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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMMPC.2015.0127.Minutes �TAIN�rC TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE `�.. e MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION JANUARY 27,2015 hat is Ao' AGENDA ITEM#1: CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A public meeting of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission was convened and called to order by Acting Chair Tom Barberic at 5:29 p.m., Tuesday, January 27, 2015 in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, located at 16705 East Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, Arizona. AGENDA ITEM#2: ROLL CALL Present at roll call were Acting Chair Tom Barberic, Commissioners Tom Aiello, Bill Craig, Bill Myers, Klaus Schadle, and Ken Thornton. Staff members present were Director Mark Mayer and Executive Assistant Nancy Walter. AGENDA ITEM#3: CALL TO THE PUBLIC No one from the public wished to speak. AGENDA ITEM #4: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE DECEMBER 2, 2014 MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Schadle made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 2, 2014 meeting, Commissioner Aiello seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. AGENDA ITEM#5: CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTING THE COMMISSION CHAIR Commissioner Craig made a motion to appoint Commissioner Myers as the Commission Chair, Commissioner Barberic seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. AGENDA ITEM#6: CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTING THE COMMISSION VICE-CHAIR Commissioner Craig made a motion to appoint Commissioner Barberic as the Commission Vice-Chair, Chair Myers seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. AGENDA ITEM #7: CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTING A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION Each Commissioner will attend one CSAC meeting and then will determine if they will continue that process or appoint one Commissioner to attend all of the CSAC meetings. • Commissioner Schadle - February 23 • Commissioner Aiello - March 23 • Commissioner Thornton—April 27 • Chair Myers—May 18 sitar McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 1 of 4 AGENDA ITEM#8: DISCUSSION OF WORK GROUP ASSIGNMENTS The Commissioners each volunteered to be on a workgroup. • Adero Canyon Trailhead: Commissioners Craig, Schadle, Thornton, and Chair Myers ..,�+✓ • McDowell Mountain Month: Commissioners Aiello, Schadle and Vice—Chair Barberic • Preserve Marketing and Fairs: Commissioners Aiello, Thornton and Vice—Chair Barberic Chair Myers discussed ITEM #16 at this time. AGENDA ITEM #9: REPORT ON THE JANUARY 26, 2015 COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING Vice-Chair Barberic reported: • The CSAC held two meetings regarding the dog park and formed a group to study the issues regarding the dog park • The CSAC formed three work groups: Parks/Facilities, Programs, and Budget/CIP • The CSAC Commissioners will tour the parks and facilities on February 14 • There is currently a moratorium on drones in the parks and the Preserve AGENDA ITEM #10: CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING COMMISSION MEETING DAYS AND TIMES Vice-Chair Barberic made a motion to meet on the following dates at 5:30 p.m., Commissioner Thornton seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. • January 27 • February 24 • March 24 • April -No meeting scheduled • May 26 • June 23 • July-No meeting scheduled • August 25 • September 22 • October 27 • December 1 (Combined November & December) AGENDA ITEM #11: DISCUSSION OF THE CONTENT AND SIZE OF THE PRESERVE TRAIL MAPS AND TRIFOLDS Pricing options were given for the tri-folds and the six-fold maps. The current 100# tri-folds (8.5x11) cost $640.25, including tax, for 2000 maps. The 80# six-fold maps (11x17) would be $795.00 plus tax and delivery for 2000 maps. The Commissioners would like to add safety tips and include new trails on the tri-folds and would like to extend the Big Picture maps to include the new trails, the Regional Park, and Scottsdale's trails. The Preserve Marketing Group will discuss ideas for these maps and will meet with Ken Valverde. The Marketing Group will bring their ideas to the Commission. .00 McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 2 of 4 • AGENDA ITEM#12: DISCUSSION OF SIGNS FOR THE PRESERVE'S NEW TRAILS Chair Myers and Commissioner Craig have identified locations for the emergency markers and directional signs and want other Commissioners to look at them also. Staff will order the signs when the information is Saw ready. Discussion then turned to how the signs would be paid for. Director Mayer will bring the current budget figures to the next meeting. AGENDA ITEM#13: UPDATE ON ADERO CANYON Director Mayer read aloud the attached questions and answers documents. • The latest estimate from the architect is that the project is still on track for $1.7 million • The Town has not signed off on the final design; it would take approximately six to eight weeks to complete from 95% to 100% • MCO should bear the cost if they raise the elevation to the entry way and walkway • Director Mayer will verify item #4 regarding the temporary utility plans and also when the emergency access to Parcel #2 would be done • It was suggested that additional benches for the Trailhead could be donated • Adero Canyon final plats are on Council's February 5th and 19th agendas for approval Commissioner Craig has additional questions, including parking in the cul-de-sac, and will email them to Director Mayer. AGENDA ITEM #14: DISCUSSION OF USING SPRAY FOR THE EXPOSED PART OF THE PROMENADE TRAIL Commissioner Craig said there are two methods to cover up the scar/cut along the Promen.s e Trail. Permeon is a treatment estimated to cost approximately $4500-$5000. Hydro-seeding would :: : approximately $4000-$5000. The money for this would have to come from the Open Space or Trails Budget. Director Mayer will talk with the Engineering Department regarding which would be the best treatment. AGENDA ITEM #15: DISCUSSION OF PLANS FOR THE BOOTH AT THE FEBRUARY GREAT FAIR Vice-Chair Barberic said every shift slot is filled. He and Steve Fleming will do the set-up and take-down. Vice-Chair Barberic will talk with Steve Fleming regarding saving the spot on Thursday. AGENDA ITEM #16: DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL OBJECTIVES FOR THE COMMISSION IN 2015 Chair Myers read aloud from the attached list of 19 objectives. Commissioner Schadle read aloud from the attached list of five objectives. These will be discussed at a future meeting. AGENDA ITEM#17: CONSIDERATION OF ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Craig made a motion to adjourn at 7:07 p.m., Vice-Chair Barberic seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. `NY McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 3 of 4 M o ell Mountain Prese ation Commission ..,,r Myers, Chair Reviewed by: ��, , Mark . Mayer, Director of Commu y Services Prepared by: W ter, ecutive Assistant CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting held on January 27 2015. