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Home My WebLink AboutCSAC.2015.0126.Minutes �o�/z AIN\f<cN TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS / z MINUTES OF THE 0, /at • COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION ._ ..- JANUARY 26, 2015 that is AO" ITEM#1: CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Community Services Advisory Commission was convened and called to order by Chair Natalie Varela at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015 in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, located at 16705 East Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, Arizona. ITEM #2: ROLL CALL In attendance at roll call were Chair Natalie Varela, Vice-Chair Sherman Abrahamson, Commissioners Nancy Blumenstein, Patt Canning, Don Doty, Jerry Gorrell, Jim Judge, Ron Ruppert, Danny Tancredi, Greg Woo, and Donna Yordy. Absent at roll call were Commissioners Geoffrey Harper and Lynne Mott. Director Mark Mayer, Senior Services Supervisor Kelley Fonville, Community Center Events and Operations Supervisor Mike Fenzel, and Executive Assistant Nancy Walter represented staff. ITEM#3: CALL TO THE PUBLIC Howard Harris, a Fountain Hills resident, said he wanted to hear what the Commission's recommendation is regarding the dog park. Commissioner Harper arrived at 5:03 p.m. 406. Douglas Larson, a Fountain Hills resident, said his dogs are most likely the cause of the noise in the early morning and apologized to the homeowners. He now uses the large dog park. He suggested putting up a solid brick wall to keep the little dogs off the planter area and metal slats at the entrance to the small dog park. He also suggested making people aware that their dogs are disturbing the neighbors. Five residents, who did not wish to speak, turned in speaker cards with written comments; three stating they want to keep the dog hours as they are and two wanting a solution to the noise issue. ITEM #4: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE NOVEMBER 24, 2014 COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Judge made a motion to accept the minutes of the November 24, 2014 meeting, Commissioner Tancredi seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. ITEM #5: BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE HOURS AND USE OF DESERT VISTA DOG PARK Director Mayer said: • There is no additional park property to move the dog park to • Improvements to the dog park area were the addition of lights and a planter wall to separate the two dog areas, also added a second entrance to the south for dogs that tend to bark • There is not staff to open and close the park or monitor the usage of the park; the lights are set for the opening and closing of the park Fountain Hills Community Services Advisory Commission Page 1 of 4 Commissioner Gorrell referred to the attached email from Mr. Frank Schoebel concerning the lights. Commissioner Gorrell said the halogen lights that are causing issues for the neighbors are the ones from the soccer fields and not the sodium lights at the dog park. Comments from the Commissioners: �/ • The barking can be heard at times in various parts of Morningside and is annoying • Some owners put their small dogs on the planter wall in spite of the posted signs; the barking is loud and annoying • A cover over the fence by the North entry and along the gate would help somewhat even though the dogs would still hear and smell the other dogs • A short fence along the small dog side at the planter would prevent the little dogs from getting on the planter and would help eliminate most of the noise • There is room for dirt berming along the North side of the park to help absorb the noise; could also add noise absorbing plant material • Dog owners raised concerns about the burrs in the park; the problem started when the over- seeding was discontinued and staff is trying to clear them up Commissioner Judge met with Dennis Contino, President of ADOG, and said Mr. Contino stated that ADOG would donate money to help mitigate the issues Commissioner Doty made a motion to form a work group consisting of three Commissioners, three homeowners, three dog park users, an ADOG member, and a veterinarian; Commissioner Ruppert seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. The HOA's, ADOG, and the park users would each choose their representatives to be on the Work vole Group. The Work Group will come back to the Commission with suggestions and the Commission will then make a recommendation to Council. ITEM #6: POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDING TO COUNCIL CHANGES OF HOURS AND USE OF THE DESERT VISTA DOG PARK This item will be on a future meeting agenda. ITEM#7: DISCUSSION OF WORK GROUP ASSIGNMENTS The Commissioners each volunteered to be on a workgroup. • Parks/Facilities Work Group: Commissioners Doty, Ruppert,Woo, and Yordy • Programs Work Group: Vice-Chair Abrahamson, Commissioners Blumenstein, Canning, and Harper • Budget/CIP Work Group: Commissioners Gorrell,Judge, and Tancredi ITEM #8: DISCUSSION OF SCHEDULING A TOUR OF THE PARKS AND FACILITIES FOR THE