Parks and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes – October 26, 2004
CALL TO ORDER:
A.
Roll Call
Chairman Trent Renner called the
Parks and Recreation Advisory Meeting to order at 5:30 pm, at the Surprise
Regional Library – City Classroom located on 16089 N Bullard Ave Surprise,
Arizona 85374, on Tuesday, October 26, 2004.
Also in attendance with Chairman Trent Renner were Vice-Chairman Wayne
Turner, board members; Vanessa Goodrich, Lorraine Esman (arrived approximately
6:00 pm), Jack Hitchcock , and Alex Theis (via teleconference).
Councilman Joe Johnson present as
liaison.
Staff Present:
Mark Coronado: Community and
Recreation Services Director, Melissa Miller: Recreation Manager, and Donna
Miller: Recreation Manager.
B.
Approval
of Community & Recreation Services Advisory Board Minutes of August
24, 2004
Wayne Turner moved to approve the minutes of the August 24, 2004
meeting. Jack Hitchcock seconded the
motion. 6 yes votes. Motion carried.
CURRENT EVENTS REPORT
A.
Chairman Report
a.
Mr. Renner wanted to tell Paul Frie good job and great call
in removing a disgruntled referee from soccer program. Many parents have expressed happiness.
b.
Wayne Turner agreed stating that this has been the worst
year yet as far as parental problems.
Staff is doing a great job.
B.
Community & Recreation Services Director’s Report
a.
Introduction
of Councilman Joe Johnson
Mark introduced Joe Johnson to the advisory board. Mr. Johnson is a new member of council and
has been appointed as a liaison and advocate between the council and advisory
board. Mr. Johnson stated that he has
two kids, likes recreation, open-minded and asked to be a part of this. He is very happy to be here.
b.
October
Highlights
1.
Youth
Sports has witnessed another increase in participation. Soccer may go to two seasons.
2.
Spooktacular
Dance was held October 23rd.
206 youth attended the event at Countryside Recreation Center.
3.
4A
West Valley Region and 5A Northwest Valley Region held their swim and dive
meets at the aquatic center. These
schools requested our facility because the Aquatic Center meets the depth
requirement for diving off starting blocks.
4.
Movie
in the park on October 23rd had 900 in attendance
5.
Sanderson
Ford car sale – 40 cars sold at an average of $30,000 each. Significant sales tax revenue.
6.
Approximately
6500 attended Northwest Chamber Better living Expo.
7.
NABA
& MSBL World Series is playing here now.
200 teams currently in Surprise.
8.
1st
quarter updates include 36 programs with 10,000 participants.
9.
Upcoming
programs include:
Special Events include Performances in the
Park on November 6th and 20th and our signature event the
Surprise party on December 3rd and 4th. Drifters, Shane Stevens, Phoenix Theatre and
Phoenix Youth will be present.
Other upcoming programs include; Special
Interest classes, Henderson Camp, Sun dancers.
REGULAR
AGENDA ITEMS
·
Update/Process
on Future Skate/Grind Park
Mark Coronado introduced Mr. Herd a Surprise
Resident who addressed Council 90-120 days ago requesting an update regarding
skate parks in the City of Surprise.
Mr. Herd began his presentation stating that
the City of Surprise is one of the fastest growing cities and is also one of
the few cities that do not have a skate/grind park. The term grind refers to BMX bikers utilizing the facility along
with the skateboarders.
At this time there is no multiuse facility in
Maricopa County. Chandler will be the
first to open in one year. There is
evidence in Las Vegas and Fontana California as to success of skate/grind
facility. Fontana utilizes a flow model
and separates beginners, intermediate and advanced skaters and BMXers. Flagstaff, Show low, and Nogales are only
Arizona cities that have multiuse facilities.
Mr. Herd would encourage holding a public meeting regarding design. He attended one in Glendale and found that a
typical park would need one and half acres, 30,000 square feet of
concrete. Mr. Herd mentioned that there
will always be concerns such as overcrowding, and issues involving skaters vs.
BMXers.
Mr. Herd is part of a group called the Bike,
Blade and Board coalition. They consist
of a group of BMXers wanting to join and combine with skaters at the same
facility. The coalition consists of one
representative form each city. They
meet and discuss issues, concerns and progress. Mr. Herd referenced a hazardous sports law ARS 33-1551. The coalition also has a web site called
psychicflyingmonkey.com.
Mr. Herd has a couple of suggestions for
builders and has found that $500,000 is sufficient for 30,000 square foot
facility.
Mr. Herd opened up for questions. Jack Hitchcock asked about operational hours
for the facility and whether BMXers and skater use facility at same time or at
different times. Mr. Herd stated that
they two groups share times and the flow design allows for fewer
collisions. Nights at night offer
extended time periods and would be highly recommended. Vanessa Goodrich asked who supervises the
participants utilizing the facility?
Mr. Herd stated that Park Rangers and Police are typical in most
cities. Park Rangers would be
recommended before Police Officers.
