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1 DRAFT MINUTES City of Glendale Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting Glendale Community Center 5401 W. Ocotillo Rd. Glendale, Arizona 85301 Monday, June 13, 2022 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Reginald Martinez, Jr., Vice-Chair Helena Johnson Bodine, Commissioner Kathleen Roe, Commissioner Bud Zomok, Commissioner Joseph Jarrett, Teen Commissioner ABSENT: Gayle Schiavone, Chair Kathryn Mawby, Commissioner ALSO PRESENT: Jim Burke, Director Manuel Padia, Sr. Recreation Coordinator Paul King, Recreation Administrator Brad Giesbrecht, Sr. Recreation Coordinator Tim Rastedt, CIP Project Manager Diane Williams, Program Manager Robert Gallegos, Park Manager Leonard Lara, Irrigation Crew Leader Tanya Martinez, Administrative Support Coordinator Mark Malinski, Park Ranger Joanne Toms, Environmental Program Administrator, Water Services Megan Sheldon, Deputy Director, Environmental Resources, Water Services 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 Commissioner Zomok, second by Commissioner Roe, to approve the May 9, 2022, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting minutes as written. Motion carried 5 – 0. 5. Staff Introductions The following new staff members were introduced by Mr. Burke and Mr. Giesbrecht. A general overview of their roles was provided. • Mr. Robert Gallegos, Park Manager • Mr. Leonard Lara, Irrigation Crew Leader for Parks 2 • Ms. Tanya Martinez, Administrative Support Coordinator for Recreation • Mr. Mark Malinski, Park Ranger Vice-Chair Martinez reported he stopped by a park in Peoria at Olive and 83rd Avenue, which had a splash pad. He looked forward to the improvements to come at Sahuaro Ranch Park. 6. Information: Commission Reports Commissioner Johnson Bodine reported the following from a recent visit to Oasis Park in the Cholla District: • There were some dry spots at the park. • Five new trees were planted. One was not doing well. Some people told her that other trees in the park were missing. She was not sure if the five new trees were replacements of those missing trees but planted in other areas. • The basketball court was cracked, really faded, and needs care. • The rest of the park was doing pretty well. Commissioner Roe attended the Sierra Verde Park Open House and reported a good turnout. She reported extreme homelessness and blight at Gas Pump Park in the Ocotillo District. She said the park rangers and the police have had to go to the park and it was an ongoing problem. Commissioner Roe attended Custard with a Cop and asked Officer Mills and Lieutenant Cunningham if they could prioritize the parks in terms of problems. She said they indicated the top park with the most problems was at 59th Avenue and Bethany Home Road. She said many people were not going to the parks because they do not feel safe and wondered what could be done and how the Commission could help. She said the parks need to incorporate more for the handicapped and to be inclusive, not exclusive. She stated she wanted to help in any way. 7. Information: Glendale’s Downtown Campus Reinvestment Project Mr. Burke presented information on the Downtown Campus Reinvestment Project, which included the following information: • Challenges Today: o Murphy Park is less integrated with City Hall, Council Chambers, and the Amphitheater. o There is unclear wayfinding experience. o The south deceleration lane creates pedestrian safety concerns. o Changes to flood irrigation have negatively impacted mature trees. • Aspirational Drivers: o Re-imagine the Downtown campus as the heart of the community. o Reinvent the amphitheater to be a destination venue for public/private performances. o Reinvent the existing building facades. o Consolidate service to the community in a one-stop-shop. o Create a state-of-the-art workplace environment that promotes productivity and creativity and improves retention and recruitment. o Design facilities that are operationally sustainable. • The total estimated project cost is approximately $70 million. • Proposed projects and conceptual designs were explained and presented for City Hall, the Amphitheater, Council Chambers, the Parking Structure and Bridge, and Murphy Park. The designs presented were only concepts, not final designs. • An estimated timeline for the project was presented, with an estimation of Spring 2025 for move-in. • Six construction companies and six architectural firms were reviewed. Holly Street and Okland Construction were chosen, and both have a great deal of experience. 3 • Key Points: o Public engagement will be part of the design process. o City Hall will be vacated during the construction phase. o The Civic Center Annex, Bead Museum Building, and Sine Building will be occupied by City employees who will remain downtown as part of the Continuity of Operations during construction. o A communication plan will be part of the construction process. o Concentrated efforts will be made to consistently minimize the impact to the community during construction. Vice-Chair Martinez asked if the library would be renovated. Mr. Burke indicated the library was not included in this scope of work and was not in the budget at this time; however, needed to be addressed at some point. Vice-Chair Martinez asked if the downtown events would still be held during construction. Mr. Burke stated that events would be held through this Christmas season, however, noted it was undetermined after that. Commissioner Jarrett asked if there was a way to temporarily house the City Hall employees under one roof. Mr. Burke relayed there was not a large enough building available and the buildings they are being moved to are all very close to City Hall. Mr. Burke explained that some departments will be moved to the Glendale Adult Center; however, those who deal most with the public will remain close to City Hall. Vice-Chair Martinez inquired