Chair Myerson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

PRESENT:

Susannah Myerson, Chair Karen Chatterton, Vice Chair Sue Bishop, Member Mary Kay Durfee, Member John Hickey, Member John Scheuring, Member

EXCUSED:

Greg Roberts, Member

ALSO PRESENT:
Ainsley Legner, Parks Recreation Library & Cultural Resources Director

Oro Valley resident Bob Baker suggested that the board review the policy on alcohol in the parks because it is a potential money generator. The policy was originally enacted because liquor was not allowed on school grounds and it carried forward to the parks accidently.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Scheuring and seconded by Member Hickey to approve the minutes from the July 12, 2011 minutes as written.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

Susannah Myerson will term out at the end of this calendar year and a new chair will need to be selected to facilitate the meeting in January.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Chatterton and seconded by Member Hickey to elect John Scheuring as chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

MOTION: A motion was made by Chair Myerson and seconded by Member Bishop to elect Karen Chatterton to continue serving as Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

The board members discussed the benefits and highlights of the conference. 

Parks Recreation Library & Cultural Resources Director Ainsley Legner stated that the Town received an award for the Angel of Steadfast Love and the dedication of Green field at James D. Kriegh Park.

Ms. Legner remarked that the Town had submitted last year and did not receive this designation. This year, Assistant Recreation Manager Robert Carmona and other staff achieved the Playful City designation. The designation is important because it opens up grant opportunities. 

Member Scheuring requesting further information in writing.

Member Scheuring explained that the lack of a process could cause an abundance of plaques and become a safety issue. He obtained a copy of the Pima County Parks & Recreation draft naming and renaming policy. The Town has a branding document which now incorporates portions from the Pima County document. The document was provided in the meeting packets. 

There is now an application process. Parks and Recreation will maintain a list of specific items to be purchased as dedications.

Discussion followed regarding:
~ The policy will specify "new" items.
~ The parks division will purchase the tree at the cost proposed by the organization and the organization can then reimburse the Town. The Town would only charge for the item and associated special costs (such as concrete).
~ It should be a revenue generator.
~ There may be maintenance costs. 

The cost is an internal issue and can be discussed at a later time. Ms. Legner will discuss this with the Town Attorney to see if it would be considered a "fee" which would require public notice and Town Council approval. 

Ms. Legner stated that with this policy, staff could create a map of the dedication items. This would augment the tree replacement program.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Scheuring and seconded by Vice Chair Chatterton that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board endorse the changed document and that Ms. Legner go forward for approval.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

Member Scheuring presented the following:
~ The history of this agenda item.
~ Signs would increase awareness of the parks and increase safety. 
~ Signs have been successfully installed at Naranja Park.
~ The next priority location is James D. Kriegh Park. 

Ms. Legner provided the following data from Development Infrastructure Services:
~ Due to the road construction on Lambert Lane, the Riverfront Park will not have any new signage for the next 19 months. 
~ There are existing signs located eastbound, east of Corbett Lane and westbound, west of Highland Drive. These signs will be refreshed as part of road improvements.
~ The road improvement project includes the installation of a pedestrian traffic signal at the park entrance.
~ James D. Kriegh Park is not applicable due to the large monument sign and advanced warning signs.

Member Hickey pointed out that a sign would be beneficial at Eggleston on Linda Vista. An entrance sign at James D. Kriegh Park would also be beneficial.

John Scheuring explained that Tenuous Refuge is an art piece at Riverfront Park. It is a wall with portals on one side for viewing and handprints on the other side. In July of 2009, he presented this item to the board because several portals are wrongly identified. Member Scheuring and Ms. Legner had approached the art board and there was insufficient follow up. Also at that time, art in lieu fees could be used for art, not maintenance but this policy has since been changed to include maintenance.

Member Scheuring explained that the artist has passed away but his wife has granted permission to make changes as long as the hand prints are not changed. 

The board discussed keeping the original art and adding a plaque of a site map, legend or interpretive sign.

MOTION: A motion was made by Member Scheuring and seconded by Member Hickey to table the item until the next meeting to give everyone who has not personally gone to visit the art a chance to visit it.

MOTION carried, 5-0.

