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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks and Recreation Advisory Board - 10/19/2010 10/19/10 Minutes, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board MINUTES ORO VALLEY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR SESSION DEVELOPMENT SERVICES BUILDING HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM M 11000 NORTH LA CANADA DRIVE ORO VALLEY, ARIZONA 85737 Tuesday, October 19, 2010 CALL TO ORDER: 6:31 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Lyra Done, Chair Ali Boelts, Member Karen Chatterton, Member Susannah Myerson, Member (arrived at 6:35 p.m.) Greg Roberts, Member John Scheuring, Member (arrived at 6:38 p.m.) ALSO PRESENT: Ainsley Legner, Parks Recreation Library and Cultural Resources Director 1. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MOTION: A motion was made by Member Chatterton and seconded by Member Roberts to approve the September 21, 2010 minutes as written. MOTION carried, 6-0. CALL TO AUDIENCE No speakers. 2. REMEMBERING ROBERT DELANEY - DISCUSSION Chair Done asked for a moment of silence in honor of Bob DeLaney. 3. UPCOMING MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS - Town Council meeting on October 20, 2010 with discussion regarding the Oro Valley Municipal Pool hours and Naranja Park options. - Healthiest Town of America on October 23, 2010 at the Oro Valley Hospital. - Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting on November 16, 2010. - El Tour de Tucson on November 20, 2010. - SAACA Fall ArtsFest on November 20, 2010 and November 21, 2010. 1 10/19/10 Minutes, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board 4. PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD LIAISON COUNCIL MEMBER REPORT No report. 5. PROPOSED ARCHERY AT NARANJA PARK - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION Oro Valley resident Gerry Perry stated that he does not represent any group. Mr. Perry discussed the following: - It could increase tourism due to anticipated tournaments. - There is a current need for an archery location nearby. - Archery is a safe, eco-friendly sport and there is a demand among the youth. - Funding is available from private sources. - It has become increasingly popular and the largest manufacturer of archery equipment (PRC Archery) is located in Tucson and the owner lives in Oro Valley. - Existing liability insurance on parks is adequate to cover this activity. - It is a life sport for a diverse group of people including all ages and those with physical challenges. - It is a wholesome activity and encourages children to spend time outdoors. - A fixed site with two courses is needed, ideally with fourteen backstops. - 4,500 students participate in The National Archery in the Schools program in the Oro Valley area annually. - Funding opportunities may be available from the following: - Arizona Game & Fish Department via an IGA with the Town of Oro Valley. - Archery Trade Association - Easton Sports Development Foundation - Precision Shooting Equipment - Others - Facilities are designed to be family and environmentally friendly. Mr. Perry showed an archery course design schematic of the park indicating where the activity could be located. Two fourteen backstop courses could be a fixed site at the southwest corner of the park. Target distances could be established along the walking trail and the points would aim towards the center so it would not interfere with trail users. There may be another opportunity at the south end. Mr. Perry stated the following: - It would take approximately one quarter of the park. - A 100 yard fixed site would accommodate Olympic shooters. - There would be a 100 foot wide line to shoot from and the target backstops could go out from 10 - 100 yards. - The closest range is at PRC Archery in Tucson. - Classes or activities would be subject to discussion with Parks and Recreation. - The cost would be based upon the cost of backstops which are approximately $600 each which would be at each station. It may cost $60,000 - $70,000 to set 2 10/19/10 Minutes, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board up a 28 target walk around the course and another 10 bails for a fixed course. Member Scheuring stated that the photographs of existing facilities show a flat landscape but in the southwest quadrant of the park especially along the west side it is steep and there are many plants. Eventually plants or wildlife could be accidently disturbed. He would prefer that the activity be in the disturbed areas for now. Mr. Perry stated that the natural vegetation is one of the attractions as well as the ability to shoot up or down hill on the walk around course. He feels that it is not likely that plants or wildlife would be disturbed. There would need to be a flat spot for the bail and people would need a cleared walking path. Member Scheuring indicated that there are few straight distances around the site which do not require removal of vegetation and the habitat would be eroded by users walking back and forth to get the arrows. Mr. Perry stated that issues can be worked out with Parks and Recreation but he disagrees that it would disrupt the habitat. Member Scheuring stated that the east side of the park is underutilized and he recommended dedicating that area for this activity. Mr. Perry stated that he has no desire to displace the other park users. Nonresident Tony Wilson stated that he is a member of the Sonoran Desert