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DRAFT MINUTES
City of Glendale
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
Glendale Civic Center
5750 W. Glenn Dr.
Glendale, Arizona 85301
April 12, 2021
6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Gayle Schiavone, Chair
Sam McConnell, Vice Chair
Derreck Johnson
Stephanie June (via phone)
Reginald Martinez, Jr.
Kathryn Mawby
ABSENT:
Kristina Cadena
ALSO PRESENT:
Jim Burke, Director, Public Facilities, Recreation and Special Events
Walter Varney, Assistant Director
Danielle Dutsch, Interim Deputy Director
Paul King, Recreation Administrator
Diane Williams, Program Manager
Tim Rastedt, CIP Project Manager
Ryan Berninzoni, Parks Superintendent
1. Call to Order
Chair Schiavone called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Chair Schiavone facilitated roll call.
Chair Schiavone introduced the newly appointed teen Commissioner Derreck Johnson. Commissioner Johnson
shared a brief background of himself.
3. Citizen Comments
No citizens present. No comments.
4. Approval of the Minutes
Motion by Vice Chair McConnell, second by Commissioner Martinez, to approve the February 8, 2021
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting minutes as written. Motion carried 6 – 0.
5. New Business
a. Information: Commission Reports
Commissioner Mawby reported that her neighbor was pleased when a sign was put up indicating spraying was
being done at Sunset Park, since children play in the area. She thanked the City for the signage.
Chair Schiavone reported she visited the Heroes Park Library and noticed there has been extensive clean up of
the weeds and vegetation. She stated the area looked very nice.
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b. Information: Parks and Recreation Assessments
Mr. Varney and Mr. Burke gave an update on the various Parks Assessments recently conducted in the Public
Facilities, Recreation and Special Events Department. The presentation included the following highlights:
• Kimley-Horn prepared an assessment of irrigation systems and park amenities at ten parks. The
electrical service was evaluated by CR Engineering for the same ten City parks. Also, staff internally
developed an inventory and assessment of 100 park playgrounds. The data collected from these
assessments was used to help create detailed costs estimates and plans for park projects to be considered
by Council for the 10-Year CIP.
• West Coast Arborist, Inc. completed an inventory and assessment of City-owned trees maintained by
the Parks Division, including tree size, current health, and the GPS location of each tree. There were
9,563 trees assessed, 499 tree removals, and 600 stumps removed. The estimated value of the City’s
trees is $47.5 million.
• WaterCentric, LLC implemented turf irrigation watering controls using internet-based technology, with
internet-based irrigation controllers and water flow control valves linked to satellite weather monitoring.
The system allows for watering based on current weather and can automatically shut down in case of a
pipe break or emergency. The system function can be managed from a computer, laptop, or mobile
device. Parks staff is working with the contractor to monitor the performance of the technology.
c. Information: FY2021-22 Capital Improvement Projects
Mr. Burke announced that all of the data garnered from the assessments presented was extrapolated from the ten
parks to all of the City parks for an overall cost estimate. Mr. Burke announced there was an allocatio n of
Development Impact Fees (DIF) available to Parks, along with $14.3 million in G.O. Bonds and $50 million in
Open Space Bonds. Mr. Burke presented the FY2022-31 Parks CIP and provided details on the projects for
FY22, including projects funded by carryover.
Chair Schiavone inquired about the glass repair project at the Glendale Adult Center. Mr. Burke noted the project
was under the Facilities Department CIP. Mr. Burke explained the glass entry wall at the Adult Center was at
risk of failure, though it was caught in time. Mr. Burke stated Council approved $250,000 for restoration of the
glass wall and the building should be opened in June 2021.
Chair Schiavone commented on the great amount of work to be done. Mr. Burke replied that staff was trying to
make an impact that people would see and feel, however, noted that irrigation projects were very important too.
d. Information: New Pickleball Courts at Bonsall Park
Mr. King announced that pickleball was one of the fastest growing sports in the nation for seniors and all ages
and eight new pickleball courts were opened at Bonsall Park. Mr. King played a promotional video produced by
the City’s Public Affairs Department regarding the new courts.
Chair Schiavone reported that she drove by the new courts and they were beautiful. She stated Bonsall Park
looked better than in the past.
Chair Schiavone inquired as to how the video would be used. Mr. King replied the video would be used as a
promotion for the park amenity and sport, as staff did not want to host a large gathering event due to COVID.
e. Information: Desert Mirage Golf Course
Mr. Varney gave an update on the Desert Mirage Golf Course, which included the following information:
• The course is a nine-hole executive course located at 8710 W. Maryland Avenue. The course opened in
1999 and is currently operated by Ready Golf, Inc. The City maintains title and ownership of the land.
Ready Golf currently pays the City rent based on a percentage of its annual revenue.
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• In 2019, the operator indicated it was experiencing downturns affecting the industry. The operator was
experiencing a decrease in rounds played coupled with increased operations and maintenance costs. At
that time, Ready Golf requested a reduction in its monthly rent payment to the City.
• On November 12, 2019, Council approved a waiver of the operator’s rent in the amount of $625.00 per
month to allow the course to remain an affordable golf option for residents and surrounding communities.
