Call to Order:  6:28 p.m.

PRESENT:

Lyra Done, Chair Bob DeLaney, Vice-Chair Susannah Myerson, Member Dennis Ottley, Member Greg Roberts, Member John Scheuring, Member

EXCUSED:

Karen Chatterton, Member

Susannah Myerson arrived at 6:29 p.m.
Greg Roberts arrived at 6:30 p.m.

ALSO PRESENT:                       
                            Council Member Paula Abbott
                            Planning Commissioner Bill Adler
                            Ainsley Legner, Parks and Recreation Director

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair DeLaney and seconded by Member Ottley to approve the November 13, 2008 regular session minutes.

MOTION carried, 4-0.

Oro Valley resident Robert Schumann stated that since August 18, 2008 the Sonoran Desert Flyers have been allowed to fly radio control model aircraft at the Naranja Town Site.  He requested that the Board make a recommendation to the Town Council to remove the altitude and time limit restrictions. 

Oro Valley resident Kevin Houser voiced support for an ordinance change to extend the hours of operation for the Sonoran Desert Flyers in order to incorporate after school activities. 

Council Member Paula Abbott stated that the Town Council will be reviewing the future of the Naranja Town Site at the study session on January 14, 2009.  She reviewed the proposed options:  
 ~ Option 1 - Joint development with another agency or organization.
 ~ Option 2 - Phasing in the development of the master plan.
 ~ Option 3 - Put the bond election on the ballot a second time.  
 ~ Option 4 - No action. 
 ~ Option 5 - Other Town uses for the property such as Public Works/Administration facilities, Police Department training/administrative facilities, Town administration offices, zoo, underground aquarium, pond/lake, or ice skating park.
 ~ Option 6 - Sell the property.  

Council Member Abbott encouraged the Board Members to make a recommendation to the Town Council.  

 ~ Town Council study session on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. will include discussion regarding the future of the Naranja Town Site.
 ~ Ainsley Legner will be out of the office on Friday, January 16, 2009.
 ~ Town offices closed for Civil Rights’ Day on Monday, January 19, 2009.
 ~ Town Council meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.  There will be discussion regarding the Pima County bond update.
 ~ Next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting is tentatively set for Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hopi Conference room.

Planning Commissioner Bill Adler distributed Town Code Article 3-6.  He explained that the Town uses the General Plan and the Zoning Code to manage growth and little relates directly to quality of life.  The Code does not include recreational requirements for commercial development.  Retail developers are not required to create recreational space for customers.  The Oro Valley Zoning Code has a provision for recreation space.  Mr. Adler reviewed each of the documents he distributed:    
 ~ Article 3-6, section 3-6-7, numbers 3 and 4. 
 ~ Community Vision Statement.
 ~ Financial and Economic Sustainability.
 ~ Quality of Life and Environmental Sustainability.
 ~ Oro Valley General Plan.
 ~ Goals and Policies of the General Plan.
 ~ The Oro Valley Town Code.  Section E is the optional section which includes the in-lieu fees provision.
 ~ Resident Satisfaction Survey which underscores the importance of Parks and Recreation and planning for growth.  It includes prioritizing of services and funding sources. 

Mr. Adler encouraged the Board to review the documents and get involved.

Council Member Abbott asked when in the development process it would be appropriate for developers to propose a plan for recreation.  Mr. Adler stated that the applicants should have information to the Advisory Boards ahead of time in order to get the item on the agenda and speak at the meeting, if necessary.

Council Member Abbott asked what in-lieu fees cover.  Mr. Adler responded that there was an appraisal of the space to be allocated for recreation and that amount is given to the Town.  The revenue is earmarked for park improvements.  The in-lieu fee was originally created to generate money to purchase additional park land but the Town has never collected enough money to purchase land.  The Town needs a recreational code that creates recreational space.

Ms. Legner stated that this issue is on the Planning and Zoning work plan which will be done in concert with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Member Ottley commented that last year during a work session with Sarah More, this topic was discussed and Bob Evans requested to be involved.

