PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
| PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MONDAY AUGUST 19, 2024 |
HYBRID MEETING FLAGSTAFF AQUAPLEX AND MICROSOFT TEAMS 1702 N. FOURTH STREET 4:00 P.M. |
1.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting began at 4:11pm.
2.
ROLL CALL
Stephen Parsons (Chair) – Present
Austin Kerr (Vice Chair) – Present
Sandy Heath – Present
Autumn Layden – Absent
Ryan Martin – Absent
Josh Stackhouse – Present
Councilmember Deborah Harris – Absent
| NOTE: One or more Commissioners may be in attendance through other technological means. |
Stephen Parsons (Chair) – Present
Austin Kerr (Vice Chair) – Present
Sandy Heath – Present
Autumn Layden – Absent
Ryan Martin – Absent
Josh Stackhouse – Present
Councilmember Deborah Harris – Absent
STAFF AND OTHERS PRESENT
Rebecca Sayers, Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Events Division Director
Amy Hagin, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director
Haley Reynolds, Events and Marketing Manager
Gino Leoni, Parks Manager
Kyle Gambino, Recreation Supervisor
Shannon Anderson, Senior Deputy City Manager
Cory Woodall, Beautification and Public Art Project Administrator
Jana Weldon, Beautification, Arts and Sciences Manager
Matt McGrath, Forest Service
Rebecca Sayers, Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Events Division Director
Amy Hagin, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director
Haley Reynolds, Events and Marketing Manager
Gino Leoni, Parks Manager
Kyle Gambino, Recreation Supervisor
Shannon Anderson, Senior Deputy City Manager
Cory Woodall, Beautification and Public Art Project Administrator
Jana Weldon, Beautification, Arts and Sciences Manager
Matt McGrath, Forest Service
3.
Land Acknowledgement
The Flagstaff Parks and Recreation Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
The Flagstaff Parks and Recreation Commission humbly acknowledges the ancestral homelands of this area’s Indigenous nations and original stewards. These lands, still inhabited by Native descendants, border mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples. We honor them, their legacies, their traditions, and their continued contributions. We celebrate their past, present, and future generations who will forever know this place as home.
4.
Approval of June 17, 2024 Minutes
Vice-Chair Kerr motioned to approve the June 17, 2024 minutes as written. Commissioner Heath seconded. The vote was unanimous in favor of approval.
5.
Public Comment
FLAGSTAFF, Arizona – This portion of the meeting is for items that are NOT on the agenda. The Commission cannot act on items presented during the public participation of the agenda. The Commission is prohibited by the open meeting law from discussing or considering the item until the item is officially placed on an agenda. Please limit comments to five minutes.
FLAGSTAFF, Arizona – This portion of the meeting is for items that are NOT on the agenda. The Commission cannot act on items presented during the public participation of the agenda. The Commission is prohibited by the open meeting law from discussing or considering the item until the item is officially placed on an agenda. Please limit comments to five minutes.
There was no public comment.
6.
Acceptance of Donation and Site Location
- Amy Hagin, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director, introduced the topic as a partnership with the Beautification and Public Arts and Sciences team, represented by Cory Woodall. Cory presented a potential work of art that has been donated to the City of Flagstaff, to be named later with community participation. The Beautification and Public Art Commission (BPAC) has approved the work as public art and accepted the donation per policy. After review of several potential sites, the proposed location is Frances Short Pond, along the outer trail around the pond, in partnership with PROSE. The project now needs the Parks and Recreation Commission’s approval.
- Commissioner questions included safety of the art installation, such as sharp edges and climbing/falling. Staff feels the artwork is safe and given a height of around 11 feet tall, is not conducive to climbing. There were also questions about the donation process, which Cory was able to address, along with support from Jana Weldon, Beautification, Arts and Sciences Manager.
- Chair Parsons made a motion to approve the proposed location with a second from Vice-Chair Kerr. The vote was unanimous in favor.
7.
July is Parks and Recreation Month
- Kyle Gambino, Recreation Supervisor, presented on behalf of PROSE many of the activities that the Division programmed to celebrate the month. The Touch-a-Truck, hosted by Hal Jensen Recreation Center, had over 700 participants. The Jay Lively Activity Center had a Mountain Mash Up hockey tournament with over 25 participants. Staff from multiple recreation centers joined forces for a successful youth sports camp with 19 participants. The Joe C. Montoya Community and Senior Center hosted an open house and over 50 patrons visited the center, many of whom had never been there before. The Aquaplex provided a community carnival including balloon animals, an obstacle course in the gym and activities in the pool with over 250 participating. It was a successful month of added programs and activities.
- Commissioners asked how the numbers compared to previous years’ event, such as Touch-a-Truck. Staff reported it was the largest recorded attendance, with several factors contributing to the success of the event such as great weather and an adjustment of the hours of the event this year.
8.
Foxglenn Park Basketball Courts Maintenance Discussion
- Gino Leoni, Parks Manager, provided a presentation about the different kinds of sport courts that are dispersed throughout the park system and how they are maintained. There are varying sizes and are not all are regulation / full size. The regulation size courts are typically fenced, and the regulation size basketball courts at Bushmaster Park are also lighted. Smaller courts are not regulation size, so striping them is not usually conducive, and they are not fenced or lighted. Maintenance entails ensuring the surface is clear of debris like cinders and pine needles and inspecting the surface for cracks. They also regularly inspect the backboard and pole for safety and replace nets when needed. They also manage weeds and vegetation around the courts. Gino reviewed possible court improvements that the Parks team is working on, such as upgrading backboards and hoops, identifying striping opportunities, and repairing concrete.
