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
                       Paula Abbott, Town Council Member

Being that there were no corrections, Chair Done approved the February 10, 2009 regular session minutes as written.

No speakers.

Council Member Abbott discussed the Town’s $5.2M deficit for the 2009/10 budget.  The Town Council majority approved the continuation of the 2% utility sales tax.  The Council discussed a possible reduction of force.  This issue was continued.  In April, the Town Manager will provide the Council with a 5-year forecast and details on expenditure reductions.

The Naranja Town Site issue was tabled.  The following options for the Naranja Town Site were discussed:
 ~ Appoint a blue ribbon committee.
 ~ Place the item back on the ballot.
 ~ Discard past information and start over.
 ~ Get the stakeholder’s input. 

Ms. Legner distributed Naranja Town Site maps to show the affected area. 

In 2006, the Town worked on the Naranja Town Site’s program and concept design and this issue was discussed.  The Town planned Phase I to include reengineering of that area with a berm sheltering the view into the yards.  The bond failed resulting in the need to readdress this issue. 

The Town Engineer estimates that it would cost $100,000 to reengineer the area.  It would cost $5,000 to fence off and enclose the trail but it could lead to policing issues.  Another option is to make an alternate route on the slope.

Oro Valley resident Frank Brown stated that the main issue is privacy.  The residents purchased the lots hoping that the park would be built and expecting the trail to be temporary.  The trail is heavily used and noisy.  The neighbors would like the trail moved down into the structure.  

Oro Valley resident Timothy Dinkel stated that hikers cause neighborhood dogs to bark.  Hikers stop to view yards and make comments.  The primary problem is the off leash dogs due to the danger of a dog jumping the wall into a back yard. 

Oro Valley resident Angela Hollar explained that she has privacy and safety concerns due to the low, eroded walls.  Hikers look into the yards and have conversations with home owners and their children.  Motorized vehicles move through the property.  Dogs are off leash on the trails.  The best recourse would be to move the path away from the houses and around the pit.  

A trail could be constructed inexpensively in the area northwest of the path.  Town staff has the skills and ability to construct trails.  

Chair Done suggested that Parks and Recreation staff return at next month’s meeting with a proposal and cost estimate to realign the trail with fencing and a proposal regarding using in lieu funds to reengineer the trail.  Member Ottley suggested that with the unsure future development of the Naranja Town Site, it may not be a wise investment to use in lieu funds.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Roberts and seconded by Vice-Chair DeLaney to have Parks and Recreation staff return to the Board with a recommendation for the trail issue and include a recommendation to assist with leash law enforcement.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Roberts and seconded by Vice-Chair DeLaney to amend the motion to include that the recommendation be presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board at the April regular session meeting.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

 ~ Citizen’s Planning Institute Police and Parks and Recreation Class will be on March 12, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
 ~ Capital Improvement Project Technical Advisory Committee meeting will be on March 10, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. 
 ~ Ainsley Legner will be out of the office on March 25, 2009 - March 26, 2009.
 ~ GOVAC Concert Series at CDO Riverfront Park on March 28, April 25, and May 30. 
 ~ Arizona Distance Classic on March 29, 2009 at Ventana Medical Systems.
 ~ GOVAC Festival of the Arts at CDO Riverfront Park on April 4 - April 5.
 ~ Police Department Egg Hunt at CDO Riverfront Park on April 11, 2009.
 ~ Egg Dive at the Municipal Pool on April 11, 2009.
 ~ Pitch, Hit, & Run will be in April (date TBD), sectionals will be in May.
 ~ Next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting on April 14, 2009.
 ~ Town of Oro Valley 35th Anniversary Celebration at Steam Pump Ranch.
        - Passport program begins on March 13, 2009.
        - Evening event on April 17, 2009.
        - Community celebration on April 18, 2009.
 ~ Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Town Facilities Tour on April 25, 2009.
 ~ Citizen’s Planning Institute Continuing Education classes are going on now.

