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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks and Recreation Advisory Board - 4/3/2008 MINUTES ORO VALLEY PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD (PRAB) STUDY SESSION DEVELOPMENT SERVICES BUILDING HOPI CONFERENCE ROOM 11000 N. LA CANADA DRIVE ORO VALLEY, ARIZONA 85737 THURSDAY, APRIL 3,2008 STUDY SESSION CALL TO ORDER: 5:46 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Dennis Ottley, Chair Margot Hurst, Board Member Susannah Myerson, Board Member Greg Roberts, Board Member EXCUSED: Lyra Done, Vice-Chair Bob Delaney, Board Member Robert Evans, Board Member STAFF PRESENT: Ainsley Reeder, Parks and Recreation Director Mary Davis, Communications Administrator 1. NARANJA TOWN SITE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN Mary Davis, Town Communications Administrator, is spearheading the Naranja Town Site education campaign. She attended this meeting to inform PRAB of the efforts being coordinated through her office and to provide talking points regarding Naranja Town Site. Ms. Davis stated that after the Town Council approved the bond question on March 5th, Gordley Design was contacted to create the education campaign. The educational tools include the Town's website and an independent website which will be launched next week. The independent site, www.naranjatownsite.com, will have new maps and will speak specifically to this bond question at this phase of the project. It will include the history of the development of the Master Plan. Ms. Davis distributed a list of preliminary"Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ's). An advertising campaign has begun to build awareness and to help the public get more information. Ms. Davis spoke with the Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee today. The first community open house will be held on April 22nd at Wilson Elementary School from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. She hopes to visit the other schools in the community because it is convenient for the parents. 4/3/08 Minutes,Parks&Recreation Advisory Board The timeframe is challenging and they hope to contact as many people as possible into June and then send more emails and focus on the advertising campaign. Speaking arrangements will resume in August through October. On May 14th they are scheduled to speak with Sun City. They hope to attend a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce before summer break begins. The Town Manager sent out approximately 100 letters to key stakeholder groups, HOAs, rotary clubs, and the larger businesses in the Town with information on the educational campaign. Ms. Davis explained that the advertisement highlights the following: • The message • The strategy • Definition of what the plan includes • Definition of what the $48.6M encompasses • The break down of the $48.6M to the secondary property tax • The meaning of the secondary property tax Ms. Davis gave an overview of the issues discussed in the education campaign: • The history of the Master Plan • The process • The development of the plan • Items included in the full plan • Aspects included in this phase if the bond is passed • Ways it may be funded • Reasons the full park was not funded • A timeline • Dust, noise, and the dark sky ordinance • Reasons to develop the park • The possibility of changes to the park • Natural resources • Traffic considerations • Availability of more information • Ways for the public to sign up for speaking engagements The visuals include a plan which ghosts out the buildings that are not included. Another visual element that will be added and will be on the website is action sketches to show people playing in the different areas of the park. The letter which was mailed out by the Town Manager's Department includes a list of everything included broken down into the infrastructure elements, traffic elements, outdoor playground areas, etc. Member Myerson suggested quantifying the different areas of the park. Ms. Davis explained that all information explained in the education campaign is very neutral and there is no present or definitive because it is important to only discuss the facts of the park. The link from the Town's website to the Naranja Town Site website will be a seamless transition. The Naranja Town Site information will be hosted on a separate website, maintained separately, and updated by the consultant because the information will change often. 2 4/3/08 Minutes,Parks&Recreation Advisory Board The media plan began with the Explorer advertisement published on April 2nd. There will be a new advertisement next week which will announce the public meeting open house. Comcast has donated public service announcements which begin in June and will run until the election. The Board discussed the following: • This information could be included in the Citizen's Planning Institute. • The Town Manager's Department is drafting a second letter to be distributed to the commercial property owners with information on the educational campaign. • There is an O&M figure but revenue streams will change in the future. • A question to add to the FAQs is, "Will the Naranja Town Site be available for use prior to construction?" • The Master Plan states that it includes a performing arts center and a community center with classrooms. The words, "and other recreational facilities" should be added to that statement so that people know that there are areas other than classrooms. Ms. Davis informed the Board that they may contact her with suggestions at any time. She encouraged the group to contact her with any interest in scheduling an educational speaking engagement. The board discussed the possibility of changing the name. Ms. Davis stated that it would take a new branding initiative to change the name. It may be a question to add to the FAQ list. Chair Ottley thanked Ms. Davis for her time. ADJOURNMENT Being that there was no further business before the Board; Chair Ottley adjourned the study session at 6:17 p.m. with no objections. REGULAR SESSION CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Dennis Ottley, Chair Lyra Done, Vice-Chair (Arrived at 6:43 p.m.) Margot Hurst, Board Member Susannah Myerson, Board Member Greg Roberts, Board Member EXCUSED: Robert Evans, Board Member Bob DeLaney, Board Member STAFF PRESENT: Ainsley Reeder, Parks and Recreation Director 1. APPROVAL OF MARCH 11,2008 REGULAR SESSION MINUTES MOTION: Member Hurst MOVED to approve the minutes from the March 11th regular session as amended. Member Myerson SECONDED the motion. Motion passed, 4-0. 