Flyers and they restrict their flying to the flying strip but there is a risk of overflying where the archery users may be on the north side. He stated that there are two parking lots, one on left and one on the right. The one on the left may be a good area for this activity because it is already disturbed and there are at least 50 yards between where people may shoot with their back to the entrance road to targets on the east side of the parking lot. Oro Valley resident Robert Schumann commented that he is a member of the Sonoran Desert Flyers and their main concern is over flying on the north end. They have given the Town a $2.5 million site owner's insurance policy and if there is another operation inside their envelope, it could endanger their coverage if there was an incident. They are happy with new uses in the park and are interested in coexisting. Oro Valley resident Kevin Houser stated that he is a member of the Sonoran Desert Flyers and he is also the Academy of Model Aeronautics associate vice president for the Tucson area. He stated that he likes the idea of archery and disc golf usage but wants to make sure that it is done in a safe manner as far as maintaining insurance coverage. Oro Valley resident Bill Adler commented that he has no objection to the activities in the park but he objects to the process being followed. He stated that the process is a piece meal approach which contradicts the master development plan. Like other land use proposals, the applicant must show consistency with existing plans or propose an amendment to the existing plan. All of the sections of the master development plan are designated approved use so the plan should be amended. He stated that the purpose of this board is to promote what has already been adopted. The Naranja Park needs to be developed with either the 3 10/19/10 Minutes, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board uses in the master plan or other uses proposed as an amendment. The model airplane group does not use a permanent structure but the disc golf and archery proposals include fixed courses. Nonresident Tamra Westberg stated that she is a retired parks and recreation professional and serves on Marana's parks and recreation board. She supports this proposal and feels that there is a need for this activity. The closest competitive archery range is in Chandler, AZ which opened a little over a year ago. She suggested that the board tour that facility if they approve this proposal. The longest distance for Olympic archery would be 90 meters. Parks Recreation Library & Cultural Resources Director Ainsley Legner shared that staff had a preliminary meeting with the Sonoran Desert Flyers, Mr. Perry and Mr. Paulow from the disc golf proposal to discuss co-location. These activities are not on the master plan. One appeal with the Town Council was the fact that the investment was low. Disc golf was approximately $15,000 and archery was $60,000 - $70,000. One fact that is appealing to staff is that these areas are mobile. If the Town Council determines a different plan for the park, those courses can be relocated. These groups have been informed that these activities could be moved at any time. All groups had stated that they may bring dollars to the table. 6. NARANJA PARK OPTIONS - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION Ms. Legner stated that this item is on the October 20, 2010 Town Council agenda. This item was put on the agenda earlier in the calendar year when we had a different Town Council directing staff to share ways to use the $250,000 donated by Wal-mart for the use of Naranja Park. Staff met with the Town Council and brought ideas back to this board and the board recommended not to spend money on small items and instead spend the money on one big item. Council directed Ms. Legner to come back with low maintenance cost options. She will share the board's recommendation with the Town Council and she will echo the issue of the master plan. A vegetative buffer is the lowest cost recommendation for the east side of park on the ridge which overlooks back yards. It would cost $15,000 to vegetate and irrigate on a temporary meter for two years. Oro Valley resident Robert Schumann recommended a shade structure at the park. The involvement of Town of Oro Valley in construction of the flying field has been $320 for 40 fence posts and the Sonoran Desert Flyers installed the fence. Also it would be nice to have a toilet closer. Oro Valley resident Bill Adler stated that $250,000 buys very little. This board needs to look at the Naranja Park in its totality and promote all or part of the features proposed or develop a plan with environmental sensitivity and responsiveness. It is not good to piece meal this issue. 4 10/19/10 Minutes, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Oro Valley resident Kevin Houser indicated that the Sonoran Desert Flyers would be interested in shade, even a temporary shade in a disturbed area. 7. DISC GOLF - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION Ms. Legner stated that this board supported this item at the last meeting. Chair Done opened Item 6 for an additional speaker from the audience. 6. NARANJA PARK OPTIONS - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION Nonresident TonyWilson commented that we have heard about the Master Plan for the Naranja Park which originally had a community hall and a sports facilities but that plan was rejected by voters. 