MINUTES
ORO VALLEY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD
REGULAR SESSION
ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE
ORO VALLEY, ARIZONA 85737
 
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
 
CALL TO ORDER:   At 6:30 p.m. 

ROLL CALL

PRESENT:
Lyra Done, Chair
Ali Boelts, Member
Karen Chatterton, Member
Susannah Myerson, Member
Greg Roberts, Member
John Scheuring, Member

EXCUSED: Bob DeLaney, Vice-Chair

Staff Present:  Ainsley Legner, Parks and Recreation Director
                          Paula Abbott, Town Council Member

CALL TO AUDIENCE

No speakers.

Item 1 was moved to follow item 2.

2.

UPCOMING MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS


 ~ Town Council study session on September 9, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.  Discussion will include the Fourth of July event.
 ~ Swim Champions’ Fitter and Faster Tour on September 19, 2009.  
 ~ Punt, Pass & Kick Event on September 20, 2009.
 ~ Deadline for submittal of meeting materials for the October 8, 2009 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting is September 23, 2009. 
 ~ State of the Town Luncheon on September 29, 2009.
 ~ IronKids Event is on October 3 - 4, 2009.
 ~ Harvest for Hope on October 3, 2009.
 ~ Next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting on October 8, 2009.
 ~ Pet Adoption Event on October 10, 2009.

1.

APPROVAL OF AUGUST 11, 2009 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES


MOTION: A motion was made by Chair Done to approve the August 11, 2009 regular session minutes as presented.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

3.

PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD LIAISON COUNCIL MEMBER REPORT


 ~ The Town hosted the Annual League of Cities and Towns on September 1-4, 2009.  
 ~ An animal fair is scheduled for October 10, 2009 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  Animal Welfare Alliance of Southern Arizona and Pima Animal Care will sponsor the event.  It will include information tables, adoptable animals, micro chipping, vaccination clinic and registration.  
 ~ Senator McCain will host a Town Hall meeting at Ironwood High School on October 10, 2009.
 ~ The Council will discuss the Fourth of July event at the meeting on September 9, 2009.  

4.

OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S PLAN FOR THE FIRST OF FOUR (4) GARDENS AT STEAM PUMP RANCH - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


 ~ The Indian Garden has begun and it is currently growing the Apache sunflower, the Tohonon O’odham squash and a 60-day corn.
 ~ Bill Adler donated $3,000 to go towards the garden.  He is interested in utilizing the garden for free community educational programs. 
 ~ Ainsley Legner distributed sample pamphlets in relation to this item.   

5.

CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST TO NAME TWO (2) SOFTBALL FIELDS AT JAMES D. KRIEGH PARK - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


Parks and Recreation Director Ainsley Legner explained that there is a naming policy in the Town.  The process begins with a written submittal to the Director.  The next step is for this request to be brought before the Board or Commission.  Finally, the request goes to the Town Council for the final decision. 

Bob Evans and Don Cox representing the senior softball community, discussed their request. 

Further discussion followed regarding:
 ~ Don Harris was considered "Mr. Senior Softball of Oro Valley". 
 ~ Mr. Evans read the letter of request. 
 ~ The request is from all of the Pima County senior softball players.
 ~ They explained the field sizes and the demographics for groups using the fields.
 ~ They recommend that the southern field be named Harris Field #1 and the northern field be named Harris Field #2. 
 ~ The naming policy holds the name in place for a minimum of ten years and at that time the policy allows the name to change. 
 ~ The cost for signage would be paid for by the Oro Valley Senior Softball Club.  

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Chatterton and seconded by Member Boelts recommend to the Town Council that two fields at James D. Kriegh Park be named after Don Harris with appropriate signage, to be placed in (a) conspicuous location(s).  Said expenses will be borne by the Oro Valley Senior Softball Club.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

6.

TRANSFER OF WALMART DONATED FUNDS FROM NARANJA TOWN SITE TO STEAM PUMP RANCH - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


Council Member Abbott stated that the Town has received a verbal confirmation that Wal-Mart has declined the request to change the donation allocation to Steam Pump Ranch.  The Town has not received written confirmation at this time. 

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Chatterton and seconded by Member Scheuring that the $250,000 Wal-Mart donation remain as funding for the Naranja Town Site.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

7.

UPDATE ON IRONKIDS EVENT AT JAMES D. KRIEGH PARK - DISCUSSION


Parks and Recreation Director Ainsley Legner stated that staff is working with IronKids on the final details of the event. 

Chair Done requested the hours of the event so that the Board Members may attend.

8.

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


No report.

9.

UPDATE ON INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE FOR ORO VALLEY PARKS - DISCUSSION


Member John Scheuring discussed the following:
 ~ Artist Amy Frissore signed a scope of work and has started working with the project team. 
 ~ Drafts of the signs are coming soon.
      - Final drafts are ready for the small identification signs for all three parks.
      - CDO Linear Park large sign panels are in final draft. 
      - West Lambert Lane Park signs will be in final draft by the end of October.  
 ~ We are finalizing getting permissions for images from nature photographers.  
 ~ We are working closely with Town Communications Division. 
 ~ There will be a Project Team meeting on September 11, 2009.
 ~ Mid-October is the target to finalize all signs.

