Extracted text (via pymupdf)
10313 characters
1
DRAFT MINUTES
City of Glendale
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
Foothills Recreation & Aquatics Center
5600 W. Union Hills Dr.
Glendale, Arizona 85308
Monday, September 12, 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:
Kathryn Mawby, Commissioner
ALSO PRESENT:
Jim Burke, Director
John Kennedy, Assistant Director
Sean McGary, Interim Deputy Director/Civic Center Administrator
Dean Kinnoin, Senior Recreation Coordinator
Robert Gallegos, Park Manager
Gwen Benoit, Management Assistant
1. Call to Order
Vice Chair Martinez called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Vice Chair Martinez conducted roll call.
3. Citizen Comments
None.
4. Approval of the Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Johnson Bodine, second by Commissioner Roe, to approve the August 8, 2022,
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting minutes as written. Motion carried 5 – 0.
5. New Business
a. Information: Commission Reports
Commissioner Zomok announced he visited Bicentennial Park and gave a report, which included the
following:
• He gave the park an A- grade and said it was in phenomenal shape.
• The park was well-kept, and the grass was trimmed.
• There were a few trees that need to be trimmed.
• There was some trash under a tree and the racquetball court and there was graffiti on a pole and a park
bench.
• One of the basketball nets was coming undone.
• Overall, the park was in great shape.
2
Commissioner Jarrett announced he visited Butler Park. He said the park was well maintained, however, there
were a few trees that looked like they were dead or dying, either due to irrigation issues or disease.
Commissioner Johnson Bodine said she visited Oasis Park. She said there was a tree with a huge branch on
the ground on the south side of the park.
Commissioner Roe commented on an issue with an abandoned house at Sahuaro Ranch Park, which was being
accessed by the homeless. She said the police have been out at the site a few times. Mr. Burke clarified the
building was the Adobe House and stated that staff was aware of the issue and was working on it.
Vice Chair Martinez reported that he visited Tarrington Ranch Park. He recalled there were plans in place to
replace the park equipment and noted that much of the current equipment was old, worn out, and has graffiti.
He said that it gets a lot of traffic despite its hidden location. He stated there was trash left behind at the park,
the basketball court was a little cracked, and the basketball rims were bending inward and may need to be
replaced soon.
b. Information: Sahuaro Ranch Master Plan Update
Mr. McGary gave an update on the Sahuaro Ranch Master Plan, which included the following information:
• General Information
o Refinement of the Sahuaro Ranch Master Plan reached the first milestone.
o J2 Design and Environmental Engineering and City of Glendale P.F.R.S.E. staff finalized the
survey.
o The public survey link is live from September 26th to October 16th
o Open House: Thursday, October 6th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Fruit Packing Shed at
the Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area
• Marketing Methods to Promote Community Participation in the Survey
o Signage in the park
o Social media outlet – Facebook
o Civic Rec software email blast to registered users
o Councilmember newsletters
o City website
Commissioner Roe asked if the information would be included in the water bill. Mr. McGary stated that there
was not enough lead time to promote the survey in the water bill.
Commissioner Zomok asked if anything would be done to the Rose Garden. Mr. Burke explained that the plan
is not focused to redesign the park, move any buildings, or change its functionality. Mr. Burke said it would be
a refinement of the concept Master Plan. Mr. Burke commented it may potentially include consideration of
signage on 59th Avenue, a different playground, or a splash pad.
Commissioner Zomok inquired if the City’s Historic Preservation Commission was included in the planning.
Mr. Burke relayed that various groups were included, such as the Historical Society, Tractor Society, Rose
Society, and groups who rent the sports complex.
Vice Chair Martinez asked if lighting would be part of the Master Plan. Mr. Burke said the lighting will be
separate as it was approved and funded by City Council separately.
c. Information: City of Glendale Drought Management Plan Update
3
Mr. Burke shared the background of the current water challenges on the Colorado River. He gave an update on
the City’s Drought Management Plan, which included the following information:
• Drought Stages
o On June, 17th, the City declared a Stage 1 Drought Watch and activated its Drought
Management Plan. The initial goal of Stage 1 is to reduce water usage by 5% from the
historical average and the City is currently on track to achieve this goal.
o On August 16th, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation published the August 24-month study. The
study projected Arizona will be in a 2A shortage in 2023. Stage 2 would result in a 10%
reduction for the City.
