Draft February 4, 2020 Minutes

D R A F T
MINUTES
BOND COMMITTEE
CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM 2A
5850 W. GLENDALE AVE.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85301
FEBRUARY 4, 2020
5:00 P.M.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.
 
 
2.
ROLL CALL
Roll call was conducted.  Committee Member Boule was not yet present as he entered during
Agenda Item 6.
Present: 
Jon Froke, Chair   
  
Lisa Baker, Vice Chair   
  
John Guers, Committee Member   
  
Gary Hirsch, Committee Member   
  
Michael Socaciu, Committee Member   
  
Ryan Wesselink, Committee Member   
Absent: 
Michael Boule, Committee Member 
Also Present:
Vicki Rios, Assistant City Manager 
Lisette Camacho, Budget and Finance Director 
Renee Molina, Budget and Finance Managment Assistant 
James Burke, Public Facilities, Recreation, and Special Events Director 
Timothy Barnard, Public Facilities, Recreation, and Special Events Assistant Director 
Diane Williams, Public Facilities, Recreation, and Special Events Program Manager 
Paul King, Public Facilities, Recreation, and Special Events Administrator 
3.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
No citizens present.  No comments.
 
 
4.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Presented by: Jon Froke, Citizen Bond Committee Chair
 
a.
Citizen Bond Election Committee Minutes of January 21, 2020.

A motion was made by Vice Chair Lisa Baker, motion was seconded by Committee Member
Gary Hirsch 
 
AYE: 
Chair Jon Froke 
 
Vice Chair Lisa Baker 
 
Committee Member John Guers 
 
Committee Member Gary Hirsch 
 
Committee Member Michael Socaciu 
 
Committee Member Ryan Wesselink 
Other: Committee Member Michael Boule (ABSENT) 
 
5.
INTRODUCTION TO NEW COMMITTEE MEMBER
Presented by: Jon Froke, Citizen Bond Committee Chair
New Committee Member Wesselink was welcomed and shared a brief background of himself.
 
  
 
6.
PRESENTATION ON PUBLIC FACILITIES, RECREATION, AND SPECIAL EVENTS CIP
Presented by: James Burke, Public Facilities, Recreation, and Special Events Director
Presented by: Timothy Barnard, Public Facilities, Recreation, and Special Events Assistant
Director
 
Mr. Burke gave a detailed presentation, which included the following:
  
Voter Authorization 
Current voter authorization and remaining need as identified for all City divisions was
displayed. Ms. Camacho explained the meaning of the chart. 
a.
1.
Overview of Parks CIP 
The projects and timeline have been submitted as part of the development of the
FY20-29 CIP Program. 
a.
Council will review requests during the FY21 budget.
b.
2.
Parks CIP by Project
3.
Parks CIP by Funding Source
4.
Specific Parks Capital Projects through FY2020-FY29 were explained in detail. 
Sahuaro Ranch Park Improvements – Completed and Grand Opening this weekend.
a.
Thunderbird Park Master Plan
b.
Park Ground and Irrigation
c.
Park Lighting
d.
Park Infrastructure Improvements
e.
Park Play Structures
f.
Heroes Park Regional Lake
g.
Thunderbird Conservation Park Improvements
h.
O’Neill Park Splash Pad
i.
Open Space/Trails Master Plan
j.
Thunderbird Park Improvements
k.
Amphitheater Renovations
l.
5.
Photos of current parks turf, conditions, and restrooms were displayed, which depicted the
need for improvements.   
6.
Committee Member Hirsch inquired as to the definition of a cultural facility. 
 
Committee Member Socaciu made the following comments 
He thought there would be more new items in the Parks Plan.
It appears as if the Plan is just maintaining what the City already has.
Will anything more be done than just the splash pad and the lake at Heroes Park?

Councilmember Joyce Clark had announced that she would like to see an aquatic center at
Heroes Park.
There is much new development in West Glendale.
Will there be anything fresh and new built over the next ten years?
 
