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DRAFT MINUTES
City of Glendale
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission
Sahuaro Ranch Historic Area – Fruit Packing Shed
9802 N. 59th Avenue
Glendale, Arizona 85302
Monday, August 9, 2021
6:00 P.M.
PRESENT:
Gayle Schiavone, Chair
Sam McConnell, Vice Chair
Stephanie June
Reginald Martinez, Jr.
Kathryn Mawby
ALSO PRESENT:
Jim Burke, Director, Public Facilities, Recreation & Special Events
Walter Varney, Assistant Director
Paul King, Recreation Administrator
Diane Williams, Program Manager
Tim Rastedt, CIP Project Manager
Ryan Berninzoni, Parks Superintendent
Caitlin Biliske, Park Ranger Supervisor
Kelly Brookins, Civic Center Event Coordinator
Laura Sauls, Recreation Coordinator
1. Call to Order
Chair Schiavone called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Chair Schiavone conducted roll call.
3. Citizen Comments
Ms. Rosa Sauz made comments regarding her concerns to the Commission, which included the following:
• Who is supposed to feed the peacocks and who is in charge of them? The peacocks are part of the park’s
history since 1933. If you take the tours or go on the website, they are part of the history of the park.
There is an injured peacock right now that has been injured for almost a week that has been sitting and
she cannot find one single individual, company, or rescue that can come and help it. It needs help. Who
is responsible? I thought since they are part of the park history, the park itself was supposed to take care
of it, but I can’t find anyone that can assist that peacock and it is just sitting there. I called Glendale
Police and they were supposed to send a police person to take a look. I called Fish and Game and they
don’t consider it part of their department. I called another company, Fallen Feathers. They will take the
peacock and help it, but someone needs to get the peacock and physically take it.
• I would like to know who is in charge of the library parking lot? What are the hours of opening and
closing?
• I would like to know about the feeding of feral cats. Myself and other individuals have been doing this
for eight years or more. Taking care of them because a lot of them are dumped here by individuals. My
friend here, Bette, actually was in your park and saw someone drive up, drop, and actually leave a black
cat. Just dumped it. I know you have signs and everything but that doesn’t do any good because people
will dump cats. They dump bunnies. They dump rabbits. They dump chickens, roosters, you name it,
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they dump it, because there’s no one here taking care of that. There’s no one here that can be patrolling
24/7. You might have cameras, but I don’t know if those cameras are really working. Because when I
was coming to the park, I would see people pee on the buildings, sit on the rails, take pictures where
they are not supposed to take pictures. I see kids on their bikes speeding on the front porch, on bikes, on
skates, and any scooter. I used to call and report it, but then I was being harassed for calling on these
individuals. So, I stopped calling. I said, you know what, let the park fall apart. I’m not going to do that.
I’m not getting paid by the City of Glendale to do this. I was doing this as a courtesy. But when I’m
being harassed by park rangers, it became all bets off. So, if I see something, I turn a blind eye. I’m not
going to assist. Somebody was in the back orchard taking pictures and started to do something with some
fire and smoke and the trees caught on fire. I had to call and say, ‘The park is on fire’ and they go,
‘Where?’ and they finally say, ‘Oh, now we see the smoke.’ But I’m not going to do anything after that.
Because I figure, if those of us that are walking and trying to assist and protect what we call this beautiful
park and history, and would like it to be moved to a status where people get rid of the picnic tables so
they don’t bring food and all that trash and peacocks are not being chased by kids on the weekends,
people are not doing things to the buildings they shouldn’t be, and trying to knock down doors, and
trying to break windows. Because there’s no park ranger on duty. And, I’ve been told many times, there’s
not enough rangers to be everywhere at anytime, but when you call one of them the first thing I’m told
is to try calling police. Well, I’m not calling police, because once they come out here it’s he and she and
you get into arguments and I’m not going to go there.
Chair Schiavone asked Mr. Burke for information as to how staff will respond to these comments. Mr. Burke
stated that that citizen’s contact information was on the yellow speaker card and staff will follow up to set up a
time with the citizen for response.
Ms. Sauz stated that she spoke with Mr. Paul King and thanked him for taking her call.
Chair Schiavone thanked Ms. Sauz for all she has done.
