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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 12.06 PRC MinutesCity of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission 300 East Superstition Blvd. Apache Junction, Az. 85119 A regular meeting of the City of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Commission was held December 6, 2017 at the Apache Junction City Hall pursuant to notice as prescribed by law. Present Absent Theresa A. Nesser, Chairman Wayne Standage, Vice -Chairman Judy Borey Luciano Buzzin Jesse Gage Heather Moeller Frank Schoenbeck Staff Present: Liz Langenbach, Parks & Recreation Director Mary 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: Vice Chairman Standage motioned to accept the agenda as presented. Frank Schoenbeck seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Frank Schoenbeck motioned to accept the minutes of October 4, 2017 meeting as presented.Vice -Chairman Standage seconded the motion, which motion passed unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Liz Langenbach, welcomed Judy Borey on her reappointment and congratulated new commissioner Luciano Buzzin on his recent appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission and asked if he would like to tell the commission a little bit about himself. Mr. Buzzin related to the commission that he has lived in Apache Junction for about 9 years and has served on various Apache Junction Boards for about 8 years primarily the Planning and Zoning Board. For a very long time he has been involved in a world association that has been very successful in the treatment of substance (alcohol) abuse. Liz Langenbach updated the commission in regards to special event location changes to Flatiron Community Park.The events held to date include the Halloween Carnival, Festival of the Superstition (FOTS), Veteran's Parade and Holiday Event everyone has enjoyed being on grass rather than dirt. FOTS shut down part of the road for the car show and raised about $1500 for the Veteran's. Public Works cleared open area behind business for additional parking we need better signage. Holiday event went well people enjoyed the trees being lit up in the park and the tree lighting was brought back this year and went very nice.We had some issues with road closures and we had more vendors this year. Upcoming event in February are the Lost Dutchman Marathon at Prospector Park and the entire community, followed by Lost Dutchman Days at the Rodeo Grounds. We will be offering a (pilot) event with the Chamber of Commerce this year, Blues & Brews in March. The first year it was held at the hitching post, it had its challenges.We have had our initial meeting, discussion included the right of first refusal by local vendors and vendors booth fees. The shade structure that the AJ Greyhound Foundation so generously donated towards the purchase and installation, is going in at the City Hall Complex Park and should be done in a couple of weeks. We will be doing a dedication once completed as a thank you for their generosity. We will be replacing the pool decking and additionally repairing drains at the pool. The additional replacement/repairs to the drains is estimated at an additional $70,000. We will be utilizing our savings from positions we have not filled to cover this additional cost. The new flex decking is softer than the existing decking easier to repair/maintain and is less expensive. Project is to be completed in time for our aquatic certifications in March. Our current special event/business licensing process prohibits participation by the armchair crafter. The licensing fees for a one-time event does not allow any profit for most crafters. This has been an issue the city has struggled with for years. There has been some thoughts thrown about in regards to a temporary vendor application/hobbyists permit. This would allow for your everyday crafter to participate without the business cost,but with the stipulation that once they made an amount that qualified them as a business they would then be required to follow the business license requirements. Staff has been meeting with BLM in regards to our leased lands and options. We were advised there is no gifting of lands but, we were provided with several options, one being patents we only have leases, which are expired. We need to look a uses per land use agreements.Prospector Park and Multi -use Trail system uses align with the land use agreement.Rodeo Park needs to be looked at to see what options are available to us under current guidelines or if it needs to be changed to purchase or lease adjusted.Patents follow the same guidelines as a lease (no commercial use allowed), but becomes city property with no renewal. To purchase BLM land it would only be on the value of the land not the improvements. With the rodeo grounds the parking lot is part of the Prospector Park Lease. So we have some things to think about and work out. Lastly Liz, advised the commission she has been considering a newsletter and asked if they would be interested. She could include the volunteer opportunities for programs, projects, 411 links/phone numbers, etc_ Theresa Nesser suggested a quarterly update with future/upcoming items. Frank Schoenbeck suggested pictures identifying staff. NEW BUSINESS: Discussion on Commercial Facility Fees: Liz Langenbach advised the City Council workplan includes a fee study this year. Last fee study update was done 2015 with the next scheduled for 2020. Flatiron Community Park was not in place at that time and its purpose as a community park/downtown event location has different needs to address, such as the consideration of commercial fees. The existing fees are currently in place and those will be reviewed in 2020. Our parks prior to Flatiron Community Park were developed with the School District or on BLM land with the exception of the Multigenerational Center. Our philosophy has always been facilities that are developed with taxpayer dollars should not recharge the community for their use. There again Flatiron Community Park differs. Liz Langenbach advised we surveyed our 10 market cities.Eight of the ten have a category called for profit use and they all do it differently this information was provided to the commission and reviewed. Liz will put together recommended commercial fees for review by the Commission at our January meeting, for a recommendation to the City Council for approval at their February or March meeting in order to have in place by July. Discussion on Commission Election of Officers: Liz Langenbach advised it's time for election of officers for the commission.Nomination for chair and vice-chairman can be made by contacting Liz either by email or phone for vote at January's meeting, with responsibilities beginning the following meeting. If you would please check if the person you would like to nominate is interested, prior to nominating, it would be appreciated. Call to the Public: None Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda. Rodeo Ground Usage Report; Commercial Facility Rental Feess Adjournment: There being no further business Chairman Nesser adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Chairthan Vice -Chairman