• Since 2019, Desert Mirage has experienced an increase in rounds of play, therefore, increasing revenue
to the City. Rent to the City in 2020 was $19,080.41 compared to $17,770.98 in 2019.
Chair Schiavone reported that she recently had a meeting with Mr. Barr, who runs the facility. She stated that
items in need of repair when she visited over a year ago had been fixed and the amenity looks much nicer. She
stated Mr. Barr informed her memberships have increased. She commented it was a good deal to give the course
a little support as it has provided the City with more revenue. Mr. Burke concurred and noted Desert Mirage
may also be gaining the golfers from Glen Lakes Golf Course, which was closed down.
f. Information: Draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan
The Commissioners were provided with a full copy of the draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Mr. Burke
gave a detailed presentation on the Plan, which would also be given at an upcoming Council Workshop. The
presentation included information on the following:
• Master Plan Project Purpose, Process, Council Engagement, and Public Engagement
• Key Findings from Public Engagement, Community Survey
• Analyses of Operating Expenditure per Park Acre and FTEs per 10,000 Residents Compared to Other
Valley Cities
• Parks Assessment Summary, Neighborhood Access Mapping
• Disparity Report Findings
• Recommendations Summary to Achieve the Following Goals
o Goal 1: Access to Parks and Recreation Experiences
o Goal 2: Resource Allocation & Asset Management
o Goal 3: Solutions & Relationships
o Goal 4: Knowledgeable Workforce
• Next Steps
Commissioner Mawby inquired as to how to keep people in lower income brackets engaged or possibly assisting
the low income population with program fees. Mr. Burke stated that based on the Disparity Report, households
with incomes of $50,000 to $150,000 annually were participating; however, ways needed to be found to reach
the lower income bracket. Mr. Burke commented on the need to reach out with cultural programming, to review
cost barriers, and to review the cost recovery policy for different facilities.
Commissioner Mawby asked if the change to the afterschool programming would be implemented soon. Mr.
Burke replied in the positive, noting Council directed staff to implement the change last year, however, COVID
caused delay. Mr. Burke reported that Cares Act funding would be used for renovations at the community centers
and programming would be opened next year.
Commissioner Mawby asked if the community centers would provide meals to the children. Mr. King stated
Council’s directive was for more recreational-based programming; however, staff would review the
implementation of homework help as well. Mr. King relayed that staff would work with St. Mary’s Food Bank
and the school district to provide free snacks to the children.
Commissioner Martinez inquired about a plan for communicating programming information to high school
students, possibly by social media or other innovative methods. Mr. Burke replied staff has learned, especially
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during the pandemic, that the use of social medial was the way to connect with the community. Mr. Burke noted
that staff has become smarter and more efficient with social media, for example with the use of Facebook Live.
Mr. Burke stressed the need to reach people where they are.
Commissioner Martinez commented that he was not aware of pickleball until he saw the video during this
meeting. He stated, as a teacher, he was always trying to find ways to get his students involved. Mr. Burke
reported the video was posted on the City’s webpage; however, noted this was a passive method. Mr. Burke
stated he would send the Commissioners a link to the video to share with others.
6. Staff Updates
Mr. Varney introduced Mr. Ryan Berninzoni, the newly hired Parks Superintendent. Mr. Berninzoni shared a
brief background of himself.
Mr. King’s report included the following:
• Registration was opened for summer programming today, April 12th. Offerings include summer camp,
youth and adult enrichment classes, and adult basketball. The department was opening programming
with safety and concern in mind due to the pandemic.
• The Arizona Early Days Gas Engine and Tractor Show was held on March 6th. Vice Chair McConnell
stated the group was excited to be allowed to hold the event, noted it went well, and thanked the City.
Chair Schiavone asked if the City was conducting an Arbor Day event on April 30th, as she believed it was a
Tree City requirement. Mr. King relayed that due to COVID, the agency was allowing a virtual day. Mr. King
stated that last year, the City planted a tree virtually; however, a planting was not required this year. Mr. King
assured Glendale would remain a Tree City.
Chair Schiavone commented that staff has done a lot of work with the Right Tree Right Place Program and
should be getting more credit in the media. Mr. Varney announced that just this morning, he was interviewed
regarding the program. Mr. Burke reported that staff conducted a lot of outreach and communication regarding
the program as well. Mr. Burke stated seventy-four trees were removed from the park system without a single
complaint and over five hundred trees were planted.
Chair Schiavone asked if the City had any plans for Earth Day on April 22nd. Mr. Burke replied in the negative.
7. Commission Comments and Suggestions
Vice Chair McConnell said that staff deserved kudos for all of the work done and noted the positive comments
received on Glendale Parks and Recreation.
8. Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will be held on May 10, 2021, at
6:00 p.m., at the Glendale Civic Center, located at 5750 W. Glenn Drive, Glendale, Arizona, 85301.
9. Adjournment
Motion by Vice Chair McConnell, second by Commissioner Mawby, to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 p.m.
Motion carried 5 – 0. [Commissioner June was no longer present.]