7. DISC GOLF - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION Oro Valley resident Robert Schumann commented that there was nothing happening at the Naranja Park and whether we are in or out of the Master Plan, pp g nflyers enjoying ow there are 66 the park who would not have enjoyed it before. The other uses would increase the number of people enjoying the area. More than one use on the same space does not work, so we need to get all groups to mesh but he feels that they can all share the site. Oro Valleyresident Kevin Houser stated that he is in favor of archery and disc golf and theywould like to make it work. The disc golf equipment did not appear to be too expensive. Chair Done thanked the audience for attending and sharing their thoughts. Ms. Legnerexplained that the area Mr. Paulow is interested in for disc golf is the area flying south of the fl in field and partially on the west side of the entry road. It Id start in the main parkinglot and go south near the road with three holes would and continue across the road. Mr. Paulow had expressed that he would not mind staying off of the west side of the road. Member Chatterton asked what was slated on the Master Plan for that space. Legner responded that in general it would be the amphitheatre where the big Ms. p trees are with a skate park, bmx, dog park and basketball courts to the south. 8. ORO VALLEY MUNICIPAL POOL HOURS OF OPERATION - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION Ms. Legner stated that this year, Town Council had requested a budget cut from g aquatics by5%. The previous year, staff had already cut all of the q O&M costs so this year the only place left to cut was in staffing for fall, significant winter and spring. The savings for this cut was approximately $45,000. Due to the reduced staffinghours, the pool has been closed five hours per day from 5 10/19/10 Minutes, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Monday - Friday. Staff received 41 complaints from the public. In response, staff formed a pool users working group to include stake holders which meets monthly. Staff also utilized a team called the "solutions squad" made of eight staff members not associated with Parks and Recreation to brainstorm. Based on the input, six strategies were made which totals approximately $20,000 in savings and/or new revenue. That savings will add two hours a day for five days a week. Ms. Legner will offer this plan to the Town Council at the meeting on October 20, 2010. The savings is primarily from internal procedural changes. The new plan is to drop three hours in the middle of the day, instead of five hours to avoid a split shift for staff. The added two hours would go to the end of the shift. Member Myerson asked about the nature of the complaints. Ms. Legner responded that it was primarily because public hours were cut and not swim team hours due to revenue and the number of bodies using the pool at one time. In fall, we have obligations with the Amphitheatre School District swim teams and physical education classes as well as the Pusch Ridge Christian Academyswim team. The proposal is for public hours of 6:00 - 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. MOTION: A motion was made by Member Myerson and seconded by Member Chatterton to approve the proposed schedule to be forwarded to the Town Council on October 20, 2010. MOTION carried, 6-0. Member Scheuring requested that Item 10 precede Item 9. 10. UNIFORM APPROACH AND ENTERANCE SIGNS AT ORO VALLEY PARKS BY JOHN SCHEURING - DISCUSSION Member Scheuring distributed copies of his presentation. He explained that Oro Valley parks are accessed from increasingly busy streets. Approach signs do the following: Announce the turn off to a park and raises the awareness of the park. - Signal to drivers of a potential slowing of vehicles ahead. - Demarcate the turnoff from a busy street. The entrance sign is the sign a person sees once they have turned off the street and are entering the park. An entrance sign announces the entrance into the park, park hours and provides information about the park. He discussed approach signs: - There is one excellent example of approach and entrance signs at West Lambert Lane park and yellow reflective signs. - There are no approach signs at Naranja Park which may be a hazard and there are no reflective signs. - Travelers along Calle Concordia may not notice James D. Kriegh Park. 6 10/19/10 Minutes, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board He discussed entrance signs: - James D. Kriegh Park and Naranja Park have great entrance signs. - Naranja Park and West Lambert Lane have a sign listing park hours but James D. Kriegh does not. He discussed entrance park information signs: -There is an example in the West Lambert Lane park of a welcome sign which park has a mapof the and it could show amenities of each park. Each park has special features that should be shared. - The parking NaranjaPark lot has a sign which says "Ventana" and shows an out of date plan. - The entrance of James D. Kriegh has a sign of rules and a posted sign of current activities but no information about the park. Member Scheuring made the following recommendations: - Upgrade the approach and entrance signs to the quality that we have existing. - Forpublic safetysake, give priority to the approach signs to Naranja Park. - Form an ADHOC task force to define the objectives, funding, priorities and execution of the project. Member Scheuring indicated that Riverfront Park has several entrances and we should target the parks with one central entrance first. Ms. Legner stated that staff is happy to accommodate an ADHOC committee as long as there are no more than three board members. Lyra requested that Member Scheuringchair the ADHOC task force. Member Roberts and Member Myerson expressed interest in joining. Member Scheuring suggested that Nancy p Ellis be involved. 