provide them is what we
are assessing and addressing.
Programs we currently have are congregate meals that are offered
•Monday through Friday at the Multigenerational Center for lunch.
PGCSS is the administrator for home delivered meals which once
approved by PGCSS still need to be prepared and delivered.
Transportation is also a service that needs to be addressed,
this includes medical appointments, transportation to the center
for meals and activities, shopping, etc_We do not have a lot
of transportation resources available in Pinal County.
Programs and other services is the area we are most comfortable
providing and currently do.We have the capacity in our
department to continue without any significant impact.
Also shared with the City Council, last night was our cost
analysis and potential solutions.Defining the main funders who
we can rely on and for how much in our community is vital.We
did share line items of total expenses as reported by EVAR, to
PGCSS and double checked with the state agency. The problem
facing EVAR is they do not have enough funding for the three
centers they operate.There are more resources available to
them in Maricopa County, we have less resources available in our
community and costs are more to operate.
We recently learned that PGCSS is willing to come in and take
over the nutrition portion of the program in November until the
end of our fiscal year.They will be assessing and evaluating
current processes in order to create some efficiencies.Staff
will be shadowing to learn and assist in creating a well round
efficient program that meets the needs of our community.
We have researched on how other communities are providing a
comprehensive senior services program.In most communities
these services are pieced together, a single provider like EVAR
is not the norm and most cities are involved in this process. We
anticipate this to be true in our situation also.
We have received a lot of information related to senior services
for future services but none that will get us to where we need
to be starting November.Also it is very important to remember
that senior services are not a city program they are a county
program.
We have been in contact with the AJUSD transportation department
for use of buses and drivers. Boys and Girls Club has offered
temporary use of vehicles and drivers. We have a partnership in
place with CACDD and they are another possible option related to
transportation.
We need to keep evaluating and researching to find the services
and means that best fit the needs of our community.
Update on Flatiron Community Park Development.
Liz Langenbach relayed to the Commission, groundbreaking for
Flatiron Community Park took place yesterday, September 6th. It
was actually a photo opportunity to promote development. There
will be a ribbon cutting ceremony in January once the
development is complete.This will be our big event for the
community and to recognize contributors and sponsors. Notice
will be given well in advanced so everyone can get it on their
calendars.
Staff has a weekly meeting on Wednesdays with our construction
team and we are currently on track.A web page has been created
@ajcity.net/flatiron, please provide this information to
interested individuals.We will post updates and any meaningful
information on this site.Currently we have the master plan
process posted and the visioning for this park as part of the
Downtown Implementation Revitalization Strategy (DRIS) program
that was developed in 2010. We've highlighted the naming of the
park by the Youth Advisory Council. Information related to our
contractor, Blount Contracting who is a local business,
providing jobs in our community. Current partnerships and
sponsors for this project are recognized and Cooperate
Partnership Packet information is available for anyone
interested in supporting the park at the $5000 or greater
amount. For individuals that are interested in supporting park
development in a lesser amount there will be opportunities to
provide funds for benches, signs, etc... at a later date.
Judy Borey asked if donors would be able to dedicated items in
someone's name or to an individual.
Liz Langenbach advised it would follow our naming rights
guidelines that the commission assisted in creating.
Chairman Nesser mentioned the Focal Point & Tourism group
developed 10 years ago as being responsible for the lighting of
the trees and the benches in the downtown area. As well as the
pavers at the focal point, suggesting that we may want to reach
out to them.
Liz Langenbach advised that Nick Blake is on this committee and
it has also been brought up to him as it relates to the
development and enhancement of the botanical garden portion of
this development.So he has this on his radar and she further
suggested to Chairman Nesser, since she is also on this
committee keeping this in mind as this would be very helpful for
Nick.
NEW BUSINESS:
Kaboom Playful City USA Presentation:
Liz Langenbach relayed, Nick Blake submitted an application on
behalf of the City to become a KABOOM Playful City, which was an
extensive process and included inventory of all of our parks and
amenities. Additional components included finding other play
spaces in our community that were not ours, that encouraged
play, for example a play area in a supermarket or playgrounds at
schools or HOA neighborhoods. This was a six month process for
Nick which culminated with us winning.
KABOOM is a national non-profit that is connected to a lot of
vendors and businesses that are in the playground industry.
This is the non-profit arm that is dedicated to social change
bringing play, fitness and balanced activity into communities
across the nation.
We had to provide three projects in our community that
demonstrates our commitment to play in our community and
provides for a balanced life.We provided information on the
newly developed Youth Advisory Council exemplifying our
commitment to the youth of our community, which is very
important. The T.G.I.F. program exemplifying how our City took
an unfortunate situation our School District and community faced
and put a positive spin on it, this component they liked a lot.
The park design for our new park downtown was submitted which
includes a splash pad in an area where development is usually
oriented towards business. Bringing play to this area was huge
in us receiving this designation. We also included extra
opportunities for example our fit family Mud Run that is
affordable, grows every year and is a fun family event.
We are 1 of 257 cities in the nation that have received this
designation, we are 1 of 15 cities in Arizona.So why do we
care? It allows us access to resources and grants. Our play
spaces will be available on a nationwide map promoting our City.
They also provide us roadway signs that designate and promote us
as a playful city.
Park Rules Discussion
Liz Langenbach advised the commission with the development of
the new park we need to assess our current rules and regulations
to make sure we are prepared to open our new park upon
completion. One of the biggest concerns we have heard is that we
are going to be faced with different challenges, due to the
location of the park.We are doing research and plan to bring
back rule recommendations to our October meeting for discussion
and consideration.
Frank Schoenbeck inquired if we are addressing general rules
and/or rules specific to areas.
Liz replied that we do have a one -size -fits all set of general
rules for all our facilities but, we also have rules outside of
general rules that are specific to the facility, for example the
skate park has rules that are specific to it use.
Call to Public:
None
Request by the Commission for placement of items on future
agenda.
Flatiron Community Park, Senior Services at the MGC, Park Rules
review and update
Adjournment.
There being no further business, Chairman Nesser adjourned the
meeting at 7:27 p.m.
Vice-Chkairman