CITY OF PEORIA, ARIZONA PARKS & RECREATION BOARD Pine Conference Room January 25, 2007 A Regular Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board of the City of Peoria, Arizona was convened at 8401 W. Monroe Street in open and public session in City Hall at 7:03 p.m. Members Present: Chris Morice, Carnell Murrell, Jon Sears, Diana Bedient, Gregory Jones, Carol Ulshoeffer and Chuck Fitzgerald Members Absent: 0 Municipal Officials Present: J. P. de la Montaigne, Community Services Director; Kirk Haines, Parks Manager; Brenda Rehnke, Recreation Manager; Ana Lia Johnson, Management Analyst and Maria Traci, Executive Assistant Audience: 1 (Cecilia Chan, Arizona Republic) MINUTES: Carnell Murrell made a motion to approve the special meeting minutes of the November 16, 2006 meeting. Diana Bedient seconded the motion, and, upon vote, the motion carried unanimously. DISPOSITION OF ABSENCES: Not applicable UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None REPORT FROM STAFF: UPDATE ON VISTANCIA GRAND OPENING Kirk Haines showed the Board pictures of the Vistancia Park project. It was explained that the park name was actually Sunset Park as requested by the developer. Construction on this park was completed by the developer (Sunbelt Development) with several additional embellishments to incorporate the design of the park with the Vistancia development. The developer would continue maintenance on the park for one year but the City would be responsible for locking it up and other duties once the dedication took place at the grand opening. The Grand Opening celebration will be held on February 10 from 9 a.m. to noon. Speeches and presentations would begin at 10:30 a.m. but throughout the morning, there would be additional activities and demonstration including a guided hike (first beginning at 9 a.m. and the second beginning after speeches). Chuck Fitzgerald requested information on the location of the trail in relation to the park site. Kirk Haines explained that the trail was on the east side of the parcel adjacent to the ball field. UPDATE ON CURRENT PARKS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS (RIO VISTA, WESTWING); UPDATE ON UPCOMING PROJECTS AND EVENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation to incorporate pictures as visual aids, Kirk Haines and Brenda Rehnke updated the Board on the construction status of Rio Vista Park, Rio Vista Recreation Center, Chili Davis Batting Cages at Rio Vista Park, the trails system at Rio Vista Park and Westwing Neighborhood Park. Following the Recreation Center portion of the presentation by Brenda Rehnke, Carnell Murrell requested information about how programming at the Rec Center would take away from current programming at the downtown Community Center. Brenda Rehnke explained that her plans for the Recreation Center included expanding the current offerings, not relocating any program. In addition, Teens and Special Interest Classes divisions (and their staff) would be housed at the Recreation Center along with a Recreation Center Supervisor. Jon Sears questioned staff about the current forecast date for opening of the Recreation Center. Brenda Rehnke offered information about a date at the beginning of July to open. Prior to that, final estimates, pricing, fees and the marketing phase would have to begin in full force. Staff is currently working on fees, rental pricing, policies and procedures to bring to the Board before taking to the City Council for approval. Carnell Murrell asked the hours that the Recreation Center would be open. Brenda Rehnke responded that tentative planning included the Recreation Center open on Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. with closures on major holidays such as Christmas Day. Kirk Haines then proceeded to provide the Board with information about the Chili Davis Premier Baseball construction site and amenities. It was explained that Premier Baseball would be partnering with Starbucks and one of the amenities would be an on- site café. In addition, the site offered batting cages, a baseball shop, area for demonstration and skills training classes and an outdoor restroom facility. After the trails portion update, Jon Sears requested additional information about the plan to continue the trail up Skunk Creek. Kirk Haines outlined the upcoming plans to design and construct a pedestrian bridge over New River as a direct connection for Desert Harbor residents and Rio Vista trail users to continue on the Skunk Creek Trail. Greg Jones gave staff his appreciation of the trail system, saying that with these new additions, it would be one of the best trail systems in the area. Kirk Haines concluded by sharing with the Board some of the challenges that the topography of the Westwing park site presented and the plans to hire a special consultant to assist with overcoming these challenges. REPORT FROM DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR J.P. de la Montaigne reminded the Board that the Grand Opening for the Dog Friendly Areas had been rescheduled for the upcoming Saturday at 9 a.m. at Alta Vista. It was communicated to the Board that it would be great if everyone could attend as this was definitely a project that had been spearheaded by the Parks and Recreation Board. The Board was asked to save the date for the Boards and Commissions Dinner on April 16 at the Arizona Broadway Theatre. Invitations would be forthcoming via mail with more information. Brenda Rehnke informed the Board that the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner would be in the near future as soon as the location could be finalized. Chuck Fitzgerald requested an update on the status of the Veteran’s Memorial and whether the grand opening was still slated for Memorial Weekend. J.P. de la Montaigne replied that it depended on the Recreation Center construction completion schedule but would probably need to be delayed until July 4 or another applicable date. REPORT FROM BOARD MEMBERS Diana Bedient invited the Board to the Chamber of Commerce luncheon on February 14 at which J.P. de la Montaigne would be speaking. Greg Jones reminded the Board that the Recycling Committee presented their findings about the Recycling Program to the City Council at the end of last year and the program was accepted by the City Council so the foundation for that would be beginning soon. Carnell Murrell shared with the Board and Staff comments from the residents in the Terramar area (of which he is a resident) about the resounding success of the new neighborhood park. It was also communicated to Staff that the Mutt Mitts at the park were regularly out of stock and if that could be remedied, it would be greatly appreciated by the residents and park users. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Chris Morice, Chairperson Maria Traci, Secretary