10-7-25 Parks & Recreation Meeting Minutes

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OCTOBER 7, 2025, | 5:00 P.M.  
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD 
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 
 
 
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 
 
Chair David called the meeting to order on Tuesday, October 7, at 5:00 p.m.  
 
       
Members in Attendance: 
Chair John David 
Vice Chair Melanie Dykstra 
Board Member Lynette Bradley  
Board Member Jegadesan Krishnamurthy (arrived at 5:06 P.M.) 
Board Member Sarah Sharits 
Board Member James Montgomery  
 
  
 
 
Members Absent: 
Board Member Sue McInturf  
 
 
Staff Members:  
Erika Berry, Becky Kuiper, Chris Smith,, Jensen Valenzuela, Corey Povar, 
Rachelle Kuzyk, John Sefton, Alexis Apodaca, Dylan Raymond, and Sandy 
Popovich 
 
Others Present: 
Sherri Friend 
Teri O’Herron 
Alexander Rahman 
 
UNSCHEDULED/SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES 
Mr. Alex Rahman from the Mayor’s Youth Commission was introduced.

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ACTION ITEMS 
 
1. Approval of Minutes from August 5, 2025, Parks and Recreation Board Meeting. 
 
 
Boardmember Montgomery moved to approve September 2nd, 2025, Parks 
and Recreation Board meeting minutes and Vice Chair Dykstra seconded.   
 
The motion was approved unanimously, 6-0. 
 
DISCUSSION 
 
2.  Development of a department program for donations (Adopt-a-Tree, bench 
donations, etc. – Corey Povar, Assistant Director of Community Services 
 
Mr. Povar explained to the board that the city was seeking input on a new 
donation program for the parks division.  Chair David asked if best practices 
were explored from other cities.  Mr. Povar replied that yes, other city 
programs were reviewed and that donations were more general with no 
specific tree/plaque assigned.  Discussion ensued and it was determined to 
add this topic to the next meeting on November 4, 2025. 
  
 
BRIEFING  
 
3. Adult Sport Programs – Jensen Valenzuela, Recreation Coordinator 
 
Mr. Valenzuela briefed the Board on the Adults Sports Program and 
participation numbers. Mr. Valenzuela shared that softball, basketball, and 
volleyball leagues are offered at Tumbleweed Recreation, Folley Park, 
Snedigar Sportsplex, and Hamilton High during the fall, winter, and spring.  
Mr. Valenzuela stressed that the goal of the Adult Sports Program was to get 
people involved and to have fun with the activities. 
 
Board Member Montgomery asked if tennis was involved with the city 
leagues.  Mr. Valenzuela responded that the Tennis Center manages those 
leagues. 
 
Board Member Sharit asked if kickball or dodgeball will become part of the 
program.  Mr. Valenzuela responded that he had tried to add kickball, but 
there wasn’t enough interest at the time.

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Vice Chair Dykstra asked if there were any plans to expand the locations 
where the leagues were being played.  Mr. Valenzuela responded that there 
are no expansion plans at this time. 
 
 
4. Dementia and Age Friendly City – Becky Kuiper, Recreation 
Superintendent and Dylan Raymond, Management Analyst 
 
Ms. Kuiper briefed the Board on dementia statistics and the city’s recent 
designation as a Dementia Friendly Community.  Ms. Kuiper introduced Mr. 
Dylan Raymond who added information on dementia and the city’s Dementia 
Friendly Focus.  Support for the application included Vice Mayor Ellis and 
Councilmember Encinas along with a partnership with Oakwood Creative 
Care.  Ms. Kuiper introduced Ms. Sherri Friend and Teri O’Herron from 
Oakwood.  Ms. Friend spoke about the various programs provided at 
Oakwood including Memory Cafes.  Ms. O’Herron invited everyone to an 
open house on October 20, 2025.    
 
 
5. Library Book Locker and Discovery Library – Rachelle Kuzyk, Library 
Senior Manager 
 
Ms. Kuzyk briefed the Board on new Library Book Locker program and the 
Discovery Library.  The Library Book Locker program allows patrons to check-
out items they have placed on hold at a stand-alone kiosk using a unique 
access code.  The first locker is located at Tumbleweed Recreation Center 
with future lockers planned throughout the city.  Ms. Kuzyk also briefed the 
Board on the Discovery Library, which is a mobile unit that can provide 
outreach and programming throughout the city.  
 
Vice Chair Dykstra asked if the library currently rents out packages such as 
puzzles, camping things, etc.  Ms. Kuzyk responded at this time item check-
out is not available.

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CALENDAR ITEMS 
 
6. 
Dragonfly and Butterfly Bash, October 4 from 9 a.m.-noon at Veterans 
Oasis Park  
7. 
Sonoran Sunset Series – Outside the Line, October 16 from 6-7:30 a.m. at 
Veterans Oasis Park 
8. 
Dine-in Movie, October 17 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Community Center 
Courtyard, registration required 
9. 
Concerts in the Courtyard Series, October 24 from 6-8 p.m. at the 
Community Center 
10. Pumpkin Dunk, October 25 from noon-2 p.m. at Mesquite Groves Aquatic 
Center, registration required 
11. Community Nights in the Courtyard – Halloween Edition, October 30 from 
12. 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Community Center 
13. Halloween Spooktacular, October 31 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Dr. A.J. 
Chandler Park Stage Plaza 
14. The next Parks and Recreation Board meeting will be held November 4, 
2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room, 88 E. 
Chicago St. 
 
FUTURE ITEMS 
The development of a department program for donations will be added to 
the next meeting agenda, November 4, 2025. 
 
ADJOURN 
Chair David moved to adjourn October 7th Parks and Recreation Board 
meeting, and Vice Chair Dykstra approved the motion.  The meeting was 
adjourned at 6:30 p.m. 
 
 
 
_______________________________ 
 _________________________________________ 
John David, Chair                                 Erika Berry, Recreation Superintendent