[Committee Member Boule entered the meeting.]
 
Ms. Rios replied that staff does not recommend using bonds for maintenance and explained that
the Parks projects are major reconstructions of the park infrastructure, which is so deteriorated
that replacement is needed.  Ms. Rios relayed that the bonding authorization request for Parks is
nearly $42.0 million and would be used for specific projects, some will be for refurbishing an entire
park or constructing portions of a park that has not been fully developed.  Ms. Rios added that
when brand new things are built, funding sources need to be considered as well as for operations
and maintenance. 
 
Mr. Burke reported that in the previous Master Plan, the community told staff that they want the
City to take care of what it has.  Mr. Burke stated that there has been about ten years of deferred
maintenance and some of these planned improvements will make the parks look brand new.  Mr.
Burke relayed that a new aquatic center could cost $400,000 to $500,000 annually for operations
and staff.
 
Committee Member Socaciu inquired as to how close the Foothills Aquatic Center comes to
paying for itself. 
 
Mr. Burke explained that the whole complex is at an approximate 70% return and has an annual
budget of about $1.0 million.   
 
Committee Member Hirsch asked for an explanation of the difference between parks and open
space.  Ms. Rios relayed that open space consists of open space, linear parks, and multi-use trails
and used Thunderbird Conservation Park as an example.  Ms. Rios stated that an opinion from
the bond attorney would be requested on a specific project if there was a possibility it might not fit
into the open space definition.  Mr. Burke shared the following examples of open space:  Paseo
Linear Park, Thunderbird Conservation Park, Skunk Creek and New River Trails, and the Grand
Canal Linear Park.  Ms. Rios read aloud the definition of parks projects and also cultural
facilities.  
 
Committee Member Wesselink asked if only the irrigation lines would be addressed or would the
grass itself also be addressed.  Mr. Burke explained that at this time, only the irrigation lines are
being addressed, such as modern controllers, remote control, proper coverage, pumps, and
pressure zones.  Mr. Burke noted that at some point, staff will determine if the parks have the right
mix of desert versus landscape turf.  Mr. Barnard stated that a citywide survey is being conducted
as part of the Master Plan in regards to priorities, how the parks are used, and more. 
 
Vice Chair Baker asked if the plan was to replace items like sports courts with like for like or to
repurpose.  Mr. Burke replied that the plan is not that detailed yet, but staff will be looking at this
on a case by case basis.  Mr. Burke stated that some amenities would be replaced like for like,
while some may be changed based on public need or functionality. 
 
Committee Member Geurs asked if there was a budget to maintain the proposed improvements to
the parks. Mr. Burke replied in the positive.  Mr. Burke stated that one goal of replacing the
irrigation is to potentially save 30% in water cost and possibly 20% to 30% with new light poles
and fixtures. Committee Member Geurs asked if the fruit trees in Sahuaro Ranch Park would be
saved.  Mr. Burke explained that experts have been hired who have provided information on how
to better maintain the fruit trees with proper irrigation techniques.  Committee Member Geurs
asked if the Sahuaro Ranch historical area could be considered as cultural. Ms. Rios replied in
the positive. 
 
Committee Member Socaciu comments included the following:

It may be difficult to convince voters to support the bond if there are only two new things in
Parks, especially residents in the Yucca district. 
It took thirty years to get Heroes Park completed.
North Glendale has had a lot of growth and the amenities in West Glendale have been
slower to come.  West Glendale is only getting a lake and splash bad, despite growth.
The bond request may be a hard sell to people because it is millions of dollars, but not a lot
will be seen.
Why wasn’t the irrigation repaired all along?
 
Ms. Rios commented that this is exactly the type of discussion that the Committee should be
having and is why the Committee is in place.
 
Committee Member Socaciu felt that the presentation today was more just on maintenance and
not on new or more adventurous items that people would like to see. 
 
