Quality of Life SubCommittee

Meeting Minutes 
City Council Quality of Life 
Subcommittee Regular Meeting 
 
February 10, 2023 | 2:30 p.m. 
City Hall 5th Floor Large Conference Room  
175 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 
 
 
Call to Order 
The meeting was called to order at 2:35 p.m. 
 
Roll Call 
Subcommittee Attendance 
 
 
 
 
Staff Attendance 
Vice Mayor Matt Orlando  
 
 
 
 
Tadd Wille 
 
Councilmember Jane Poston 
 
 
 
 
Kim Moyers 
Councilmember Christine Ellis 
 
 
 
 
Jody Crago 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
John Sefton 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tom Dwiggins 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Keith Hargis 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lana Croke 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mickey Ohland 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Joshua Wright 
 
 
Discussion 
MICKEY OHLAND, Community Services Planning Senior Manager, presented on Tumbleweed 
Park’s acquisition, development, and master plan revision history.  
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO stated that the City needed to be mindful regarding the messaging 
surrounding the multi-generational center at Tumbleweed Park because the perception within 
the community is that it is going to be a senior center and that the current senior center will 
close. 
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON asked what the intent of the multi-generational center will be. MR. 
OHLAND stated that the center would have rooms for multi-purposes that could be used by

Page 2 of 5 
 
 
 
seniors, but it is not the intent at this point to move the senior center to the multi-generational 
center. 
MR. OHLAND discussed the future needs and developments at Tumbleweed Park to include 
pickle ball courts, Tumbleweed Ranch development, general recreation needs, and commercial 
recreational opportunities. 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked why not put the pickleball courts north of the tennis courts. 
Mr. Ohland stated that the area north of the tennis courts is a parking area and currently 
additional parking spaces are needed.  
 
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON asked if Community Services has been working with Economic 
Development in regard to the commercial recreational opportunities. MR. OHLAND responded 
that Economic Development has been involved every step of the way with request for proposals 
and will continue to be throughout the project. 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked if the pickleball courts in Ocotillo are just for Ocotillo 
residents. MR. OHLAND answered that he didn’t know but would assume so. 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked if there was going to be an area for cricket. MR. OHLAND 
stated that cricket along with many other recreational activities are needs that the City will have 
to forecast into future development planning. 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked when the pickleball courts will be done by. MR. OHLAND 
answered approximately 18 months, pending approval of the full City Council to proceed. 
JODY CRAGO, Museum Manager, reviewed the history of The Ranch, various master plan studies, 
and future development proposals.  
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked if the original furniture is in the houses (Edwards and 
McCroskey). MR. CRAGO responded they are not, they are antiques.  
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked what is done with the fruit from the citrus orchard. MR. 
CRAGO responded that the forestry officer for the City has taught community members how to 
pick the oranges. 
MR. CRAGO turned the presentation back to MR. OHLAND where he discussed next steps for the 
Tumbleweed Park Future Planning.

Page 3 of 5 
 
 
 
