The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2009 12.02 PCR Agenda 0 , 0 - City of Apache Junction Home of the Superstition Mountains Parks and Recreation Department located at the Northeast corner of Superstition Blvd &Idaho Road Apache Junction Parks & Recreation Commission City Council Chambers 300 E. Superstition Blvd Apache Junction, Az . 85219 Regular Meeting December 2 , 2009 6 : 00PM A. CALL TO ORDER B ROLL CALL C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE D ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA E. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES November 4 , 2009 F PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTORS REPORT - The Director or those individuals designated by the Director may present information pertinent to items under consideration or information related to the operation of the department . G OLD BUSINESS: 1 . Presentation and discussion on updating the Parks and Recreation Chapter of the City' s General Plan. H NEW BUSINESS: 1 Request by the Commission for placement of items on future agenda 2 . Selection of next meeting date I CALL TO PUBLIC. Arizona Open Meeting Law allows individuals to address Commission on any issue within the jurisdiction of the Commission. Commission may not answer your questions or discuss your comments at this time However, at the conclusion of Call to the Public, Commission may do any of the following: 1) respond to criticism made by any individual who addresses the Commission; 2) ask staff to review a matter; 3) ask staff to place the matter on 300 E SUPERSTITON BLVD,APACHE JUNCTION, AZ 85219 (480)983-2181 Voice * FAX(480) 982-2438 *TDD(480)983-0095 * www.ajcity.net a future agenda. Commission shall not discuss or take legal action on matters raised at Call to the Public unless the matters have been properly noticed for discussion and legal action Please stand, approach the podium microphone and state your name and address after being called to speak. There is a three (3) minute time limit per speaker. J ADJOURNMENT If any disabled person needs any type of accommodation, please notify Human Resources at (480) 474-2617 or (480) 983-0065 (TDD) at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled time. 300 E. SUPERSTITON BLVD, APACHE JUNCTION,AZ 85219 (480)983-2181 Voice * FAX(480)982-2438 *TDD(480)983-0095 * www.ajcity.net PARKS/TRAILS/OPEN SPACE Goal• Develop a system of parks,trails and open space to meet the recreational needs of Apache Junction residents and visitors Objectives and Strategies: • Promote the parks, trails and open space system as a quality of life asset to attract new employers, residents and visitors to the community. • Encourage and facilitate public participation in planning and expanding the park system. • Evaluate the parks and open space development impact fee annually and adjust as needed Consider implementing a new trails fee • Identify and secure additional funding assistance from public agencies and private sources to expand the park system. • Include priority park system expansion projects and maintenance programs in the City's annual budget and Capital Improvement Program. • Coordinate with developers to incorporate potential sites for parks, trails, open space and other recreational facilities in their development master plans • Continue to require residential developers to construct neighborhood parks and place operation and maintenance responsibilities on homeowner associations. • Coordinate with other public and private groups to promote joint acquisition, use and public/private participation in the development of new parks and recreational facilities. • Promote joint development and use of facilities by the City and schools serving the community • Develop programs to further enhance the safety and security of the park system Expansion of the park ranger function and creation of a "park watch" program are examples. Goal Continue to emphasize the development of large community parks, special use facilities and a linear network of trails as priorities of the park system 1 Community Parks Objectives and Strategies. • Expand development of existing Prospector and Silly Mountain and Superstition Shadows Parks in accordance with master site plan. • Acquire, plan and develop additional community parks south of US 60. • Pursue obtaining "patent" from the Bureau of Land Management on Prospector and Silly Mountain Park properties. Special Use Facilities Objectives and Strategies. • Expand development of the Rodeo Park/Event center in accordance with master site plan and consider obtaining "patent" on the property • Update the intergovernmental agreement with the Apache Junction School District to increase usability of community facilities and enhance the operations of the jointly developed Superstition Shadows Park and the Little League Baseball Complex • Identify opportunities to light school athletic fields for increased community use. AlIOW • Maintain an area in honor of war veterans as part of the City Hall Campus • Plan and construct an additional aquatics facility and consider incorporating "spray grounds" into existing and new sites • Consider BMX facilities and off-leash areas (dog park) as priority needs of the park system. • Plan and construct and additional indoor recreational facility • Determine feasibility of establishing an archaeological park on identified sites • Plan and develop a sports complex as part of the Siphon Draw retention area. • Plan for transitioning existing landfill into a recreational resource • Pursue acquisition of vacant county land (Idaho/SR88) to create a downtown event venue • Plan and construct a Parks and Recreation Administration facility per the City Campus master plan. 2 Trails/Open Space Obiectives and Strategies. • Continue to develop Sheep Drive Trail in accordance with the master site plan and incorporate historic trails in the project. • Develop a city wide trails master plan for pedestrian, equestrian and bicycle use to ensure local access and regional connectivity. • Utilizing utility corridors, arroyos, canals and development requirements, create a trail system south of US 60 which links to existing trails. • Plan and acquire open space as proposed by the 2004 Open Space Task Force. • Strengthen development guidelines to increase the amount of open space in new developments. • Continue partnering efforts with local land management organizations in the preservation of open space. • Continue to enhance landscaping in public-right-of-ways beginning with the Apache Trail median. RECREATION Goal Take leadership responsibility for executing a diverse, comprehensive recreation program to serve varied interests of Apache Junction Obiectives and Strategies. • Expand the numbers of community "special events" offered on weekends and holidays to provide affordable family activities close to home. • Increase the number of"special interest" and "leisure learning" activities in art, music, dance, etc... • Advance the adult and youth "sports" program to meet community needs. • Expand "after school" and "summer" programs to provide school aged children constructive activities in a safe environment • Continue to develop the "aquatics" program emphasizing learn-to-swim lessons, water exercise classes and competitive opportunities. 3 • Maximize the use of the Multi-Generational Center through fitness programs, leisure education classes, special events and facility reservations. • Develop and promote programs that are inclusive in nature and continue to accommodate individuals with special needs. • Maximize the public use of facilities through improved marketing and customer oriented reservation process. • Improve the program registration process by utilizing on-line and telephonic technology Goal: Promote partnering among private sponsors, public institution, non-profit agencies and community volunteers •Encourage private sector participation in local recreation by developing sponsorship opportunities •Support and assist youth serving non-profit organizations (Little League, 4H, etc. .) to ensure their success in the community •Encourage and foster community volunteerism by providing volunteer opportunities to youth and adults in the delivery of recreation services. •Facilitate public participation in planning and evaluating the recreation program and adjust to meet the changing needs 4