Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMMPC.2020.0128.MinutesTOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION JANUARY 28, 2020 1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Chairman Tom Barberic called the meeting of Tuesday, January 28, 2020, to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, located at 16705 East Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, Arizona. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Vice Chairman Tom Barberic; Commissioner Bill Craig; Commissioner Paul Garvey; Commissioner Scott Grzybowski*; Commissioner Janice Holden; Commissioner Dr. Darrienne Slater Absent: Commissioner Tom Aiello Staff Present: Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin; Executive Assistant Jamie Salentine *Commissioner Grzybowski participated in the meeting via telephone. 3. CALL TO THE PUBLIC There was no comments from the citizens present. 4. CONSIDERATION of Approving the November 26, 2019 Meeting Minutes Moved by Commissioner Paul Garvey, seconded by Commissioiner Bill Craig to approve the November 26, 2019 meeting minutes. Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously 5. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION of Appointing a Chairperson Commissioner Craig nominated Commissioner Garvey. Commissioner Garvey accepted. Moved by Commissioiner Bill Craig, seconded by Vice Chairman Tom Barberic to appoint Commissioner Paul Garvey as Chairperson. Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of January 28, 2020 2 of 6 6. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION of Appointing a Vice Chairperson Vice Chairman Barberic nominated Commissioner Grzybowski. Commissioner Grzybowski accepted. Moved by Vice Chairman Tom Barberic, seconded by Commissioner Paul Garvey to appoint Commissioner Scott Grzybowski as Vice Chairperson. Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously 7. UPDATE on New Commissioner Appointment and Term - Welcome Janice Holden Vice Chairman Barberic welcomed new Commissioner Janice Holden. He noted that Commissioner Holden has experience with both the Fountain Hills and Scottsdale Conservancy. 8. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION on Modifying 2020 MMPC Meeting Dates Executive Assistant Jamie Salentine requested that the original October date move to October 12 due a conflict with Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin schedule where she is attending a conference. She also suggested that the September 8 meeting be moved back to the original date of September 29, 2020. She added that the March 24 meeting needs to move due to a Special Council meeting that evening. Commissioners confirmed the new dates as follows: March 30, September 29, and October 12, 2020. Moved by Commissioiner Bill Craig, seconded by Vice Chairman Tom Barberic to modify the 2020 CSAC Meeting Dates as for the following month/dates as March 30, September 29, and October 12, 2020. Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATION to Council of Amending Town Code, Article 9-5, Section 9-5-3 General Preserve Regulations and Redact "bow and arrow" from 9-5-3(Q) Executive Assistant Jamie Salentine explained that Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) regulate hunting and the redaction of "bow and arrow" will coincide with AZGFD. She pointed out information regarding hunting has been placed on the Town's website: httl2s://www.fh.az.gov/683/Archery-Hunting Discussion ensued relating to hunters on trails and notifying trail hosts on hunting regulations. McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of January 28, 2020 3 of 6 Moved by Commissioner Paul Garvey, seconded by Vice Chairman Tom Barberic to recommend to Town Council the Amendment to Town Code, Article 9-5, Section 9-5-3 General Preserve Regulations and Redact "bow and arrow" from 9-5-3(Q). Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously 10. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION of a Name for the Completed New Trail Commissioner Craig reported that suggestions from the trail builders and hosts that the name of the new trail be called Ridgeline Trail. He asked the Commission to approve the name, Ridgeline Trail. Bill Myers, a Fountain Hills resident, stated that he agrees that the new trail name should be Ridgeline Trail and that the Fountain Hills Conservancy members agree too. He asked if there would be different names for the loop and peak section of the trail. Commissioner Craig reported that the intension is to have the entire trail read Ridgeline Trail. He noted that Phase 3 of the trail may have a different name. In response to question posed by Vice Chairman Barberic, Commissioner Craig clarified that once the Adero Canyon Trailhead opens (ACT) that Phase 1 would be open to the public. He noted that if Phase 2 is completed by the end of the season that section will be open as well. In response to a question from Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin, Commissioner Craig confirmed that the new trail has three phases and is one contiguous trail. Ms. Goodwin commented that one name for the trail should be sufficient. Commissioner Garvey expressed the opinion that Phase 3 is so distinct and separate from the main trail on the ridge that a separate name should be given from an emergency response perspective. Vice Chairman Barberic suggested addressing the possible name for Phase 3 at a later time since the completion of that phase is a year away. Discussion ensued relating to names of the trails and addressing the trail map updates. Moved by Vice Chairman Tom Barberic, seconded by Commissioiner Bill Craig to recommend to Town Council to name the new trail, Ridgeline Trail. Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously 11. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION on Trail Counters • Monthly Activity • New Trail Counters McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of January 28, 2020 4 of 6 Monthly Activity — (See Attachment 1) Commissioner Garvey stated that he talked with resident Stan Ruden, who collects the trail data, and they are looking at new format that will include charts. New Trail Counters Commissioner Craig reported that a final counter would be placed at the ACT Overlook Trail. He noted that the City of Scottsdale may let the MMPC borrow a couple of trail counters as backups that they are not utilizing. Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin confirmed that the counters are the same as the Towns. Discussion ensued relating to placement of an additional trail counter near the Promenade trail. 12. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION on Adero Canyon Trailhead Access Vice Chairman Barberic expressed the concern on the public access to the ACT trailhead. He pointed out that on Saturday's when the trailblazers work, the drive up to the construction site is always different and has many deep holes, large machinery, etc. Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin stated that the Commission could address the concern by making a motion for recommendation to Council such as denying access to the public with the exception of staff and trail building. She added that the chairman could draft a memo on behalf of the Commission with the recommendation or schedule a time such as the February 18, 202 Council meeting and bring forward at the public meeting. In response to a question posed by Vice Chairman Barberic, Ms. Goodwin responded that there is no update on road construction to the ACT trailhead. She noted that full access may be late spring or early summer. In response to a question from Commissioner Craig, Ms. Goodwin reported that work is being done today on backflow testing on the waterlines and pressurizing them to move the water up the hill to the irrigation, however, sewer lines are not connected yet which are needed for the restrooms. She confirmed that the sewer lines are in and is unaware of a timeframe for completion. In response to a question posed by Commissioner Holden, Ms. Goodwin clarified that the construction area to the trailhead is owned by Toll Brothers and not Town property. Discussion ensued relating to the access to the trailhead, risks, and informing the public. Vice Chairman Barberic suggested that new Chairman Garvey prepare a proposal for Council to deny access to public. McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of January 28, 2020 5 of 6 Commissioner Garvey stated that the Commission focus on the safety to the pedestrians accessing the trail and emphasize the risks heading to the trailhead. He suggested that Councilmembers visit the construction area too. Additional discussion ensued relating to the memo to be provided to Council as informational versus taking to a Council meeting. It was the consensus of the Commission for new Chairman Garvey to draft an informational memo to staff and Council on the potential risks that the pedestrians take walking through the construction area to the trailhead. Additional discussion ensued relating to the concern of the Promenade trail access to western loop. 13. DISCUSSION on February Great Fair • Booth Coordination • Shifts/Coverage • Supplies Vice Chairman Barberic commented that Bill Myers will be coordinating the booth and supplies, however, will be stepping down for the next fair. He confirmed that Commissioner Grzybowski would be coordinating the shifts/coverages. Commissioner Garvey stated that the Conservancy would be assisting too and will be deemphasizing on handing out of the trail maps and promoting business cards with the conservancy website on them for more information. 14. DISCUSSION on Open Meetings Law • Procedural Steps • Contacts Executive Assistant Jamie Salentine emphasized that the Commission attend the Open Records/Open Meetings Law training presented by the Town Attorney on Tuesday February 18, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers. Ms. Salentine explained that the MMPC Commissioners needs to understand the importance of the open meetings law and gave an example of splintered quorums. She pointed out that MMPC also has Conservancy members on the commission, so discussions should be limited and brought to the MMPC meetings for proper discussion. She added that proper notification of potential quorums may occur at the Conservancy meetings and will need to noticed appropriately. Discussion ensued relating to quorums and main contact person regarding emails that require answers. Ms. Salentine emphasized that discussions need to be at the MMPC meetings. MONTHLY TRAIL COUNTER PASSES Attachment 1 MMPC January 28, 2020 Page 1 of 1 BOTANICAL GARDEN LAKE OVERLOOK SONORAN NORTH END A-K&WL TRAILS ADERO CANYON 2017 Total 57277 4825 3775 2018 Jan 6984 483 240 Feb Counter Start 6448 737 1059 Mar 2491 9948 1581 1461 Apr 1262 5153 2409 *500 May 925 3356 898 *300 Jun 563 1816 1042 *300 Jul 439 1646 *500 *300 Aug *370 1622 *500 *300 Sep *650 1935 *500 *300 Oct *1030 3715 *500 *450 Nov *1630 5463 655 628 Start 12/7 Dec 2251 5001 487 2101 7363 2018 Total 11611(10M) 53087 10292 8739 7363 (1M) 2019 Jan 2291 6969 677 *2550 10237 Feb 2467 5505 731 *2250 9010 Mar 3295 8080 1150 *4150 16564 Apr 1452 5488 1581 1879 **6645 May 945 3938 754 1212 666 Jun 449 2471 254 115 183 Jul 402 1736 152 *200 *200 Aug 386 1533 *200 *200 *200 Sep 690 2588 *350 *300 *300 Oct 1087 3759 *500 *500 *500 Nov 1720 5496 652 *700 *700 Dec 1818 3913 707 1083 1040 2019 Total 17002 51476 7708 15139 46245 * Estimate. Counter was not functioning. ** On 4/29/19 Eagle Ridge Road closed McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of January 28, 2020 6 of 6 15. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Dr. Darrienne Slater, seconded by Commissioner Paul Garvey to adjourn. Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously The McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission adjourned at 6:04 p.m. ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: Jam Salentine, Executive Assistant MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION CERTIFICATION Tom Barberic, Vice Chairman 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 McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission in the Town Hall Council Chambers on the 28th day of January, 2020. 1 further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. DATED this 26th day of May, 2020. Ja�inie Salentine, Executive Assistant