Ms. Bette Conley made comments regarding her concerns to the Commission, which included the following:
• I also help with feeding the cats. It’s been a great place for me to bring my grandkids.
• I would like to add, when we’re being harassed feeding the cats, there have been so many that have been
dumped here that there is a group of women who come in. We don’t have to trap and release these cats
because these were cats that were dumped. We are removing them at our own expense from the park,
getting them fixed, rehabilitating them, and we’re finding them homes. So to harass us for coming and
feeding and trying to help the situation here. I alone have taken eight cats out of this park in just the last
year, and have found new homes for them and have paid to have them cared for. I currently have one
right now that was so badly abused in the park, that got dumped here, I don’t know if I’ll ever get her
back to normal. But it is a problem and I just don’t think that harassing someone that’s come here, trying
to do good in an ugly world, should be harassed.
Chair Schiavone asked how the citizens were being harassed.
Ms. Conley gave an example of being told they were not allowed to feed to cats, as they are feral. She stated
that most of the cats in the park were not feral and she can walk up to them and touch them. She said these are
animals that were abandoned in the park. She said as soon as the group finds a new dumped cat, they work fast
to get the cat out of the park and rescue it. She stated the group was there to help the situation and get the cats
into homes.
Chair Schiavone asked who was harassing her.
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Ms. Conley stated that some of the officers present have a problem when the group comes and feeds the cats.
She wondered with all of the issues going on at the park, why the officers would pick on some women who are
feeding cats. She said the group was not just feeding, but rescuing and taking the cats out of the park, at their
expense, to get them into homes. She said the other side of it was to help and keep the park clean.
Chair Schiavone thanked Ms. Conley for her comments.
4. Approval of the Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Martinez, second by Vice Chair McConnell, to approve the June 14, 2021 Parks
and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting minutes as written. Motion carried 5 – 0.
5. New Business
a. Information: Commission Reports
Commissioner Mawby reported that some of her neighbors commented to her that Sunset Park looked really
good because of the recent rains. Commissioner Mawby stated that the neighbors requested replacement of the
playground equipment.
Commissioner June stated that her family has been participating in the programs at Foothills Recreation Center
and it was nice to see the programs running at full speed again.
Vice Chair McConnell stated that the experimental field at Sahuaro Ranch Park had not received good care for
the last year and a half. Vice Chair McConnell commented that the Truck & Tractor group is looking at other
possibilities for the field, such as planting oats, and welcomed suggestions for ideas or volunteers to assist the
group.
Chair Schiavone reported that she visited the Glendale Adult Center in late July and the facility looked beautiful.
She noted that there used to be cups available for drinking water, however on her last visit, there were no cups,
only the bubblers. Chair Schiavone commented that cups should be available at the facility as an easy source of
water for senior participants to stay hydrated.
b. Information: Proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month
Mr. Burke announced that July was National Parks and Recreation Month and Mayor Weiers issued a
proclamation for the City as such. Mr. Burke displayed the proclamation and a copy was provided to the
Commissioners.
c. Information: New Staff in Public Facilities, Recreation & Special Events Department
The following new staff members were introduced and brief backgrounds were provided.
• Laura Sauls, Recreation Coordinator
• Kelly Brookins, Civic Center Event Coordinator
• Caitlin Biliske, Park Ranger Supervisor
d. Information: Recreation Update
Mr. King gave an update on programs in Recreation, which included the following:
• Summer Aquatics Programs
o The new Rose Lane Splash Pad is up and running
• Summer Youth Camp Programs
o Two locations for youth camps were open to serve the community in north and south Glendale.
o A maximum of 40 children were allowed in each program due to COVID. The previous maximum
was 80 children in each camp.
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o There were special programs and themes each week, such as Nature Week or Super Heroes
• Fall/Winter Programming
o Registration and information for the Fall/Winter programs are in the new Glendale @Play, which
was distributed to the Commissioners.
o Programs include Youth Flag Football, Youth Baseball & Softball, Special Holiday Events, Lap
Swim
• Glendale Community Center After School-Program
o New Program for the community
▪ The program began August 9, 2021
▪ The ages served are 5 to 14 years old
▪ Dates and Times: School days – 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Early Release Days – 1:00 p.m.
to 7:00 p.m.
