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Home My WebLink About2016 12.07 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 December 7, 2016 at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Present Absent Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman Nancy Burgess (Excused) Jesse Gage Marit Runyon (Excused) Heather Moeller Wayne Standage Jr.(Excused) Frank Schoenbeck Staff Present: Liz Langenbach, 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: Chairman Nesser hearing no objections accepted the agenda as presented. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Chairman Nesser hearing no objections accepted the minutes of November 2, 2016, regular meeting as presented. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Liz Langenbach, updated the Commission on department activity as follows: The Holiday Event was a major success with a few behind the scene mishaps.We had some barricading issues, the snow machine broke down with about a tenth of the snow provided. So, a second truck was sent but, they did not bring the keys to the snow machine but, they were eventually able to provide the entire 30T of snow it was just a little late this year.We did makes some changes such as widening the area allowing us to let more children into the snow and keeping lines down and things moving smoothly. The walk-a-thon had 10-15 more walkers overall, three thousand dollars in prize money, sponsored by Phoenix Mesa Gateway, was given away to Four Peaks Elementary, Desert Vista Elementary, Imagine Prep Schools, Black & Gold Youth Football League, the horse management association which is working to save the Salt River Wild Horses and Apache Junction High School Band Boosters.The parade also had a few more entries this year. Frank Schoenbeck asked if we could get a few more food vendors. Liz replied that we have had a few in the past it is a long day and they just do not make enough money and do not come back year to year.Our events are very close to Taco Bell, Burger King and Subway and most people are not coming to eat in general.We reached out to every food truck registered in Pinal County, most food trucks do not have a health permit for Pinal County which is required, this is going to be a challenge for us.Once we move to the downtown park area we are hoping we can get everything worked out so we can offers in the future. Senior service responsibilities at the MGC are fully ours now with Pinal Gila Council for Senior Services providing congregate and home delivered meals.Transportation for appointments and shopping has not been put in place at this time. Patrons were given about a month's notice so they could make alternate plans. We are still looking at options and will add as we go.Seniors who are able are helping other seniors who have transportation needs, etc_Everyone is very happy and appreciative with what has been done to this point. We plan on moving our main office, front services over to the senior service office/counter area at the MGC by mid -December. We will be providing program registration, facility reservation and senior services, enabling us to provide all services at one location without the need for additional staff.We believe this to be an economical solution in meeting all needs as well as extending the availability of services to our patrons. The main office will be closing to the public, administrative staff offices will remain and storage which most staff shared their office with will remain and be centralized in this area. We are hoping to realize some utility savings. Flatiron Community Park construction is about two/thirds complete.Asphalt is going in tomorrow. Matt McNulty has been taking pictures of the development with the City's drone as it progresses, which will complement the required "as built" plans for this development. Nick Blake is at the site everyday which allows us the savings of hiring a project manager, with all his skills and knowledge i.e. Landscape Architect, we are very fortunate to have him. Chairman Nesser asked if they have started on the splash pad? Liz Langenbach, advised only what is included in the base design which is up to where it will be located at this time. The plans for this will need to go through plan review process and receive approval prior to construction starting. The contractor, Blount, had their staff vortex certified, prior to the development of the splash pad. Commissioner Gage asked if park development was on track for February completion date. Liz Langenbach advised development is still on track and we are looking at first Saturday in March for ribbon cutting. Liz Langenbach updated the commission on status of dog park development as follows: We currently have dog parks included in both Prospector Park and Silly Mountain Park master plans that will cost millions of dollars.Due to the interest and lack of funds and the counties interest we came up with a conceptual drawing for a dog park at the Pinal County Office Complex retention basin.The estimated cost is $500,000 - $600,000.00 We have not heard anything back from the county for some time now. We will not be budgeting for this in the near future until we get an idea of what Flatiron Community Park is going to cost to operate but, we will continue to watch for grants and possibly consider the corporate sponsorship route at a later date. She further advised playground equipment at existing facilities needs to be upgraded it getting tired and it is a substantial expense. The new winter issue of our Citizen for January -April, will be coming out next week in the AJ Independent and offers a lot of new activities and programs and includes Library activities and City events. OLD BUSINESS: Park regulations report: Liz Langenbach advised that after we completed our review and suggested updates to our Park Rules, the City Attorney reviewed redlines with a fine tooth comb. He felt this to be necessary, since they had not been updated since 2004, prior to it going to City Council making sure all legal updates were reviewed and completed. The City Council reviewed the rules at Mondays work session and at last night's City Council meeting. Two updates/corrections were requested. A couple of typos in referencing needed to be corrected and Councilman Wilson asked that "with the Director's permission" be added to horses remaining on designated paths to accommodate pony rides at special events. Councilperson Rizzi inquired about on-line Malt Beverage permits, this is something we will research but will not be changing at this time. Direction was given last night to bring back with corrections to the second City Council in January for approval.We will have updated rules in place for February when new park opens. Call to Public: None Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda. Master Plan Review/General Plan; Election of Officers; Adaptive Park (Dobson Ranch) Adjournment: There being no further business Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m. Vice -Chairman