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON asked how the zones are prioritized. MR. CRAGO answered that 
Zones C and D are used the most, which is why they are a priority. The rest of the zones are 
interchangeable in priority depending on availability of funding and partnerships. 
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON emphasized the importance of using the funding received from the 
approved capital improvement program to plant the trees prior to these phases in order to 
allow the time it takes for trees to grow and to help with sustainability. 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked if there will be signage to these areas since they are tucked 
away and if the water feature was put in the Treehouse area would that entice kids to that 
section. MR. CRAGO answered that this was the main reason Zone A was added to The Ranch to 
draw visitor’s attention to the new main entrance/archway. MR. CRAGO stated that there are 
already kids and families that come visit this area regularly and if new features were added, such 
as a water feature, that would naturally have kids gravitate to that area. 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked if there were bond dollars for these developments. MR. 
CRAGO responded that currently there are not, but that staff would research the remaining 
Museum bond authorization from previous elections to determine if that was a viable way to 
finance portions of this project.  
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO stated that he would like to see a timeframe and plans, as well as a 
plan on how to get the funds for this project. He likes the idea of the sustainability pieces first. 
He asked if the Ostrich Festival would be affected by this. MR. CRAGO responded that this would 
not affect the Ostrich Festival. 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked if the next step was trying to narrow down the timing of the 
project. MR. CRAGO answered that they are currently in the master planning portion and 
viewing it at a very high level and once Council and the respective departments agree that this 
looks feasible the timeframe planning will be the next step. 
COUNCILMEMBER ELLIS asked if the trees were already in this upcoming budget package and if 
so, should there be something else be added along with the planting of the trees to get more 
visitors to come to that area. MR. CRAGO answered that the trees are in the upcoming budget 
and KIM MOYERS, Cultural Development Director, stated that the councilmembers in the 
meeting are the first ones to see this, and that the development team wanted to get Council’s 
feedback prior to moving further with any additional planning.  
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked if corporate sponsors were being looked at for funding, such 
as SRP. Mr. Crago answered that they are open to corporate sponsors.

Page 4 of 5 
 
 
 
FIRE CHIEF TOM DWIGGINS discussed the current station project of rebuilding Station 2, a future 
project of rebuilding Station 4, and the potential to build a brand-new fire station number 12. 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked where another engine would come from to add to the newly 
rebuilt Station 2. Chief Dwiggins responded that an engine would move from Station 8. There 
are two units out of Station 8, where one would stay and service Station 8, and the other would 
move over to Station 2. 
COUNCILMEMBER POSTON asked if there are any other options for another Hazmat station. 
CHIEF DWIGGINS responded that every year they complete a risk assessment for the 
community. West Chandler has more chemicals than anywhere in Chandler and has no other 
close backup from neighboring City Hazmat teams, which makes Station 4 the most strategic 
station to house a Hazmat crew. 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked if there was another Hazmat station that a female firefighter 
could go to. CHIEF DWIGGINS answered that Station 4 is the only Hazmat station and that female 
firefighters can bid that station; however, none have due to the lack of privacy with the 
bunkroom configurations. COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked if there was a way to build a solid 
wall to separate the male and female bunkrooms. CHIEF DWIGGINS responded yes, a project to 
build a wall is a possibility. 
CHIEF DWIGGINS presented data and explained why a new fire station to cover the south part of 
Chandler may be needed. Staff will continue to monitor the data in coming years to determine 
the need for the project and appropriate timing in the capital program. 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked how many mutual aid calls Chandler responds to. CHIEF 
DWIGGINS answered that the only mutual aid calls we have is with Gila River. For automatic aid, 
the partnerships we have with surrounding fire departments, we see them coming into Chandler 
3,000 times and we go into their cities 2,000 times. COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked if the 
new station will balance those numbers. CHIEF DWIGGINS answered that it will not, because any 
new station would likely be in the center of several other districts. 
COUNCILMEMBER ORLANDO asked if Gila River Fire Department is planning on increasing their 
staff to be able to respond to the new casino. CHIEF DWIGGINS answered that our automatic aid 
boundary line will cut off right before the casino and that Gila River is planning on building a fire 
station close to the casino to cover those calls. COUNCILMEMBER POSTON asked if there was a 
timeframe on Gila River’s new fire station. CHIEF DWIGGINS answered that he did not know.

