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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMMPC.2021.0928.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 1. CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order at 5:01pm. 2. ROLL CALL—Chairman Grzybowski Present: Chairman Scott Grzybowski; Vice Chairman Tom Barberic; Commissioner Bill Craig; Commissioner Janice Holden; Commissioner DJ Willard; Commissioner Steven Nurney; Commissioner Tom Aiello Staff Present: Rachael Goodwin, Community Services Director Patti Lopuszanski, Executive Assistant 3. CALL TO THE PUBLIC 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(iii)ask that the matter be placed on a future Commission agenda. None 4. CONSIDERATION & POSSIBLE ACTION of approving the June 22, 2021 Meeting Minutes MOVED BY Commissioner D.J. Willard, and SECONDED BY Commissioner Steven Nurney to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission of June 22, 2021. VOTE: 7-0 Passed Unanimously McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of September 28,2021 2 of 4 S. UPDATE OF future trail priorities Commissioner Craig shared that there was a new trailblazer work group within the Sonoran Conservancy that would be working on trail recommendations from the Conservancy to be brought forward to the MMPC Commission. He provided a brief update from their meeting that included the following four items: 1) They are looking for assurance from the Town that new trails are desired; 2) They gave priority to two of the trails that were suggested and are the same two trails that have been discussed with the MMPC work group made up of Commissioner Grzybowski, Commissioner Willard and Commissioner Craig; 3) The need for setting up criteria for succession for the person in charge of trailblazers, and then the person under him that is in charge of maintenance; and 4) A number of items including trail counters, sign maintenance and help with 10 year plan. There is the desire to recommend two trails if the Town is wanting new trails to be built; (1) North leg of the preserve that would have two options, a strict down and back, and the second option would be down and then down towards Shadow Canyon below and leading back up with the promenade closer to the trailhead; (2) Utilizing the space that would have been the Sunridge Canyon Trail, but coming down from the ridge line into the space that would be in the Town owned preserve and then coming back up. The Conservancy is working on coming up with supporting reasons for wanting those trails. Chairman Grzybowski asked if this was mapped out on GPS and Commissioner Craig stated it had not been done yet. This will be added as a future action item. Commissioner Willard asked if MMPC is limited to the preserve, and if the Conservancy is looking at trails, is it appropriate to expand the commission's responsibility to expand trails. Ms. Goodwin shared that it has been a question brought up in the past. The commission's goals and direction is at the Town Council's direction and would require the Town Manager reestablishing the reach of the commission to discuss further and look at new responsibilities if interested in seeking. Commissioner Barberic shared that the function of MMPC is not only building trails, but keeping the integrity of the preserve. He shared the need to preserve the wildlife and habitats. Chairman Grzybowski stated one of the goals for the working group would be to determine what is the focus of MMPC and work through the disconnects and how the community is better served by MMPC. Ms. Goodwin shared the need for a visionary look at long term future trails, their maintenance, standards and where they will be built. Ms. Goodwin asked the commission if there was an interest in developing a work group in looking at where the commission wants to focus, and if not to expand trails, but to maintain the scope of the preserve and only the preserve. Then talks with the Conservancy on the trailside will be needed to determine the future of trails in Fountain Hills. McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of September 28, 2021 3 of 4 Commissioner Holden stressed the need for the 10 year plan and Chairman Grzybowski agreed. Commissioner Craig summarized that the Conservancy will give their opinion and recommendation on new trails and bring to MMPC and the work group will then plan to bring to Town Council. 6. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION of newly designed trailhead signs Commissioner Craig commented that Ken Valverde had been working on the signs and had asked if there was a drone overview of the map. At this time that had not been done. Commissioner Barberic shared that the signs as created looked good. 7. UPDATE on Sunridge Canyon Park Ms. Goodwin informed the commissioners that approximately 35 residents of the Sunridge HOA had a Zoom call discussion regarding the addition of a passive park at a Town approved budgeted location that was the formerly proposed site of the fire station. Ms. Goodwin shared that a localized survey to residents will be sent out by the end of October to obtain what they are looking for in a passive park. Commissioner Grzybowski informed the commissioners that this had been approved by Town Council along with a parking lot. 8. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION on Action Items Chairman Grzybowski requested a map for potential new trails be added to the October agenda. AED in restrooms remained an open action item to verify installation. It was discussed that sign standards including sizing and colors be included in the guidelines document as a reference. Commissioner Willard suggested having a work group develop a history of the preserve and add that to the October agenda. Chairman Grzybowski suggested the operations working group begin that project and come back to report on their progress. 9. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION of Trail Counter Activity and Equipment Commissioner Craig addressed the issue that some trail counters were in need of repair. One new counter came in and has been installed and two are not working and can't be fixed. There was discussion on looking into purchasing new counters that were more durable and efficient and to bring back options to the commission to review. Ms. Goodwin stressed the data collected is crucial as it quantifies the use of the trails and aids in the budgeting of tools needed for the upkeep. Chairman Grzybowski will be researching replacement trail counter options to bring back to the Commission and the cost. 1 McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of September 28, 2021 4 of 4 Commissioner Holden had an update of Conservancy activities and the update on the guidelines to be completed by the end of the year, along with organizational and succession planning. There are 35 hikes marketed through the Town and started a newsletter that has received positive feedback. 10. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY Commissioner D.J. Willard, SECONDED BY Commissioner Tom Aiello to adjourn. Vote: 7-0 Passed - Unanimously The Regular Meeting of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission held on September 28, 2021, adjourned at 5:53 p.m. MCDOWELL OUNTAI DVISORY COMMISSION r Chai man Scott Grz .owski 7EST A PREPARED atti Lopusz n i xecutive 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 McDowell Mountain Advisory Commission in the Town Hall Council Chambers on theday of r , 2021. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum w s present. ti- DATED thisc �p day of Ocke , 2021. II c)1731: - Patti Lopuszan i, E4Putive Assistant