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PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
May 2, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Madam Chair Dykstra called the meeting to order on Tuesday, May 2nd, at 5:00
p.m.
a. Roll Call
Members in Attendance:
Madam Chair Melanie Dykstra
Vice-Chair Tim Johnson
Board Member Shawn Hsu
Board Member James Montgomery
Board Member John David
Board Member Jegadesan Krishnamurthy
Board Member Sue McInturf
Members Absent:
None
Staff Members Present:
John Sefton, Community Services Director
Jeff Larsen, Parks Operations and Maintenance Senior Manager
Erika Berry, Recreation Superintendent
Joshua Adams, Business Systems Support Analyst
2. SCHEDULED/UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES
a. None
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3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Madam Chair Melanie Dykstra requested approval of the minutes from the
April 19th, 2023 Parks and Recreation Board special meeting. Board Member
Montgomery made a motion to approve. Board Member Krishnamurthy
seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
4. ACTION AGENDA
a. Parks and Recreation Board Chair Election
Madam Chair Dykstra explained the process of electing a Board Chair and Vice
Chair per the Parks and Recreation Board rules and stated that the 2023 election
would occur at this meeting. Board Member David made a motion to re-elect
Madam Chair Dykstra as Chair. Board Member McInturf seconded the motion.
No discussion was had. The motion was approved unanimously.
b. Parks and Recreation Board Vice-Chair Election
Madam Chair Dykstra called for a motion to elect a Vice-Chair of the Parks and
Recreation Board. Board Member Krishnamurthy made a motion to re-elect
Board Member Johnson as Vice-Chair. Board Member Hsu seconded. No
discussion was had. The motion was approved unanimously.
c. Madam Chair Dykstra brought up the topic of scheduling additional meeting
dates to receive supplementary information and presentations. Madam Chair
Dykstra suggested including meeting dates in the months of August and April.
Madam Chair Dykstra explained that this would allow the opportunity to meet in,
and tour, other locations as well as make it less complex to add meetings to the
calendar. She described that it’s less challenging to cancel a scheduled meeting than
it is to schedule a special meeting.
Vice-Chair Tim Johnson stated that he opposed adding August. Board Member
Montgomery stated that with the number of upcoming projects, excluding August
would leave a large gap in time.
Board Member McInturf inquired if any of the other Board Members already knew
they would be out of town in August and stated that she would not be present for
an August meeting if the motion passed. Madam Chair Dykstra stated that she
would be out of town soon after the August meeting if approved.
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Vice-Chair Johnson stated that in the past, the Board had met every month, and, in
that instance, it seemed as though there was not a large number of agenda items to
warrant the frequency. Madam Chair Dykstra stated that the Board wouldn’t meet
unless there were agenda and action items to meet about. She also stated that it
would allow the opportunity to bring in additional information and presentations.
Board Member Hsu stated that if the Board needed a special meeting it could
always be added. Madam Chair Dykstra stated that it would be easier to cancel a
meeting on the calendar than to schedule a special meeting that is not on the
calendar. Madam Chair Dykstra explained that this is due to the dates being
published and creating a special meeting requires a ratification to include the
additional date.
Board Member McInturf mentioned that since there were several new projects it
would be advantageous to add the meeting dates. Vice-Chair Johnson inquired
about new upcoming projects. Recreation Superintendent, Erika Berry, stated
that the Tumbleweed Recreation Center Expansion, new pickleball courts, softball
fields at Tumbleweed Park, and a couple of Park renovations are projects slated for
the near future.
Board Member Montgomery made a motion to approve the additional meeting
dates in the months of August and April. Board Member Hsu seconded. Vice Chair
Johnson was opposed. The motion passed with a count of 6-1 in favor of the motion
to add meeting dates in the months of August and April.
d. Tumbleweed Ranch Master Plan - Jody Crago
Museum Manager, Jody Crago, presented information on the Tumbleweed Ranch
Master Plan.
