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Home My WebLink About2016 11.02 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 November 2, 2016 at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Present Absent Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman Wayne Standage Jr.(Excused) Nancy Burgess Jesse Gage Heather Moeller Marit Runyon Frank Schoenbeck Staff Present: Liz Langenbach, Director Kelly Martin, Park Ranger Supervisor 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: Frank Schoenbeck motioned to accept the agenda as presented. Jesse Gage seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Frank Schoenbeck motioned to accept the minutes of October 5, 2016, regular meeting as presented.Jesse Gage seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Liz Langenbach introduce newly appointed commission members Heather Moeller and Nancy Burgess asking each to tell everyone a little bit about themselves and their interest in serving on the commission. Heather Moeller advised she had been part of Parks and Recreation Department for 10 years and had always enjoyed special event. She is interested in staying involved, being in the know and assisting anyway she can in and for the betterment and growth of our community. Nancy Burgess and her husband moved here 8 years ago from Michigan.Three of the last eight years she ran the Apache Junction Food Bank and has been involved with the city and volunteering in the community.She is also interested in doing what she can for the betterment and growth of our community. Liz Langenbach updated the Commission on department activity as follows: Flatiron Community Park development is coming along as expected. Sidewalks and gutters, footers and retaining walls, some of the benches for seating have been started, plumbing, water and utilities for restroom facility are in, we should see this going up soon. Chairman Nesser inquired if you would be able to walk the perimeter of the park and do we know how long it is going to be. She has had a lot of people express their interested in walking or jogging in that area and would like to know the length. Liz Langenbach advised it does, it is not all concrete sidewalk, a small portion is decomposed granite and we most certainly will be able to provide information on the length. Pinal Gila Council for Senior Services will begin assisting with temporary transitioning of services at the MGC, this coming week, when East Valley Adult Resources leaves.Recreation staff has been very busy meeting all needs necessary for a smooth transition.Staff has received a ton of training on regulations and data entry.PGCSS will be here for the transition of permit inspection so we will be able to open on Monday, November 14th.East Valley will be moving out November 10th and 11th staff will be cleaning and painting and moving furniture all weekend so we are up and running on Monday, the 14th. Services offered at this time will be congregate meals daily, food will be delivered to the center not prepared on site. Home delivered meals will be delivered once a week but, all the meals for the week will be delivered at that time and will be chilled or frozen. Transportation to and from the center will be provided.The once a week shopping trip or medical transportation will not be provided currently. We have put in for some money through Pinal County Supervisors to expand transportation services. Peter Heck and Dana Riggs from Brookdale have reached out offering to assist with some of the gaps in transportation services.The Apache Junction Unified School District also offered to assist with transportation and meal needs, as needed. Nancy Burgess inquired where the meals are coming from and are they the same as the meals on wheels? PGCSS put out a Request for Services and East Valley Adult Resources was awarded the bid, so the congregrate meals provider will not change, the meals will be prepare out of the Mesa or Red Mountain Facility.Valley Foods is the provider for the chilled and frozen meals. Chairman Nesser reminded everyone that these are the plans through June 30, 2017. Liz Langenbach, further reminded the Commission that we will be combining services at the MGC. The Parks and Recreation registration counter will also be moving over and this move should be complete by the first of January. Program and Event updates: Annual Mud Run, the middle of October had over 400 participants, 150 more than last year, huge success. Halloween Carnival was moved to Saturday this year, 1st time.We researched other communities and found most did not hold on the holiday but on the weekend.We had been considering because vendors have a hard time comitting to an event during the (work) week, as seems to be the case in other communities.So we changed it this year and participation doubled.Our goal for next year is to get more games and vendors. Nancy Burgess, who was also a volunteer judge for the costume contest, gave kudos to the department, was a great event. Chairman Nesser shared comments she received, event was full but, was a fantastic event.People really enjoyed the Library's Harry Potter program and the Parks and Recreation's Halloween Carnival all in one location, full day of events. Liz Langenbach relayed upcoming events for our department as follows; the Festival of the Superstitions, November 10 & 11 we will be providing movies on our stage, Little Buckaroos activities and Council Wilson will be there again this year with the pony rides. Superstition Mtn. Museum will be hosting the Model Railroad Exhibit on November 10th and Goldfield Ghostrider's will be sponsoring Ben Johnson Days at the Rodeo Grounds November 12th.Our annual Wellness Event will be held at the MGC on November 19th. OLD BUSINESS: Recommendation on updated Park Rules.Note: Fees are not being considered at this time. Liz Langenbach updated and reviewed for the commission where we are in the process and provided updated information and recommendations on issues of concern for review and recommendation. First, the concerns related to homeless sleeping or camping, bathing or washing clothes in parks: Camping in the parks is already covered in our existing rules. Our rules currently state Camping overnight in the parks is prohibited except in areas specifically designated for this purpose or with the express written permission of the director_ 15-1-3.D Staff suggests removing overnight.The Commission suggested changing the or to and/or. Bathing/Washing at the splashpad is covered in the existing rules under Unauthorized water usage ...... 15-1-3.Z no persons shall use any water source at any city park.... exceptat a place designated for those activities. This covers water usage in all areas including restrooms facilities, drinking fountains etc_ We will also have specific rules for the splash pad, posted. Commission had no changes. Hours of operations for some facilities may change like, the Little League Field might have hours posted closed at dark unless a permit is obtained. All parks with lights will close at 10:00 pm. This is covered under current rules - No change necessary, Commission had no changes. Alcohol, smoking and weapons we are recommending changes as was discussed at last meeting. Market study reinforced this decision.Recommended changing permit to read consumption of beer and/or wine rather than malted beverage is only allowed in areas designated_15-1-3.Y with the addition of The sale of beer and wine shall require an approved state liquor license. Commission concurred. Smoking/Tobacco - Most communities in our market study prohibit or at the very least designate areas for this purpose.We are recommending adding the action of smoking to existing rule 15.1.3Y and shall be limited to designated parks and/or specified areas of the parks....Commission members concurred. Weapons are currently covered under the compliance with laws in our rules and also covered under dangerous acts. In conversation with the Rangers they have not had issues with this in the past and feel rules we have are very enforceable.The market study did not provide much input in this area.Staff recommends this to remain unchanged. Commission members concurred. Frank Shoenbeck made a motion recommending park rule recommendations with changes to the City Attorney for review and City Council for approval.Nancy Burgess seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Call to Public: None Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda. Events for Flatiron Community Park, Senior Services at the MGC, Park Rules review and update, Status of Dog Park with Pinal County Adjournment. There being no further business, Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Vice -Chairman