The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - Parks and Recreation Advisory Board - 2/21/2023MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR SESSION February 21, 2023 ORO VALLEY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 11000 N. LA CAÑADA DRIVE REGULAR SESSION AT OR AFTER 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER Casey Wilson called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Cheryl Horvath, Member Joanne Moothart, Member Antonia Landau, Member Philip Saletta, Member Emily Veres, Member Matthew Wood, Chair Gary Temple, Vice Chair Staff Present:Joyce Jone-Ivey, Council Liaison Joe Andrews , Deputy Town Attorney Kristy Diaz-Tahan, Parks and Recreation Director Casey Wilson, Recording Secretary Attendees: George Radnovich, Sites with Southwest COUNCIL LIAISON COMMENTS Ms. Joyce Jones-Ivey welcomed the new and returning board members. She briefed the board on recent council updates. She reported that Project Graduation needs volunteers. REGULAR SESSION AGENDA 1.INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS Ms. Diaz-Trahan welcomed Gary Temple and Phillip Saletta back to the board and new member Emily Veres. They each introduced themselves. At this time Agenda Items 5 and 6 were moved up to accommodate the lack of Chair and Vice Chair. 2.REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE MAY 17, 2022 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES, AUGUST 16, 2022 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES, AND NOVEMBER 15, 2022 SPECIAL SESSION MEETING MINUTES. 2/21/23 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board 1 Motion by Vice Chair Gary Temple, seconded by Member Joanne Moothart to elect Matthew Wood Chair Vote: 7 - 0 Carried 3.VISTOSO TRAILS NATURE PRESERVE, MASTER PLAN FIRST DRAFT, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION Mrs. Kristy Diaz-Trahan introduced George Radnovich, an owner of Sites Southwest who provided an update and a progress report. The theme as part of this master plan’s goals incorporates “keep it simple & natural”. He provided several slides of options and next steps. Phil Zielinski, an Oro Valley resident offered his opinion of the nature preserve. He would like to see access points that don’t require parking. He noted that Worldmark property might adjoin the preserve easily. He was in favor of dark skies. Patricia Sturman, an Oro Valley resident, a member of the board of Preserve Vistoso, was concerned how the priorities of the master plan are determined. Marcia Seiben, an Oro Valley resident, wasn’t aware of the community engagement efforts and objects to the number of trails. Ned Hammond, an Oro Valley resident, was concerned about fires. He was in favor of appropriate resting places along the paths. He also wants to help in any way he can. He is in favor of natural open space. Joe Plsconski , an Oro Valley resident commented on the documents that are posted to the website. He is not in favor of extra paths. He is in favor of simple and natural. He objects that his back yard may end up backing up to a new path. Dick Surowiec, an Oro Valley resident thanked the board for volunteering. He is in support of a water feature. He felt the designs as offered were too grandiose. He also does not care for the versions of the ponds being split up. He would like to see a traffic study prior to parking lot placement. He wants to be sure that motor vehicles do not have access to the preserve. Chuck Davis, an Oro Valley resident is concerned about security of the area and asked to be sure the police department has input. Vistoso Highlands is an issue with traffic, he is not in favor of a parking lot and offered other areas for consideration. Richard Cerri, an Oro Valley resident, does not agree with parking lot and drop off locations on Vistoso Highlands as the care of wildlife for an area that is already too heavily travelled. He offered alternatives. Gail Cerri? Siri, an Oro Valley resident, would like to know how comments were incorporated into the plan. William Thomas, an Oro Valley resident, would like the trails reconsidered. He is in favor of one large water feature. Laura Smith, an Oro Valley resident, is concerned about dirt bikes, go carts and golf cars on the preserve and how this will be policed in the future. Marlene Skibbe, an Oro Valley resident, wants to preserve the land. Adding more paths disturbs the birds and wildlife, creates places for more litter, and impacts security and privacy. John Davis, an Oro Valley Resident, is concerned about security of his gated community and access points to the preserve. Millie Leirman, an Oro Valley resident, is thankful for what has been done, is interested in the Friends group, and concerned about re-vegetation and offered comments on how this can take place. She suggested a community garden on the property. The Board then discussed the topic. Mr. Temple had questions about the pond and financing. Mr. Wood noted that people are in favor of the pond, he is aware of the dirt bikes as well. Mr. Saletta said that the priority should be with invasive species as native species attracts wildlife. He noted the Sweetwater area of the Santa Cruz River is a beautiful amenity for wildlife. Ms. Landau was concerned about how the nighttime sky programs would be promoted. Ms. Veres is concerned about safety and policing of the area for mishaps mid-trail. She is in favor of the reflection points and seating; she is also concerned about parking and access points. Ms. Diaz-Trahan and Mr. Radnovich answered or clarified each of the questions or comments and asked for additional clarification and direction from the Board. There was a short break from 8:15 until 8:19. 4.PROGRESS UPDATE, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION REGARDING THE ORO VALLEY $25 2/21/23 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board 2 4.PROGRESS UPDATE, PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION REGARDING THE ORO VALLEY $25 MILLION PARK BOND PROJECT APPROVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL, RESOLUTION NO. (R)21-47 ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 Mrs. Kristy Diaz Trahan provided an update on the park bond project. There were questions asked and answered. 5.ELECTION OF PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR Motion by Vice Chair Gary Temple, seconded by Member Joanne Moothart to elect Matthew Wood as Chair. Vote: 7 - 0 Carried 6.ELECTION OF PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD VICE CHAIR Motion by Member Joanne Moothart, seconded by Vice Chair Gary Temple to elect Gary Temple as Vice Chair Vote: 7 - 0 Carried DIRECTOR'S REPORT Hot Coco 5K was a successful start to 2023 there were over 300 participants Arizona heroes memorial grounding breaking is on Tuesday February 28 at 11 a.m Move across 2 ranges on February 25, 2023 is sold out and volunteers are needed Steam Pump Ranch concert series is starting back on April 8th, 2023 Eggstravaganza at James D. Kreigh park will be held on April 1st, 2023 Celebrate Oro Valley will be held at Steam Pump Ranch on April 8th, 2023 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS No future agenda items were discussed. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Member Philip Saletta, seconded by Member Antonia Landau Vote: 7 - 0 Carried I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular session of the Town of Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Board of Oro Valley, Arizona held on the 21st day of February, 2023. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present. Dated this 21st day of February 2023. ___________________________ Casey Wilson Senior Office Specialist 2/21/23 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board 3 2/21/23 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board 4