PRESENT:

Susannah Myerson, Chair Karen Chatterton, Vice Chair Sue Bishop, Member John Hickey, Member Greg Roberts, Member John Scheuring, Member

ABSENT:

Mary Kay Durfee, Member

ALSO PRESENT:
Ainsley Legner, Parks Recreation Library & Cultural Resources Director
Barry Gillaspie, Town Councilmember
Robert Carmona, Assistant Recreation Manager

Chair Myerson introduced the new Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Chatterton and seconded by Member Roberts to approve the February 15, 2011 regular session minutes.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

Assistant Recreation Manager Robert Carmona discussed the following points about the Kaboom! Playful City USA program:
~ Kaboom is a non profit organization working to ensure that children have play areas nearby.
~ The Playful City USA honors cities and towns that make play a priority.
~ If recognized as a playful city, the Town of Oro Valley is eligible for 103 different play space grants over a three year period. These grants can total up to two million dollars.
~ The following criteria must be met in order to be considered as a Playful City:
   1) Create a local play task committee.
   2) Design an annual action plan for play.
   3) Conduct a play space audit for all publicly assessable play spaces.
   4) Identify current spending on capital projects and maintenance. 
   5) Proclaim and celebrate an annual Kaboom play date.

The Local Play Committee includes Parks and Recreation staff and it can also include Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members. It is customary for board members to serve in this role.

Staff created an action plan which includes 9-12 action items. It included information about the pool study, different possibilities for Naranja Park and included information about the Keg grant.
~ For the play space audit, all of the play spaces in the community were logged and put into the Kaboom Play Space Finder.
~ For the identification of current spending on capital, the Town's budget information was submitted as well as how much the schools in the area are spending on play spaces.
~ September 24, 2011 has been proclaimed as the play date at James D. Kriegh Park.
~ The award will be announced in July.

Vice Chair Chatterton asked if a member could remain on the Play Committee after their term expires with the board. Parks Recreation Library & Cultural Resources Director Ainsley Legner indicated that they could remain on the committee.  

Member Scheuring requested the documentation ahead of time.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Chatterton and seconded by Member Hickey that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members be on the Kaboom Committee and any other people who want to, past or present if we receive the grant.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

Ms. Legner explained that this was on the last Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting agenda but that meeting was cancelled due to a lack of quorum. Fees have been passed by the Town Council and staff has sent the board a copy of the resolution, Attachment A and Attachment B. These fees went into effect on July 1, 2011. Fees are reviewed annually for increases and to balance fees with a possible decrease in participation in order to reach cost recovery goals. Staff prepared the user groups months in advance.

Chair Myerson asked about feedback received. Mr. Carmona explained that he has not gotten any negative feedback from the teams but the contracts are done in August. Ms. Legner added that we received positive feedback from some pool users despite the increase in fees.

Member Scheuring indicated that his main concern was regarding the pool hours.

Chair Myerson asked if there is a projected decrease in use. Ms. Legner stated that the current usage levels were used for the projections.

Member Scheuring stated that there are memorial trees existing in the parks and if we do not address the issue, we may end up with a high quantity of trees and plaques in the parks. He suggested that criteria be established for memorials in the parks including signage. There should also be financial considerations.

Vice Chair Chatterton stated that there are a lot of templates and she offered to draft up a menu. Ms. Legner stated that the Town has a Naming and Branding Policy and this could be a supplemental piece to that document. 

Member Scheuring suggested that the board form a subcommittee and prepare a proposal. He stated that he has spoken with Vice Mayor Snider and Councilmember Gillaspie and they endorse this idea. 

Member Hickey asked if the Town policy addresses all town property. Ms. Legner explained that the rights of way are not under the jurisdiction of this department. Member Scheuring suggested asking Public Works if they would like to get involved.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Chatterton and seconded by Member Hickey to make an exploratory committee to examine policies of standardizing the process of memorials in parks and public properties.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

The subcommittee will include Member Scheuring, Member Bishop and Member Roberts. Vice Chair Chatterton will provide documentation for the subcommittee.

Member Scheuring suggested having a memorial for the January 8, 2011 shooting victims. James D. Kriegh Park is the largest park close to the site of the shooting other than Tohono Chul. Parks Manager James Gardner supports the planting of an Ironwood tree one year after the shooting. There are no Ironwood trees at James D. Kriegh Park and they live up to 800 years. The victims were customers of a Rillito nursery and the nursery is willing to donate the tree. We would work through Congresswoman Giffords' office and it would be a private ceremony.

Ms. Legner stated that if the board votes in favor of this, she will notify the Town Manger’s office and make sure the Town Council is notified and that we follow all protocol.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Chatterton and seconded by Member Hickey to endorse a living memorial for the victims of January 8, 2011.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

Ms. Legner said that Nancy Ellis, Multimodal Planner has worked with Member Scheuring on this project. Public Works has the approach signs on their list of projects. When a sign is installed on the street, it has to be analyzed. There is an approach sign for West Lambert Lane Park because that park does not have a monument sign. Ms. Legner explained that all right of ways, medians and multi use paths are under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Division under the Development & Infrastructure Services Department. Ms. Ellis has been following up with Public Works. 

