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MINUTES PARKS AND TRAILS COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, February 11, 2025 - 4:00 P.M. 155 N. TEGNER STREET WICKENBURG, ARIZONA 85390 A. CALL TO ORDER – Vice Chair Chamberlin called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM B. ROLL CALL Present: Cindy Chamberlin, Vice Chairperson Morgan Barnes, Member Wayne Coates, Member Nancy Craig, Member John Oplinger, Member Sean Sigl, Member (arrived at 4:07 PM) Margaret Nyberg, Council Liaison Absent: John Anderson, Member Staff Present: Cason Chambers, Public Works Director Todd Wallace, Parks and Facilities Manager Amy Brown, Town Clerk Jennifer Jubany, Executive Assistant C. CALL TO THE PUBLIC – None D. ITEMS OF BUSINESS 1. Discussion and Introduction of Each Returning Committee Members, New Members, and Staff Each member and staff introduced themselves. 2. Consideration and Action to Select a Chairperson MOVED BY Vice Chair Chamberlin to select Nancy Craig as the Chairperson SECONDED BY Member Barnes VOTE: 6 - 0 (Yes – Vice Chair Chamberlin, Members Barnes, Coates, Craig, Oplinger, and Sigl) Parks and Trails Committee Minutes of February 11, 2026 Page 2 of 8 3. Consideration and Action to Select a Vice Chairperson Cindy Chamberlin declined the nomination as Vice-Chair. MOVED BY Member Chamberlin to select John Oplinger as the Vice Chairperson SECONDED BY Chair Craig VOTE: 6 - 0 (Yes – Chair Craig, Members Barnes, Chamberlin, Coates, Oplinger, and Sigl) 4. Consideration and Action to Approve the Minutes of the Meeting of October 8, 2025 MOVED BY Member Coates to approve the minutes of October 8, 2025 SECONDED BY Chair Craig VOTE: 6 - 0 (Yes – Chair Craig, Vice Chair Oplinger, Members Barnes, Chamberlin, Coates, and Sigl) 5. Discussion Regarding Parks and Trails Advisory Committee (PTAC) Charter, Code of Ethics, Oath of Office, General Conduct of Committee Members Cason Chambers, Public Works Director, presented information regarding the role and responsibilities of the Parks and Trails Advisory Committee (PTAC). Key points of the committee charter include: • The charter provides direction and structure for the committee’s work in guiding parks and trails development within the town • Participation in the Tree City USA initiative helps ensure the town meets nationally recognized standards for urban forestry and tree management • The committee is responsible for advising on multi-use path and trail expansions • The committee will review and evaluate trail design and development standards • The committee will coordinate with community groups and serve as a voice for the community input on parks and trails-related matters • The committee liaison will serve as a community liaison and a liaison to the community Committee Rules from Town Code include: • The committee is allowed to have seven members with two alternates • There is a council liaison, Margaret Nyberg, and a staff liaison, Cason Chambers • Expectation of two years of service with an additional two years possible • Meetings are every other month on the second Wednesday at 4:00 PM • Members must maintain residency in Wickenburg during their service • The committee shall elect a chair and a vice chair Parks and Trails Committee Minutes of February 11, 2026 Page 3 of 8 • This is a volunteer opportunity with no compensation • Expenditures, agreements, and contracts are to be referred to the town council as the committee doesn’t have budget authority • The committee cannot authorize expenditures or approve contracts but can make recommendations to the town council Open Meeting Law information includes: • Four or more members together are deemed a quorum • Amy Brown, Town Clerk, explains that a quorum means a meeting is happening, requiring an agenda • If a quorum is expected at an event like a trail cleanup, a possible quorum notice may be issued • Business cannot be discussed without an agenda and must follow the agenda • Digital communication: Avoid group emails involving multiple committee members • Staff Liaison will blind copy everyone in emails to avoid quorums and the risk of replying all • Communication should be filtered through the staff liaison Standards of Conduct include the following: • The committee has an advisory role to advise staff and town council • Cooperation among members is expected, with unified, kind communication • Public involvement is encouraged, as it is a public meeting • Transparency is essential in all communications and actions • Members should come prepared, having read the agenda ahead of time • Conflict of interest: If there is a doubt, it probably is a conflict of interest • Consult with staff liaison when in doubt • All correspondence should be through the staff liaison Summary of Information: • Work together • Work through staff liaison • Work with public input • Work in the open • Work to provide council recommendations Vice Chair Oplinger asked whether the committee has a “slush fund” or petty cash available for small expenses. Director Chambers responded that the committee has no budgetary authority and there is no budget allowance for the Parks and Trails Advisory Committee (PTAC). He added that the other town departments or divisions may have funds that could be allocated by the town council. Town Clerk Amy Brown noted that a small fund exists for committee training, allowing members to attend training sessions or webinars. Chair Craig and Member Coates asked about opportunities for public input and why meeting dates are not more broadly accessible beyond the town website. Parks and Trails Committee Minutes of February 11, 2026 Page 4 of 8 Clerk Brown stated that the Wickenburg Sun publishes an annual calendar that includes meeting information. Chair Craig expressed a desire for a more open and public way to advertise meetings and encourage public input. Director Chambers indicated that he would take this under advisement. Chair Craig asked for clarification on who has authority to cancel committee meetings. Town Clerk Amy Brown explained that meetings have been canceled in the past due to the absence of a director or staff liaison. She summarized that meetings are canceled when one or more of the following conditions exist: • No assigned staff liaison • No published agenda • Lack of a quorum Director Chambers added that he will begin reaching out to committee members approximately one month prior to each meeting to solicit agenda items. His goal is to ensure meetings are held as scheduled, agendas are prepared in advance, and members have sufficient time to contribute relevant items for consideration. 