Jack Hitchcock also asked if
lighted are included in building costs with the answer being yes.
Mark Coronado recommended having a public
meeting after the holidays. There will
be those who will agree and disagree
Joe Johnson made a statement that he is for
this but has concerns regarding safety.
It is important to wear helmets and safety equipment. He is also concerned about liability issues
for the City.
Trent Renner asked if most cities require
helmets and Mr. Herd stated they do not.
Only private companies do because of the liability. Mr. Renner also asked for stats on lawsuits
involving municipalities. Mr. Herd
stressed that parents need to supervise and there should be an age limit. Mark Coronado added that staff would be
diligent to come up with rules. Staff
supports the building of this type of facility and will bring proposal after
public meeting in January.
Mr. Renner added that Surprise needs to stay
with the times and this is a popular sport.
Vanessa Goodrich commented that vandalism and
other problems have been alleviated at Deer Valley High after the opening of a
nearby skate park.
NO ACTION TAKEN
·
Item
#2 Section 10 Park
Consideration/Action to discuss / approve
line item budget to spend $93,051.74 out of $100,000.
Wayne Turner made the motion, Vanessa
Goodrich seconds motion, 6 yes votes, motion approved.
·
Item
#3
Consideration and Action to
discuss / approve community park expansion line item budget of
$546,018.98. This project is expected
to be ready for the public late May/June.
Trent Renner asked how we stay under budget?
Mark answered by crediting Fred Sanchez and 3DI/Mohave contract
Jack Hitchcock made the motion, Wayne Turner
seconds motion, 6 yes votes, motion approved)
·
Item
#4 Update of design services for restrooms located at Southeast corner of 8
acres. The goal is to have ready
May/June of 2005. Wayne Turner
suggested placing the restrooms in the retention area. Trent Renner reiterated importance of design
to look like rest of facilities nearby.
No action taken
·
Item
#5 Consideration and action recommendation to consider relocating softball
complex.
Mark Coronado explained that
the City currently have 37 acres completed.
The additional 20 acres were originally allocated for softball
complex. Defer to #6 for pros. Cons would be that softball has already been
planned for in design and moving it will add additional costs to project.
Lorraine moved to recommend with stipulation
that we find a viable location for softball complex. Jack Hitchcock seconds motion, 6 yes votes, motion approved with
stipulation.
·
Item
#6 Tennis and Racquet Complex
Mark Coronado stated that the City lacks
tennis facilities. Placing them on
Surprise campus would be proactive and meets the plan and vision of the
campus. Tennis
Would attract USTA, WTA, ATA and other
National, state professional and senior tournaments. The department plans to initiate a feasibility study and would
look at short and long economic benefits.
Softball complex could be moved to Surprise farms or Marley Park.
Wayne Turner stated that he would be behind
the move. It would be good
publicity. Mr. Johnson added that
Scottsdale recently lost the women’s tournaments because facilities were not
adequate. Mark mentioned that Glendale
privatized their courts due to the fact they did not have internal
experience. Mr. Hitchcock asked if
pickle ball has same design as tennis.
Mark said no, stating that 4 pickle ball courts fit on one tennis court.
No Action Taken
·
Item
# 7 Discussion/Presentation of proposed partnership with Arizona Special
Olympics Mark Coronado stated that
Surprise would be the first city to have a West Valley office. This partnership would greatly benefit
department. We have asked for Special
Needs Recreation Manager for the past three years. Special Olympics has agreed to provide $15,000 as needed; Sun
dancers would provide $15,000 for the next 18 years; and the City would provide
$30,000. The employee would develop new
city programs 50% of the time and the other 50% would be spent assisting
Special Olympics. Mark added that the
City of Mesa does this and it works well.
Mark also discussed office location, the major stakeholders and
milestones involved in completing the process.
Melissa Miller also stated importance of this and that it would greatly
benefit the special needs population.
No Action Taken
·
Item
#8 Update Community and Recreation
Services Department Organizational Chart including new employees. Melissa went over organizational chart and
mentioned new staff.
No action taken
·
Item
#9 Discussion of Community and Recreation services Advisory Board Terms Melissa informed Vanessa Goodrich and Wayne
Turner that their terms are up in November.
Mark made comments regarding process of reapplying for Recreation
advisory board.
No action taken
OPEN
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
N/ A
Councilman Johnson said thanks and will be
here at every meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Wayne made motion to adjourn. Lorraine seconds
Trent Renner adjourned the meeting of
Tuesday, October 26th at 6:53pm
Trent
Renner, Chairmen
ATTEST:
Sherry
Ann Aguilar, City Clerk, CMC
CERTIFICATION:
I, Sherry Ann Aguilar, City Clerk for the
City of Surprise, Maricopa County, Arizona, do hereby verify that these are the
true and correct minutes of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting of
Tuesday October 26th, 2004.
Sherry Ann Aguilar, City
Clerk, CMC