Tumbleweed Park
Council Sub-Committee Meeting
February 10, 2023
AGENDA:
1. Acquisition History
2. Development History
3. Planned Development
4. Future Needs/Development
a. Pickleball
b. Tumbleweed Ranch
5. Next Steps
2
1
2

Tumbleweed Park Acquisition History
1985 – Initial discussion of the design/development of a “200-
acre park”.
1986 – Parks and Recreation Master Plan located the “200-
acre park” near its current location.  However, 
acquisition efforts were redirected to the Ocotillo area 
for the Milwaukee Brewers minor league training 
facility.
1992 - In conjunction with the acquisition of the 100-acre 
Airport Water Reclamation Plant site, discussions 
resumed regarding the acquisition of a “200-acre park”.
1994 – 154-acres purchased.
2001 – 34-acres purchased.
2005 – 16-acres purchased south of Park and Ride.
3
Germann Road
McQueen Road
Ryan Road
154-acres
1994
16-acres
2005
34-acres
2001
Tumbleweed Park Acquisition History
4
3
4

Original Master Plan
1995-96
(154-acres)
Preserving Chandler’s
Agricultural History
Festival Site
Amphitheater
Group Picnic Areas
Botanical Gardens
Demonstration Farm
Maintenance Center
Recreation Center
Lake
Large Playground
Tennis Center
Railroad Museum
Commercial Recreation
Tumbleweed Park Development
5
Master Plan
2003-04
(188-acres)
Tumbleweed Park Development
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5
6

Germann Road
McQueen Road
Ryan Road
Tumbleweed Park Development
Ostrich Festival
2003
(46 developed acres)
CARNIVAL 
RIDES
OSTRICH 
TRACK
PARKING
PARKING
VENDOR 
PARKING
KID’S
RIDES
MAIN 
STAGE
Interesting Facts:
15th annual festival
No ostriches due to a poultry virus.
America
Grand Funk Railroad
4 double-decker buses used as shuttles
7
Tumbleweed Park Development
Draft Master Plan
2005
Addition of sports
Fields.
8
7
8

Tumbleweed Park Development
Master Plan
2007
(204-acres)
BMX Track
Diamond Field
Complex
9
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
Goal:  Provide a revenue source to help offset 
Tumbleweed Park maintenance costs.
2005 – RFP for 22-acres (SW corner of McQueen/Germann Roads)
ViaWest Properties
Waveyard
Solicitation cancelled – 2006
2007 - RFP for 22-acres (SW corner of McQueen/Germann Roads)
ViaWest Properties
Village at Tumbleweed Park
Due to the economy, negotiations ended.
2010 – RFP for 26-acres (SW corner of Hamilton St/Pioneer Pkwy)
Waveyard
Rock Climbing Facility
Multi-purpose Facility
1440 Cable Factory
2011 – Development agreement executed.
2014 – Development agreement cancelled.
10
9
10

2010-14
Wakeboarding
Concept
Tumbleweed Park Development
11
GERMANN ROAD
Tumbleweed Park – Existing
148 of 204 acres
developed
Developed over 28 years 
(8 phases) 
+/- 22-acres
+/- 5-acres
+/- 29-acres
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11
12

2023-24
Diamond Field Complex
2024
Ryan Road ½ Street 
Improvements
Muti-Gen Center 
Expansion
Tumbleweed Park – Planned Development
13
• Pickleball
• Tumbleweed Ranch
• General Recreation Needs
• Commercial Recreational
Opportunities
Tumbleweed Park – Future Needs/Development
14
13
14

Existing Pickleball Courts
Pickleball Courts Located at Parks:
Arrowhead Meadows Park – 6
La Paloma Park – 1
Arbuckle Park – 1
Pecos Ranch Park – 1
Homestead North Park – 1
Tumbleweed Recreation Center – 4
Programmed use during the week
Community Center – 2
May – September (Drop-in play)
Classes (Year-round)
Parks Strategic Master Plan (Approved by City Council/2020)
Recommended Level of Service = 1 court/12,000
Existing Level of Service = 1 court/20,205
Proposed Level of Service : 1 court/8,800
Pickleball
15
Tumbleweed Park – Pickleball Court Location Analysis
16
15
16