if the second floor of the Glendale Adult Center would be used. Mr. Burke replied in the positive and relayed that an architect was designing the space for temporary use. Commissioner Zomok indicated he attended a meeting held by City Manager Phelps last week and the conceptual designs displayed were more detailed and included more xeriscaping. He expressed concern regarding xeriscaping and said that it did not fit the historic nature of the downtown area. Commissioner Zomok said Mr. Phelps indicated that the issues with the trees in Murphy Park were because they have deep roots; however, an expert Commissioner Zomok questioned said that deep roots were good for trees. Commissioner Zomok also commented on the watering of the trees and said the trees were suffering. He explained how he tested the soil one evening in regard to watering. He expressed concern regarding the additional concrete and steel in the renderings and commented this would add to the heat island. He asked about community involvement in the designs. Mr. Burke assured that no decisions have been made regarding the designs. He explained that all of the images shown at this meeting were only concepts and Holly Street will start with its specific designs moving forward. He reported that the irrigation system was down in May, however, was up and running. He said the irrigation runs every night, except Thursdays, from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. He said from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the crew runs tests and extra cycles if needed. He said a tree salvage plan would be prepared as part of the redesign. He reported that there was definitely disease in the park and the Ficus trees were most affected. He said that extra aeration and watering would be done in the next few weeks. 8. Information: Glendale’s Drought Management Plan Ms. Joanne Toms gave a presentation on Glendale’s Drought Management Plan, which included the following: • Glendale’s Water Resources: Central Arizona Project (CAP), Salt River Project (SRP), Groundwater, and Effluent. • Overview of Colorado River Conditions – Long-term drought has led to the following: o Aridification of the Western U.S., which is accelerating shortages. 4 o The Colorado River now has a new estimated total yield of 10 to 11 million acre-feet (MAF) instead of 16.5 MAF. o Historic low water levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead o Lower water transfers from Lake Powell into Lake Mead o Uncertainty about power production at both Hoover Dam and Glen Canyon Dam. o Water levels of the river system as of May 26, 2022, including Lake Mead and Lake Powell, were displayed. • May 24-Month Study from the Bureau of Reclamation o Lake Mead will be in Tier 2b or greater shortage starting on January 1, 2023. o A Tier 2b shortage ▪ Reduces Arizona’s Colorado River supply by an additional 128,000 AF of water. ▪ Total Arizona supply reduction to 640,000 AF. ▪ Projects Lake Powell will be a Minimum Power Pool (no energy production) in March 2023. ▪ Does not reduce Glendale’s Colorado River supply. o Lake Mead and Lake Powell water levels are predicted to continue to drop. o Study shows possible deeper Shortage Tiers in 2024. • Interior Department Actions Being Taken o To help protect Lake Powell water levels and energy production ▪ U.S. Secretary of the Interior will transfer 7 MAF (instead of 7.48 MAF) from Lake Powell to Lake Mead in 2022 ▪ Will transfer water from upstream dams to Lake Powell o The reduction in volume transferred from Lake Powell negatively affects water levels in Lake Mead. o Both the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) and CAP have indicated that bigger cuts are coming in the future. • Salt River Project (SRP) Reservoirs o Salt River reservoirs are currently 73% full. o Verde River reservoirs are currently 32% full. o The total system is 68% full. Last year, at this time, the total system was 70% full. o Monsoon season helped but winter runoff is needed to fill reservoirs. o For 2022, more SRP groundwater will be used for delivery. • Next Steps o Glendale’s water portfolio remains secure but must continue to prepare for accelerating and sustained shortage conditions. o AMWUA, along with Glendale, is revising messaging to proactively transition with changing conditions. ▪ Long-term adaptation – look beyond the next few years. ▪ Explain the seriousness of the situation. ▪ Remind customers we are not running out of water. • Glendale Drought Management Plan Overview o Is a plan to prepare and respond to water shortages. o Provides water reduction measures for the City and external customers. o Is in the City Code – Chapter 33. o Is updated to correspond with surface water shortages. o Is updated as needed. • Drought Stages: o Stage 0 = Normal o Stage 1 = Watch (Declared by City Manager) 5 o Stage 2 = Alert (Declared by City Manager) o Stage 3 = Declaration (Declared by City Council) o Stage 4 = Emergency (Declared by City Council) • Drought Management Team o Led by Water Services Department o Executive Team and Implementation Team o Coordinate and communicate internally and externally o Lead by example o Meet water reduction goals • Water Use Dashboard for City Properties (displayed and explained) • Drought Communications Plan: Various channels of outreach and education explained. • Tentative Timeline, subject to change o June 2022: Activate the City’s Drought Management Team o August 2022: Review the U.S. Bureau of Reclamations 24-month study o September 1, 2022: Declaration of Stage 1 (Watch) of the City’s Drought Management Plan o January 1, 2023: Enact Stage 2 (Alert) of the City’s Drought Management Plan if a Tier 2B shortage is declared. • Glendale’s Water Demand and Population: Since 2000, Glendale’s population has grown by 6% while water demand decreased by 10%. Some reasons for the decrease: new homes are more water-efficient, homes are built on smaller lots, and use of conservation and the Water Sense program. • Glendale’s Landscape Rebate and Water Budget Program: The landscape rebate incentivizes the conversion of unwanted grass to xeriscape. • Glendale’s Water Efficiency Assessments: Free services for customers to help identify leaks and other inefficiencies. 