COMMISSIONERS The tour will be held on Saturday, February 14, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. ITEM #9: DISCUSSION OF THE LEARNING CENTER (TLC) AND THE BINGO PROGRAM'S USAGE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER ROOMS Vice-Chair Abrahamson said the Community Center and Activity Center are in constant need of additional space. He would like better use and remuneration of the space the TLC is currently using. Vice-Chair """'e Fountain Hills Community Services Advisory Commission Page 2 of 4 Abrahamson said he was told there is an extra room at Town Hall, not currently being used for public purpose,which could possibly be used for computer education classes. Director Mayer spoke with Ralph Craner, Chair of Senior Services, Inc. and is responsible for TLC. Director Mayer suggested referring this issue to the Programs Work Group. He also suggested to Mr. Craner that TLC use laptops instead of desktops which would offer flexibility to the room usage. Commissioner Judge said there are a long conference room (storage room) and two small conference rooms at Town Hall that could be used for programming. He would also like to use Council Chambers for meetings and programming. Vice-Chair Abrahamson noted that TLC charge fees and classes are taught by volunteers and would like to reconsider how the education process is done. He would like the Commission to visit this issue and make a recommendation as how to proceed to provide this service to the community either to continue in the present form or the Center could possibly provide its own lessons. The Activity Center and the Recreation Department have increased their programs, the Community Center rentals have increased so space is being limited by not having access to the room being used by the TLC. TLC started out as SeniorNet about 12-15 years ago and was an affiliate of the national organization. TLC is not a part of Senior Services Activity Center. Members of TLC are required to have an Activity Center membership; the TLC staff is supposed to verify that participants are a current member of the Activity Center. The Program Work Group will present information to the Commission which will then make a recommendation. Mr. Ralph Craner arrived at 6:30 p.m. He said he spoke with the TLC staff and determined the TLC room could be reconfigured and utilized as dual purpose. TLC is currently using 13 computers and would be able to get by with just four and possibly just with laptops. TLC is teaching IPOD, IPAD, Galaxy, smartphones because many people are not using desktops. Mr. Craner said TLC had classes 15 days in December and 16 days in January. TLC is run by nine volunteers. TLC pays a yearly fee for the room, liability insurance, a phone line, the Internet, and computer upgrades. Mr. Craner will meet with the TLC staff and Community Center staff to discuss ideas about room usage and where to store their printers, scanners, etc. and then he will meet with the Programs Work Group. ITEM#10: DISCUSSION OF THE USE OF DRONES IN THE TOWN'S PARKS This is national issue. The FAA will make a determination this summer regarding commercial usage of drones. Currently, there is a moratorium on the use of drones in the parks. ITEM #11: DISCUSSION OF COMMISSION MEETINGS DATES The Commission will hold meetings on February 23, March 23, April 20, May 18, June 22, September 28, October 26, and November 23. There are no meetings scheduled for July, August, and December. Fountain Hills Community Services Advisory Commission Page 3 of 4 ITEM#12: REPORT ON THE SLIDE THE CITY EVENT ON APRIL 25,2015 The 1000 ft. slide will be placed on Palisades Boulevard on April 25th. Palisades will be closed between Sunflower and Lost Hills for a 24 hour period; the neighborhood will not be completely closed off. Golden Eagle Boulevard is too steep and Avenue of the Fountains is not steep enough. Parking will be available at the High School and some area churches. There are various pricing packages available. Volunteers from organizations in town will be paid a stipend for their time helping at the event. ITEM #13: REPORT ON PUBLIC ART PIECES TITLED "GEORGE WASHINGTON AND THOMAS JEFFERSON" The Public Art Committee raised funds for the two sculptures, "George Washington and Thomas Jefferson", which will be placed in Fountain Park and will be dedicated on February 16th, Presidents Day. ITEM#14: CONSIDERATION OF ADJOURNMENT Vice-Chair Abrahamson made a motion to adjourn at 6:44 p.m., Commissioner Blumenstein seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. Communit' Sgrvice Advisory Commission ? BY: __ (fL , �iti/7 �;-. Natalie Varela, Chair (•� REVIEWED BY: , _ C3i Mark C. Mayer, Director of Commu ty Services PREPARED BY a cy Wal r, Executive Assistant CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Regular Session held by the Community Services Advisory Commission of Fountain Hills on the 26h day of January 2015. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. Dated this 9th day of February 2015 N n y W It , Executive Assistant Fountain Hills Community Services Advisory Commission Page 4 of 4