Minutes - 5/3/22

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2022-09-06)

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DRAFT PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 
May 3, 2022 
 
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 
Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 
5:00p.m. 
 
a. Roll Call 
 
Members in Attendance: 
Chairman Tim Johnson 
Vice-Chairman Melanie Dykstra 
Boardmember Jegadesan Krishnamurthy  
Boardmember James Montgomery 
 
Members Absent: 
Boardmember Cenalmar-Bruquetas  
Boardmember John David 
Board member Shawn Hsu 
 
Staff Members Present: 
John Sefton, Community Services Director 
Joseph Petrella, Recreation Manager 
Mickey Ohland, Community Services Planning Manager 
Jeffrey Larsen, Parks Operations and Maintenance Manager  
Erika Berry, Recreation Superintendent 
Rebecca Kuiper, Recreation Superintendent 
Timberly Matson, Lead Park Ranger 
Robert Luevano, Groundskeeper 
Sandy Popovich, Recording Secretary 
 
Others Present 
Gregory Katsaros, 838 W Straford Ave., Gilbert, AZ  85233 
Christopher Katsaros, 838 W Straford Ave., Gilbert, AZ  85233

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Kendall Higby, 607 W Tara Ct., Gilbert, AZ 85233 
Elisa Groen, 437 E. Marigold Ln. Tempe, AZ  85281 
 
 
2. 
INTRODUCTIONS 
 
a.  John Sefton, Community Services Director introduced himself and discussed his 
background in the Recreation Industry. 
 
b.  Boardmember Jegadesan Krishnamurthy, new Parks and Recreation Board 
Member, introduced himself and shared his background and interest in serving 
on the Parks and Recreation Board. 
 
c. Boardmember James Montgomery, new Parks and Recreation Board Member, 
introduced himself and shared his background and interest in serving on the 
Parks and Recreation Board. 
 
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 
 
Chairman Johnson requested approval of the minutes for the February 1, 2021, 
Parks and Recreation Board meeting.  Vice-Chair Dykstra made the motion to 
approve the minutes with a change to item 4g to clarify that the question about 
allocations was not just directed at field allocation, but for other amenities as well.  
Boardmember Reynolds seconded the motion with the modified changes. 
 
The minutes were approved 4-0 by all Boardmembers present.  
 
4. ACTION ITEMS 
 
a. Appointment of the new Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board. 
 
Chair Johnson requested a motion to nominate a new Chair for the Parks and 
Recreation Board.  Chair Johnson moved to recommend Vice-Chair Dykstra for 
the Chair position.  Boardmember Montgomery seconded the motion. 
 
The motion was approved 4-0 by all Boardmembers present.   
 
b. Appointment of the new Vice-Chair of the Parks and Recreation Board. 
 
Chair Johnson requested a motion to nominate a new Vice-Chair for the Parks 
and Recreation Board.  Vice-chair Dykstra moved to recommend Chair

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Johnson for the Chair position.  Boardmember Krishnamurthy seconded the 
motion. 
 
The motion was approved 4-0 by all Boardmembers present.   
 
5. BRIEFING/DISCUSSION 
 
a. Proposed FY21-23 Budget Update 
 
Mr. John Sefton, Community Services Director updated the Board on the 
Proposed FY21-23 Budget.  He shared the current organizational chart for 
Community 
Services 
and 
the 
top 
five 
FY 
2021-22 
Accomplishments.  
Accomplishments include: 
• Opened the Makery at the Downtown Library featuring emerging 
technologies, arts, and media resources. 
• Completed the Field of Honor Veteran’s Memorial 
• Installed Baseline Irrigation Controllers and System at city parks 
improving efficiencies and water conservation disciplines. 
• Completed 2021 Parks Strategic Master Plan with comprehensive 
inventory and assessments by park. 
• Recreation Services Rebound.  
Mr. Sefton reviewed the Proposed Operating Budget, Funding Sources, Decision 
Packages. 
 
Boardmember Krishnamurthy asked if there was a warranty on the trees that 
are planted.  Mr. Ohland replied that there is a one-year warranty on the planted 
trees.  
 
Vice-chair Dykstra asked if the city has done a staffing study.  Mr. Sefton replied 
that the city is currently using a consultant to do a city-wide, comprehensive 
compensation salary study.  Discussion ensued. 
 
b. 
Mr. Mickey Ohland, Community Services Planning Manager, updated the 
Board on the 2023-2032 Community Services Capital Improvement Program 
(CIP).   The ten-year program is updated every year.  It identifies and  
allocates funding for projects over a 10-year span.  Most capital 
improvement projects are over $50,000.  This year’s totals for CIP are $198M 
which is approximately a $47M increase from last year.  The current building 
climate necessitates that increase.  Projects for the next two years include: 
• 
Tumbleweed Regional Park 
• 
Existing Neighborhood Park Improvement/Repairs 
• 
Mesquite Groves Park Site Phase I

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• 
Mesquite Groves Park Site Phase II 
• 
Mesquite Groves Park Site Phase III 
• 
Existing Community Park Improvement/Repairs 
• 
Existing Recreation Facilities Improvements 
• 
Fitness Equipment 
• 
Library Facilities Improvements 
• 
Tumbleweed Expansion Multi-gen 
• 
Parks Front-End Loader 
• 
Gazelle Meadows/Galveston Neighborhood Improvement 
• 
Aging Park Landscaping Revitalization 
• 
Existing Athletic Field Improvement/Repairs 
 
Vice-chair Dykstra asked if the new four-plex fields at Tumbleweed will be all 
softball?  Mr. Ohland responded that it will be primarily for youth and under 
18 years of age play.  Discussion ensued.   
 
Boardmember Montgomery asked about parking issues.  Mr. Ohland 
responded that the issue is being reviewed with Special Events staff.  
Discussion ensued. 
 
Vice-chair Dykstra asked if the bonds being used are from what passed this 
last year.  Mr. Ohland responded that yes, these were from the bond issue 
passed in November 2021. 
 
Vice-chair Dykstra asked if the city ever considered leasing vs. owning fitness 
equipment.  Ms. Erika Berry, Recreation Superintendent, responded that 
leasing offers limited replacement options, and the city owns the equipment.  
 
Vice-chair Dykstra asked about repairs at the Sunset Library after the 
explosion.  Mr. Ohland responded that insurance was used to pay for do 
repairs.    
 
Boardmember Montgomery asked about expansion of the English as a 
Second Language (ESL) program.  Mr. Ohland responded that the request can 
be forwarded to the library staff. 
 
Vice-chair Dykstra asked if there an option on the registration form to 
donate to Parks and Recreation.  Ms. Erika Berry responded that there is an 
option via online registration to add a donation.  Concept will be further 
reviewed by staff.

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6. MEMBER COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS 
 
a. Vice-chair Dykstra is very impressed with quality of the instructors at 
Tumbleweed and the Tennis Center.  Additionally, some classes at the 
Tennis Center are waitlisted but the class attendance is not full.  Can we 
explore how the waitlists are managed?  Ms. Berry said we could look at the 
process.  Discussion ensued. 
 
 
7. CALENDAR ITEMS  
 
a. Next meeting will be September 6, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.   
 
8. ADJOURNMENT 
 
With no further items, Chairman Johnson requested a motion to adjourn the 
meeting at 6:32 p.m.  Vice-Chair Dykstra made the motion to adjourn the meeting. 
Boardmember Montgomery seconded the motion.  
 
The adjournment was approved 4-0 by all Boardmembers present.   
  
 
_________________________________________              _____________________________________ 
Tim Johnson, Chairman 
 
 
         Sandy Popovich, Recording Secretary