Mr. Burke announced staff will continue to bring updates on the drought to the Commission.
d. Information: Fiesta Bowl Charities Project at O’Neil Park
Mr. Kennedy gave a presentation on the Fiesta Bowl Charities Project at O’Neil Park, which included the
following information:
• The project includes the construction of the following three elements at O’Neil Park, with the
incorporation of community volunteers:
o Turf sports field
o Two playgrounds
o Multi-sport court
• In support of this project, Staff is requesting from City Council further investment by the City for the
following complementary enhancements to the park:
o Fencing removal
o Shade fabric replacement
o Removal of existing playgrounds
o Irrigation upgrades
o LED lighting for the field
• Tentative Schedule for the Project
o August 30, 2022: Design Day – Approximately 30 people were in attendance.
o November 16th – 18th, 2022: Build Week
o December 28, 2022: Sports turf delivered to site
o March 2023: Sports field ribbon cutting
Mr. Burke was very excited this park was chosen for the project. He said the community center was recently
renovated and a splash pad was added, so the other improvements will basically lead to a fully rebuilt park in a
two-year time period.
e. Information: Playground Project Update
Mr. McGary gave an update on the Playground Project, which included photos and the following information:
• ARPA Funding (American Rescue Plan Act)
o Using the Master Plan as a guide, this funding allows the City to replace aging infrastructure in
parks.
• Playgrounds currently under revitalization
o Open: New World Park, Montara Park, Hillcrest Park, Hidden Meadows Park
o Estimated Completion Late September: Heritage Park, Mary Silva Park
o Estimated Completion Late October: Northern Horizon Park
• Next Set of Playgrounds to be Renovated in FY2023
o Clavelito Park, Delicias Park, Sunnyside Park, Country Gables Park, Carmel Park, Desert
Mirage Park, Lions Park
4
Commissioner Roe asked if any of the parks on the list have splash pads. Mr. McGary said they did not at this
time; however, there are proposed plans for splash pads at some of the parks, which have not been approved
yet. It was noted that there was a Council Item of Special Interest regarding splash pads and there were
approximately ten in a proposed plan. However, this item will be further discussed in light of the drought.
Vice Chair Martinez asked about the timeframe for building a playground. Mr. McGary said it would take as
fast as two weeks or three to four weeks, depending on the size.
Commissioner Jarrett asked if any of the parks would gain or lose square footage. Mr. McGary explained that
staff has tried to keep the same footprint for the playgrounds; however, some playgrounds may have gained
more amenities.
6. Staff Updates
Mr. Burke shared information on the following:
• Aquatics statistics for recreation swim and swim lessons at Rose Lane Pool and the Foothills
Recreation and Aquatics Center for 2018 through 2022 were provided.
• Ballet Under the Stars was recently held and an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 people attended.
Commissioners Roe and Zomok also attended the event, which was very successful.
• The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Conference will be held September 20 – 22,
2022 in Phoenix. Fifteen department staff will attend the conference and Glendale staff is presenting at
two workshops.
7. Commission Comments and Suggestions
Commissioner Johnson Bodine surmised that most of her neighbors were aware of the water issue. She said
her HOA has had a survey regarding desert landscaping. She stated that she meets with seven other H.O.A.’s
and they are also very aware of the issue.
Commissioner Jarrett asked if there were any state legislature bills to address the drought. Mr. Burke relayed
that the City has staff that tracks the bills and when the legislature comes back in session, more information
will be provided.
Commissioner Zomok noted that Councilmember Turner sits on the State Water Conservation Committee.
Vice Chair Martinez asked if there were any plans in place to promote the City’s parks during the Super Bowl.
Mr. Burke noted that the Convention and Visitors Bureau was promoting all of Glendale, not just the parks.
Mr. Burke announced that Chair Schiavone resigned from the Commission earlier this week. He said he will
obtain direction in regard to a vote on a new Chairperson.
8. Next Meeting
The next regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will be held on October 10, 2022,
at 6:00 p.m., at the Glendale Adult Center, 5970 W. Brown St., Glendale, Arizona, 85302.
11. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Jarrett, second by Commissioner Johnson Bodine, to adjourn the meeting at
6:58 p.m. Motion carried 5 – 0.