6. Discussion and Direction Regarding Trail Development Director Chambers presented a review of prior Parks and Trails Advisory Committee discussions and summarized ongoing staff efforts to advance the trail development process. He provided updates and recommendations regarding Constellation Loop, Cobblestone Run/Bass Trail, and the Sunset Park Foot Path, supported by a slide presentation. Parks and Trails Committee Minutes of February 11, 2026 Page 5 of 8 Parks and Trails Committee Minutes of February 11, 2026 Page 6 of 8 Committee Discussion regarding trail signage and information is as follows: • The committee identified a need for clear directional signage at trail junctions to reduce user confusion and improve the overall trail experience • Members discussed the importance of having a central, in-town location where visitors can easily access trail information, such as the Chamber of Commerce • The existing town hiking trifold was mentioned, with suggestions to update it to include additional trails, including those at Sunset Park and the rodeo grounds • It was noted that trail names located on State Trust Land cannot be included on the trifold due to regulatory restrictions • Finish labeling the trails physically before creating information packets • Add the trails to apps like AllTrails to increase visibility • Members encouraged the idea of more connectivity between existing trails to reduce reliance on roadways and improve overall trail and safety continuity The Constellation Loop & Bass Trail Area needs to have it identified and directional signage installed at trailheads and key junctions. Staff will verify available and appropriate parking locations, possibly at the hotel. Staff will also confirm that trails are properly designed and developed to meet standards. Sunset Park Trail will also develop a comprehensive signage plan for presentation at the next meeting. Staff will review and ensure correct trail grading for safety and accessibility. 7. Discussion and Update on the Bass Trail Bench Installation Todd Wallace, Parks and Facilities Manager, reported that staff have been scouting out appropriate locations for new bench installations along the Bass Trail. The benches were generously donated by the Lions Club. Town maintenance crews are currently preparing the sites by digging footing holes and setting concrete anchors. Installation of the benches is scheduled for February 19th. Two bench locations have been identified: 1. Overlook the hotel area and provide views toward Vulture Peak 2. Face north, offering views toward Red Top 8. Discussion and Update Regarding Sunset Park Pickleball Lighting Item 8 – 10 were presented as one item. Todd Wallace, Parks and Facilities Manager, reported the following: • LED replacements of Pickleball lighting will start on Monday and take about a week, finishing around the 25th of February Parks and Trails Committee Minutes of February 11, 2026 Page 7 of 8 • All lighting in the park will be replaced with high-efficiency LED lights • 28 light bulbs were replaced on all fields 9. Discussion and Update Regarding Coffinger Park Todd Wallace, Parks and Facilities Manager, reported the following: • Gopher mitigation efforts are ongoing • New benches, sidewalks, and ADA-accessible picnic tables have been installed in the front playground area • The parking lot will be restriped to add new ADA-compliant parking spaces in front of the pool and ramada • New benches have been ordered, and cost estimates are being reviewed for the installation of covered dugouts • The backstop fencing will be replaced with the existing pipe structures repainted black, and new black fencing will be extended along both baselines for a more uniform and durable appearance • Due to ongoing gopher activity, the field will be designated for T-ball use to minimize maintenance and safety concerns • The infield surface will be upgraded with a true infield mix • New base fittings and small bleachers will be added 10. Discussion and Update Regarding Rodeo Grounds Todd Wallace, Parks and Facilities Manager provided an update on recent and planned improvements to the rodeo grounds. Roads and parking areas have been added, resulting in approximately 70,000 square feet of new parking. These improvements are intended to minimize parking along Constellation Road and improve site access and safety. A new lower parking lot has been designated for resident parking, while the larger upper parking lot will serve competitors. In addition, an access road off Constellation Road has been constructed to provide emergency vehicle access and contestant entry. Future development plans for the area include the construction of Penthouse 1 and Penthouse 2, a new barn, and additional stall areas. Staff noted that the site has already been graded and leveled in preparation for the new stalls. The Constellation Road new entrance has been added with approximately 40 ft of fill. A gate and solar lights have been added to make it a private entrance. The entrance is double wide for simultaneous in and out access. The Rodeo Grounds Trailhead includes a lower and upper trailhead, both with covered picnic areas. There are barbecue grills and solar lights that were added to both trailhead areas. The trails need to be defined and advertised. Parks and Trails Committee Minutes of February 11, 2026 Page 8 of 8 The lights at the arena have been replaced with significantly brighter LED lights. The new lights are instant on, unlike previous HID lights that took 15-20 minutes to come back on. LED lights have also been installed in the main center parking lot, flowing into the handicap parking lot and main entrance. Member Chamberlin asked if the rodeo arena lights have caps on them. Director Chambers confirmed that all new lights have shields on top to direct light downwards. Member Sigl inquired whether the lights comply with dark sky restrictions. Director Chambers confirmed that all lights are shielded to conform with the Western Sky requirements. Arena lights are on only during rodeos, and the front parking lot lights are only on during events and operate with a solar cell. Member Barnes asked how the pickleball court lights work. Director Chambers reported that the pickleball court lights operate with a button and come to full brightness instantly. Member Sigl requested additional tennis walls or backstops. E. NEXT MEETING DATE – April 8, 2026 F. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY Member Coates to adjourn at 5:11 PM SECONDED BY Member Chamberlin VOTE: 6 - 0 (Yes – Chair Craig, Vice Chair Oplinger, Members Barnes, Chamberlin, Coates, and Sigl) Nancy Craig, Chair Attest: Jennifer Jubany, Executive Assistant