9. ADDITIONAL INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE AT ORO VALLEY PARKS BY JOHN SCHEURING - DISCUSSION Member Scheuringstated that this effort started last year. He commented that the Town should invest nature interpretation in our parks for education purposes. Theycan be used for school tours, native Oro Valley residents or newcomers and it enriches and differentiates Town parks from other parks. He stated thatp ark and trail maps need interpreting. The Town needs to draw attention to the features which make each park unique such as identifying key plantsidentifying and birds and identif in the Pusch Ridge peaks. The target parks for the 2009 accomplishments include West Lambert Lane Park, CDO Linear Park and James D. Kriegh Park. At West Lambert Lane we targeted self guided walks. twopark tours each month during the winter months last year and There were . continue this year. There were two large panel interpretive signs and 18 they will nature identification signs. CDO Linear Park has joggers and walkers and the signs would catch their attention. There are four large CDO Wash related panels with information and seven nature identification signs. 7 10/19/10 Minutes, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board James D. Kriegh has a desert loop which is adapted for public tours and there are 20 nature signs on that loop. He proposed that it have more signs. On a recent tour of the parks, the board agreed that the idea of an entrance sign g should be a franchise. He proposed panel signs for James D. Kriegh Park and g Naranja Park, to redo the large sign at Naranja Park, add two more interpretive signs at West Lambert Lane and eight additional small identification signs. The cost would be $800 for each large sign and $40 for each small sign. It would be approximately $1,300 for graphic design services. The total would be $5,000 - $5,500. He proposed this amount be taken from the in lieu fee funds. Our costs are 1/6 of that of an outside vendor. Member Scheuring suggested that the project team include himself and four Tohono Chul docents, Nancy Ellis and James Gardner. Member Boelts stated that it is important to brand the parks as Oro Valleyparks is and that signage consistent. MOTION: A motion was made by Member Myerson and seconded by Member Boelts to proceed with the signs outlined by Member Scheuring to include the two nature of our parks signs, additional panel signs and additional small identification signs and to request that $5,500 come out of the in lieu fee budget. MOTION: A motion was made by Member Myerson and seconded byMember Boelts to amend the motion to include the word "estimated cost" of$5,500. MOTION carried, 6-0. 11. REPORTING PARK ISSUES BY KAREN CHATTERTON- DISCUSSION Member Chatterton discussed a modern process for reporting park problems. She explained that the public could send a text message to the Police Department when they see issues in the park. She stated that there is currently an issue with dogs off leash at the parks and other unlawful activities. It is difficult to enforce park rules so she asked the board to brainstorm about this issue. Staff will arrange for a meeting prior to next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting to include Member Scheuring, Member Chatterton, Chair Done, Ms. Legner and Chief Sharp. 12. ELECTION OF PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD VICE CHAIR - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION MOTION: A motion was made by Member Scheuring to appoint Susannah Myerson as the Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Motion passed by proclamation. 8 10/19/10 Minutes, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board MOTION carried, 6-0. 13. BOARD AND COMMISSION LIAISON REPORTS a. CHAIR DONE - FINANCE AND BOND COMMITTEE The Finance and Bond Committee has not met. b. TOWN COUNCIL Member Boelts offered to report on the Town Council meetings. c. SUSANNAH MYERSON - PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION No report. d. GREG ROBERTS - HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION No report. e. KAREN CHATTERTON - DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD No report. 14. UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETINGS - DISCUSSION No report. 15. PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT Ms. Legner and Parks Manager James Gardner will be out of the office attending National Recreation and Park Association training next week. 16. PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR REPORT No report. 17. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Archery Disc Golf 18. SCHEDULING NEXT PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2010 - DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 9 10/19/10 Minutes, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board No discussion. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: A motion was made by Member Chatterton and seconded by Member Roberts to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m. Prepared by: c-Lt, Danielle Tanner Senior Office Specialist 10