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MINUTES COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, September 3, 2025 - 4:00 P.M. 155 N. TEGNER STREET WICKENBURG, ARIZONA 85390 A. CALL TO ORDER - Chair Stander called the meeting to order at 4:02 PM. B. ROLL CALL Present: Alyssa Stander, Chair April Douthett, Member Terry Eberhardt, Member Emily Morse, Member Barbara Remondini, Member Patricia Ridge, Member Absent: Amy Monesmith, Vice Chair Staff Present: Cory Monesmith, Program Coordinator Amy Brown, Town Clerk Jennifer Jubany, Executive Assistant C. CALL TO THE PUBLIC – None D. ITEMS OF BUSINESS 1. Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the Meeting of May 7, 2025 MOVED BY Member Remondini to approve the minutes of May 7, 2025 SECONDED BY Member Douthett VOTE: 6 - 0 (Yes – Chair Stander, Members Douthett, Eberhardt, Morse, Remondini and Ridge) (Absent – Vice Chair Monesmith) 2. Discussion and Update on Community Services Programming and Introduction of New Program Coordinator, Cory Monesmith Cory Monesmith introduced himself as the new Program Coordinator for the Town of Wickenburg and gave the following update: Summer season highlights: • Successful pool camp and summer reading program at the library • New pump and filtration system installed at the pool Community Programming Committee Minutes of September 3, 2025 Page 2 of 4 Fall and Winter plans: • Pool heater installation to extend programming • Grass replacement with decking and additional shade structure Upcoming events: • Bats and Buzzards event on September 26 from 5:00-7:00PM • Dolly Parton Imagination Library is now live • The town will be hosting Operation Warm on December 3 from 5:00- 7:00pm at the library in partnership with the Elks Lodge, providing free books and coats to local families. During this event, the town will also be highlighting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. 3. Discussion from Teresa Underdown on Recent Rodeo Ground Improvements and Future Programming Plans Teresa Underdown of CRAW presented a brief history of improvements over the last 25 years. • Over $1.5 million have been invested in improvements to date • CRAW has one charity event a year to raise money for capital improvements • The first rodeo in Wickenburg was in 1925 Fundraising Event: • The annual event is held in February/March at the community center and includes a cooked-to-order steak dinner, salsa bar, dessert bar, beans, and potatoes • The event features a live auction, a silent auction, and a dance • The event is a community affair, welcoming families • The group collaborates with any local groups that want their involvement Arena Improvements: Bucking Chutes • CRAW replaced the 15-year-old chutes with new, state-of-the-art chutes • New chutes were a priority request from event promoters • Mac Steel (North Dakota) provided the chutes at a discounted cost of $43,000 (regular price $60,000) Horse Housing Project: • Horse housing identified as the second priority • Fifty (50) pens are being created by improving the parking lot area, previously a mountain of granite and rock • The expanded area could also serve as a potential concert venue Parking Improvements: • A new access road is being added on the east side for contestant ingress/egress Community Programming Committee Minutes of September 3, 2025 Page 3 of 4 • Accessible/Handicap parking has been doubled • Parking expanded on the west side, including approximately 20 VIP spaces • Water drainage improvements underway to stabilize parking lots Future Plans for Arena Development: • Original master plan had three phases: o Rodeo arena o Horse housing o Spectator amenities • Covered grandstands, originally in phase three, were acquired early through a donation • The town is funding lighting improvements for arena and parking lots to increase safety and security • Interest in expanding WestFest and creating a full “Rodeo Week” similar to Calgary and Cheyenne • Desire for more signage to promote rodeo week and celebrate local champions (Everett Bowman, Cody Custer, Alan Backstrom) Facility Improvements and Safety: • Facility completion is projected in two weeks, though exact timeline remains uncertain • A facility tour will be offered once work is complete, and committee members expressed interest in attending • Safety remains a top priority, especially for horse housing, to prevent escapes onto the highway • Long-term vision includes a covered arena on “Penthouse Hill” for year- round use CRAW Fundraiser and Organizational Support: • CRAW fundraiser scheduled for February 28, 2026 • Community members encouraged to attend and support • The board expressed general support for CRAW Events at the Facility: • CRAW partners with outside organizations to bring events • Junior rodeos and high school rodeos rent the arena via the town • Gold Rush Days is coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce, which rents the facility • Ongoing improvements aimed at attracting larger and higher-profile events Community Programming Committee Minutes of September 3, 2025 Page 4 of 4 4. Discussion and Update on the Community Survey to Gather Feedback on Program Needs, Preferences, and Priorities Community Survey Feedback: • The community survey will be divided into smaller sections for recreation and library services • Demographic information will be collected to analyze the results • Questions will be multiple-choice with space for written comments • The survey will be promoted in the fall/winter program guide, at the library, through a press release, via instructors, and on social media Survey Question Recommendations: • Keep the survey focused on getting specific information • Ensure the survey remains focused on its intended purpose and desired outcomes • Consider surveying community members as they finish a program to get their feedback E. NEXT MEETING DATE – November 5, 2025 F. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY Member Morse to adjourn at 4:44 PM SECONDED BY Member Douthett VOTE: 6 - 0 (Yes – Chair Stander, Members Douthett, Eberhardt, Morse, Remondini and Ridge) (Absent – Vice Chair Monesmith) Alyssa Stander, Chair Attest: Jennifer Jubany, Executive Assistant