▪ The Glendale Community Center has now been designated as a bus stop for the schools,
so the children arrive by bus to the Center.
▪ The program is free to the children.
Chair Schiavone noted that two of the larger community events were scheduled at the Foothills Recreation Center
and inquired about inclusiveness of the other areas of the City. Commissioner Mawby echoed Chair Schiavone’s
comment. Mr. King replied that the Movies in Park are being held in different locations throughout the City and
also Live@Murphy Park is in downtown Glendale. Mr. King stated that staff would be building on offerings in
different locations in the future as well. Mr. Burke concurred with Mr. King.
Chair Schiavone inquired about the Chocolate Affaire for 2022. Mr. Burke stated that staff is taking the
discussion on this event to City Council in September. Mr. Burke surmised the event would be an indoor event
in February 2022 and stated staff issued an RFP for vendors in regard to running the event.
Chair Schiavone said that having the outdoor movies in different locations was a positive engagement. She
expressed concern regarding the viability of downtown Glendale. Mr. Burke stated staff will work on other plans
for events in downtown Glendale.
Commissioner Martinez stated that he would like to see more programs back at Sahuaro Ranch Park.
Commissioner Mawby inquired about potential transportation to include residents from other areas of the City,
if they did not have their own transportation to attend events.
Mr. Burke relayed that for the last few years, the three community centers were run by outside vendors and the
City is slowly taking over the centers. Mr. Burke stated he would like to see budget funds for programming at
the community centers over the next few years. Mr. Burke commented that by using the Disparity Report, staff
can find creative ways to do things differently.
e. Information: Parks Update
Mr. Varney provided a Parks update, which included the following information:
• Two New Positions in the Parks Division. The process of hiring is underway.
o Service Worker
o Senior Service Worker
• CIP Projects Update
o Heroes Lake Update
▪ Four-acre lake
▪ Fishing piers, benches, ramadas, landscaping
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▪ Currently under construction
▪ $4.7 million project
▪ Recent construction challenges with rain and material supply constraints
o Sahuaro Ranch Ramada Project Update
▪ $550,000 project
▪ Replacing ramada columns and beams
▪ Picnic table planks are being removed, stripped, and repainted
▪ The project is slated for completion in time for the ramadas to be open for use on October
1, 2021.
▪ FCI Constructors, Inc. is the contractor on the project. A weekly activity report from FCI
regarding the project was distributed to the Commissioners, which included the status
and photos of the construction activities.
6. Staff Updates
Mr. Burke announced the following:
• A new fiscal year has begun and there are 35 projects in the CIP for the next five years.
• Staff is obtaining proposals for a consultant to prepare a Master Plan for Sahuaro Ranch Park. A Master
Plan will also be developed for Thunderbird Conservation Park. Input from the public and the
Commission will be obtained and included as part of the plans.
• New resources are coming into the City in the form of an additional phase of federal funds. Staff is
working on a list of additional projects that will meet funding guidelines. Mr. Burke will have more
information on this item in the fall.
• Staff is looking for a location for a new splash pad in the central area of the City. The proposed splash
pad will be similar to the one recently constructed at O’Neil Park.
7. Commission Comments and Suggestions
Commissioner Martinez stated that this was his first meeting whereby members of the public expressed
comments during the meeting. He inquired about the process for Commission or staff response. Mr. Burke
explained that a public comment opportunity is always on the agenda. Mr. Burke explained that staff will follow
up with the members of the public regarding the concerns expressed and the Commission will be briefed on the
follow up as well.
Vice Chair McConnell stated that the members of the public who commented this evening indicated that the park
guards acted inconsiderately towards them. He said that he has been around the parks staff and he has never had
anyone treat him impolitely. He expressed concern if the residents who spoke this evening were not treated
considerately.
Chair Schiavone commented that it was nice to have the Commission meeting in a different location and
announced the September meeting would be held at the Foothills Recreation Center.
Commissioner June indicated that she was not always able to visit different City facilities and it was nice to see
them via the Commission meetings.
8. Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will be held on September 13, 2021,
at 6:00 p.m., at the Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center, 5600 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale, AZ, 85308.
9. Adjournment
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Motion by Vice Chair McConnell, second by Commissioner Martinez, to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 p.m.
Motion carried 5 – 0.