3 4/3/08 Minutes,Parks&Recreation Advisory Board CALL TO AUDIENCE: Opened No speakers. CALL TO AUDIENCE: Closed 2. PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD LIAISON COUNCIL MEMBER REPORT Council Member Parish was unable to attend this meeting. 3. UPCOMING MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS • Next PRAB meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Hopi Room • Budget Hearings for Departments with the Town Council are scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. • Office will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 26, 2008 • Open House at Wilson School on April 22, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. 4. REMOTE CONTROL MODEL AIRPLANES — DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION CALL TO AUDIENCE: Opened Oro Valley resident, Mr. Robert J. Schumann, discussed the need for a local venue to fly electric powered model airplanes. The Naranja Town Site would be a perfect, low cost venue if a street sweeper was taken along the roads. Their controlling group, the Academy of Model Aeronomics (AMA) has prepared a book about park flying which focuses on getting dual use out of space. The City of Chandler has modified their codes to allow model airplane flying in one of their parks and the Town of Oro Valley could do the same. Oro Valley resident, Mr. Bill Adler, discussed the possible option of using the West Lambert Lane Park as a location for flying remote control model airplanes. He expressed concern with risk and liability. West Lambert Lane is infrequently used. There is a master plan for West Lambert Lane but it may take time to be approved. If the flying group wants to pay for the costs of clearing out the area it may be a good option. CALL TO AUDIENCE: Closed Ms. Reeder stated that PRAB received information when this topic was brought up in the past. Everyone on PRAB agreed at that time that it was a valuable recreational activity. The Board struggled with colocation of the activity in the already very active parks. There was discussion on Naranja Town Site, but the Board did not conclude with a good permanent solution. She was asked to bring this issue back to PRAB to look at it again and see if the Board would like to provide a recommendation on whether to change the ordinance to allow radio controlled flying in designated areas, and if so, to recommend or not recommend Naranja Town Site as a location to do that between now and the time that the property goes under construction. 4 4/3/08 Minutes,Parks&Recreation Advisory Board Ms. Reeder reviewed several municipalities and organizations which the Town has researched: The City of Florence—Opened a single use area for radio control airplane flying a month and a half ago built on an 80 acre parcel of BLM land. Approximately 5-10 acres are used for the radio control flyers. Florence has an agreement with the AMA. The cost was approximately $100K to develop the area. They received an $80K contribution from a private source. New Jersey Summerset County facility—They have had model airplane flying for 15 years. It is a dedicated area for single use. It is nestled in a bigger park and they allow an annual permit to fly for AMA only. The City of Chandler—They have an ADOT retention basin, 20 acres and 15 feet deep and half of it was cordoned off as a single use area for the radio controlled flyers. At the top they have some walkers and at the end there is a softball field. The area is underutilized. There are no restrooms or paved areas. You do not have to be a member of AMA. The City of Tucson—They have one park with a dedicated single use area for model airplane flying at Christopher Columbus Park. Town of Sahuarita—Does not allow model airplane flying because all of their parks are too active and they do not have an area for single use dedication. Town of Marana—Has not opened up for radio controlled flyers because they do not have an area that they wish to dedicate for single use activity. Pima County—The County was excited to hear that there was interest because $1.5M survived the Pima County bond and they are hoping to add a number of these sites around the County with that funding source. Ms. Reeder stated that we have collected a lot of data and an ordinance could be written to allow the activity if it is the pleasure of the Town. The issue will go to Council this summer to see if they have an interest in changing the ordinance to allow it in specified areas and whether or not Naranja Town Site is an appropriate location. West Lambert Lane is used every day and is a 40 acre natural rolling hills native vegetation park. The far eastern side is in the wash and is approximately 10 acres of the land which is master planned for active recreation. The Board discussed the following: • Several members stated that they would like to accommodate the group. • There was concern over if Naranja Town Site is the proper venue. • They group discussed exploring the West Lambert Lane site as an option. • The liability issue was discussed. Ms. Reeder stated that generally speaking we would like to provide a dedicated space for the model airplanes. They can not be colocated with other activities. There could be liability issues and signage would need to be posted. Ms. Reeder suggested meeting with the club and exploring 5 4/3/08 Minutes,Parks&Recreation Advisory Board that area to see if the topography and vegetation would meet the group's needs. The Board plans to meet next month and make a motion on this issue. 5. ADOPT A TRAIL CLEAN UP DATE—DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION The Board agreed to perform clean up at CDO Access Wash on Loma Linda on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 7:00 a.m. The Board will meet at 680 W. Calle Concordia. 