HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSAC.2022.1212.MinutesTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DECEMBER 12, 2022
1. CALL TO ORDER at 4:30 PM
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Natalie Varela; Commissioner Stephen Barnes; Commissioner Ron Ruppert;
Commissioner Rory Wilson; Youth Commissioner Sruti Peddi
Absent: Vice Chairman Carey Reddick, Jr.; Commissioner Craig Rudolphy
Staff Community Services Director/Deputy Town Manager Rachael Goodwin; Executive
Present: Assistant Patti Lopuszanski
3. CALL TO THE PUBLIC - NONE
Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.01(H), public comment is permitted (not required) on matters NOT
listed on the agenda. Any such comment (i) must be within the jurisdiction of the Commission, and
(ii) is subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. The Commission will not discuss or
take legal action on matters raised during Call to the Public unless the matters are properly noticed
for discussion and legal action. At the conclusion of the Call to the Public, individual commissioners
may (i) respond to criticism, (ii) ask staff to review a matter, or Mask that the matter be placed on
a future Commission agenda.
4. CONSIDERATION & POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of October 24, 2022 Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes from the October 24, 2022 CSAC meeting were tabled due to missing from the
agenda packet for commissioners to review.
5. UPDATE: Sidewalk Infll Project
Ms. Goodwin informed the commissioners that there was a sidewalk infill project going on for the
whole town and currently the priority areas identified on the map were being addressed first to
provide better accessibility and connectivity to parks. The area from Big 0 Tires to Tower Drive
which is the access to the crosswalk will have a sidewalk created right now with completion within
the week. A section of sidewalk will provide safe walkability for an entire pathway from Shea
Boulevard to Tower Drive to essentially Desert Vista Park on the East side of Saguero. The next
section being looked at is along Palisades connecting some of the shopping and commercial
areas.
Chair Varela asked when the area on Saguero near the Sanitary District by Pepperwood that
leads to Fountain Park would be on the infill timeline as that was an area residents were walking in
the street and those with disabilities used to get to local shopping. Ms. Goodwin shared she would
look to see where that area was on the plan.
6. UPDATE: Community Center Mold Issue
Ms. Goodwin updated the commissioners on the progress of the first round of mold mitigation at
the Community Center that was completed in November during the weekend of the fair and the
delay to open the following Monday and Tuesday due to not passing the inspection. It was
necessary to cut out dry wall all around the perimeter of the lobby and complete the mitigation
process for the removal of the mold.
An additional area had been identified in the hallway area near the men's bathroom across from
the ballrooms caused by a roof leak that is scheduled to be repaired between the holidays at the
end of December.
7. UPDATE: Town of Fountain Hills Dementia Friendly Designation
Earlier this fall Fountain Hills Cares held a meeting on the topic of dementia at which time it was
determined that this initiative was an important topic for the many people who live with dementia
and their caregivers. The Town's Vice Mayer McMahon wanted to bring further awareness to this
issue and create a task force to help move forward for the Town of Fountain Hills to become the
lothe Dementia Friendly Community in the Slate of Arizona.
The need to bring awareness and resources to community members, businesses, police and fire
departments and how to help those in crisis during an emergency event are some of the topics
being addressed. Chair Varela asked if it would be possible to set up a time to visit Oakwood, an
adult daycare in Mesa for those with dementia to see what that looks like and identify how a facility
like that could be brought to Fountain Hills if there was space. Ms. Goodwin shared she would
look into their hours and if a group tour could be arranged.
8. UPDATE: Scheduling Onsite Visit - Golden Eagle Park
A tour of Golden Eagle Park was of interest to all commissioners and Commissioner Rupport will
be coordinating the future scheduling by working out a date and time that works for everyone to
attend. Ms. Goodwin will coordinate with Kevin Snipes, Parks Superintendent to participate if
there are specific questions related to the park and facilities that commissioners want to learn
more about. Commissioner Rupport acknowledged that this park is a moneymaker would like to
hear more about future renovations. Commissioner Wilson asked if the history of the water issues
that have occurred at Goldend Eagle could be addressed during that tour.
9. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Future Agenda Items
Chair Varela requested that the moving of the community garden and the dark sky observatory be
added as a future agenda item and further update on the Community Center mold issue. Youth
Commissioner Peddi asked for updates on the skatepark project, which Ms. Goodwin did share
was approved by the Town Council and work would begin in late January to be completed by the
end of June. Youth Commissioner Peddi also asked if the teen takeover could be discussed at the
next CSAC meeting to gain support. Commissioner Wilson asked about benches at Four Peaks
and Golden Eagle for parents to watch their kids and for the elderly. It was requested to have the
David Pock, Finance Director attend a future CSAC meeting to explain the different buckets the
town has for different projects.
10. UPDATE: Special Events
Ms. Goodwin reviewed the fall/winter events that had occurred since the last CSAC meeting.
Turkey Trot had over 2400 runners this year, which broke last year's record. Commissioner
Rupport attended the Touch a Truck/Day of Play and shared that this event is perfect for young
and old He also attended the last week of Concerts on the Avenue and shared that it was well
attended. Seasons of Celebration as well as Noon Years Eve will be ending out the year of
events. Commissioner Wilson commented on the success of the Sensitive Santa event that was
geared for kids on the spectrum or sensory issues that provided a quieter setting with lower level
lighting and less stimulation.
Ms. Goodwin reminded the commissioners of the spring events to look forward to:
Eggstravaganza, Irish Fest and Music Fest.
UPDATE: Volunteer Opportunities
The EXPO to be held at the end of January that allows community groups to come in and talk
about the things they do and will be in need of volunteers. Spring events will be in need of
volunteers for the following: Eggstravaganza, Irish Fest and Music Fest.
12. ADJOURNMENT at 5:28 pm
MOVED BY Commissioner Ron Ruppert, SECONDED BY Commissioner Rory Wilson
Vote: 5 - 0 - Unanimously
ST AND PREPARED BY:
•atti Lopuszans
Exicdfive Assistant
COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
Natalie Varela, Chair
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting held by
the Fountain Hills Community Services Advisory Commission in the Town Hall Council Chambers on the 12th day
of December 2022. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.
DATED this 23rd day of January, 2023.
Patti puu ii5ki„ cutive Assistant