Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMMPC.2013.0423.Minutes .;\yTAIN�f o/ �� t� TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS �... z MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MCDOWELL MOUNTAIN PRESERVATION COMMISSION W W. APRIL 23,2013 that is psv" 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 Chair Bill Myers at 5:28 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2013 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 Chair Bill Myers, Vice-Chair Bill Craig, Commissioners Tom Barberic, Gerard Bisceglia, Steve Fleming, Klaus Schadle, and Elena Torre. Staff members present were Director Mark Mayer and Executive Assistant Nancy Walter. AGENDA ITEM#3: CALL TO THE PUBLIC No one from the public was present. AGENDA ITEM #4: CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE MARCH 26, 2013 MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Schadle made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 26, 2013 meeting, Commissioner Barberic seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. `o. AGENDA ITEM #5: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION OF SENDING A BUDGET REQUEST TO COUNCIL Chair Myers read aloud the attached budget request letter. The request is for FY 2014-15 and will be sent to Council after Council approves the FY 2013-14 Budget. Chair Myers would like to purchase a people-counter if there are sufficient funds in the current budget. Commissioner Bisceglia made a motion to send the budget request letter to Council, Commissioner Barberic seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. AGENDA ITEM #6: UPDATE FROM THE PRESERVE MARKETING WORKGROUP / COMMUNITY OUTREACH Commissioner Barberic distributed the attached letter and PowerPoint talking points. He will meet with Trent Heidtke to finalize the PowerPoint and also present the gift certificate to him in appreciation of his work on the PowerPoint. Vice-Chair Craig is researching the cost of a projector to use for the presentations on the Preserve. Director Mayer will let the Commission know what the current balance is for the MMPC budget. The PowerPoint will be shown to Council at the joint meeting in May. McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 1 of 3 AGENDA ITEM#7: UPDATE ON PRESERVE TRIFOLD BROCHURE PLACEMENT IN KIOSKS Chair Myers and Commissioner Bisceglia placed the Preserve brochures at the Holiday Inn and also at the guard shack at Golden Eagle Trailhead. Director Mayer will attend the Eagle's Nest POA meeting in June. The group has some issues with some of the trail users and wants to discuss them. Commissioner Bisceglia will get an estimate on what it would cost to have the trifolds done by a printing company. AGENDA ITEM#8: UPDATE FROM THE PRESERVE ACCESS WORKGROUP North Heights POA will meet on Thursday and will let Chair Myers know if they are interested in a presentation on access to the Preserve through Mayan Canyon. Chair Myers and Vice-Chair Craig are continuing to look at other areas for access, including Adero Canyon. The Town Attorney is reviewing some of the plats around the Preserve that might eventually allow access to the Preserve. AGENDA ITEM #9: UPDATE FROM THE PRESERVE TRAILHEAD CONSTRUCTION WORK GROUP The process is to investigate what it would take to build the trailhead, which has already been engineered, designed, blue-printed, and bid upon. The concern is if the $1.7 million Open Space Development Fees collected is at risk with the new state law that was passed. The fees were collected for open space, specifically in the Preserve and for the building of a facility; the fees were collected starting in February, 2001 and ceased in January, 2012. Commissioners Schadle and Fleming met with Deputy Town Manager/Finance Director Julie Ghetti to discuss what it would take to build the trailhead. Commissioner Fleming referred to the March 26 minutes, Item #6, "The Town Attorney does not see an issue with renaming the Preserve as a park, which, in theory, would allow us to collect development fees". This would potentially give the Town the ability to start collecting development fees; a study by a consultant, public input, and a Town Council vote are all required first. The next challenge is how large machinery would be brought in to build the trailhead. Commissioners Fleming and Schadle will meet with staff member, Ken Valverde to see what options are available. They will then meet with the Town Manager and Director Mayer. Commissioner Fleming stated that, according to Deputy Town Manager/Finance Director Julie Ghetti and Town Attorney Andrew McGuire, the Development Fees that were collected are secure. Commissioner Schadle discussed Fountain Hills' Ordinance 00-25 and the appropriation of Development Fee Funds; if something isn't built in six years, there have to be good reasons why the money is not refundable. The current property owner has the right to request the refund of the fee. The new law has changed it from six to ten years from the date it was collected. McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 2 of 3 • • • AGENDA ITEM #10: UPDATE ON THE AMERICAN TRAILS INTERNATIONAL TRAILS SYMPOSIUM LI Director Mayer, Chair Myers, and Vice-Chair Craig all said the symposium was very informative, especially about trail planning and construction. There were over 600 participants from all over the world. AGENDA ITEM#11: UPDATE ON THE FOUNTAIN HILLS CYCLOVIA The Cyclovia event was modestly attended. The Commission, along with the Sonoran Conservancy, and McDowell Mountain Regional Park each manned a tent along Saguaro Boulevard. There was one hike with three people participating. AGENDA ITEM #12: DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE MAY 28 JOINT MEETING WITH COUNCIL Some of the discussion items for the joint meeting are; • FY 2014-15 Budget request letter to Council • Marketing Workgroup • Kiosks • Preserve Access • Preserve PowerPoint Chair Myers has invited the Sonoran Conservancy members to the joint meeting to recognize the work they do. AGENDA ITEM#13: CONSIDERATION OF ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Barberic made a motion to adjourn at 6:36 p.m., Commissioner Fleming seconded and the motion passed by unanimous vote. M ow ountain Preservation Commission By: Bill Myers, Chair Reviewed by: Mark C. Mayer, Director of Co unity Services Prepared by: N Walt , xecutive Assistant CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and corre t copy of the minutes of the McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Meeting held on April 23, 13. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. By: Walt , Executive Assistant Cif Dated this 30th day of April, 2013 McDowell Mountain Preservation Commission Page 3 of 3