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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMMPC.2019.0226.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE Yam_ MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION February 26,2019 !hat is ivc tiv 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 Commissioner Bill Myers at 5:02 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 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 Commissioner Bill Myers, Commissioner Tom Barberic, Commissioner Bill Craig, Commissioner Tom Aiello, Commissioner Scott Grzyzbowski and Commissioner Stan Ruden. Absent at roll call was Commissioner Paul Garvey. Staff members present were Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin and Executive Assistant Angela Padgett-Espiritu. AGENDA ITEM#3: CALL TO THE PUBLIC No one from the public wished to speak. AGENDA ITEM#4: UPDATE ON NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMISSION AND TERMS Director Goodwin reported that the Town received five reappointment requests and three new applicants for appointment to the seven available commission seats. All five of the commissioners that requested reappointment were appointed, which were Commissioner Aiello, Commissioner Ruden, Commissioner Craig, Commissioner Myers and Commissioner Barberic. New applicants appointed were Paul Garvey and Scott Grzybowski. Once the by-laws are officially amended, the Council will appoint the third applicant at a later time. AGENDA ITEM#5: RANDOM DRAWING OF APPOINTMENT TERMS FOR COMMISSIONERS A random drawing for appointment terms was conducted by Executive Assistant Padgett-Espiritu. Two Year Appointment Terms: • Commissioner Aiello • Commissioner Grzybowki • Commissioner Ruden • Commissioner Craig Three Year Appointment Terms: • Commissioner Barberic • Commissioner Garvey • Commissioner Myers McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 1 of 4 G:CommissiG:Commissionda&MinuteslMinutes12018/052218M AGENDA ITEM #6: DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTING A COMMISSION CHAIR Commissioner Barberic made a motion to appoint Commissioner Myers as Chair, Commissioner Ruden seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. AGENDA ITEM #7: DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OFAPPOINTING A COMMISSION VICE-CHAIR Chair Myers made a motion to appoint Commissioner Barberic as Vice-Chair, Commissioner Grzybowski seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. AGENDA ITEM #8: DISCUSSION OF 2019 MMPC OBJECTIVES AND NINE CURRENT OBJECTIVES Chair Myers recommended meeting with Vice-Chair Barberic and Commissioner Grzybowski later to discuss as to whether or not to remove or add to the 2019 MMPC objectives listed. (see attached) Chair Myers reported on the nine current objectives and recommended assigning workgroups to the nine current objectives. (see attached) • Obj. (1) • Obj. (2)will be discussed at another meeting • Obj. (3) discussed in Agenda Item 13 • Obj. (4) Commissioner Craig reported standing water at the Adero Canyon Trailhead restroom building. Vice-Chair Barberic reported concerns about the fire access gate at the trailhead. • Obj. (5) done • Obj. (6) ongoing • Obj. (7) to be updated at a future meeting • Obj. (8) to be updated at a future meeting • Obj. (9)to be updated at a future meeting AGENDA ITEM #9: DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL AMENDING TOWN CODE ARTICLE 9-5 SECTION 9-5-2 DEFINITIONS (E) RECENTLY ACQUIRED 82 ACRES Chairs Myers made a motion to approve the recommendation, Vice-Chair Barberic seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. AGENDA ITEM #10: DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL AMEDNING TOWN CODE, ARTICLE 9-5 SECTION 9-5-3 GENERAL PRESERVE REGULATIONS (P) ELECTRIC BICYCLES AND ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIRS No action taken- agenda item#10 to be added to the next meeting. AGENDA ITEM #11: DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL OF AMDENDING TOWN CODE, 9-5 SECTION 9-5-5 GOLDEN EAGLE TRAILHEAD REGULATIONS (B) ELECTRIC BICYCLES AND ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIRS No action taken- agenda item#11 to be added to the next meeting. McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 2 of 4 G:CommissiG:Commissionda&MinuteslMinutes12018/052218M AGENDA ITEM#12: DISCUSSION ON GEOCACHING WITHIN 5 FEET OF THE TRAILS Director Goodwin reported that this could be recommended in the Trails rules. Commissioner Craig commented that he would like to have it allowed within 3 feet of the trails. Chair Myers requested a change in the trail rules to: within 3 feet of the trails for geocaching. AGENDA ITEM #13: DISCUSSION ON ADDING FIRST AID KIT AND DEFIBRILLATOR AT THE TWO FOUNTAIN HILLS TRAILHEADS Vice-Chair Barberic mentioned concerns in adding a defibrillator at the trailheads. Where will it will be located? What is the liability involved? Director Goodwin reported the Town has shied away from having defibrillator in the open on trailheads. Commissioner Aiello mentioned that the he could talk to Fire Chief Dave Ott about the concerns of having a defibrillator at a trailhead. Director Goodwin stated to verify the liability and costs of defibrillator at trailheads. AGENDA ITEM #14: DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF CANCELLING OR MOVING OF MARCH 26, 2019 COMMISSION MEETING Chair Myers made a motion to move the meeting to March 20, 2019, Vice-Chair Barberic seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. AGENDA ITEM#15: CONSIDERATION OF ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Ruden made a motion to adjourn at 6:02 p.m., Vice-Chair Barberic seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. McDowell Mo reser ion Commission By: Bill Myers C air Reviewed by: Rachael Goodw n, Di ctor of Community Services Prepared by: An ela Padgett- spin , xecutive Assistant McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 3 of 4 G:CommissiG:Commissionda&Minutes1Minutes12018/052218M 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 February 26, 2019. I further certify