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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMMPC.2017.1128.Minutes ‘41110- rvAIN 4. ,c4° . ��, TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ° MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION .r ' NOVEMBER 28,2017 Oat is 01. AGENDA ITEM#1: CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A public meeting of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission was convened and called to order by Chair Bill Myers at 4:59 p.m., Tuesday, November 28, 2017 in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, located at 16705 East Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, Arizona. AGENDA ITEM#2: ROLL CALL Present at roll call were Chair Bill Myers, Vice-Chair Barberic, Commissioners Bill Craig, Stan Ruden, Ken Thornton and Klaus Schadle. Absent at roll call was Commissioner Tom Aiello. Staff members present were Community Services Advisory Director Rachael Goodwin and Executive Assistant Jennifer Lyons. Commissioner Sharron Grzybowski from the Community Services Advisory Commission was also in attendance. to, AGENDA ITEM#3: CALL TO THE PUBLIC No one from the public wished to speak. Commissioner Aiello arrived at 5:20 p.m. AGENDA ITEM#4: UPDATE ON THE 2017 MMPC OBJECTIVES • "Lower Sonoran Trail" signs — A formal written request needs to be filled out and submitted to Director Goodwin to go through the approval process to the Developmental Services Director who signs off on and then the task will make its way to Kenny (Town GIS Technician/CAD Operator). The priority is to have one sign on each end of the trail and along the crossovers. • "No Trespassing" signs for the Trailhead have already been ordered by the contractor and they should be put up by the end of the week. We have given the contractor a map to put up signs for the other trails, such as the "Andrews-Kinsey". As we go along we will add more signs if we find any problem areas. • The easement swap in connection with the "Lake Overlook Trail" has not yet gone to Council because the HOA requested a delay. There was also a delay in granting them (HOA) complete access to their roads as this is all one process. • Assistant Fire Chief Jason Payne has provided three potential dates in December, the 11 th, 12th or 13th for testing 911. Once that is done the only thing that remains outstanding is the carryover with the Conservancy, by sending some of the members out to try and make a call when they are in a gully or a canyon. If they can reach someone then 911 can be reached as it is a stronger signal. We won't be able to identify any dead spots until someone actually goes out and tries to kay make calls from some of these places. McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 1 of 4 G.•Commission MMPCIAgenda&Minutes lMinutes1201 711128 1 7 • Five Layers of Protection will be addressed with the Finance Director the week of December 10th • Quarterly updates to Council: Director Goodwin explained that the Town Manager's directive is that the updates should be every six months and it's not a quarterly request. The indicator now is for a March timeline right now. Commissioner Schadle expressed that March would be close to the time the Commission has a Joint Meeting with Council, so that would kind of defeat the purpose of the exercise. Director Goodwin replied that this procedure is consistent with what other groups and Commissions do with Council. AGENDA ITEM #5: UPDATE ON THE 2018 MMPC OBJECTIVES A handout of the proposed 2018 Objectives was handed out for the Commissioners to review and a copy is attached to the minutes. AGENDA ITEM #6: UPDATE ON THE SONORAN CONSERVANCY Commissioner Craig stated that the Conservancy's planned hikes are on schedule but last week's nine mile hike turned into an eleven mile hike. Commissioner Craig is in contact with a Scout that wants to do his Eagle Scout project and they are working through that for the Lake Overlook Trail. Trail builders have worked the last three Saturdays and from here it will be a question of when we will be able to get up and do any work. Director Goodwin informed Commissioner Craig last night that at the end of the asphalt going into Adero Canyon is closed and no trespassing now. Saturday's session will be called off and Chair Myers and Commissioner Craig will talk with Director Goodwin to see if there is anything that can be done about access. Vice-Chair Barberic stated that there is possibly two to three weeks of work left to do and would like to see if the contractor could grant access. Director Goodwin explained that she ,,, would be happy make the request to the contractor but there has been a very big emphasis on accessibility and they have made it very clear that there is an extreme liability in having access. Commissioner Craig stated that the trail builders will be assisting the Botanical Garden ladies with their trail per their request. AGENDA ITEM #7: DISCUSSION ON QR CODES AND SIGNS Director Goodwin spoke with our IT Department and they are still looking into this matter. The site is not active, but at this time we are not sure if we have access to this site. From her understanding we have reached out to the person