PRESENT:

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

Also Present:  Ainsley Legner, Parks and Recreation Director
                         Sarah More, Planning and Zoning Director

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

MOTION carried, 7-0.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair DeLaney and seconded by Member Ottley to approve the minutes from the January 13, 2009 meeting as written.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

Council Member Abbott was not present.

Planning and Zoning is working on a work plan for this fiscal year which includes the Parks and Recreation code.  Planning and Zoning will review the Code requirements and provide policy direction.  Ms. More will return to this Board for further assistance. 

There is an existing process and Zoning Code requirements for active and passive recreation areas in subdivisions.  Size and type in areas differ with different jurisdictions.  A Landscape Planner reviews designs and then Planning and Zoning works with Parks and Recreation to review the designs for parks, trails, or issues pertaining to in lieu fees.  

Current requirements are 1 acre per 85 dwelling units.  Typically, the developers decide to add parks.  Types of amenities are based on demographics and are approved by Planning and Zoning staff and the Development Review Board.  In lieu fees are subject to Town Council approval and are reviewed by the Development Review Board. 

Ms. Legner explained that in lieu fees are held in accounts in Finance and some are identified for trails only.  In lieu fees are used based on recommendations and approval by the Town Council.  Staff allocated $26K for a dog park at Canada Del Oro Riverfront Park but Heritage Grant money has been pulled by the state so work on that project has been put on hold indefinately.  

Chair Done asked about this Board being more involved in the process.  Ms. More stated that there is an effort to streamline the process.  She would not support adding another Board to the review process based on the direction she has received from the Town Council and the Town Manager.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Ottley and seconded by Member Chatterton that this Board be involved and assist Sarah More and Planning and Zoning staff in moving forward in the review of the recreation code as it relates to the development review process. 

MOTION carried, 7-0.

Member Scheuring provided a presentation on alternatives for off-site significant vegetation mitigation.  The presentation included the following:
 ~ Developers identify significant vegetation and during landscape development they leave, move, or replace vegetation.
 ~ Policy driven landscape results in vegetation planted with improper space to grow and can be aesthetically unpleasant.
 ~ The objective is to help developers to comply with the Zoning Code while providing native plant based landscapes.
 ~ The Oro Valley Zoning Code requires and causes the following:
        - An excellent rationale for reserving native plant landscapes.    
        - Qualification of "significant vegetation" impacted by development.
        - Guidelines for maintaining, replacing, or mitigating significant vegetation.
        - Drives good and poor results.
 ~ The following are possible solutions:
        - Work with Planning and Zoning to find solutions.
        - Learn from the Town of Marana.
        - Research results from real case studies in Oro Valley.
        - Work with Public Works and Parks and Recreation to identify potential absorption capacity of mitigated significant vegetation.
        - Develop recommendations and a communication plan.
 ~ Resources:
        - Project lead, John Scheuring.
        - Town of Oro Valley Planning and Zoning: Paul Propelka and Bayer Vella.
        - James Gardner, Oro Valley Parks Manager.
        - Oro Valley Public Works.
        - Tom Ellis, Town of Marana.
        - Developer landscapers:  Marketplace, Sprouts, Rio West.
        - Home Owners Associations:  Villa Balboa, Rancho Vistoso.
 ~ The following are the next steps:
        - Input and guidance from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
        - Partnership with Planning and Zoning.
        - Interviews as appropriate.
        - Tentative recommendations: March/April Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting.
        - Final recommendations:  May Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting.

 ~ Town offices will be closed for President’s Day on Monday, February 16, 2009.
 ~ Town Council Regular Session on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.  Action will include appointment of a Bicycle Advisory Committee Member.
 ~ Ainsley Legner will be out of the office on Friday, February 20, 2009.
 ~ Town Council Study Session on February 25, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.  There will be discussion regarding the Naranja Town Site.
 ~ The next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. 

Oro Valley resident, Bob Schumann spoke to the Board about the restrictions placed on the Sonoran Desert Flyers for use of the Naranja Town Site.  The Town Council imposed a height limit of 200 feet after receiving information from La Cholla Airpark regarding restrictions.  The Sonoran Desert Flyers would like the Town Council to revisit the altitude and time restrictions.  

Mr. Schumann indicated that they are the only park users who have a restriction on the time they are allowed to pursue their activity at the park.  The time restrictions do not allow the group to include after school youth activities and educational programs.  

Mr. Schumann stated that typically, air space limitations are set by the Federal Aviation Administration.  

Vice-Chair DeLaney stated that the Sonoran Desert Flyers should be able to use the park during daylight hours which changes throughout the year. 

Member Scheuring asked if the flying inhibits other park users.  Mr. Jim Hilderfield from the Sonoran Desert Flyers responded that they have spotters and they yield to people on site and act safely. 

Vice-Chair DeLaney explained that he worked with Mr. Schumann and researched the Federal Aviation Administration requirements.  In order to change the hours of operation, a poll needs to be taken from all of the neighbors around the park to determine if there are any objections to a time usage change.  He recommended that the group get statements of approval from the neighbors.  He suggested that the group speak with the operator of the La Cholla Airpark to get approval for the altitude restriction change and that should take care of the Town Council’s concerns.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair DeLaney and seconded by Member Scheuring to table this item for the next meeting and review the recommended poll from the neighbors and information from the La Cholla Airpark operator.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

The Town Council is considering changing the way that the Board and Commission members are selected.  All Board and Commission applicants would be appointed by the Town Council instead of the current interview process. Each Town Council Member would appoint one person to each Board or Commission which would mean that each Board or Commission would be required to have seven (7) members.  