Member Scheuring stated that the signs are important to inform the public about the parks and for safety purposes. The safety issue needs to be raised. Vice Chair Chatterton stated that there are safety issues approaching James D. Kriegh Park and Riverfront Park because many people are not familiar with the parks.

Ms. Legner stated that the Town will delay putting in any signage at Riverfront Park until the construction is done. There will be a hawk signal in front of Riverfront Park.

Member Scheuring stated that in the last month, he has seen a small crooked sign at Naranja Park regarding certification of flying for model airplanes. He said it is not appropriate at the entrance of the park.

Ms. Legner indicated that she will continue to work with Public Works on this issue and it will be on future agendas for updates.

Ms. Legner stated that we had presentations earlier in the year from disc golf and archery representatives for use at Naranja Park. This board voted to recommend against any uses of archery to the west of the road.

She stated that although there has been flagging at Naranja Park, nothing official has happened. There is Town Council interest and this issue is being explored. Vice Chair Chatterton asked what is designated in the Master Plan in the area that has been flagged. Ms. Legner explained that it is natural desert area west of the road. 

Member Scheuring stated the west side of the road has a trail, saguaros, palo verdes and nesting birds and that is why the board recommended against that area. 

Councilmember Gillaspie explained that the Town Council was approached by Arizona Game and Fish and they have revenue to pay for development. Some members of the Town Council have met with the Town Manager’s office and GIS to evaluate the property and see if there is an area on the property that could be used which would not change the master plan. Later this week, they will review the GIS mapping to see if archery will work in certain areas without impacting the Master Plan.

Member Scheuring stated that the master plan was voted down by the pubic. Councilmember Gillaspie stated that the park was acquired to make a park site and not as a natural preserve. Member Scheuring expressed concern that there could be danger of shooting the plants and wildlife.

Chair Myerson suggested that the board wait for the research results. She stated that she does not think that the public turned down the Master Plan, but they instead declined the funding.

Councilmember Gillaspie stated that usage at the site would progress for further development at the site. Chair Myerson suggested that this item stay on the agenda for the next meeting.

Ms. Legner explained that the Town received a grant for $25,000 from the Keg Steakhouse to build an accessable playground at James D. Kriegh Park. Now through September, staff will meet with stakeholders and families with children with special needs to gather input. In October, we plan to contract for the surface and playground equipment. Installation is expected to take place in January 2012 with completion in February 2012. 

Ms. Legner added that several groups have helped and there will be further volunteer opportunities. The ribbon cutting should be in February or March. This grant will help augment the Town’s limited capital dollars.

Vice Chair Chatterton stated that there are pictures of the celebration event on the Parks and Recreation Facebook page.

Ms. Legner encouraged the board members to attend the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association Conference on Boards and Commissions Day which will be Thursday, September 1, 2011. 

The Town Council has changed the training requirements so it is no longer required to have additional training hours other than attending the Community Academy. 

The conference will be at the Double Tree Hotel in Tucson and the Town will be receiving an award at the banquet that evening for the best special event. The event was the dedication of Green Field and the angel of steadfast love. 

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board trainings will take place at 5:30 p.m. prior to the meeting on January 10, 2012 and April 10, 2012.

Ms. Legner shared that at the April 1, 2011 dedication of Green Field, the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers made a commitment to make renovations and upgrades to Green Field at James D. Kriegh Park. The Dodgers are facing challenges and the Diamondbacks are working with them to discern how it may unfold. This year there are many All Star little league games and as well as the State All Star game. This gives the Town more time to get this renovation project underway.

~ Memorials Standardize Process
~ Parks Signage Progress Report
~ Update on Archery at Naranja park
~ Update on Progress for Dog Park at Riverfront Park
~ Boards Preference for Food and Meals
~ Election of Chair and Vice Chair
~ Report on Parks and Recreation Fee Increases
~ Progress with the Off Leash Parks at Oro Valley Parks (combined with other dog issue)
~ Additional Interpretive Signage
~ Kaboom Playful City Update (if selected)

Chair Myerson reopened Item 10 to accept a blue card from Bob Schumann. 

Oro Valley Resident Bob Schumann announced that the Academy of Aeronautics will have a booth at the Arizona Parks and Recreation Conference on August 30, 2011 though September 1, 2011. They will provide a presentation on alternative usage of parks land which will be worth one continuing education credit.

The members decided to tentatively set the clean up date for September 10, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. The board members plan to meet at the trail head. 

Member Scheuring suggested that new members also be aware of the Town’s four principal parks. This item will be on the next meeting agenda.

John Scheuring stated that he has a conflict on October 11, 2011. The board members decided to meet on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 instead. Ms. Legner stated that staff will look for a meeting room and will email a confirmation.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Hickey and seconded by Member Bishop to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

Prepared by:



Danielle Tanner
Senior Office Specialist