that the meeting as duly called and that a quorum was present. By: Angela Padgett-Espiritu,Executive Assistant Dated this March 28th, 2019 McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 4 of 4 G:CommissiG:Commissionda&Minutes1Minutes12018/052218M Draft MMPC 2019 objectives Fountain Hills AZ Bill Myers Listed are ideas of the 2019 MMPC objectives. No particular order or organization. Please look at the very tentative abbreviated list and contact me with other ideas,e.g. delete this one, add others. We will get a final list with a little more detail for our direction for calendar 2019. Tom Barbaric had the good idea of assigning each objective to a work group. That group was to accomplish the objective or see that it was done. So,we can allocate each of the final objectives to a workgroup. To be in compliance with the Open Meeting Law, please do not discuss,just send me your ideas. By direction from the Town Council,the McDowell Mountain Preserve Commission(MMPC) is responsible for initiating the planning and provide management direction for the operation and protection of the Preserve. The following 2019 MMPC objectives are listed to meet that directive. Thanks S00000, 1 Deterring if first aid kits should be installed at the two Trailheads. Coordinate with the Conservancy on this issue. 2 Determine if AED kits(defibrillator)should be installed at the two Trailheads. Town may have addressed this item. If not, look at other valley Preserves to see what their experience is. 3 Help with any final Adero Canyon Trailhead construction or installation of maps etc. Final construction hopefully will be complete by 2018 except for utility hookups. 4 Update Kiosk at both Trailheads New maps and information on the right side of the Kiosks. 5 Provide pictures/videos for town/conservancy/ott' r websites to help get the ACT know. The more the ACT is known,the better for our Town ,n economics,ambiance etc. 6 Provide public knowledge campaign to let folks know about the Trailhead. E.g.Access, safety, picnic tables. Times,Scottsdale papers, hiking/biking literature. 7 More coordination with Scottsdale and Regional Park folks in connection with the new trailhead. Joint hikes,joint training,joint trail maintenance etc. 8 Install sign at Golden Eagle Trailhead the$1,200 sigh has been discussed and we have a rendering. Maybe this is the year to erect that sign. 9 Do grand opening of ACT if not already done. November 17,2018 for the opening, but we may have another Grand Opening in mid-2019 if the road is complete. 10 Coordinate two town fairs with emphasis on new Trailhead there is an opportunity go get the word out about the new Trailhead and other Town trails. 11 Install Lower Sonoran Trail and Trailhead signs. Hopefully to be complete in 2018. 12 Deterring if fire/conservancy/other can fly drones over Preserve to help find lost hikers etc. Other entities may be flying legal drones to help in safety matters. 13 Add Stn trail counter and see that all S are working. The information we can give the Council and others the better. The information can help with determining the trail maintenance relative importance. 14 Do 19/20 MMPC budget I think this has to be done in first quarter of 2019. 15 Deterring if state Good Samaritan law is adequate to protect volunteers. Is some additional coverage necessary? We have been told that Scottsdale volunteers have some kind of additional coverage. 16 Better recognition of the SCFH. The Conservancy does the vast bulk of the trail creating and maintenance and deserves a lot of recognition. With the new trailhead,the Conservancy will be even more involved this coming year. 17 Quarterly updates of the Preserve to the Council with a 10 minute update quarterly, the council may want an update. 18 Two new trails in the Preserve. The two legs in the Preserve appear to still be candidates for two loop trails to increase enjoyment of the Preserve. 19 Updated thunbdrive and information presentation of the Preserve and coordination with others. We have given several presentation to groups in town about the MMPC/Conservancy. We can continue this effort. 20 Put QR codes on some new signs and update codes. QR codes help with safety and general info on the Preserve. 21 Determined if other events should be coordinated at the Trailhead. There are a number of small events that the Town may want to use the Preserve for e.g. Weddings,outings. 22 Update directional signage. There are 6 "Sonoran Trailhead" signs on Shea and Saguaro that need to be replaced with updated directional signs. Determine how best to direct folks to the two Trailheads. 23 New grants for the Preserve. Determine if there are grants that the Preserve can take advantage of. Signage, monuments,Trail equipment, tools,trail building equipment,other. 24 Doggie bags at several locations 25 Value( in dollars and other) of the Preserve 26 Criteria for Benches in Preserve MMPC Current Objectives. January 2019 We have identified about 26 preliminary objectives for MMPC for 2019. Many other objectives over the last decade have been completed. Of the 26,the following 9 seem to be the most pressing. At the MMPC meeting in late January,we will discuss each and assign to a work group. The new group of 7 Commissioners will be interviewed in early February and the objectives may change a little. The coordination with SCFH is more important this year as that great group is now more involved in the 2 Trailheads. More recognition of SCFH is still needed. Obiective Workgroup 1) Some signage to the two Trailheads from Town Adero Canyon Trailhead 2) Finish ST/LST signage Adero Canyon Trailhead 3) First aid kits and defibulators in the two trailheads Construction/Trailhead 4) Assist with completion of the ACT Construction/Trailhead 5) Coordinate the two Town fairs Preserve Marketing/Fairs 6) Assist with the completion of the Fire Road in the Preserve. Construction/Trailhead 7) 1-2 new Trails in the Preserve Adero Canyon Trailhead 8) Coordination with Sheriff and Marksman Value of the Preserve 9) Begin public awareness campaign on the new Trailhead Preserve Marketing/Fairs A good start.