who made the website but we either have not been able to make contact or the access we have is not correct. Commissioner Thornton will get the contact information and forward it to Director Goodwin. If we are not able to use what is in place we may have to start over or piece together what currently is in place. AGENDA ITEM #8: UPDATE ON THE TOWN FAIR Commissioner Thornton recruited 18 volunteers to work the fair. The video received some good and bad reviews. The sun in the morning posed a problem to view to video and one person stated the video was too long. Commissioner Craig had a counter and counted that they spoke with 1,016 people and about 2,500 maps were given out. AGENDA ITEM #9: DISCUSSION ON THE EXTENSION OF THE MMPC On the November 21st Town Council consent agenda we had two items: 1. The "Lower Sonoran Trail"is now officially the"Lower Sonoran Trail" McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 2 of 4 G.Commission MMPCIAgenda&MinuteslMinutes120171112817 2. Resolution 2017-41 extends the MMPC and current member's terms got extended December 31, 2018 and we will have to stagger the terms after that. Commissioner Craig inquired if we still needed to attend CSAC meetings since the Commissions are not consolidating. Discussion ensued among the Commissioners and the consensus is that was that attending the CSAC meetings was not necessary at this time. AGENDA ITEM #10: DISCUSSION ON THE 2018-2019 MMPC BUDGET Total preliminary budget is $18,900. A copy of the proposed budget is attached to the minutes. Director Goodwin asked for clarification on what the Golden Eagle Trailhead sign line item was in the budget. Chair Myers asserted that the Adero Canyon Trailhead sign is to cost about $30,000 and he is suggesting that the Golden Eagle Trailhead needs a sign about one-fifth the size which would be about $6,000. Chair Myers has some ideas modeled off the Adero sign, which would be smaller and has several suggestions on where to put it. Currently there is a small sign that says "Golden Eagle Trailhead" but when you get up there it's hard to know where you are. AGENDA ITEM #11: UPDATE ON THE ADERO CANYON TRAILHEAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECT Director Goodwin stated that they (Blucor) official have their"Notice to Proceed" as of Monday, that was yesterday and they are on site. We insured that the "No Trespassing" signs were enforceable, so if they were to encounter an issue MCSO can respond and can enforce it. On staff we have Park Supervisor ,,. Kevin Snipes and Allen Bryan who is one of our inspectors and they are up there daily. With their start as of Monday, that puts us right around the week of July four for the first deadline and then they may have another 15 days for substantial completion. That is obviously dependent on any other hold ups or acceptable issues that come up, then we grant additional time for that. Bob Burns from "The Times" will be publishing some information to keep the public aware of what is going on and that access is closed. We will get him up there for photos to show progress as things move along. Director Goodwin agreed with the Commissioners that photos should be taken as the project moves along and maybe when benchmarks happen. Director Goodwin also informed the Commission she will be the manager for this project and she will forward the Commissioners a copy of Blucor's projected timeline. AGENDA ITEM#12: CONSIDERATION OF ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Schadle made a motion to adjourn at 5:44 p.m., Vice-Chair Barberic seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. McDowell M u nt ' Preservat' n Commission By: Bill Myers air 4ibr McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 3 of 4 G:Commission MMPCAgenda&Minutes Minutes120171112817 Reviewed by: Rachael Goodw n, 'rector of Community Services Prepared by: Jenni r Lyons, xecutive As ' ant CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting held on November 28, 2017. I further certify that the meeting as duly called and that a quorum was present. By: �.. Je fifer Lyons, xecutiv ssistant Dated this 21 St day of December 2017 vid McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 4 of 4 G:Commission MMPCIAgenda&MinuteslMinutes1201 7 11281 7 MMP C Budget Request for July I., 2018 thru June 30, 2019 Signs various around Town, Adero Trailhead and LST $3,000 Signs Golden Eagle Trailhead sign $6,000 Printing all maps updated $3,500 Program Materials videos $1,300 2 trail counters $1,300 Adero Grand opening $3,500 Equipment shovels, mccloudes etc. $ 300 Total requested $18,900 Submitted by MMPC of fountain Hills' Fountain Hills Preserve McDowell Mountain Preserve Commission MMPC Objectives for 2018 By direction from the Town Council, the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission is responsible for initiating the planning and providing management direction for the operation and protection of the Preserve. With that in mind the 2018 MMPC objectives are listed below. Many of the 2017 MMPC objectives were completed. Some are carried over to 2018 and some will be ongoing for years to come. The accomplishment of objectives will increase safety, usability and value of the