PRB_MINS_2026.09.08

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2026-10-06)

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Meeting Minutes
Parks and Recreation Board
Regular Meeting
September 8, 2026 | 5:00 p.m.
Chandler Community Center
125 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler, AZ
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Montgomery at 5:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Commission Attendance Staff Attendance
Chair James Montgomery John Sefton, Community Services Director
Vice Chair John David Luke Cerré, Management Analyst
Board Member Sarah Sharits Chris Smith, Recreation Superintendent
Board Member Lynette Bradley Rebecca Kuiper, Recreation Superintendent
Board Member Jegadesan Krishnamurthy Teofilo Ruiz, Recreation Supervisor
(remote)
Board Member Sue McInturf
Board Member Julie Trujillo
Absent
None
Unscheduled Public Appearances
None.
Consent Agenda
1. August Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes
Move Parks and Recreation Board to approve the meeting minutes of the August 4, 2026
regular meeting.

Vice Chair David motioned to approve the Consent Agenda; seconded by Board member
Sharits. Motion carried 7-0.
Briefing
2. Community Center Programs & Tour - Teo Ruiz, Recreation Supervisor
Moved to the end of Briefing.
Mr. Ruiz provided an overview of the Chandler Community Center and its role as a multi-
purpose facility serving residents of all ages through classes, drop-in recreation, youth and
teen programs, City meetings and training, facility rentals, and community events.
Highlights from FY 2025-26 included 2,876 youth and teen visits across program and event
types, 817 participants and attendees associated with the Youth & Teen Art Show, 350
participants at the Mental Health Summit, and 308 attendees at Courtyard Concerts. Facility
rentals generated approximately 18,850 attendees across 120 permits.
Mr. Ruiz also highlighted the Community Center's partnerships, its use for weddings and
cultural celebrations, and the upcoming 40th anniversary celebration scheduled for
November 19, 2026. Board members toured program, rental, kitchen, courtyard, and other
facility spaces.
3. Recreation & Library Master Plan Update – John Sefton, Community Services Director
Mr. Sefton reported that community engagement for the Recreation and Library Master
Plan remains underway, including outreach at youth sports activities and other
community locations. Staff and consultants continue to gather feedback on residents'
experiences with recreation programs and library services.
Staff also presented a potential capstone project to Arizona State University's Master of
Public Administration program to support the next phase of youth sports research. The
proposed work would include surveys of league administrators, coaches, and parents
regarding field reservation practices, affiliation requirements, and potential policy
updates.
Surveys remain open while additional analysis is completed. Staff anticipate presenting
Master Plan recommendations to the Board in January or February 2027 before
proceeding to Mayor and Council.
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4. Department Updates and Announcements – John Sefton, Community Services Director
Staff provided the following updates:
• Parks crews have been responding to recent storm damage involving trees, shade
structures, and other park impacts while preparing facilities for fall sports.
• The Pima Park playground replacement is progressing, with a grant acceptance
item anticipated for an October City Council meeting.
• Mesquite Groves design is approximately 90 percent complete. Hunter Contracting
is on board as construction manager at risk, with an October item anticipated for
initial RWCD-related construction and a final guaranteed maximum price targeted
for early 2027. A formal groundbreaking is also planned.
• The City did not reach agreement with the initial design team for the Folley Park
and Pool renovation and has retained Kimley-Horn to continue the project.
• Staff attended the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association annual conference,
which had record attendance of 711. Chandler staff participated in multiple
presentations and sessions covering boards and commissions, leadership,
programming, policy, CAPRA accreditation, artificial intelligence, and
communicating the value of parks and recreation.
• The Native Plant Oasis at Veterans Oasis Park received the APRA Natural Resources
Award. Staff plans to present the project to the Board at a future meeting.
• Aquatics reported an 83 percent reduction in rescues under the Swim Safe 48
initiative, which emphasizes height screening, shallow-water restrictions, and close
adult supervision for children under 48 inches. The aquatics program also reached
its 10,000th swim lesson registration milestone.
Member Comments/Announcements
None.
Calendar
The next Parks and Recreation Board meeting will be held 10/6/2026 at 5:00 p.m. at the
Chandler Tennis Center, 2250 S. McQueen Rd.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 5:42 p.m.
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