MINUTES
ORO VALLEY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR SESSION
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
ORO VALLEY, ARIZONA 85737
 
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
 
STUDY SESSION CALL TO ORDER:  5:35 p.m.

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
Lyra Done, Chair
Bob DeLaney, Vice-Chair
Susannah Myerson, Member
Greg Roberts, Member
John Scheuring, Member

EXCUSED: Karen Chatterton, Member
Dennis Ottley, Member

 ALSO PRESENT:  Ainsley Legner, Parks and Recreation Director 
                         Nancy Ellis, Multimodal Planner
                         James Gardner, Parks Manager

1.

REVIEW OF POSSIBLE USES FOR MONEY DONATED BY WAL-MART - DISCUSSION


The Board came to a consensus that the money should be used for the Naranja Town Site and they would like to be involved in discussions and decisions regarding this issue.   

2.

PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD’S POTENTIAL INVOLVEMENT WITH ANY FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF NARANJA TOWN SITE - DISCUSSION


The Board came to a consensus that they would like to be involved with the progress of the Naranja Town Site and agreed to be on a Steering Committee. 

Further discussion followed regarding:
 ~ Other people such as stake holders and users should be involved in the Committee.
 ~ Do not duplicate work from the 2001 Task Force and Executive Committee.
 ~ The Committee should assert themselves and have a leadership process.  
 ~ Vice Chair DeLaney requested to be involved even after his term expires with the Board.  The Board agreed that prior PRAB Members whose terms has expired should have the ability to come back and be part of the process. 
 ~ Development should be put on hold until the economy improves.

3.

POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE NARANJA TOWN SITE EASTERN RIDGE TRAIL TO ELIMINATE VIEWS INTO ADJACENT BACK YARDS - DISCUSSION


Parks Manager James Gardner and Multimodal Planner Nancy Ellis joined the Board to discuss this item. 

Mr. Gardner showed a map of site to Board.  He explained the following points:
 ~ There have been privacy concerns from the houses on the eastern side. 
 ~ A vegetative buffer would be the best and least expensive option. 
 ~ New water lines would need to be installed for the vegetative buffer.
 ~ Existing wells are capped for safety purposes.
 ~ Pumping water is involved and not realistic.  
 ~ Carrying tanks to the site would be dangerous due to driving on the ridge.  
 ~ In order to tee off of the main water line, excavation on the road will be necessary and a water meter will need to be purchased for approximately $8,000.  
 ~ Native low water usage plants are recommended. 
 ~ Once established, water may be used for irrigation for landscaping.  

Ms. Legner stated that if the Board is interested in pursuing water access, there is no money in the budget but there are donated funds from Wal-Mart in the amount of $250K and approximately $50K from other sources.  Some improvements have already been made totaling approximately $30K. This item would need to be forwarded to the Town Manager and the Town Council.  

Chair Done stated that it would be best if the Wal-Mart donations are left intact and the funding for this project come from the smaller donations and in lieu fees.  

Mr. Gardner will provide quotes on incremental costs per linear foot of plant materials and water pipes.  

Ms. Ellis explained that putting decomposed granite on the trails would ruin the natural aspect of the trails system and it would need to be maintained.  She suggests clearing rocks on the trail for a smoother experience and leveling out areas which are eroded.  

4.

PROVIDING OFF SITE SIGNIFICANT TREE MITIGATION ALTERNATIVES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DESERT LANDSCAPES IN ORO VALLEY - DISCUSSION


