HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSAC.2020.1123.MinutesTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS
MINUTES OF THE
COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 23, 2020
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Arnold called the meeting of Monday, November 23, 2020, to order at 5:05 p.m.
in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, located at 16705 East Avenue of the Fountains,
Fountain Hills, Arizona.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairman Amy Arnold; Vice Chairman Natalie Varela; Commissioner Sharron
Grzybowski*; Commissioner Ron Ruppert; Commissioner Rory Wilson; Youth
Commissioner Jacelle Nicole Bautista
Absent: Commissioner Jerry Gorrell
Staff Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin; Executive Assistant Jamie
Present: Salentine*; Senior Services Supervisor Jennifer Lyons
*Commissioner Grzybowski and Executive Assistant Salentine participated in the meeting
via telephone.
3. CALL TO THE PUBLIC
There was no comments from the citizens present.
4. RECOGNITION of Outgoing Commissioners Don Doty and Sharron Grzybowski and
Re -Appointed and New Incoming Commission Members
Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin recognized outgoing Commissioner Doty for
his time on CSAC as well as the Parks and Recreation Committee in the past and stated
that he will be missed. In addition, she recognized outgoing Commissioner Grzybowski and
congratulated her on her new position as a Councilmember starting in December. She
thanked her for her involvement with CSAC and for all of her volunteering over the years.
Chairperson Arnold thanked Commissioner Doty for his work on the Grant workgroup and
thanked Commissioner Grzybowski for introducing her to the CSAC which is the reason why
she had applied.
Ms. Goodwin welcomed incoming Commissioners; Youth Commissioner Bautista and
Commissioner Wilson.
Executive Assistant Salentine recognized Chairperson Arnold for her re -appointment
and welcomed incoming Commissioner Stephen Barnes who will be interim Commissioner
for Commissioner Grzybowski's remaining term.
5. CONSIDERATION of Approving the September 21, 2020 Meeting Minutes and November 9,
2020 Joint Meeting Minutes
MOVED BY Vice Chairman Natalie Varela, SECONDED BY Commissioner Ron Ruppert to
approve the September 21, 2020 Meeting Minutes and November 9, 2020 Joint Meeting
Minutes as submitted.
Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously
6. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION of 2021 Meeting Dates
Ms. Salentine explained that the CSAC 2021 meeting dates are the standard dates of
meeting on the fourth Monday's of each month except no meeting held in the months of July,
August, and December. She added that the dates can be revised as needed. (See
Attachment 1)
MOVED BY Chairman Amy Arnold, SECONDED BY Commissioner Ron Ruppert to approve
the CSAC 2021 meeting dates as presented.
Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously
7. UPDATE on the Community Services Parks, Trails, and Recreation Master Plan
Ms. Goodwin reviewed the history of the Community Services Parks, Trails, and Recreation
Master Plan for the new commissioners. She pointed out that the master plan is about
midway through the process as the public survey results have been gathered. She noted
that staff is meeting with GreenPlay this week to review the results. She added that the
survey will be compiled with the feedback from the focus groups and survey of the
amenities that make up the Community Services Department including the demographics
(ex: parks, senior services, etc.). She noted that the next step is the finding's presentation
which will be brought to next CSAC meeting for review.
8. DISCUSSION on the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) — Sidewalk and Bikeway Plans
Ms. Goodwin highlighted on the maps on the ATP that specifically cover the bike paths and
sidewalk connections. She commented that Development Services is working on the
ATP throughout the town on how people get around outside their vehicle via walking, biking,
etc. She added that this plan will be utilized over the next ten years. She pointed out that
the solid lines represent existing pathways and the dashed lines present proposed
pathways. She stated that the sidewalk paths are priority and added that parks should
be walkable in the neighborhood and some parks do not have that capability. (See
Attachment 2)
Commissioner Grzybowski commented on the bike map that there is a difference between a
bike lane and a bike route. She stated that the definition of a bike lane is for bike use only
whereas the bike route can include walking, biking, and parking.
Ms. Goodwin emphasized the importance of access to the town parks whether by sidewalk
or bike route and should be a priority on this plan.
Chairperson Arnold pointed out that access is important however, elevation within the town
is a factor and provided examples.
In response to a question posed by Vice Chairperson Varela, Ms. Goodwin reported that she
would like the Commission to review the maps in depth and bring up any
concerns/recommendations and provided examples.
Discussion ensued on crossing Saguaro Blvd. on the west side to get to Desert Vista Park
safely, sidewalk on all Saguaro Blvd, and a crosswalk.