Board Member Montgomery asked if there were two historic buildings at the
current location. Mr. Crago stated that there were four.
Madam Chair Dykstra asked if the plan still included a splash pad based on the
conceptual design provided. Mr. Crago stated that there would not be a splash pad
and that the area in the conceptual design will be designated for play structures
instead.
Madam Chair Dykstra inquired if the multipurpose space can be rented. Mr. Crago
stated that they have in the past and plan to do so in the future. Mr. Crago also
stated that the rentals are and would be facilitated by the Museum Foundation.
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Madam Chair Dykstra asked how many acres are included in the site. Mr. Crago
stated that there are 20 acres.
Madam Chair Dykstra inquired about water conservation and the types of
vegetation on site. Mr. Crago stated that the grass on site has always been flood
irrigated and there are no plans to change that at this time. Mr. Crago explained
that the site is still to be designed and during the design phase is when that type of
decision would be made.
Madam Chair Dykstra asked if the trees in the conceptual design are current edible
citrus trees. Mr. Crago answered yes. Madam Chair Dykstra inquired about what
the City does with the citrus fruit. Mr. Crago stated that the general public can pick
the fruit.
Board Member McInturf stated that there is an agricultural club at one of the local
High Schools and asked if they used the area too. Mr. Crago answered yes.
Board Member Hsu inquired if cotton was grown at the location. Mr. Crago
answered yes and one of the purposes of the site is to show the various types of
crops grown in the region throughout the year.
Madam Chair Dykstra commented that if the plan is to add more fruit trees or
crops the City should research using the yields for local food banks or congregate
meal programs.
Board Member Montgomery asked if there were plans to include restrooms on the
property. Mr. Crago stated that there would be restrooms even though they are not
included in the conceptual design.
Madam Chair Dykstra asked if there would be collaborations with the Special
Events Division. Mr. Crago stated that since the Special Events Division resides in
the same Department as Museums, the two Divisions would be collaborating to
provide services and programming.
Madam Chair Dykstra asked if a large-scale event was conducted would the City
anticipate the Park not being used for anything else. Mr. Crago stated that there
have been events with approximately three thousand participants that have not
required the closure of the surrounding park space.
Board Member Hsu inquired if there were any plans for a community garden. Mr.
Crago stated that the City has tried a community garden at the location in the past
with unsuccessful results and as such had no plans to incorporate one in the future.
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Madam Chair Dykstra asked for a motion to endorse the concept development
Tumbleweed Ranch Master Plan as presented. Board Member McInturf proposed
the motion to endorse. Vice-Chair Johnson seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously.
5. DISCUSSION / BRIEFING
a. Tumbleweed Recreation Center Expansion Update - John Sefton
Community Services Director, John Sefton, presented information on the
Tumbleweed Recreation Center Expansion project.
Mr. Sefton stated that the expansion will be split into two phases due to budgetary
restrictions. Mr. Sefton explained that the first phase will include the multi-
generational, multi-functional programming space and the second phase would
include the gymnasium. Madam Chair Dykstra asked if the City is willing to go out
for another bond in the future. Mr. Sefton stated that there have been discussions
on funding options, however, the City would not jeopardize its triple-A bond rating
for additional funding.
Board Member Montgomery asked if the architects addressed the courtyard
upgrade. Mr. Sefton stated that there were discussions about the courtyard area
and an alternate conceptual design was provided. Board Member Montgomery
commented that he did not understand the need for the nice-looking upgrades but
no change to the courtyard. Mr. Sefton stated that with budgetary restrictions it all
comes down to levels of priorities. Madam Chair Dykstra commented that her
interpretation of the expansion goal was to expand the usable indoor square footage
and redesign the building for more use.
Board Member Montgomery inquired about how the expansion will increase
storage. Mr. Sefton identified the storage areas within the conceptual design.
Board Member Hsu asked why the storage areas were not located near the
gymnasium. Madam Chair Dykstra commented that the new storage appears to be
for other functional areas that are being added in the expansion.