Proposed Pickleball Location
18 Lighted Courts
Restrooms
Shaded Waiting Areas
Parking
Recommended Level of Service = 1 court/12,000
Existing Level of Service = 1 court/20,205
Proposed Level of Service : 1 court/8,800
Proposed Capital Improvement Program:
FY 2023-24 – $6,572,221
Design/Construction
5-acres
17
17
18

19
Historical Background
Chandler Public History Master Plan—1999 
The first Public History Master Plan adopted in the United States.
Viewed the community’s history as a tangible resource to assist with development.
Identifies Tumbleweed Ranch as a site to focus on agricultural history.
Tumbleweed Ranch Program Plan—2000 
The first plan to suggest potential approaches to the Ranch
Potential conceptual layouts developed by ASU School of Landscape Architecture and Environmental 
Design students. 
The Ranch at Tumbleweed Park—2006 
Master Plan and Interpretive Layout
Plan to interpret the existing Ranch structures insitu including an interpretive signage approach
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19
20

chandler a history of innovation
Innovation inspired by opportunity
Dr Chandler’s almost unceasing drive for the next “big thing” drove 
him to constantly to seek new innovations: in land development, water 
control, sources of water, ranching, agriculture, solar power, tourism, 
finance, architecture, community development, and the list goes on.
Dr. Chandler created a culture of innovation driven by opportunity. 
Countless others, from all walks of life, have have continued that 
legacy in Chandler and continually make it the “Community of 
Innovation” it is today. 
The Ranch at Tumbleweed Park, is the place to celebrate and honor 
this history of innovation and the people who have made it.
“I spend little time thinking of the past once a thing is done. 
It is more interesting to think of what the future has yet to 
be accomplished.” 
Dr. A. J. Chandler, 
1939
21
22
21
22

• Clear points of entry
• Flexibility
• School groups
23
24
23
24

Entry promenade
• Water
• Canals
25
Historic homes
• Edwards house
• Mccroskey house
26
25
26

The Grove
• Interpretive nature play
• Tree house
• Splash pad water play
• Climbing structures
27
innovation shed
• dr. chandler
• agriculture innovations
• solar motor
• ostriches
• n.j. harris bbq
28
27
28

heirloom garden
Bashas’ market 
Heirloom garden
FLW citrus camp
San Marcos water gardens
FLW ocotillo camp
29
30
29
30

31
32
31
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conceptual budget 
•
General Site Improvements (grading & trees)
$     780,000
•
Zone A – The Barn
$  3,289,000
•
Zone B – The Water Promenade
$     745,000
•
Zone C – The Farmhouse
$     830,500
•
Zone D – The Twin Barns
$  2,607,000
•
Zone E – The Treehouse
$  1,000,000
•
Zone F – The Innovation Shed
$  4,547,400
•
Zone G – The Farm
$     200,000
•
Total Construction Budget
$13,998,900
•
Soft Cost Allowance (25%)
$  3,499,725
•
Total Project Budget
$17,498,625
33
Next Steps
Diamond Field Construction (Spring 2023 – Spring 2024)
Ryan Road ½ Street Improvements (Summer 2024)
Multi-Gen Center Expansion (Summer 2024)
Pickleball Complex Design/Construction (FY 23-24)
Future Discussions
Tumbleweed Ranch 
Special Events
Commercial Recreation Opportunities
34
33
34

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2/6/2023
1
Chandler Fire Station 
Development Plan 
Quality of Life Subcommittee Meeting
February 10, 2023
Fire Station 282
• Approved by voters in the 2021 
Bond Election.
• Total project cost is $12,000,000
• Project includes bringing adjacent 
basin to current standards.
• Project is on schedule with a 
certificate of occupancy projected in 
October of 2023. 
• Once completed, a redeployment of 
resources and staff will occur.
1
2