Member Scheuring presented the following:
 ~ The issue is unintended consequences of well intended policy.
 ~ First task is to identify significant vegetation and leave, move or replace it. 
 ~ Policy driven landscaping can result in plants placed too closely together. 
 ~ The Oro Valley Marketplace was able to spread trees out and make it work.
 ~ The objective is to give developers ideas in order to comply and provide native landscapes.
 ~ The Oro Valley Zoning Code provides excellent rationale for preserving native plant landscapes but sometimes the results are not good.
 ~ Member Scheuring is working on the following actions to solve the issue:
      -  Working with Oro Valley Planning and Zoning for ideas.  
      -  Taking cues from Marana. 
      -  Interviewing landscape architects.
      -  Working with Oro Valley Parks Division and Oro Valley Public Works to identify potential absorption capacity for mitigated significant vegetation.
      - Developing recommendations.
 ~ Interviewed the following:
      - Oro Valley Planning and Zoning Paul Popelka and Bayer Vella
      - Oro Valley Parks Division James Gardner
      - Oro Valley Public Works Phil Trenary
      - Town of Marana Parks and Recreation Tom Ellis
      - Developer Landscapers:
             > Oro Valley Marketplace: Daniel Dodson/Laskin Associates
             > Oracle Crossings: Gary Grizzly/WLB Group
             > Oracle Vista: Caren Cesare/Novak Environmental 
 ~ Identified issues
     - In many projects, there are too many mitigation trees in the same space.
     - There are disconnects between the landscape plan and installation.
 ~ Solutions
     - Establish a well communicated process for tree mitigation
     - Encourage the landscapers to work with neighboring HOAs
     - Establish a tree nursery at the Canada Del Oro Riverfront Park to be used as tree replacements for Oro Valley Parks and Public Works.
      - Require submittal of an as-built before a certificate of occupancy issued.

This item will be discussed further at the Board meeting in July.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair DeLaney and seconded by Member Myerson to adjourn the study session at 6:27 p.m.

MOTION carried, 5-0.

REGULAR SESSION CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m.

ROLL CALL

1.

APPROVAL OF MAY 12, 2009 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES


MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair DeLaney and seconded by Member Roberts to approve the minutes from the May 12, 2009 regular session meeting as corrected.

MOTION carried, 5-0.

CALL TO AUDIENCE

No speakers.

2.

UPCOMING MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS


In an effort to save paper, the Upcoming Meeting Announcements will be emailed as part of the packet and no longer distributed at the meetings.

 ~ Town Council Regular Session on June 10, 2009 will discuss environmental issues.  Meeting times were changed to 6:00 p.m.
 ~ Town Council Regular Session on June 17, 2009.  Discussion will include Transportation Art By Youth presentation.
 ~ Ainsley Legner will be out of the office on June 19 and June 26 - July 2, 2009.
 ~ Town offices are closed for Independence Day on July 3, 2009.
 ~ Fourth of July Spectacular at Municipal Pool on July 4, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
 ~ Next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

3.

PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD LIAISON COUNCIL MEMBER REPORT


Council Member Abbott was not present.

4.

DISCUSSION REGARDING POSSIBLE MUTT SHOW AT JAMES D. KRIEGH PARK - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


Parks and Recreation staff reviewed the proposal for the Mutt Show from the Animal Welfare Alliance of Southern Arizona (AWASA).  Staff emailed AWASA information regarding holding the event in the Town.  The organization decided that they do not have the time and tools to hold the event this year so they have withdrawn their request.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Roberts and seconded by Vice-Chair DeLaney to remove the Mutt Show item from future agendas since this issue is complete.

MOTION carried, 5-0.

5.

UPDATE ON IRONKIDS EVENT - DISCUSSION


 ~ This event was brought to the Town by the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau (MTCVB). 
 ~ It could be a signature event for the Town. 
 ~ IronKids triathlon is similar to IronMan but for children. 
 ~ The triathlon includes swimming, biking and running. 
 ~ The event will take place at the James D. Kriegh Park the first weekend in October. 
 ~ Only 10 of these events are held in the United States and cities compete to host the events.  MTCVB helped the Town submit the information to host the regional competition followed by the national competition.  There are currently 1,200 competitors. 
 ~ The Police Department has been involved in the planning process.  
 ~ This would have a great economic impact on the Town.  
 ~ It is a 3 year contract and if awarded, it could be funded through the community funding process for in-kind services. 

6.

