Meeting Minutes 9.2.2026

Meeting Location:
City of Apache Junction, Arizona
City Council Chambers
at City Hall
Meeting Minutes 300 E Superstition Blvd
Apache Junction, AZ
Parks & Recreation Commission 85119
apachejunctionaz.gov
P: (480) 983-2181
Wednesday, September 2, 2026 6:00 PM City Council Chambers
1. Call to Order
Chair Heather Moeller called the regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission to
order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Heather Moeller led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Roll Call
Present 7 - Commissioner Kyhn, Commissioner Schoenbeck, Commissioner Borey, Vice
Chair Madrid, Commissioner Klepper, Chairperson Moeller, and Commissioner
Vega
Staff present:
Liz Langenbach, Parks and Recreation Director
Jamie Sullivan, Recreation Superintendent
Dave Butler, Parks Superintendent
Larry Binion, Management Analyst
Christi Hamm, Senior Administrative Assistant
4. Consent Agenda
Vice Chair Felicia Madrid moved that the Parks and Recreation Commission accept the agenda as
presented and approve the minutes from the August 5, 2026 regular meeting. Commissioner
Frank Schoenbeck seconded the motion. This was approved.
26-421 Consideration of approval of agenda.
26-422 Consideration of approval of regular meeting minutes of August 5, 2026.
Attachments: Meeting Minutes 8.5.26
5. Information and Reports
Commissioners made positive comments about the events they attended including working out
at the Multi-Generational Center and the recent Young Artists of Apache Junction Art Gala.
6. Staff Report
26-423 Presentation and update on projects and opportunities in the parks and
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Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 2, 2026
other service areas.
Superintendent Dave Butler updated the commission on the new city campus. He shared a
preliminary conceptual design and pointed out key features including a lake and new
maintenance building and yard for the South Team. He shared that council recently approved
the design funding for the new campus. Superintendent Butler reviewed the most recent set of
plans for the third phase of the CAP trail and highlighted the section that belongs to Apache
Junction which includes the trail's unique loop feature. He noted that no timeline for
implementation has been established at this time.
26-424 Presentation, discussion and update on upcoming events and activities.
Superintendent Jamie Sullivan provided the commission with an update on recent events,
programs, and activities. She presented photos from the Summer Youth Art Contest and
highlighted the Youth Advisory Council’s participation in the League of Cities. Superintendent
Sullivan also reviewed some of many upcoming events scheduled for September, including the
free-admission to the Last Splash at Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center and the annual Mad
Science Event. She further noted the September 11 Memorial will be held at the Veterans
Memorial Gazebo, hosted by the local VFW and clarified the Taco and Margs event will take
place on November 7, 2026. She concluded by announcing that the MGC will be getting all
new strength training equipment and the old equipment is being donated to the Apache
Junction High School.
26-426 Presentation of 2026 Arizona Parks and Recreation Association Award.
Superintendent Jamie Sullivan announced that the department attended the annual Arizona
Parks and Recreation Association (APRA) Conference and received the Partnership Award in
recognition of the department's partnership with the Lost Dutchman Marathon (LDM) and their
collaborative contributions to the community. APRA recognized the LDM's support of
scholarships and youth sports, as well as donations in the amount of $1 million to local
nonprofit organizations.
7. Old Business
26-425
Presentation and discussion on the next steps to update the annual Parks
and Recreation Strategic Plan.
Attachments: 2026 Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan
Management Analyst Larry Binion provided the commission with an update on the progress of
the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan, including proposed cover options. Commissioners
were invited to provide input and share their preferences regarding the cover photos and
design. Superintendents Jamie Sullivan and Dave Butler reviewed their respective sections of
the plan and provided information that will be incorporated. Management Analyst Binion
announced that the first draft of the Strategic Plan will be presented at the next meeting for
review and feedback. All questions and comments from the Commission were addressed and
noted.
8. New Business
26-438 Discussion and update on Flatiron Park's water feature.
At the request of Commissioner Frank Schoebeck, Director Liz Langenbach provided an
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Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes September 2, 2026
update on usage of the splash pad area at Flatiron Park. She outlined strategies the
department implemented to mitigate transient activity and gatherings that had resulted in the
increase of trash and debris in the park. Director Langenbach also reviewed the department’s
“See Something, Say Something” efforts, posted Code of Conduct, splash pad signage, and
the phone and text service that allows Park Rangers to activate the splash pad upon request.
She presented data demonstrating a decrease in transient use and an increase in family use
following the implementation of these measures, based on Park Ranger counts and Placer.ai
data.
9. Call to Public
None.
10. Call for Future Agenda Items
Commissioner Frank Schoenbeck requested information on Superstition Basin.
11. Selection of Meeting Dates, Times, Location and Purpose
26-428 Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission to be held at
6:00 p.m. on October 7, 2026 in the city council chambers located at 300
E. Superstition Boulevard.
Commissioner Diele Kyhn moved, seconded by Vice Chair Felicia Madrid that the regular session
of the Parks and Recreation Commission be held October 7, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the city council
chambers located at 300 E Superstition Boulevard, Apache Junction. This was approved
Yes: 7 - Commissioner Kyhn, Commissioner Schoenbeck, Commissioner Borey, Vice
Chair Madrid, Commissioner Klepper, Chairperson Moeller and Commissioner
Vega
No: 0
12. Adjournment
Chair Heather Moeller adjourned the meeting at 7:28 p.m.
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