Ms. Legner reported that on July 20, 2011, the Town Council directed staff to work with a group of three residents who were interested in seeing an archery facility at Naranja Park. Prior to that, this board voted to recommend that there be no archery activity to the west of the existing paved road of the property. Staff has been working with the archery advocates and Arizona Game and Fish to draft an intergovernmental agreement for the Town Council to review. There have been two open houses.

The archery proposal includes:
~ Installation of a 100 yard traditional fixed archery range.
~ Two walk around archery courses. One on the east side off of existing walking paths and one around the western loop. 

Ms. Legner reviewed the feedback statistics from the open houses. Feedback for Oro Valley residents were 21 for and 14 against the proposal. Some feedback received pertained to the safety of the walking courses. The archery advocate group continues to meet with Town staff and the Town Council members.

The proposal also includes:
~ Operating hours of 6:00 a.m. (or sunrise) to sunset seven days a week.
~ Self managed archery areas.

Ms. Legner stated that the advocates have received support from archery associations, advocate groups and Arizona Game and Fish. There are archery grants available statewide and nationally. They have $60,000 in commitments and they are looking for a 5-10 year commitment from the Town. Otherwise, they request that it be moved to another location. 

The board discussed the following:
~ Children use air soft guns in that area which could lead to issues.
~ The west portion should be off limits for the following reasons:
   - It is against the school.
   - It is shared with walking trails.
   - For environmental reasons. 
   - It impinges on homes. 
~ There are no use restrictions and the areas are for coexisting uses.

Ms. Legner discussed the following:
~ Arizona Fish and Game will work with the Town to construct the fixed archery area. It is fairly maintenance free because the targets stay in good shape for years and target faces will be replaced by archers. The archery group and the Arizona Game and Fish will provide funding through grants. 
 ~ The archery group has discussed with the model airplane flyers the possibility of installing a composting toilet at the site. 
~ An iron ranger would collect $5 per day or $50 per year which would go into the Town’s general fund.

The board made the following comments:
~ More discussion is needed.  
~ There is potential future congestion on the site.
~ All avenues of sports should be included.
~ Safety issues need to be understood. 
~ There should be one dedicated archery area and signs should be posted.
~ The western area should not be recommended.

MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Chatterton and seconded by Member Hickey to take the western walk around range off the table and submit the eastern walk around range and the fixed range sites as dedicated sites for further safety and other logistical investigation and/or implementation.

MOTION: A motion was made by Chair Myerson and seconded by Member Scheuring to Amend the motion that this board does not recommend going forward with the course west of the existing road. PRAB does recommend continuing to discuss and investigate the fixed range course and the course on the east side of the road and to consider use restrictions for that area. PRAB encourages a study session with archery group to further answer questions.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

Ms. Legner will schedule a study session for the archery group and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Only coffee (regular and decaffeinated) and water are desired.

Vice Chair Chatterton stated that there were funds available with matching funds from the state but they have not been received.

Vice Chair Chatterton commented that off leash dog activity should be reported to the police. Member Scheuring added that additional signs have been posted at the parks relating to this issue. Parks staff has been urged to speak with patrons in the parks who have their dogs off leash.

The board discussed the following ideas to inform the public:
~ Emails from staff to soccer organizations and user groups.
~ HOA newsletters.
~ Site stewards.
~ On park facility rental forms.

The board recommended that the tour be on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. The will meet at the Parks and Recreation office.

Ms. Legner explained that each board and commission member must have completed the previous Citizen’s Planning Institute or the current Community Academy. There will be training specific to parks and recreation directly prior to the next board meeting in January. This specialized training will also be required. Additional training will continue to be supported but will no longer be tracked.

~ Alcohol in parks
~ Fundraising dedications
~ Installation of parks signage status update
~ Tenuous Refuge
~ Archery at Naranja Park
~ Green space for kids to play

Ms. Legner asked for date options to hold a study session with the board and the archery group. The commission suggested Wednesday, October 12, 2011. Ms. Legner added that staff will contact the board once a date is confirmed. 

MOTION: A motion was made by Chair Myerson and seconded by Member Hickey to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 p.m.

MOTION carried, 6-0.

Prepared by:



Danielle Tanner
Senior Office Specialist