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. By: Nancy alter, xecutive Assistant Dated this 17th day of February 2015 McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 4 of 4 Fountain Hills Preserve MMPC objectives list for 2015 Following are 19 possible objectives for the MMPC to discuss for 2015. The completion of these objectives will increase the usability, safety and value of the Preserve for current residents and future generations. The list is not in any specific order, such as importance or cost, but is intended to be a basis for discussion and direction of the MMPC efforts. Some of these objectives could be assigned to existing workgroups, new workgroups or individuals. Some are long time frame and take many months to complete and some are relatively short range and inexpensive. 1) Quick Read (QR). Quick Read codes could be places on several existing signs to help hikers and others gain information about the trail they may be about to go on. 2) Trailhead Workgroup. The existing Trailhead Workgroup has made an initial site visit and developed 15 questions to help reduce the cost and improve the Trailhead. Those questions are being answered, which is helping the Workgroup understand the work that has already been accomplished. Consistent involvement by the Workgroup is needed and hopefully will be a benefit to the Town and the Trailhead. 3) Scar on the Mountain. The Promenade Trail (Jeep Trail) scar can be seen from many places in our Town. That scar may be able to be revegitated and rock stained to increase the esthetic appeal of our Preserve. 4) Grand opening of the Trailhead. Seems a little early and presumptuous to plan for the opening. The final preparation will be closer to the actual opening,but it is not too early to begin the process. 5) Emergency Markers and Helicopter landing Zones. The new Andrews/Kinsey Trail needs EM and LZ to be as safe as the other 6 miles of trails in our Preserve. 6) Recognition of the Conservancy. The MMPC needs the Town to recognize the value of the time and effort of the Conservancy. One example is the construction of the Andrews/Kinsey Trail. Scottsdale spent $95,000 developing their portion of the Trail. Primarily because of the Conservancy the cost to Fountain Hills was very minimal. 7) Recognition of the Value of the Preserve. We need to show the true value of our Preserve. It has value in exercise, ambiance, outdoor desert area,background for events such as weddings, and dollar value to all real estate here in Town. All who own real estate in Town would lose considerable dollar value if the Preserve were allowed to be developed. 8) Preserve the Preserve. There is some question as to the long term economic viability of our Town. The Town weathered the last recession (10`h since WWII)by cutting the Town staff by half. Not sure how to weather the next recession. Part of our job is to Preserve the Preserve in our time. 9) Coordinate with Scottsdale and Regional Park. There could be several events that the 53,000 combined acres could host that may be a benefit to our Town in many ways. There are no hotels or restaurants in the Regional Park to our north. Added business for our Town would be a plus. 10)Firewising. There still remain several areas in our Town that could start a fire that could run up to the Preserve. Scottsdale had a fire in '95 that burned 23,000 acres and devastated real estate values. Our Town is a total of about 13,000 acres. Firewising would decrease the chance of a catastrophic fire. 11)Advertising of Preserve. Biking, hiking, geology, various training and educational opportunities and could be advertised in the appropriate publications in addition to the local papers. More usage and business for Fountain Hills. 12)New Flyer. We currently have a six panel flyer. Great Flyer. We may consider a 12 panel or 24 panels. Added info could be a bigger map, some safety info, and other information. 13)Marquee at Golden Eagle and Adero Trailhead. We currently have a large map in the Golden Eagle Marquee. Thanks Mark, it looks great. We may want to put a little more information at the Golden Eagle marquee such as location of the restroom and safety information. 14)All signage at the Adero Trailhead. MMPC can start work on the appropriate signage for the Trailhead and other items that may need attention at the Trailhead. See other trailheads for their ideas. 15)Trail Counters. We currently have one trail counter. Several other trail counters would help in establishing the usage of the Preserve and tell us which trails are heavily traveled in order to allocate funds and efforts to where it is most needed. 16)Test 911. Even though we have had no deaths in our Preserve so far, it would be informative to see how our Emergency Marker and Landing Zone maps are really used and how to improve them. Test the 911 in the Preserve. 17)Five layers of Protection. Other cities have attempted to make it difficulty to sell part of all of their Preserve. We would like to make it difficult for a future developer to tempt the Town to sell the Preserve for development 18)Bench Criteria. We have been approached by those who wish to put another bench at several locations in the Preserve. A criteria needs to be developed to handle such requests. I think the Town has one now for the Parks in Town. 19)Budget. The Town needs to develop a dollar budget specifically for the Preserve. Currently, the budget for the Town's largest and most expensive asset appears to be quite small. The above is very brief. The why, how, and cost and other factors should be discussed. Objectives can then be prioritized by the MMPC with input by the Town and Council. Other ideas and objectives will also come, I think. Preserve the Preserve Commissioner Schadle MMPC meeting January 27, 2015 Agenda item#16 • Facilitate coordination/communications with MCO can MMPC assist them in any way • Invite Jeremy Hall to periodically update the MMPC on Adero progress • Work with Town staff on construction timetable and get updated costs for the TH; can we build as envisioned a decade ago?; more?; less? • Coordinate with Town staff and MCO to ensure TH project is put out to bid • Quarterly update Town Council on progress/plans and challenges of the TH project 'Sur err.