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1 DRAFT MINUTES City of Glendale Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Special Meeting Glendale Civic Center 5750 W. Glenn Dr. Glendale, Arizona 85301 May 17, 2021 4:30 P.M. PRESENT: Gayle Schiavone, Chair Sam McConnell, Vice Chair Reginald Martinez, Jr. Kathryn Mawby ABSENT: Stephanie June Derrick Johnson ALSO PRESENT: Jim Burke, Director, Public Facilities, Recreation and Special Events Walter Varney, Assistant Director Diane Williams, Program Manager 1. Call to Order Chair Schiavone called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m. 2. Roll Call Chair Schiavone facilitated roll call. 3. New Business a. Action: Parks and Recreation Master Plan Chair Schiavone announced the only order of business for the meeting was an action item for Commission recommendation to City Council for approval and adoption of the final draft of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Chair Schiavone noted that all of the Commissioners previously received a copy of the Master Plan. She stressed the importance of the Master Plan and suggested a vigorous question and answer period after staff’s presentation of the proposed final Plan. Mr. Burke updated the Commission with the following: • The Master Plan is a 365-page document, of which most was data and appendices to the main report. • The process began in late fall of 2019 with the consultant Green Play, LLC. • He gave an overview of the history and process of the Master Plan. • The Master Plan also includes a Disparity Report. • Every year a review of the Master Plan will be done. There are four goals, objectives, and actions for each goal: mid-term, long-term, and short-term. • Mr. Burke recommended, if the plan was approved, to implement a community process and hire consultants, and with the Commission’s guidance, to prepare a detailed plan as far as how specific parks projects in the CIP will be designed. • Key Findings: o Improving Access to the Community ▪ Based on the Disparity Report 2 o Improving the Financial and Asset Management of the Parks System ▪ Using the Lucity software system. o Process Solutions ▪ Includes the need to develop a marketing plan. ▪ Public Engagement o Strengthening the Department ▪ Human Resources • Plan Implementation: Mr. Burke explained how the four Goals tie into specific Objectives and Action Plans. The Capital Priorities will heavily involve work of a consultant and review by the Commission. The major parks the Master Plan consultant recommended to be addressed include Sahuaro Ranch Park, Thunderbird Conservation Park, Skunk Creek, Thunderbird Paseo, Grand Canal, and Glendale Heroes. Mr. Burke suggested addressing Bonsall Park as well. • Funding Mechanism: Capital Improvement Program, Bond Program, Development Impact Feeds, Grants and Other Financing Techniques. Commissioner Martinez inquired if the parks announced by Mr. Burke would be the only parks included in the software management system or if others would be included as well. Mr. Burke replied that the asset management cover all that the department manages, including neighborhood parks, retention basins, community parks, and regional parks. Mr. Burke clarified the Master Plan included recommendations on the larger parks, however, as per the CIP over the next five years, improvements will be made to over thirty-five different park sites. Mr. Burke stated that community outreach was important to the process of the improvements. Chair Schiavone asked if staff would look at community accessibility regarding disparity and smaller parks and if communities that could not access the bigger parks were being served. Mr. Burke replied in the positive, however, cautioned that he only has a certain amount of control in that he has to work with his colleagues in Transportation, such as regarding bike routes, and the Planning Department regarding zoning and strategies to reduce barriers. Mr. Burke noted that Thunderbird Conservation Park was a great amenity, which was very far away for some residents in the community and relayed staff may discuss strategies to implement access with the Transit Department and Transportation Department. Commissioner Martinez inquired as to the timeline for the Master Plan. Mr. Burke relayed it was a ten-year plan and pretty ambitious. Mr. Burke stated the last plan was done in 2011 and the one before that was done in 2003. Commissioner Martinez asked when the projects in the plan would begin or estimates would be received. Mr. Burke explained consultants need to be hired to refine the implementation process and a report will be brought back to the Commission for discussion on priority and need. Mr. Burke also commented on the need for staff to report the tracking and implementation of the Master Plan process to the Commission. Commissioner Mawby asked if the Master Plan would address some of the disparity between north and south Glendale. Mr. Burke replied that one of the recommendations in the Plan was that programming may not have to be done inside of large buildings, but also in outside areas all over the City. Mr. Burke stated one of implementations that is already occurring was reviewing access to indoor recreation, as Council has approved $5 million for improving the City’s three community centers. Mr. Burke announced that Council was very receptive to the Disparity Report and the expectation was that staff update Council on achievements regarding findings from the report. Mr. Burke commented on the plan for Heroes Park Recreation and Aquatics Center, which was in the long-range CIP and would be conceptually similar to Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center. Mr. Burke noted this project was in line with providing equal access for different parts of the City. Commissioner Mawby indicated that in the past, swimming lessons were provided at high schools in Glendale which created equal access, however, this no longer exists and may impact access. Mr. Burke explained this was a partnership that ended years ago. Mr. Burke reported there were two pool locations: Rose Lane and 3 Foothills. Chair Schiavone interjected there were splash pads. Mr. Burke clarified the splash pad locations at Heroes Park and O’Neil Park, which will open next week. Mr. Burke stated a third splash pad was called for in the CIP, with the location to be determined. Mr. Burke stated staff had not been directed by Council to engage high schools for swimming lessons at this time and believed the partnership programming ended due to budgetary issues. Chair Schiavone asked if there would be any conflict with the newly planned water park by Westgate. Mr. Burke did not see any conflict as that was a private entity also geared toward tourism, which was a different market as opposed to public swim lessons. Chair Schiavone inquired about having partnerships, such as previously with Special Olympics. Mr. Burke noted one of the recommendations in the plan was to work on partnerships and look for ways to leverage programming, with the City getting a fair deal and benefits from the partnerships. Mr. Burke reported the City has a partnership with the YWCA, which provides congregate meals for the senior population at the Ocotillo Recreation Center. Mr. Burke stated this was a good way for non-profits and governments to work together. Vice Chair McConnell said he was impressed with the Master Plan and he agreed with it. Chair Schiavone congratulated staff on all that has been done with the consultants to put the Master Plan together. She commented on the need for gaps to be addressed as noted in the Disparity Report and stated this was important to the Commission. She voiced intent, besides the larger parks, for the City not to forget the little people and the neighborhood parks and to be sure people and their feedback are being included. She commented on the need for more publicizing of parks events via social media and flyers, noting she had not seen a flyer regarding the Valentine’s Day event at the library. Mr. Burke indicated this may have been a missed opportunity; however, the library was a great supporter of recently disseminating lifeguard training information for summer jobs at the City’s pools. Commissioner Martinez asked if the parks would install Wi-Fi or a hotspot at the parks, possibly in the ten-year future. Mr. Burke stated one project currently being considered was expanding the City-owned fiber connections to various facilities in the City, such as the community centers. Mr. Burke explained this would be beneficial for staff’s internal communications and would provide visitors with Wi-Fi. Mr. Burke stated it was approximately $550,000 to bring Wi-Fi to the community centers. Motion by Commissioner Martinez, second by Commissioner Mawby, to recommend that City Council approve and adopt the final draft of Glendale Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Motion carried 4 – 0. 6. Next Meeting The next regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will be held on June 14, 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 Martinez, to adjourn the meeting at 5:19 p.m. Motion carried 4 – 0.