Parks and Recreation would like to offer a tour of various parks and facilities in the Town.  The Board recommended February 28, 2009 as a possible date.  Ms. Legner stated that she will be out of the office on that date but can ask Parks Manager James Gardner and Recreation Manager Lynanne Dellerman to facilitate the tour.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair DeLaney and seconded by Member Myerson that a tour of Town facilities be arranged for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Members on Saturday, February 28, 2009. 

MOTION carried, 6-0.

Board Members volunteered to attend the following Boards and Commissions meetings and report back to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board:

 ~ Planning and Zoning Commission - Member Myerson
 ~ Finance and Bond Committee - Chair Done
 ~ Town Council Meetings - Vice-Chair DeLaney
 ~ Historic Preservation Commission - Member Roberts

There are no volunteers for the Development Review Board due to the time conflict with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meetings.  

This item was tabled. 

The Town Communications Office is arranging a 35th anniversary event for the Town of Oro Valley to be held at Steam Pump Ranch.  There will be a scavenger hunt to showcase different Town locations.  Plans include a ticketed event on April 17, 2009 and a community day on April 18, 2009 at Steam Pump Ranch. 

The property is clean except for the chicken coop area.  Parks staff is working with Scott Nelson and the Historic Preservation Commission to resolve that issue.  Areas which need to be stabilized are fenced.

The Town Council will discuss the future of the Naranja Town Site and the Public Library operations at a study session on January 14, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.  The Board Members are encouraged to attend.

Discussion followed regarding:
 ~ Option 1: Joint development with another agency or organization, may not be a viable option due to the current economic situation of the school district. 
 ~ Option 4: No action, may be a viable option because it keeps the land.
 ~ There are only 32 acres of developed park property in the Town which is far below the necessary amount.
 ~ The infrastructure costs may significantly increase as time passes.
 ~ Option 4: No action, should be reworded to "preserve the land in its current state until we can viably move forward".
 ~ Option 2: Phasing the development of the master plan, may lead to a lesser product and will not cover all amenities for patrons in each phase.

Ms. Legner explained how the phasing program was developed.  All utilities are at the south end of the property because it is more financially reasonable.  There are seven phases moving up the property.  The idea was to have amenities for various age groups in each phase.

The Tucson Museum of Art was interested in a five acre area for a building and a sculpture but they may have lost interest when the bond failed.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Ottley and seconded by Vice-Chair DeLaney to recommend Option 2: Phasing the Development of the Master Plan, as the best option listed. 

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Myerson to Amend the original motion to include possible clustering of phases into larger increments. Motion failed due to lack of second.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Myerson and seconded by Member Scheuring to Amend the original motion to add support of Option 4: No Action. 

MOTION carried, 4-2 with Member Ottley and Member Roberts opposed.

Motion as amended:

MOTION carried, 6-0.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Scheuring and seconded by Member Myerson to change the wording of Option 4: No Action, to "preservation for future development".

Member Ottley stated that this is a document prepared by staff and will not change prior to the Town Council study session.  Ainsley Legner can repeat the Board’s recommendation to Council regarding the wording.  Ms. Legner pointed out that the word "preservation" has a different connotation than "no action".

MOTION failed, 1-5 with Chair Done, Vice-Chair DeLaney, Member Myerson, Member Ottley, and Member Roberts opposed.

Chair Done stated that she will have a budget overview to share with this Board after the next Finance and Bond meeting.

The overhaul of the municipal pool complex is complete and the pool opened yesterday for the winter season.  The pool has a new chlorine system, new drains, areas were painted, the deck drainage system was repaired and staff replaced lights in the pool. 

Ms. Legner will discuss any potential consequences of the hiring freeze for recreational programs at the next meeting.

No report.

Member Scheuring recommended the following items:
 ~ Providing off site significant tree mitigation alternatives for the development of desert landscapes in Oro Valley.
 ~ Interpretive signage for Oro Valley Parks.

Chair Done stated that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meetings fall on the same date and time as the Development Review Board meetings which does not allow for this group to have a liaison on that Board. 

MOTION: A motion was made by Chair Done to change the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting date to the third Tuesday of each month contingent upon the ability to reserve a Town meeting room.  Motion failed due to lack of second.

Adjourned at 8:22pm

Prepared by: 



Danielle Tanner
Senior Office Specialist