Member Scheuring discussed the 3-dimensional art proposal: 
 ~ At the August meeting, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board endorsed the proposal and recommended using Transportation Art by Youth funds. 
 ~ We submitted a conceptual public art design, concept plan, and artist recommendation to the Oro Valley Public Art Review Committee. 
 ~ Artist Jim Stone was recommended.  
 ~ A shaded area at the park was identified to position the desert creatures. 
 ~ The information was presented to the Public Art Review Committee on September 1, 2009. The Committee was supportive.
 ~ Once funding is secured, a call to artist will be sent and we will return to the Public Arts Review Committee for final approval.

10.

DISCUSSION REGARDING POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE TENUOUS REFUGE ART AT CAÑADA DEL ORO RIVERFRONT PARK - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


Member Scheuring discussed the following:
 ~ The artist/sculptor was Paul Edwards who past away in 2007. 
 ~ There are eight plaques with interpretive wording and seven port holes on one side and hand prints on the other side.  
 ~ Two port holes are blocked by trees.  
 ~ Four port holes are not correctly identified and are confusing.  
 ~ He recommended replacing the original plaques with newly reworded plaques.  
 ~ The Oro Valley Public Art Commission agrees to make the corrections.
 ~ Paul Edward’s widow has agreed to the changes as long as the hand prints remain untouched. 
 ~ He suggested adding a plaque with the silhouette of the Catalina Mountains. 
 ~ Matt Moutafis will give free guidance to make repairs.  

The Board discussed the following:
 ~ The wording is not incorrect.  
 ~ It could be too costly to make the changes.
 ~ The plaques could be removed instead of making changes. 
 ~ The cost has not yet been determined.
 ~ Member Roberts requested a cost analysis at the next meeting.

11.

PRESENTATION BY KAREN CHATTERTON REGARDING NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS WITH THE FOURTH OF JULY EVENT AT CAÑADA DEL ORO RIVERFRONT PARK - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


Member Chatterton discussed the neighborhood concerns from the Fourth of July last year:
 ~ Overflow parking was an issue which did not exist in prior years.  Last year, the Police Department steered traffic into the neighborhood. 
 ~ After the parking filled up, flares were placed on Mira Mesa.  
 ~ There was parking on two sidewalks which is a danger to pedestrians.
 ~ Northeast bound traffic parked along the easement where people usually walk. 
 ~ People drank alcohol and left behind liquor containers. 
 ~ Traffic drove over the Park and Ride area. 
 ~ There were jaywalkers.

Council Member Abbott stated that this item will be on the Town Council agenda tomorrow evening.  The Fourth of July event has been handled by the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) in the past.  The Town Council has decided not to fund the organization this year.  The Town Council will discuss allowing SAACA to organize the event and funding for police services. 

Council Member Abbott stressed the importance of the Fourth of July event and asked the Board to be involved if possible.  It is important that it be funded separately.

Parks and Recreation Director Ainsley Legner stated that the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance is proficient at event coordination.  The Parks and Recreation Department can work with the Police Department on the traffic issue in the neighborhood.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Boelts that the Town of Oro Valley have dedicated funds to organize and run the Fourth of July celebration at the Canada Del Oro Riverfront Park.   Motion failed due to lack of second.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Boelts and seconded by Member Roberts that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board endorse the idea of supporting a Town organized Fourth of July event at Canada Del Oro Riverfront Park and in absence of that event, that there be police presence at the entrance of the Canada Del Oro Riverfront Park to mitigate parking problems in the Vista Del Oro neighborhood.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Boelts and seconded by Member Roberts to Amend that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board endorse the idea of an organized Fourth of July event at Canada Del Oro Riverfront Park and in absence of that event at the Canada Del Riverfront Park that there be parking mitigation for the Vista Del Oro neighborhood.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

12.

BOARD AND COMMISSION LIAISON REPORTS


a. CHAIR DONE - FINANCE AND BOND COMMITTEE

The next Finance and Bond meeting will be in October.

b. SUSANNAH MYERSON - PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

No report.

c. GREG ROBERTS - HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

No report.

d. KAREN CHATTERTON - DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

 ~ A.F. Sterling Homes is building a custom home on Canada del Oro Estates.  There is a private neighborhood park in that area.

13.

PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER REPORTS


No reports.

14.

UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETINGS - DISCUSSION


No report. 

15.

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT


 ~ State of the Town invitations are available.
 ~ Next month’s meeting will be in the Calle Concordia Conference room.  Due to the lack of equipment in that room, no PowerPoint presentations will be possible but presentations may be photocopied for distribution. 
 ~ Thank you to Member Boelts for attending the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association conference. 
 ~ The Flying Fish Arizona Swim Team agreement is complete and the pool will remain open all year. 

16.

PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR REPORT


Chair Done expressed concern that only nine businesses took licenses out in August.

17.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS


~ Discussion and Possible action regarding support for developing a menu for recreational options for residential development plans.

18.

PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


MOTION: A motion was made by Member Boelts and seconded by Member Myerson to change the regular Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting dates to the third Tuesday of each month starting in November 2009.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

19.

SCHEDULING NEXT PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION


The next meeting will be on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Calle Concordia conference room located at 680 W. Calle Concordia.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Roberts and seconded by Chair Done to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

Prepared by:


Danielle Tanner
Senior Office Specialist