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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMMPC.2021.1026.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION ADVISORY COMMISSION OCTOBER 26, 2021 1. CALL TO ORDER— Chairman Grzybowski recognized Tom Aiello for his seven years of service on MMPC and noted the Mayor's recognition at the October 19, 2021 Town Council Meeting for his dedication and service. Commissioner Aiello thanked the commissioners for all that had been accomplished during his time on MMPC. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Scott Grzybowski; Commissioner Tom Aiello; Vice Chairman Tom Barberic; Commissioner Bill Craig; Commissioner Janice Holden; Commissioner DJ Willard Absent: Commissioner Steven Nurney Staff Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin; Executive Assistant Present: Patti Lopuszanski 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: Approval of the minutes of the meeting of September 28, 2021 Moved by Commissioner Bill Craig, seconded by Commissioner Tom Aiello to approve the minutes of the September 28, 2021, meeting. Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously 5. CONSIDERATION & POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission (MMPC) 2022 Meeting Dates McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of October 26, 2021 2 of 4 Moved by Vice Chairman Tom Barberic, seconded by Commissioner Tom Aiello Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously 6. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION: Trail Master Plan Chairman Grzybowski began the discussion informing the commissioners that the work group made up of himself, Commissioner Craig and Commissioner Willard came up with a draft Trail Master Plan to share with the commissioners. Commissioner Willard spoke of the original task to talk about trail priorities and looking at how many trails were being considered. It was determined there was a need for a preserve Trail Master Plan and lay out a template to use, consistent with town guidance, and consistent with MMPC guidelines. There are 4 trail possibilities that need to go into the vetting process that they have not had a chance to do yet. The template proposed to be used would review pros and cons of the various options that would be reviewed during the vetting process. Chairman Gryzybowski shared that input from the Sonoran Conservancy will be forthcoming. Commissioner Willard north loop which is the leg that goes east/west of the promenade, another possibility is the upper sonoran trail, a loop trail off of the end of the Ridgeline that would be called the Sunridge loop, Sunridge access which is on hold. These trail options will be put through the vetting process. This is a a 10 year plan that can go before Town Council for approval when ready and become a public document. Chairman Grzybowski asked the commissioners to review and come back next month to discuss further. Commissioner Craig shared that the trailblazer work group will be meeting and give more input after that meeting. Commissioner Aiello asked if there is are plans to work with Scottsdale to include in the 10 year master plan. Commissioner Craig stated that Scottsdale does not have that in there 10 year plan. 7. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION: Action Items Commissioner Grzybowski updated the commissioners on the current Action Items including the approval of the September minutes to be published on the website. Trailblazers to begin working on maintenance on the Overlook Trail; and Chief Ott ordered a case for the AED to be placed in the breezeway at Adero Canyon. 8. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION: Trail counter September report; and potential need for counter replacement McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of October 26,2021 3 of 4 Chairman Grzybowski conveyed the potential need for new trail counters and that Stan Rudan will be stepping down at the end of the year from providing trail count reports. Stan provided Chairman Grzybowski information on an infrared trail counter that is currently being used by Phoenix that was available for commissioners to review. It has been reliable in the heat and could pull data from a close-proximity. Cellular devices are more costly. Commissioner Craig did state that three counters are currently down and the Botanical Garden does not have one. 9. UPDATE: Sonoran Conservancy Fountain Hills Commissioner Holden gave an update on the Sonoran Conservancy activities that are underway. Host program with a training started with another to begin in early November. It was shared that it has been difficult recruiting volunteers and stewards to lead hikes. They are currently working on guidelines, and organization chart, succession planning, program on hikes marketing through Town of Fountain Hills newsletter. Commissioner Craig shared that the Trailblazers will be starting their season on November 6, 2021 focusing on maintenance and the first project will be the lake Overlook Trail. 10. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION: Golden Eagle Trailhead Signs Commissioner Holden informed the commissioners that there are inconsistencies with signage. Recommend to the Outreach Group to review what each sign should have, add other topics that did not exist in the past such as drones and e-bikes. Update website to be consistent on what is being posted. Commissioner Willard also asked to include signage at Andrew-Kinsey as well that has rules and regulations. Ms. Goodwin shared that the Golden Eagle Trailhead signs are much older and all signage should be made consistent. 11. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION: McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission participation at Fine Arts Fair Ms. Goodwin asked if MMPC would be will be participating at the Fine Arts Fair and setting up a tent. Chairman Grzybowski stated it had been over a year and a half since MMPC had a booth at an event. The last discussion was that the Sonoran Conservancy would be running the booth. Due to no longer having printed maps, due to high printing costs are high and hikers throwing away maps and wasting them it was determined the best practice was to have hikers take photo of map at kiosks. Future events could have large poster on an A-frame with maps for visitors take a picture. Commissioner Holden will bring up to the Conservancy at the next meeting. McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting of October 26, 2021 4 of 4 12. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Commissioner Bill Craig, seconded by Commissioner Janice Holden to adjourn. Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously The Regular Meeting of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Advisory Commission held on October 26, 2021, adjourned at 5:52 p.m. MC,;:)WELL M NTAIN ADVISORY COMMISSION Scott Grzy wski, Chairman ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: (201-a Patti Lo uszanski t ve Assistant p , 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 Preservation Advisory Commission in the Town Hall Council Chambers on the 26th day of October, 2021. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. DATED this 23nd day of November, 2021. P tti Lopuszanski,e4 e Assistant