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Ottley and seconded by Member Myerson to recommend to the Town Council that the existing system for selecting candidates for Boards and Commissions be left in-tact and that the system not be changed to a political appointment. 

MOTION carried, 7-0.

Chair Done plans to calculate the years of service from Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Members to include with the recommendation to the Town Council. 

Member Scheuring presented the following information regarding interpretive signage for Oro Valley parks:
 ~ Interpreting could include any of the following:
        - Park and trail maps.
        - Identification of our signature on Pusch Ride peaks.
        - Draw attention to what makes each park unique for its nature.
        - Identification of key birds and plants one can expect to see.
 ~ Why invest in interpretation?
        - General education.
        - Signage can facilitate school/youth tours for outdoor education.
        - Education of residents who are newcomers to the Sonoran Desert.
        - Enriches and differentiates parks.
 ~ Target parks:
        - James D. Kriegh Park.
        - Lambert Lane Park.
        - CDO Linear Park.
        - Naranja Town Site.
 ~ Target groups:
        - Anybody who chooses to read the signs.
        - Schools and youth groups.
        - Retired nature amateurs and enthusiasts.
 ~There are large signs (24" x 36") which cost approximately $900 each and small signs which cost approximately $20 each.
 ~ What we can do:
        - Get input and guidance from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
        - Work with key target user groups to develop ideas.
        - Work with the Parks and Recreation Director to agree on priority parks.
        - Make recommendations for next budget cycle.
 ~Resources:
        - Eco Clubs from Canyon Del Oro and Ironwood Ridge High Schools.
        - Naturalists from Desert Museum and Pima County.
        - Wendy Burroughs-Environmental Educator, Pima County Natural Resources Parks and Recreation.
        - James Gardner, Parks Manager.
 ~ Next Steps:
        - Interview target groups.
        - Develop a 2009 plan with James Gardner.
        - Present a budget recommendation.
        - Accompany implementation if budgeted.
        - Concentrate on high quality content and presentation.

Vice-Chair DeLaney recommended getting waterproof boxes to hold trail maps at the parks.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair DeLaney and seconded by Member Myerson to move forward with pursuing interpretive signage for Oro Valley parks.

Ms. Legner indicated that she will meet with the Town Manager to see if $10K can be added to the budget for signage.  Member Chatterton suggested obtaining a grant. 

Chair Done invited the Board to attend the Town’s 35th Anniversary party at Steam Pump Ranch on April 18, 2009.  The event will be from 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  The Arizona Historical Society is playing a large role in the festivities.  

The Heritage funding has been stopped effective February 1, 2009.  The two items for Parks and Recreation were Steam Pump Ranch and the dog park at Canada Del Oro Riverfront Park.  Staff is reformulating what they will be able to do in terms of stabilization and preservation of Steam Pump Ranch.

At the Town Council Study Session on January 14, 2009, the Council discussed potential uses for the Naranja Town Site property.  Ms. Legner encouraged the Board to listen to this item on the website.  The Board Members were encouraged to attend the Town Council meeting on February 25, 2009 because this item will be readdressed at that time.  Agenda and materials should be available on the website several days before the meeting.

No report.

Member Myerson distributed packet information and reported on the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting:
 ~ A developer proposed a technology park on the northwest corner of La Canada and Tangerine.  The technology park buildings would back up against a residential neighborhood.  Due to distance ratio requirements, the developer would like to change a piece of land to parks and open space so they do not have to follow the 50 foot or 3 to 1 ratio set back.
 ~ There was a memo from Sarah More recommending approval of the designation change.    
 ~ This item will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

Chair Done reviewed the Finance and Bond and Town Council meetings:
 ~ Estimated year end projection for General Fund revenues are $27M, expenditures are $29M which equals a deficit of $2M. 
 ~ Finance will follow these guidelines to lessen the deficit:
        - Eliminate service debt payment for the Municipal Operations Center ($833K).
        - Eliminate tax rebate for Sanofi-Aventis ($360K).
        - Eliminate General Fund transfer to Capital Asset Replacement Fund ($500K).
        - Insurance premium cut ($100K).
        - Hiring freeze (153K).
        - Sales tax rebate savings ($247K) which will be set aside in escrow. 
 ~ The savings of all above items totals $2,193,574.  This leaves a planned deficit of $1,735,035.  
 ~ Finance estimates a $400K deficit brought about by $231K loss from Lehman brothers which was in the investment account in the General Fund. 
 ~ The Highway Fund lost $51K for a total deficit of $92K.  
 ~ Bed Tax has a surplus of $38K.     

Ms. Legner reported on the following items:
 ~ Spring swim lessons have been cancelled due to the hiring freeze.  It has not yet been determined if approval will be granted to hire instructors to hold the summer sessions.
 ~ Oro Valley was selected as this year’s national site and regional site for the children’s triathlon event, IronKids.  It will take place during the first weekend of October.  
 ~ The Pima County Bond Advisory Committee is still interested in having a bond election this November but Chuck Huckleberry advises against it.
 ~ The GOVAC Fourth of July event and the Fall Festival will not take place at the Canada Del Oro Riverfront Park this year.
 ~ There is a staffing conflict for the regularly scheduled November Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting. 

There will probably be a sewer bond issue on the November ballot because the County is running out of time to fulfill legal requirements.

This is scheduled on the same date as the Investigate OVPD event.  The timeframe is to be determined but it will take place in the morning and last approximately two hours.

 ~ Member Myerson’s report regarding the technology park and the proposed sliver of open space/park land.
 ~ "Capital Improvements Project Technical Advisory Committee Report".

The next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hopi Conference room.

Being that there was no further business, Chair Done adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m.

Prepared by:



Danielle Tanner
Senior Office Specialist