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1 DRAFT MINUTES City of Glendale Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Glendale Adult Center 5970 W. Brown Street Glendale, Arizona 85302 Monday, March 14, 2022 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Gayle Schiavone, Chair Reginald Martinez, Jr., Vice-Chair Helena Johnson Bodine, Commissioner Joseph Jarrett, Commissioner Bud Zomok, Commissioner ABSENT: Kathryn Mawby, Commissioner ALSO PRESENT: Jim Burke, Director, Public Facilities, Recreation & Special Events John Kennedy, Assistant Director, Public Facilities, Recreation & Special Events Sean McGary, Interim Deputy Director Paul King, Recreation Administrator Manuel Padia, Jr., Senior Recreation Coordinator Diane Williams, Program Manager 1. Call to Order Vice-Chair Martinez called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Vice-Chair Martinez conducted roll call. 3. Citizen Comments None. 4. Approval of the Minutes Motion by Chair Schiavone, second by Commissioner Jarrett, to approve the February 14, 2022, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting minutes as written. Motion carried 5 – 0. 5. New Business a. Information: Commission Reports No reports. b. Action: Sahuaro Ranch Park Master Plan Mr. McGary gave a presentation on the Sahuaro Ranch Park Master Plan, which included the following highlights: • The Master Plan project has been approved by Council and a kick-off meeting will be held with the engineering firm selected for the project. • Items to be considered in the plan include ideas for a destination playground and water play area, restoration of historic planting areas, and the establishment of themed drop zones. The existing infrastructure projects will also be addressed. 2 • A project schedule and conceptual design map were displayed. Vice-Chair Martinez asked if the bathrooms would be included in the plan. Mr. McGary stated that all items recommended by the engineering firm will be addressed. c. Information: Design Concept for Heroes Regional Park – Northern Area Mr. McGary gave a presentation on the Design Concept for Heroes Regional Park – Northern Area, which included the following highlights: • The project was approved by Council and initial meetings have been held with Kimley-Horn and Associates, which is the planning and design firm selected for the project. • The project includes developing a conceptual plan and a cost estimate to create a project budget for the build-out. • Once the plan concept is approved, Kimley-Horn will further develop irrigation and infrastructure plans to determine associated costs. • A project schedule and conceptual design map were displayed. Mr. Burke reported that the project was funded in the CIP as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and the project was still in the conceptual stage. Chair Schiavone inquired about the three concepts provided by Kimley-Horn. Mr. McGary relayed that the first concept was approximately 90% of fields with a few small amenities, the second concept was three fields and a turf area for play, and the third was more of a combination of the two. Chair Schiavone asked if community input was being obtained. Mr. Burke stated public input was not being garnered at this time since conceptual options within budget were being developed initially. He said that as the designs are further developed, they will be brought to the Commission and the public for input. Commissioner Zomok inquired about the installation of water features in light of the current drought in Arizona. Mr. Burke relayed that staff has been in consultation with the City’s Water Services department. Mr. Burke explained the City’s water sources and stated that at this time, there is an indication that the project can move forward with a water feature. d. Information: Recreation Programming and Activities Update Mr. Padia reported on the following Recreation Programming and Activities: • Tournament of the Toss – Rose Lane Park: New Cornhole Tournament, very successful event. • Valentine’s Day o Glendale Adult Center Luncheon: 110 participants, games and lunch provided. o Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center: Crafty Kids, 37 registered participants, stay and make or take and make. o Glendale Community Center – Valentine’s Day activities were provided for the children of the after-school program Mr. King reported on the following Recreation Programming and Activities: • St. Patrick’s Day Upcoming Events: o Glendale Adult Center Luncheon: Thursday, March 17th o Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center: Crafty Kids, Monday, March 14th, stay and make or take and make. 3 Commissioner Jarrett asked if there was adequate social distancing at the events that were held. Mr. Padia stated that masks are recommended for all participants. Mr. King reported on the following teen programs: • Junior Lifeguard Program o For ages 13-15 o Develop job skills through lifeguard shadowing and other responsibilities o Get lifeguard experience and inspires future lifeguards • Glendale On-Site Leadership Development Program (GOLD) o For ages 13-15 o Offered at FRAC and the Glendale Community