MODIFYING TOWN CODE TO EXTEND PARK HOURS FROM 10:00 P.M. UNTIL MIDNIGHT - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


An Oro Valley resident emailed the Town Council a request to allow the basketball courts to be open later than 10:00 p.m.

Ms. Legner responded to the citizen and informed them that all properties close at 10:00 p.m. per Town Code.  The resident asked to have the Town Code changed.   

Member Chatterton was not able to attend the meeting but has provided a video presentation regarding the issue.  The presentation covered neighborhood disturbance issues such as sound and light.

The Town has a curfew and the parks curfew is historically set for young people.  Other parks in the area do not stay open past sunset and the ones that are open past sunset are not lighted.  Due to the future possibility of Naranja Town Site, staff does not advocate extending parks hours.  

The Board came to a consensus that it would be a nuisance to extend park hours and it would be costly to the Town.  The Board asked Ms. Legner to draft a letter to the citizen explaining the reasons that it is not recommended to change the Town Code and extend the park hours.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair DeLaney and seconded by Member Roberts to request that Ainsley Legner write a letter to the citizen explaining the reasons why it is not recommended to change the Town Code and keep the park open past 10:00 p.m.

MOTION carried, 5-0.

7.

BUDGET STATUS UPDATE - DISCUSSION


 ~ The Town Council did not decide to take money out of the Wal-mart funding. 
 ~ The Town Council decided not to take money out of reserve to save jobs and instead they have started an enrollment period for any staff who is interested in voluntarily taking the severance package.  It includes 2-3 months of pay and benefits and employees have 45 days to accept the package.  One employee from the Parks Division is accepting the package.

8.

BOARD AND COMMISSION LIAISON REPORTS


a. CHAIR DONE - FINANCE AND BOND COMMITTEE

Finance and Bond has not met since January. 

b. VICE-CHAIR DELANEY - TOWN COUNCIL

The model airplane flyers group has been granted extended hours to include daylight hours.  The group did not request an altitude restriction extension.

c. SUSANNAH MYERSON - PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

No report.

d. GREG ROBERTS - HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

Member Roberts was unable to attend the last meeting but plans to attend the three upcoming meetings.

e. KAREN CHATTERTON - DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

Not present.

9.

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT


 ~ Susannah Myerson and Greg Roberts will be up for reappointment at the Town Council meeting on June 17, 2009.  There will be one position open which will be filled in July. 
 ~ The Fourth of July Spectacular at the Oro Valley Municipal Pool is from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.  There will be prizes for the kids, relays, watermelon races, and family fun.  There will be a fun swim meet from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 
 ~ The Flying Fish Arizona Swim Team (FAST) approached the Department regarding extending the number of months that the pool is open.  They plan to go to the Manager’s Office and illustrate how it will be more cost effective for the Town.  If the proposal moves forward, it will be on the Board’s agenda in July for a recommendation.
 ~ Due to Open Meeting Law, if an item needs to be added to a future agenda, it is best to contact Ms. Legner and she will forward the item to the Chair for approval.

10.

PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR REPORT


The issue of the Board’s involvement with pending land use matters which are not related to Town owned parks does not fall under the purview of the Board.  This matter has been settled and the Town Attorney has written a letter explaining the legal viewpoint.    Chair Done reviewed the letter and asked that Ms. Legner inform the Board of any discussions or outcomes from the Development Review Committee regarding issues that pertain to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

11.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS


 ~ Significant Tree Mitigation - Final Recommendations
 ~ Interpretive Signage Project Update 
 ~ Tenuous Refuge at Canada Del Oro Riverfront Park
 ~ Service Recognition of Dennis Ottley
 ~ Board Member Reports 
 ~ IronKids Event Update
 ~ The Board’s Potential Involvement with the Naranja Town Site
 ~ Budget Status Update
 ~ Development Review Committee Report

12.

SCHEDULING NEXT PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING


The next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14th at 6:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Roberts and seconded by Member Myerson to adjourn the regular session at 7:40 p.m.

MOTION carried, 5-0.

Prepared by:



Danielle Tanner
Senior Office Specialist