Mr. Sefton explained that the City realizes the need for additional space and are
making efforts to establish relationships with local schools and other organizations
Board Member Montgomery inquired about the use at the Boys and Girls Club
facility that is owned by the City. Madam Chair Dykstra inquired about the type of
agreement the City has with the Boys and Girls Club for the use of the facility. Mr.
Sefton stated that the City has an operating agreement. Mrs. Berry stated that the
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City can use the facility after hours and that the City has provided programming
there in the past but is not offering any evening program at this time.
Madam Chair Dykstra asked if the City had any agreements with the schools for use
of field space. Mr. Sefton stated that the City uses Andersen and Bogle Junior High
fields and owns the field lighting. Madam Chair Dykstra mentioned that a good
topic for a future meeting would be information on the City’s Inter-Governmental
Agreements.
Board Member McInturf asked if the Tumbleweed Expansion would replace the
Senior Center. Mr. Sefton stated that the intent of the expansion is not to replace
any current facility and that operations at the Chandler Senior Center would continue
as is for the foreseeable future.
Board Member David asked if there were any estimates regarding the additional
foot traffic due to the Tumbleweed Expansion in relation to the costs associated.
Mrs. Berry stated that there was no such study conducted.
Board Member Hsu asked if there are plans to increase the parking capacity for the
expansion. Mr. Sefton explained that according to the City code, the current parking
capacity meets the needs of the expansion.
b. Recreation Facilities Operational Hours - Erika Berry
Recreation Superintendent, Erika Berry, presented information on the operational
hours for the Recreation Division’s six centers. The centers include Tumbleweed
Recreation, Community, Senior, Nature, Tennis, and Snedigar Recreation.
Madam Chair Dykstra asked how the City get its participation numbers. Mrs. Berry
stated that depending on the center, the City uses various methods which include
activity enrollment, memberships, door counters, and key fob swipes.
Board Member Krishnamurthy asked which day of the week is there the most foot
traffic. Mrs. Berry stated that most foot traffic is on Saturday.
Board Member Hsu stated that if the facility closes at 8:00 p.m. people who are
there close to 7:30 p.m. see that the facility is closing and might leave earlier than
they would have if the facility was open until 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. Madam Chair
Dykstra stated that according to the data provided, participation was low during the
evening hours after 8:00 p.m.
Board Member David asked if there have been customers requesting that the hours’
change. Mrs. Berry stated that they have had one customer submit customer
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feedback for the hours to be extended. A discussion ensued in reference to
additional
capacity
with
partnerships,
community
needs,
and
changing
demographics.
Board Member Hsu asked how many customers filled out the survey from which the
data was provided. Mrs. Berry stated that the survey was sent to all membership
holders and that approximately 400 out of 3,400 members responded. Board
Member Hsu asked if there are plans to continue to survey. Mrs. Berry stated that
City staff do one each quarter.
6. MEMBER COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Mrs. Berry introduced the Parks Operations and Maintenance Senior Manager,
Jeff Larsen.
7. CALENDAR ITEMS
Events and Activities
•
Dive In Movie: Luca, May 6, 2023, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. - Hamilton Aquatic Center, 3838
S Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85248
•
Military Bound Graduate Ceremony - May 9, 2023, 6 p.m. - 7 p. m. - Chandler City
Hall, 175 S. Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85225
•
You Look Marvelous Fashion Show - May 13, 2023, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Chandler
Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85225
•
Senior Prom - June 9, 2023, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. - Chandler Community Center 125
E. Commonwealth Ave, Chandler, AZ 85225
8. ADJOURNMENT
With no further items, Madam Chair Dykstra requested a motion to adjourn the
meeting at 6:52 p.m. Vice-Chair Johnson made the motion to adjourn the meeting.
Board Member Montgomery seconded the motion. The motion was approved
unanimously.
_________________________________________ _____________________________________
Melanie Dykstra, Madam Chair
Jeff Larsen, Park Operations and
Maintenance Senior Manager