Oro Valley resident Bob Schumann recalled that the Board requested two actions from the Sonoran Desert Flyers at the last meeting.  The actions were to speak with the La Cholla Airpark regarding height restrictions and to obtain neighbor approval for an extension of operating hours.   

Oro Valley resident Dr. William Melcher stated that the Sonoran Desert Flyers would like the altitude limit raised to 400 feet.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that model aircraft fly up to 400 feet above the surface.  Specifications are unclear regarding flying within 3 miles of an airport.  The American Model Academy recommends flying no higher than 400 feet. 

Chair Done requested that the Sonoran Desert Flyers write a narrative to include the FAA standards and verify the details regarding the airport limitations. 

Oro Valley resident and President of the Sonoran Desert Flyers Jim Hilgeford polled the neighbors and obtained 13 signatures.  He is waiting to hear back from La Cholla Airpark regarding the altitude limitations.  

MOTION: A motion was made by and seconded by to

Ms. Legner pointed out that all data must be collected prior to adding this item to a Town Council meeting agenda due to packet deadlines.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair DeLaney and seconded by Member Chatterton to amend the motion to include that as soon as the information is submitted to Ms. Legner, it may be added to the first available Town Council meeting agenda.

MOTION carried, 7-0.

Member Scheuring met with Planning and Zoning regarding this project. The timing is good because Planning and Zoning is currently revising the Landscape Code.  They would like the following two outputs:
  1) Best practices information sheet provided to developers based on Oro Valley development landscapes.
  2) A list of off site recipients of excess mitigation trees to include Oro Valley Parks, roadways, and major Home Owners Associations. 

Member Scheuring will provide a draft proposal at the next Board meeting.

Member Scheuring reported that the Boy Scouts of America may have Eagle Scouts available for projects.  Member Scheuring is working with Tohono Chul naturalist docents who are Oro Valley residents.  If the Eagle Scouts and docents work on the project together, the docents can mentor the Eagle Scouts.

Ms. Legner reported that the Finance Director approved in lieu fees to be used for signage as long as the project falls in next year’s budget.   

The 35th Anniversary celebration will be great family fun.  Anyone interested in volunteering at the event may contact Ainsley Legner or Danielle Tanner. 

Only four projects were on the list for the Committee to rank.  The Committee ranked the projects as follows: 
 ~ James D. Kriegh light replacements ranked #1.
 ~ Townwide telecommunications upgrade ranked #2.
 ~ Virtual data center back-up system ranked #3.
 ~ Ramada at James D. Kriegh ranked #4.

Member Roberts reported that the Historic Preservation Commission is working on a cultural resources inventory and they are moving forward on those issues.

Member Myerson reported that the Miller Ranch issue regarding a possible zoning change will be on the March 25, 2009 Planning and Zoning Commission agenda.  

Vice-Chair DeLaney stated that he attended the Town Council meeting on March 4, 2009 and the Town Manager proposed a reduction in force in order to reduce the budget deficit.  The proposal was tabled. 

Staff is responding to the issue discussed at the last Arizona Parks and Recreation Association Conference regarding children’s primal need to connect with nature by holding a Spring Nature Camp at Catalina State Park which begins next week.

The recommendation for a staff reduction includes one full time Parks and Recreation employee.  This issue will return to the Town Council on April 1, 2009 and the Naranja Town Site issue may also be on the agenda for that date.

Ms. Legner distributed Oro Valley trails maps and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board agenda and packet schedules. 

Chair Done recommended that this Board move quickly on the Naranja Town Site trail issue to find resolution for the neighbors.

 ~ Presentation for a Mutt Show at James D. Kriegh Park.
 ~ Item regarding Planning & Zoning and the Development Review Board.
 ~ Rules and procedures for placing items on the agenda.

The next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hopi conference room.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair DeLaney and seconded by Member Ottley to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.

Prepared by:




Danielle Tanner
Senior Office Specialist