MINUTES
ORO VALLEY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR SESSION
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
ORO VALLEY, ARIZONA 85737
 
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
 
CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

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

1.

APPROVAL OF APRIL 14, 2009 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES


MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair DeLaney and seconded by Member Myerson to approve the minutes from the April 14, 2009 regular session meeting.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

Member Ottley abstained from the vote because he was not present at the last meeting.

CALL TO AUDIENCE

No speakers.

2.

UPCOMING MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS


Lyra Done reviewed the following:
 ~ Budget Study Session on May 18, 2009.
 ~ Town Council Regular Session on May 20, 2009.
 ~ Ainsley Legner out of office on May 22, 2009.
 ~ Town offices closed for Memorial Day on May 25, 2009.
 ~ GOVAC Concert Series at CDO Riverfront Park on May 30, 2009.
 ~ Eradication of Bufflegrass/Fountain Grass on June 2, 2009.
 ~ Town Council regular session on June 3, 2009.
 ~ Next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting on June 9, 2009.

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


Ms. Legner received a short proposal from the Animal Welfare Alliance of Southern Arizona (AWASA) last week.  Staff will review the proposal and provide feedback and request additional information.  Council Member Abbott has requested that the Mutt Show proposal be presented to the Town Council at the meeting on June 3, 2009.  

Further discussion followed regarding:
 ~ Ms. Legner recommended a 12-18 month planning period. 
 ~ Need to schedule parking lot with Canada Del Oro High School. 
 ~ There should be a 60 day lead time for advertising.

5.

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


 ~ Vice Chair DeLaney stated that he is in favor of the Board’s involvement.
 ~ The Naranja Town Site should remain dedicated to becoming a park. 
 ~ Property can not be manufactured.  It would be wrong to subdivide this land for commercial purposes. 
 ~ The Board decided to schedule a study session on June 9, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. with a brown bag dinner to discuss this item in more detail. 

6.

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


Chair Done reviewed an email sent from a resident to Salette Latas.  The ideas the resident proposes include using funds to upgrade of the trail with crushed rock on the paths, trees to line the paths, and horseshoe pits at the Naranja Town Site.  

Further discussion followed regarding:
 ~ Frisbee golf is popular for the 35-45 year age group. 
 ~ James Gardner’s concern with adding some of these amenities to the Naranja Town Site would be water and irrigation.  
 ~ Obtaining reclaimed water is not a bad idea but it may be costly.
 ~ If there is a children’s play area there needs to be shade and water.
 ~ This item may be discussed further during the study session in June.

Item 8 was moved to be discussed prior to Item 7.

8.

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


Ms. Legner met with Parks Manager James Gardner and Multimodal Planner Nancy Ellis to study the fencing and/or vegetative buffer possibilities to screen the trail.  The Parks division has eliminated the use of all contractors for maintenance except for the most extreme work.  Due to Park staff’s increased responsibilities, if this work is to be done, it is recommended to contract the work.  

Staff estimated that it would cost approximately $35K for irrigation, installation, and plant materials.  It would take approximately one month and should be done during the winter.  Staff would go through the appropriate purchasing processes.  Staff recommends that the funding come from the Naranja Town Site donated funds.  

Further discussion followed regarding:
 ~ Ms. Legner requested to discuss this issue further with staff.
 ~ It would provide potable water on the short term.
 ~ It could be a holding area for the tree mitigation project.    
 ~ The water costs would be approximately $200-$300 per month or 3,000-4,000 gallons per year.  
 ~ Other plant options were discussed. 
 ~ Capital funds would need to be spent up front.  
 ~ Ms. Legner will speak with the Finance Director and Town Manager regarding funding.

7.

BUDGET AND USER FEES STATUS UPDATE - DISCUSSION


The Town Council will review the budget on May 20th and June 6th.  Parks and Recreation staff is working with Finance on the user fee policy and the cost recovery percentages.  The Parks and Recreation Department usually determines activity fees but the Town Council is interested in seeing the summer camp fees increase at a 60% cost recovery rate for residents and a 100% cost recovery for non-residents.  

Ms. Legner is working to get the fee structure on the Town Council agenda for June 3rd for the items that the Town Council normally sets such as rentals, ramadas, and facility usage fees.  Ms. Legner prefers that the fees are increased incrementally.  

Further discussion followed regarding:
 ~ In this economy it is important that the Town keep costs within market range.  
 ~ Some of the fees are very low and should be raised.  
 ~ At Canada Del Oro Riverfront Park, we may not exceed the prices for Pima County parks because bond money was used in part to build the park.  Higher fees may not be charged for non-residents at this park.