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Ms. Goodwin explained that with the Community Services Master Plan part of that plan
includes locations for future parks by determining parts of the community that are not being
served by a park near them and determining land that is available for parks. She reviewed
the future parks map and clarified that the golf courses will be removed since they are not
parks. (See Attachment 3)
She stated that the future park located on the corner of Sun Ridge Canyon and Desert
Canyon was for a future fire station, however, that has been discarded as a future location
and Community Services requested this town land as a future park which is approximately
five acres. She noted that this park would be a more natural park with a possible hiking
loop, Ramadas, and fitness equipment. She emphasized that these parks are not official
however, discussions are being held.
She continued on highlighting each potential future park such as:
• Sierra Madre Drive over by Golden Eagle
• 24 acres, divided by a dam
• Near Golden Eagle
• Small area for an oasis type of park
• State Trust Land
• Contingent upon development in the area for a park to be developed
• Off of Emerald
• 17 acres
• Located near a wash
• Park needed in this part of the community
• Not located on map
• South of Shea, land is owned by Salt River Project (SRP)
• Park needed in this part of the community
In response to a question posed by Commissioner Ruppert, Ms. Goodwin responded that
she has seen the survey on park locations vs population, however, part of the Master Plan
will include a walk ability radius applied to each of the parks for a 15 and 30-minute walk
radius to determine what residents are being reached and where they are needing to reach.
She added that population density will be factored in as well.
Discussion ensued relative to potential purchase of school property for park land and the
process.
10. DISCUSSION on Work Groups and Assignments
Chairperson Arnold stated that is item is open for discussion on workgroup options and
asked for suggestions, such as the grant, volunteer, and pool workgroups.
Vice Chairperson Varela explained that she is on a workgroup that meets with a
group formally known as Senior Services, and is now called Encore and the group is
requesting for vending machines located in the Community Center. She requested for the
item to be placed on the January agenda.
Commissioner Grzybowski commented on the volunteer workgroup which has been slow
this year, however, notifies the guidance counselors at the High School and other people in
order to spread the word for volunteer recruiting. She added that Volunteer Coordinator Kim
Wickland is now contacting the High School Counselors so there may not be a need for a
Volunteer workgroup and asked for them to speak to Ms. Wickland.
Ms. Goodwin suggested that in January the commission discuss the goals and needs for
both CSAC and staff to assist with.
Ms. Salentine added that the current workgroups (lead) email her the workgroup name and
who is on the workgroup. She noted that she will prepare a spreadsheet for the commission
to review within the packet.
11. UPDATE on Commission Tours of the Town's Amenities and Scheduling of Tours
Chairperson Arnold asked Commissioner Ruppert if he would still organize the tours within
the Town with the Commissioners even amongst Covid.
Commissioner Ruppert confirmed he would continue putting together the tours and
explained to the new commissioners that the tours are of facilities within the town such as
sanitary districts, parks, and community garden. He added that the tours help with the
commission members getting to know each other and the town better.
12. UPDATE on Volunteer Opportunities with Town Events
Commissioner Grzybowski stated that volunteers are needed for home delivered meals,
Give a Lift, Save our Sculptures (SOS), and Care Cards.
Youth Commissioner Bautista stated that Turkey Trot pickup was busy with a large turnout
and enjoyed her time volunteering.
13. UPDATE on Special Events
Ms. Goodwin stated that Turkey Trot is on Thursday and is excited to have an in person and
virtual race. She noted that over 800 registered for in person and just over 100 for virtual.
She added that there have been many modifications such as no community center access
and staggered starts.
Ms. Goodwin reported on the upcoming December special events:
• Season's Celebration, December 18 and 19, 2020 — Community Center by registration
at www.fh.az.gov/recreation
• Fountain at 50, December 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. — Starting at Council Chambers
• Presentation at Council Meeting
• Display of the new fountain lights
• Online Fountain Trivia
• Elfie's Holiday Hunt, December 14 - 27, 2020 - sign up
online https://www.fh.az.gov/714Nirtual-Programs-and-Activities
14. ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY Chairman Amy Arnold, SECONDED BY Commissioner Ron Ruppert to adjourn.
Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously
The Community Services Advisory Commission adjourned at 6:04 p.m.
COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY
CO ISSION
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A rnol , Chairperson
ATTEST AND PREPARED BY:
Ja Paul (Salentine), Executive Assistant
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 23rd day of November, 2020. 1 further certify that the meeting was duly called and that
a quorum was present.
DATED this 22nd day of March, 2021.
Ja ie Paul (Salentine), Executive Assistant