Center o Teaches job skills in the recreation industry o Help staff with program delivery and camp operations Vice-Chair Martinez inquired about additions to the Junior Lifeguard Program. Mr. King relayed that there will now be classroom work included, such as how to apply for a job, build a resume, and how to develop job skills. Chair Schiavone asked how staff was recruiting for the programs. Mr. King announced that registration for both programs begins on April 1st. He stated that classes are filling for the lifeguard program. He announced that flyers were being distributed to schools, there has been outreach to swim clubs, staff has spoken at school assemblies and outreach events, and posts are made on social media. Mr. Burke noted that there have been two job fairs at FRAC and the Glendale Community Center. Commissioner Zomok asked if the Junior Lifeguards were paid or on a volunteer basis. Mr. King relayed that the Junior Lifeguards were an unpaid position. Commissioner Zomok inquired if there were a limited number of Junior Lifeguard positions. Mr. King replied in the positive and explained that there were ten spots available at Rose Lane and ten spots available at FRAC. e. Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Update Mr. Burke gave a presentation on the Public Facilities, Recreation & Special Events CIP, which was also presented at a Council Workshop on March 1, 2022. Information included details on the following: • Budget Calendar • CIP Funding Sources: Development Impact Fees, General Obligation Bonds, Grants, Pay-As-You-Go, Transportation Sales Tax, Highway User Revenue Funds, Enterprise Funds • FY2023-32 Draft CIP Report: $137 million in total for Parks Projects • Focus is on improving the infrastructure of existing parks and select new improvements • Emphasis on lighting and irrigation upgrades and replacement of playground equipment Mr. Burke relayed that the focus was on the oldest parks in each district and to spread and balance the improvements in all districts. Mr. Burke will send links to the specific park projects to the Commissioners. Vice-Chair Martinez stated that Tarrington Park was a small park that has become worn down and inquired about improvements. Vice-Chair Martinez asked for the details of projects with budgets of $40,000 for FY24 and $238,230 for FY25. Mr. Burke did not have specific details at hand and will send details to the Commissioners. Commissioner Johnson Bodine inquired about any improvements to Oasis Park. Mr. Burke relayed that most of the parks in the Cholla district were newer parks and will follow up on the inquiry. 4 6. Staff Updates Mr. Burke gave a report, which included the following: • The Folk and Heritage Festival at Sahuaro Ranch Park was very successful. There were approximately 5,000 people in attendance. • Approximately two weeks ago, a New York financial institution upgraded the City’s bond rating to the AA category. This indicates that bond groups are reacting positively to the City’s financial health. 7. Commission Comments and Suggestions Chair Schiavone stated that the trees at Sahuaro Ranch Park look fantastic. Mr. Burke said that the arborist removed a lot of dead trees. He explained that many of the trees in the orchard were pruned; however, some calls were received from the public expressing concern about the severity of the pruning. He said that based on the public feedback, the pruning severity going forward has been adjusted, while still doing what is necessary for tree health. He relayed that the area has been irrigated twice so far and 131 trees will be delivered and planted. He noted that staff has been discussing options with experts regarding a cover crop underneath the trees. Chair Schiavone requested an update at the next Commission meeting on the pump station at the park by Foothills. Vice-Chair Martinez said that he went to Sahuaro Ranch Park last week with his daughter and the park looked great. He relayed that people from out of state who were at the park were complimenting the park and the ramada area. Commissioner Zomok relayed that he received a comment from a person who said that the replacement trees at Sahuaro Ranch Park were very small. Mr. Burke stated that the vast majority of replacement trees will be 15- gallon trees. Mr. Burke added that 25 replacement trees will be 24” box trees, which were being funded by the Councilmember of the district. Chair Schiavone asked who was responsible for the Plein Air Art event. Mr. Burke replied that Ms. Mojgan Vahabzadeh, staff member and liaison of the Arts Commission, was responsible for the event. He explained that the artists complete a painting outdoors during the day and Councilmembers serve as judges. 8. Next Meeting The next regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will be held on April 11, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., in conference room B-3 of the Municipal Office Complex, located at 5850 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, Arizona, 85301. 9. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Zomok, second by Commissioner Johnson Bodine, to adjourn the meeting at 6:59 p.m. Motion carried 5 – 0.