9.

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


Last month, Member Scheuring contacted Phil Trenary in Public Works and looked into how much Public Works and Parks and Recreation use trees.  Mr. Trenary requires trees often and he recommended having a tree nursery for transplanted trees to be shared with Parks and Recreation.  Public Works would be willing to water the trees.  There could be a shared expense nursery at the Naranja Town Site.  This item needs to go to Planning and Zoning, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works for approval. 

Further discussion followed regarding:
 ~ Novac Environmental is supportive of this project. 
 ~ Sometimes there are conflicting landscape themes between the big shopping centers and the department stores.
 ~ Member Scheuring will meet with Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Bayer Vella in Planning and Zoning, and the City of Marana to get a final format. 
 ~ There should be a final presentation prepared at the next meeting. 
 ~ Chair Done recommended that the Board discuss the nursery at the study session in June. 
 ~ Member Ottley recommended speaking with the Vistoso Golf Course regarding space for the salvage trees.

Item 11 was moved to be discussed prior to item 10.

11.

BOARD AND COMMISSION LIAISON REPORTS


a. CHAIR DONE - FINANCE AND BOND COMMITTEE

There was no Finance and Bond Committee meeting.

b. VICE-CHAIR DELANEY - TOWN COUNCIL

The Sonoran Desert Flyers item is on the next Town Council meeting agenda.  The topic will be to expand the hours of operation.  The Board was encouraged to attend. 

c. SUSANNAH MYERSON - PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

No report.

d. GREG ROBERTS - HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

No report.

e. KAREN CHATTERTON - DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

No report.

10.

RAISING FUNDS FOR ORO VALLEY PARKS - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


Member Chatterton described alternative funding sources used by municipal Parks and Recreation Departments:
 ~ Healthy economies need a talented labor pool.  Family friendly, quality and safe communities with affordable housing attract bright young professionals.   
 ~ Cache is important.  This is achieved by trendy restaurants, unique shops, arts, parks, open space, and recreational opportunities.
 ~ Parks are important.  PlaNYC was created by the Mayor of New York City.  This program includes:
      - Increased access to open space.
      - Field lights to maximize time on existing fields.
      - Cleaning up contaminated lands.
      - Improving water quality through natural solutions.
      - Cleaner air through the Million Trees NYC project.  
      - Creating over 800 new "green streets".
      - Reforesting 2,000 acres of park land.
      - Funding comes 60% from the City and 40% from outside sources.  
      - The expected "bang for the tax buck" is a $5.60 return in benefits for every dollar spent.
 ~ Greening of business districts is good for the bottom line.  Trees increase positive perception, foot traffic, occupancy rates, and sales.
 ~ Parks improve property values.
 ~ Alternative Parks and Recreation funding sources include the following:
      - Parks foundations
      - Product exclusivity
      - Sole sponsorships
      - Advertising
      - Adopt A Park programs
      - Scoreboard sponsorships 
      - Parking fees
      - Park-related fines
      - User fees 

Further discussion followed regarding:
 ~ A Friends of Parks program was tried in the past and should be revisited.  
 ~ The Oro Valley Community Foundation may be able to assist.  A representative from the Foundation could speak with the Board.
 ~ There is Town Council approved naming, branding and donation policy.

12.

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT


 ~ The Department is now accepting Summer Fun Camp registrations.  There are 164 children enrolled overall and they are all residents.  
 ~ The Amphibious Athlete Sports Camp has 63 residents and 3 non-residents registered.  65% who are registered are boys and 35% are girls. 
 ~ The weekly resident fee for Summer Fun Camp is $85, the Friday field trip is $35 and extended care is $40.  The non-resident cost for all options is $270. 
 ~ Member Scheuring is working on interpretive signage and we have identified money to use this fiscal year for that project.  A timeline is in progress.  
 ~ Member Scheuring is working with the Town on the Tenuous Refuge project.  Some of the viewing portals are incorrect so we are working to solve the issue.

13.

PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR REPORT


No report.

14.

PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD TOUR OF TOWN FACILITIES  - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


Rescheduling the tour will be on the September or October agenda.

15.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS


 ~ Subdivision park issue - this item may need Town Council approval first.
 ~ Dog park issue will be on the July agenda.
 ~ Tenuous Refuge project.

16.

SCHEDULING NEXT PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING


The next meeting will be on June 9, 2009 and will begin with a study session at 5:30 p.m. followed by a regular session at 6:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice-Chair DeLaney and seconded by Member Ottley to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m.

Prepared by:



Danielle Tanner
Senior Office Specialist