Town's Preserve. This list is not in any specific order, but is intended to be the basis for discussion and direction for MMPC efforts. Each of the objectives is assigned to one of the existing workgroups of MMPC. There will be other items that MMPC will be working on during the year that will be addressed as needed. PRESERVE MARKETING AND FAIRS WORKGROUP 1) Grand Opening of the Trailhead. The dedication of the A/K trail was a brief model for the Grand opening of the Trailed. The Conservancy and the MMPC organized the entire event. However, the Trailhead perhaps should be coordinated with MMPC, Conservancy and Town personnel since the Preserve is the largest land mass and the most expensive asset the Town will ever purchase. Many ideas are already in the works to make the Grand Opening Grand. There may be added public and private information distributed to citizens both before and after the opening. 2) Two Town Fairs. Help with the two Town Fairs and to recognize the Preserve and its benefits to the Town such as Trails, value to real estate etc. Better banner presentation and a brief video at the Tent may help with the education about the Preserve. ADERO CANYON TRAILHEAD WORKGROUP 1) With the J2 plans accepted and bid awarded to Bluecor,the Town and r_ manager will make the Trailhead happen. if requested,some `.".'=:. rxe--_: rs rnEil give suggestions to help with the construction and fed changes r-s},mow. 2) Emergency markers, signage and Helicopter landing zones " - 7-a _ Sonoran Trail completion,the signage, Emergency markers and he- copte- zones need to be completed to help with the safety of our Preserve 3) The Trail Counters Additional Trail counters are needed at several places in the Preserve. The Base information during 2017and early 2018 will help in showing the increase in usage of the Preserve with the Trailhead completion and where Dollars and Maintenance should be allocated to such trails. 4) Budget. The 18/19 MMPC budget will be forwarded to the Town. The budget for the Trailhead has already been approved by the Town. VALUE OF PRESERVE WORKGROUP 1) Scar on the Mountain. The Promenade Trail (Jeep Trail) scar can be seen from many places in Town. That scar may be able to be revegetated and rock stained to increase the esthetic appeal of our Preserve. 2) Firewising. Continued vigilance for possible desert fires that may happen in the Preserve should be addressed. 3) Test 911. Again, we have had several meetings with fire and Sheriff's officers. It appears that the 911 is working properly. Additional monitoring may still be an ongoing process to find dead spots. The Assistant Fire Chief has indicated that, with his help, we can actually test the 911 system. We have been told that we have the safest Preserve in the State. Let's keep it that way. 4) Five layers of Protection other cities have worked to protect their Preserve from being sold in part or in whole. In addition to state laws that protect our Preserve, let's see if other layers of protection may help. 5) Golden Eagle Trailhead entry sign Since Adero Trailhead will have a large entry sign, it is appropriate that Golden Eagle Trailhead has that destination entry sign. When there was only one Trailhead in our Town, no identification may not have been necessary, but now it is. CONSTRUCTION/TRAI LH EAD 1) Recognition of the Conservancy. Continue to give recognition to the Conservancy. If the new Lower Sonoran Trail (LST) were to be contracted out, the estimated cost would be in excess of$120,000 based on the amount Scottsdale paid to build their portion of the A/K Trail. Guided hikes and many other work by the Conservancy have been a large benefit to our Town. Trail maintenance by the Conservancy saves the Town many dollars and makes the Preserves safer and more user friendly. 2) Recognition of the Values of the Preserve. Several folks have indicated the value of the Preserve. At the Council meeting that approved the Lower Sonoran Trail, an individual spoke of the value of the Preserve for its educational, ambiance, views, financial value to homes in Town, and intrinsic value of the Preserve. I think many folks are recognizing that Value. 3) Preserve the Preserve. Once we finish building the Preserve Trailhead, many folks will use the Preserve and want to preserve the Preserve. The more usage of the Preserve ""r° the better chance of Preserving the Preserve. 4) Coordinate with Scottsdale and the Regional Park. We continue to be in contact with both entities for many reasons. The relationships continue to grow which helps our Town and Preserve in many ways. 5) Quarterly update to Town Council on progress/plans of the Trailhead construction and other Preserve objectives. 6) Determine if one or two new trails should be established in our Preserve. If approved by the Council, proceed to design and make the new trails These objectives are brief. Objectives can be prioritized by MMPC with input from the Town and others. There will be other items that arise during the year as well. Some of the Workgroup assignments have changed from last year, but the attempt is made to even the workload of the Commissions to accomplish these objectives. Preserve the Preserve for the benefit of all j