2/6/2023
2
Fire Station 284
A 2018 facility condition assessment conducted by Faithful & Gould identified a need for 
$1.1 million in repairs. Regular maintenance and condition evaluation are ongoing.
The Fire Station 4 project was recommended for reconstruction by the Public Safety 
Bond Subcommittee and approved by voters in the 2021 bond election.
Fire Station 4 was built in 1986 and is the only station remaining that does not have 
separate sleeping quarters for men and women.   
The new station will include current design practices to reduce carcinogen exposure to 
firefighters.
Station design is funded for $680,000 in FY 2028‐29, and construction is funded for 
$8,787,000 in FY 2029‐30.
Fire Station 
2812
Fire Station 2812 is in the earliest phase of planning.
Chandler Fire Department (CFD) has been assessing building 
development, call volume growth, response times, and other 
factors that impact emergency response.
CFD staff identified a desired area of the City to build Fire Station 
2812, with a general location of Arizona Avenue and Queen 
Creek Road.
CFD and the Public Works and Utilities staff identified a potential 
location for Fire Station 2812 on unused City property located on 
Queen Creek Road between McQueen Road and Arizona 
Avenue.
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4

2/6/2023
3
Call Volume Growth               FY 2019‐20 – FY 2021‐22
District
FY 2019‐20
FY 2020‐21
FY 2021‐22
Grand Total
Growth
*Station 281
2,114 
2,301 
2,297 
6,712 
8.0%
*Station 2810
1,294 
1,256 
1,439 
3,989 
10.1%
*Station 2811
1,033 
1,070 
1,262 
3,365 
18.1%
Station 282
4,522 
4,443 
4,747 
13,712 
4.7%
Station 283
2,987 
2,774 
3,217 
8,978 
7.1%
Station 284
1,566 
1,707 
1,890 
5,163 
17.1%
*Station 285
2,611 
2,764 
2,937 
8,312 
11.1%
Station 286
2,063 
2,127 
2,195 
6,385 
6.0%
*Station 287
1,474 
1,679 
1,879 
5,032 
21.6%
Station 288
2,787 
2,649 
2,649 
8,085 
‐5.2%
Station 289
2,072 
2,046 
2,224 
6,342 
6.8%
*Station directly impacted by Fire Station 2812
District
90th Percentile Response Times
*Station 2811
06:53
*Station 2810
06:33
*Station 281
06:13
*Station 285
06:09
Station 289
06:09
*Station 287
06:01
Station 284
05:48
Station 283
05:34
Station 288
05:31
Station 282
05:28
Station 286
05:22
Response Times 2022
5
6

2/6/2023
4
Target Area 
Experiencing 
Reduced Coverage 
&  Redundancy
Proposed Station Location 
Proposed site‐
350’ x 235’ (1.9 acres)
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8

2/6/2023
5
Location Analysis:
Incident Volume 
Inside 5‐Minute 
Response 
Diamond
Location Analysis:
Current 
Responses 
Greater Than 5 
Minutes
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10

2/6/2023
6
Deployment Impact of Additional Station
District
Current FY 21‐22 
Incidents
Possible FY 21‐22 
Incidents W/ 2812
Change
Out Of City
1846
1846
0
Station 281
2297
1910
‐387
Station 2810
1439
1338
‐101
Station 2811
1262
1176
‐86
Station 2812
0
1280
1280
Station 282
4747
4747
0
Station 283
3217
3217
0
Station 284
1890
1890
0
Station 285
2937
2231
‐706
Station 286
2195
2195
0
Station 287
1879
1879
0
Station 288
2649
2649
0
Station 289
2224
2224
0
Next Steps
• Complete the Fire Station 2 project and 
redeploy response resources.
• Evaluate the timing of the Fire Station 4 
project based on response needs, 
ongoing building condition assessment, 
and fiscal considerations. Continue to 
maintain critical systems until station is 
fully reconstructed.
• Continue to monitor response needs in 
South Chandler and include the design 
and construction of Fire Station 12 in 
years 9 and 10 in the CIP as a 
placeholder, with regular evaluation of 
demand and timing.
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12