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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSAC.2022.0425.Minutes TOWN OF FOUNTAIN HILLS MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION APRIL 25, 2022 1. CALL TO ORDER at 4:59 pm 2. ROLL CALL Present: Chairman Natalie Varela; Commissioner Stephen Barnes; Vice Chairman Carey Reddick, Jr.; Commissioner Ron Ruppert; Commissioner Rory Wilson; Commissioner Craig Rudolphy Absent: Youth Commissioner Jacelle Nicole Bautista Staff Community Services Director Rachael Goodwin; Parks Superintendent Kevin Present: Snipes; Recreation Mananger Linda Ayres; Executive Assistant Patti Lopuszanski; Recreation Program Coordinator Skyler Thomas 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 AND POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of the minutes of the meeting of February 24, 2022 MOVED BY Commissioner Craig Rudolphy, SECONDED BY Commissioner Stephen Barnes Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously 5. CONSIDERATION OF & POSSIBLE ACTION: Approval of the Code of Conduct Ms. Goodwin shared with the Commissioners that the Code of Conduct had been revised to cover a broader scope of topics that were not included in the first draft. Commissioner Rudolphy and Commissioner Wilson provided edits to be included in the revised document. Ms. Goodwin asked if the commissioners had enough time to review this document and felt comfortable with the essence of the document prior to a vote. Chair Varela asked for a motion to approve the Code of Conduct. Commissioner Rudolphy moved to approve the draft subject to further revisions as provided. MOVED BY Commissioner Craig Rudolphy, SECONDED BY Commissioner Stephen Barnes Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously 6. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION: Fee Waiver Policy Ms. Goodwin provided background information on the Fee Waiver Policy which originated more than 18 months ago as a directive from a Council member to review how much was waived in fee costs each year. It was a broad review that resulted in determining that over $200,000 annually was being waived. The Fee Waiver Policy draft is set to go before, Town Council in mid-May changing how the town will apply fee reductions and fee waivers. If a Fountain Hills-based non-profit is eligible, they can get up to a 50% fee waiver off of the existing non-profit rate. A consistent set of rules for all to follow was necessary to establish. Ms. Goodwin informed the commissioners that the Chamber of Commerce will have a separate user agreement based on Town Council's directive. Commissioner Rudolphy asked if MCSO road closures are eligible for fee waivers and Ms. Goodwin confirmed that, based on the guidelines of the special event, they are not. Direct out-of-pocket costs are required to be paid by the event sponsor. Chair Varela asked where the fees are posted and Ms. Goodwin informed the commissioners that all fees are on the website. Ms. Goodwin also shared that there is a special events committee that meets monthly and makes recommendations to address safety measures and follow public safety standards. Commissioner Rupert asked about events that cross town lines if another town waives a fee and Ms. Goodwin stated that events are each independent of their own jurisdiction. 7. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION: Future Tours and Park Awareness Ms. Goodwin asked if commissioners had a chance to visit a park and it was determined that it works best when a park tour is scheduled for all to attend. The request for Four Peaks Park was discussed and agreed upon to be the first Save the Date location that will be sent out. Commissioner Ruppert stated he would like to tour the Community Center and Ms. Goodwin added that a visit to Desert Vista Park would be added before it gets too hot. Vice-Chair Reddick acknowledged he would be interested in touring town projects as well. 8. UPDATE: CIP and Park Projects Public Comment from Ed Stizza ( who arrived after the start of the meeting) about the CIP and Parks Projects agenda item. He requested that all commission meetings be recorded for more of the public to see if they are unable to attend in person. He acknowledged Ms. Goodwin is doing a great job with the slide and new playgrounds and placement. He shared with the commissioners that, based on a survey, results showed that the Town only has 50% of the parks that are needed based on population. Mr. Stizza shared that he provided suggestions to Town Council regarding purchasing a property near Desert Vista and was concerned about seeing a new business going in and that its lighting could impede Dark Skies. Mr. Stizza stated that he didn't want to see a tent going into Centennial Circle until after the Dark Skies Observatory was built. Mr. Snipes gave the commissioners an update on Four Peaks, regarding the upcoming addition of two new ramadas to go over by the playground that will provide shade and a picnic at that end of the park. In addition, paving of the parking lots by the dirt lot will start in mid-May. Golden Eagle waiting for chips to come in for security cameras, to be installed by the Saguaro Ramada to cover the basketball court and turf that is torn up on a monthly basis by people that choose to drive on it. Mr. Snipes shared with the commissioners that the Splash pad surfacing will begin on May 9th and is looking to open by Memorial Day weekend. The playground has been a big success and kids are there at all times and are challenged and safe. Over at Desert Vista over 400 tons of top dressing material was laid to level out the bumpy fields and the grass was coming through. The addition of some irrigation improvements around the mini-pitch was also completed. Mr. Snipes informed the commissioners that at this time there was no timeline for Dark Skies Observatory to be constructed. He continued to state that the Centennial Circle is currently an underused area, but with the addition of a shade structure, a new shaded event space would add a lot to the usability of the area. Events would support the Community Center, the library, and the museum campus. Mr. Snipes added that landscaping could be added over time and reduce the costs. Ms.Goodwin interjected that there is no timeline for funding to be fulfilled for the Dark Skies Observatory at this time and to wait for an unknown period on that project should not be a deciding factor. Commissioner Ruppert asked if bollards could be added to reduce cars getting on the fields at Golden Eagle. Mr. Snipes agreed that this has been a consideration. Chair Varela, added her support for the Centennial Circle project and acknowledged that the Community Center and Library restroom's proximity would also reduce the need to add that additional expense into the construction costs of the project. 9. UPDATE: Upcoming events and year to date highlights Ms. Ayres introduced Ms. Skyler Thomas, Recreation Program Coordinator, and shared that her talent is being used in creating flyers and infographics that are included in the commissioners' packets. Skylar has a strong marketing background and has brought up marketing standards in the department to a new level. Ms. Ayres shared that the infographic on Irish Fest estimated about 8,000 people in attendance and Skylar Thomas was able to develop the analytics from social media. Remax Properties Sonoran Lifestyles team was the $10,000 presenting sponsor and they added value by engaging with the community with their tents and cornhole, games, and giveaways. A Music Fest grant through tourism allowed for a two-day event that brought in attendees from all over the valley. Skateboard classic, MYC Takeover, additional Music Fest, Recycle Event, and Little League Classic were all new events. Movie in the Park will be coming up, summer programs will include splash pad events on a weekly basis with food trucks, Four Peaks Whacky Wet Wednesdays, Picnic in the Park with stargazing, In July there will be a Family Fun Night at the Community Center. Ms. Ayres also noted that Concerts on the Avenue were a huge success and the last one would be taking place this week. Ms. Ayres noted the importance of volunteers and Chair Varela asked if interns could be considered for people to turn to for additional help. Ms. Ayres noted the need is not in the summer as much as in fall and spring and with only three full-time on staff and part-time park attendants, the need for volunteers is important. 10. ADJOURNMENT at 5:46 pm MOVED BY Commissioner Rory Wilson, SECONDED BY Vice Chairman Carey Reddick, Jr. Vote: 6 - 0 - Unanimously (7MMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION eta/ — Natalie Varela, Chair ATTEST AND PREPARED BY: 1 OdCk Patti Lopuszanski, Ex ive 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 Community Services Advisory Commission in the Town Hall Council Chambers on the 25th day of April 2022. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present. DATED this 23rd day of May 2022 Patti Lopuszanski, Exec ti Assistant