- Commissioners questioned how the presentation relates to the requests from a citizen that recently presented concerns as to the condition of the Foxglenn courts to the Commission. They were possibly requesting fencing or a backstop more than striping or new backboards. Gino informed the Commission that the pictures he showed during the presentation were of the Foxglenn, non-regulation size courts so they could see the current condition. There were questions about how the slab could be repaired and Gino explained they could fill cracks with epoxy or cut out and replace concrete sections as options to give it more life before full replacement, which requires more funding.
- Commissioners felt priorities would be, for this location and based on previous comments, a backstop to keep balls from rolling away.
- There were questions future replacement and if there may be an opportunity to replace these smaller courts with a full court. The answer was maybe, depending on space available. Other commissioners noted that additional parking may be a higher priority at this location as they have experienced the challenges when the park is fully programmed with youth sports. Staff noted that this park is fully built out without space to add parking on the property. Other questions related to if user groups pay any kind of impact fee for their wear and tear on the park, and the answer is that rental fees go toward the general fund of the city. The City does not collect impact fees for Parks and Recreation.
a.
Basketball Court Maintenance Presentation
9.
Cleo Murdoch Neighborhood Park Construction Status
- Amy Hagin gave an update on the new neighborhood park development located in the Southside Neighborhood at the Murdoch Community Center, funded by a Community Development Block Grant. Amy gave a summary of the plan for the park, including encompassing one of the Butler Ave sitting areas into the park, adding turf and trees, concrete chess tables and benches, accessible walkways, and adding a creative storage shed in the shape of a rook chess piece to store oversized chess pieces when they are not out for play on the large outdoor chess board.
- Commissioner questions focused on what kind of activities go on at this community center, and the positive impact of programming this area as a park to curb unwanted behaviors that tend to occur in the Butler sitting areas. Commissioners asked about the lighting being implemented, which is pedestrian level lighting and not overhead. Commissioners asked how much involvement the Southside neighborhood and African American community have had in this development. Amy answered that the planning and design process, conducted by others, included the Southside Community Association, and was presented at public meetings. Commissioners asked if additional funding was coming for the added maintenance with a new park, and the answer is no, but this is a discussion to be had in the future and is a citywide conversation.
10.
Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Capital Projects
- Amy Hagin reviewed the current BBB-Recreation 5-year plan and funded projects coming up this fiscal year. Play structures being replaced this year include Ponderosa Trails, Mobile Haven, and Smokerise Parks. Ponderosa Park is also still on the list for restoration after stormwater improvements are installed, hopefully by next year. Hal Jensen Recreation Center air conditioning is on the list this year, as well as continued efforts to improve the Thorpe Park area including the future Indigenous Cultural Community Center (ICCC). Other projects include construction of the Bushmaster Park sport courts and planning and developing the new west side park.
- Commissioners asked for more detail on the work at Thorpe Park, which Amy stated includes moving IT infrastructure out of the ICCC and a newly performed facility assessment of that building. The facility assessment will inform a procurement process to find a partner to plan the rest of the future of that facility. Commissioners asked for an update on the Heritage Square restroom, for which funding is still available and staff are now reviewing options for remodeling the existing restrooms after downtown businesses and the Downtown Business Alliance were not in favor of a Portland Loo type restroom added to the Square.
11.
BBB Tax Renewal
- Rebecca Sayers, Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Events Director, gave a presentation about the outreach and education campaign for the BBB tax renewal which is on the ballot this November. The current tax expires in 2030, so the Council has placed its renewal on the ballot this November. These kinds of ballot questions can only go to the voters in even years, so this allows another opportunity to request renewal if the question does not pass this year. This year’s ballot question asks for a renewal of the existing tax and is not seeking an increase.
- The education campaign includes a series of flyers that will be posted through local media and outlets and explains the tax fund, how it is collected as a 2% add-on tax to hotels, motels, short-term rentals, campgrounds, restaurants, and bars. The proceeds are divided into five main program areas, including Parks and Recreation (which now includes Open Space), Economic Development, Beautification, Arts and Sciences, and Tourism.
- Commissioners had questions about the other local questions on the ballot, and whether they can advocate for the ballot question. Rebecca briefly described two other local measures including an expenditure limit increase for Coconino County, and a transit tax renewal and increase for Mountain Line. She also explained that Commissioners are able to advocate as individuals, but with caution. They should ensure they are not perceived as representing the Commission or the City if they choose to do so.
a.
BBB Tax Renewal Presentation
12.
Reports - Monthly Highlights of Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Events
Staff let the Commission know that the monthly report continues to evolve and improve due to the efforts of the Events and Marketing Coordinator.
a.
PROSE July 2024 Monthly Newsletter
13.
City Council Liaison Report - Councilmember Deborah Harris
Councilmember Deborah Harris was not able to attend.
14.
Informational Items to and from Commissioners and Staff
- Commissioner Stackhouse let the Commission know that if they volunteer at the fair for the Friends of Coconino County Parks and Recreation, they can get free admission.
- Staff noted this may be Commissioner Heath's last meeting as she is not able to continue serving on the Commission after her term expires this month. Commissioner Stackhouse’s term is also up, and he noted he will apply for renewal. The Clerk is planning to take appointments to Council in mid-September. There are two vacant positions and one requested renewal.
15.
Agenda Items for the Next Meeting
- Jay Lively Activity Center annual maintenance closure - and/or general overall information about what is going on there
- An update on the Aquaplex and anything the new Supervisor is planning on doing differently
- Ponderosa Trails playground completion
- Open Space updates on the Observatory Mesa Trail Plan
- TBD: citywide cost recovery policy and user fees
- TBD: PROSE master plan
- TBD: west side park public outreach
16.
Adjournment
Chair Parsons adjourned the meeting at 5:50pm.