Ms. Camacho explained that staff is in the process of updating the Parks Master Plan and once
that is completed, specific projects will be identified.  Mr. Burke commented that operations and
maintenance must be considered and new projects cannot be done if the funds are not in the
budget for operations.  Ms. Rios stated that the parks improvement projects will be full
replacement of many amenities at once, and will thus look like brand new parks.  Ms. Rios stated
that it was better to stagger new projects, so to ensure funds for maintenance. 
 
Committee Member Wesselink asked if studies have been done which show the impact of parks
maintenance on property values.  Mr. Burke replied that studies have been done which show the
impact and benefit and the opposite has been shown, where if the parks are not maintained, the
property values decrease.  Mr. Burke relayed that the average age of the parks in Glendale are 35
to 50 years old and at some point, general maintenance is not enough. 
 
Committee Member Hirsch agreed that when parks deteriorate, the neighborhood is impacted. 
Committee Member Hirsch stated that the 2008 crash was part of the equation and the City built a
stadium which is not even in Glendale, that came with crushing debt service, strangled the
budget, and led to maintenance issues.  Committee Member Hirsch understood the approach and
why brand new things were not being built.
 
Committee Member Boule asked when the Parks Master Plan would be done.  Ms. Camacho
replied that the Plan would be finished in late summer or early fall.  Committee Member Boule
inquired if the Plan would include more specific project details. Ms. Camacho replied in the
positive.
 
Chair Froke commented on poor cell phone reception in north Glendale and inquired about the
current view on possible cell phone towers in Thunderbird Conservation Park. Mr. Burke stated
that he has not been approached about the topic. Ms. Rios recalled that years ago, there were
ideas regarding improvements at Thunderbird Conservation Park, however, there was a ground
swell to keep the Park as a more raw and natural conservation park.
 
Chair Froke inquired about the amphitheater at Thunderbird Conservation Park.  Mr. Burke
replied that it has not been used for programming for a while and the Master Plan consultant will
take a look at it on a high level.   
 
The agenda item was concluded.
 
 
7.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION
Presented by: Jon Froke, Citizen Bond Committee Chair
No items were presented.

8.
STAFF REPORT
Presented by: Vicki Rios, Assistant City Manager
Presented by: Lisette Camacho, Budget and Finance Director
Ms. Rios announced that there was a request for an update from the Committee to Council.  After
discussion, it was agreed that Chair Froke and Vice Chair Baker would attend the Council
Workshop on February 18th at 9:00 a.m. to provide an update and other Committee Members are
welcome to attend as well.  Ms. Rios stated that the Council Workshops are also videotaped, so
Committee Members who cannot attend can view the Workshop online.
 
Ms. Camacho reported that a presentation will be given on Governmental Facilities at the next
Committee meeting.
 
Committee Member Socaciu requested a presentation from the Streets and Transportation
Department. 
 
Ms. Camacho announced that Ms. Renee Molina will be leaving the City and next Thursday is her
last day. 
 
 
9.
COMMITTEE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Presented by: Jon Froke, Citizen Bond Committee Chair
None.
 
10.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Citizen Bond Election Committee will be held on February 18,
2020 at 5:00 p.m., in conference room 2A, located at 5850 West Glendale Avenue, Glendale,
Arizona, 85301.
 
11.
ADJOURNMENT
 
 
A motion was made by Committee Member John Guers, motion was seconded by Committee
Member Michael Socaciu 
 
AYE: Chair Jon Froke 
 
Vice Chair Lisa Baker 
 
Committee Member Michael Boule 
 
Committee Member John Guers 
 
Committee Member Gary Hirsch 
 
Committee Member Michael Socaciu 
 
Committee Member Ryan Wesselink 
 
 
 
The Bond Committee meeting minutes of February 4, 2020 were submitted and approved
this 18 day of February, 2020.
____________________________________
Lisette Camacho
Budget and Finance Director