19 City facilities were assessed, with a savings of 2.59 million gallons of water. 26 businesses were assessed, with a savings of 16.7 million gallons of water. • Water Use Calculators – can be found on the AMWUA website and on the City’s website. • Grants: APS Grant for Residential Conservation Kits and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation WaterSmart Grant for Landscape Irrigation Technology Incentives. Commissioner Roe asked if the Colorado Watershed was shared with Nevada or California. Ms. Toms explained there is an upper basin (three states) and a lower basin (Arizona, Nevada, California), plus Mexico, with allocations from the watershed. She provided recent allocations for the lower basin. Commissioner Roe asked if the allocations would be adjusted. Ms. Toms stated that the allocation goes through 2026, however, at a certain point, the Secretary of the Interior can step in to assist with water sharing. Commissioner Johnson Bodine asked how the City could be more proactive. Ms. Toms stated the City keeps planning and preparing and commented on redundancy supply. She said the City currently has 55,000 AF of SRP supply, but only uses 19,000 AF. She said twenty years ago, the elevation of the Roosevelt Dam was raised, and Glendale was part of this project, so the City has some of this supply. She said this may be done at the Bartlett Dam for the Verde River supply. She explained that every fifteen to twenty years, the City must show its 100-year demand, supply, and future projections. Commissioner Zomok asked if the City ships water to the nuclear power plant. Ms. Toms relayed that some of the City’s effluent water is sent to the Palo Verde Power Plant. Commissioner Zomok inquired if a 5% water reduction would apply to the City’s parks. Ms. Toms replied in the positive. He asked if it would apply to the businesses in the City. Ms. Toms said in the first stages, reductions would be voluntary and not mandatory. She said in later stages, mandatory restrictions would have to be passed by City Council. 6 Commissioner Zomok reported that he read that it would take 19 million gallons of water to fill the private water park to be built in west Glendale and there would be 17 million gallons of water that will evaporate each year. Ms. Toms said the City will work with the business on water conservation efforts. Commissioner Zomok asked if water prices would increase if voluntary efforts did not work. Ms. Toms said a drought surcharge is recommended in the Drought Management Plan if voluntary efforts were not working. She said anything above a base amount may be susceptible to a surcharge if passed by Council. Commissioner Jarrett inquired as to which stage imposed mandatory water restriction. Ms. Toms said Stages 3 and 4 have certain restrictions on outdoor water use. Commissioner Jarrett asked if it was beneficial to get water from the monsoon versus snowpack. Ms. Toms explained that any precipitation was good. She explained that normally, more water supply was received from the snowpack, so it was odd that last year’s monsoon provided more water supply. She said soils are very dry due to aridification and the soil is soaking up a lot of snowpack runoff. Vice-Chair Martinez thanked Ms. Toms for her informative presentation. 9. Staff Updates Mr. Burke announced the following: • Disc Golf Course at Skunk Creek Linear Park was installed, the baskets are up, and people are playing the course. • Summer Band has been reinstated. This is a free concert series held on Thursday nights at the Amphitheater in Murphy Park. • A Proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month will be presented at the June 14th Council voting meeting. Staff will be in attendance as well as any Commissioners who are able to attend. Mr. King gave a report, which included the following: • Rose Lane Pool will be open from June 7th to July 2nd. The Foothills Aquatic Center will be open from July 5th to July 30th. Splash Pads are open as well. • The Girls Softball Camp was held last week and went very well. • FRAC Fitness Day was held on Saturday, May 7th for 5 to 11-year-olds. There were 40 participants. • A Flag Football League will be held this fall. • The Crafty Kids Summer Aloha Program will be held on June 15th and 60 kids are registered so far. 8. Commission Comments and Suggestions Commissioner Jarrett inquired about the number of lifeguards needed to open each pool. Mr. King replied that 35 lifeguards were the bare minimum needed for safety at each pool; however, there were 50 lifeguards on staff. Commissioner Jarrett asked for the reason so many were needed. Mr. King explained that there are different positions around each complex the county requires to be manned, there are different shifts, and breaks are required for the staff. Commissioner Jarrett asked if 35 lifeguards were required by the county. Mr. Burke said that was correct. Vice-Chair Martinez said that he had worked as a Glendale lifeguard for many years and a lot of staff was needed for all of the rotations and to cover time off. Commissioner Zomok congratulated Mr. Burke on the addition of the staff, as the department has been short- staffed for a while. 10. Next Meeting 7 The next regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will be held on August 8, 2022, at 6:00 p.m., at the Glendale Municipal Office Complex, Meeting Room B3, 5850 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, Arizona, 85301. 11. Adjournment Motion by Commissioner Johnson Bodine, second by Commissioner Roe, to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 p.m. Motion carried 5 – 0.