6. CONSIDER SELLING OR SERVING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON TOWN PARK PROPERTIES—DISCUSSION At the Town Council Study Session on March 26th, PRAB asked for Council direction. The Council requested that PRAB answer all of the questions included in the letter that the Board sent to them and return to the Council with the answers. Chair Ottley asked the Board to please review the letter prior to the next meeting. The Board discussed inviting Chief Sharp to the meeting next month to discuss alcohol in the parks along with other issues such as special events. 7. STEAM PUMP RANCH MASTER PLANNING PROCESS—DISCUSSION Member Hurst reviewed the Master Plan Committee's recommendations on March 5, 2008: • Motion regarding the Pima County Bond wording. It was designed for rehabilitation and not reconstruction. There is approximately $300K left in the Bond and possible additional funding from the Heritage Fund. Linda Mayro, Pima County Cultural Resources Officer, will submit a memo to the Council identifying the wording and they will work on a rehab plan in sequence. If there are needs which are not covered by current funds, they may ask the Council for additional funding. • Motion regarding the offices onsite. They have decided to keep the offices more general. • Motion was made to approve Phase I of the Master Plan with the following corrections: o To send the OVWU well site to Phase II as a potential use, but not a definite use o To change the programmatic element on Building #5 from"snacks and drinks"to "food service"to be more general o Add the pad behind the bunk house to the map as a potential activity area • Motion to approve the Build Out Phase of the Master Plan with the following corrections: o Potential Equestrian Center o Potential Multi-purpose Center o Potential OVWU Well Site o Potential New Caretaker's Residence Member Hurst reviewed the Master Plan Committee's recommendations on March 20, 2008: • Motion to move the chicken coops to the build out phase of the master plan as a potential use with further analysis of the costs, economic benefits, historical relevance, educational benefit, and other similar factors • Motion for Oro Valley to explore discussion with the current caretaker to stay on and continue as caretaker of Steam Pump Ranch • Motion to realign the pedestrian connection with Steam Pump Village • Motion that once all safety, liability, and presentably issues have been satisfied, limited access to the grounds should be made available for limited educational public tours and 6 4/3/08 Minutes, Parks&Recreation Advisory Board community events with interpretive signage placed around the site and buildings. The first year would cost approximately $300K and then the limited access would come after some interpretive elements are in place. $300K exists in a bond and there is a possible $150K available in Heritage Funds. The $450K would start the rehabilitation but would not cover the infrastructure that needs to be installed. $5M would complete Phase I. • Motion that the Town of Oro Valley is responsible as the owner, and for the management of the Park. If the Historical Society or Friends of Steam Pump Ranch can get involved, they can support the Town in many ways. Member Hurst reviewed the Committee's major recommendations on March 27, 2008: • Motion to label the empty pad at Steam Pump Village as a"potential office building". • Motion to develop a professional interpretive plan for the site. Ms. Reeder added that staff has been working with the Chief of Police to make sure that the site is secure. 8. STATUS REPORT ON THE NARANJA TOWN SITE DEVELOPMENT— DISCUSSION No report. 9. REVIEW OF BOARD MEMBER TENURE DATES—DISCUS'SION Ms. Reeder reported that she has received notification from Lyra Done and Robert DeLaney of their intent to reapply. Greg Robert's tenure date will be amended in a correction package to the Town Council. Staff is working with the Town Clerk's Department to ensure that the two vacancies will be advertised. 10. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS Vice-Chair Done discussed the last Finance and Bond Committee meeting. Member Hurst stated that the Historic Preservation Commission will be meeting on April 14th to begin addressing the Steam Pump Ranch issue which may be carried forward to April 21st . 11. PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR'S REPORT • Ms. Reeder reported that we are putting the final touches on the James D. Kriegh irrigation project. It has been a good contractor and a good contract. • Last weekend we had opening ceremonies for baseball and softball. • The Parks and Recreation Department is working well with the leagues that use the fields at both parks. • Staff have been working on Steam Pump Ranch and Naranja Town Site issues • Last night at the Town Council meeting, Parks and Recreation had one item on consent agenda which was the Heritage Fund item and it passed, but the amount of money in the Heritage Fund may be decreased. The item was a past capital improvement project for 7 4/3/08 Minutes,Parks&Recreation Advisory Board approximately $27K from Heritage Fund and $27K from Recreation in lieu fees to go towards building a new dog park at CDO Riverfront Park. 12. PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR REPORT Chair Ottley stated that they will contact Sarah More regarding the revision in the recreation code for acreage allocated for parks development. Chair Ottley reminded the Board to take the opportunity to educate HOAs or other groups on the bond issue. 13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS (The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board may bring forth general topics for future meeting agendas. The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board may not discuss, deliberate or take any action on the topics presented pursuant to ARS 38-431.02H). • Remote control model airplanes • Recreation code 14. SCHEDULING NEXT PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING The next PRAB regular session is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Development Services Building, Hopi Conference room. 15. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Member Hurst MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 p.m. Member Myerson SECONDED the motion. Motion passed, 5-0. Prepared by: - , ------\04_, Danielle Tanner Senior Office Specialist 8