MINUTES OF THE GILBERT TOWN COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON PARKS AND RECREATION SERVICES MEETING

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2006 AT 7:00 P.M.

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL LIBRARY, CONFERENCE ROOM B, 775 N GREENFIELD ROAD, GILBERT, ARIZONA

MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Mayor Presmyk (Chair), Councilmembers Skousen and Urie

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Councilmember Krueger; Park and Recreation Advisory
Boardmembers Bilas, Barnes-Pharr, and Dykstra;
Shane McCord, Gilbert Public Schools; Derek Neighbors, Arizona Soccer Club;
Andy Clark, American Youth Soccer Organization; Steve Herrada Boys and Girls Club;
Ben Leeson, Scott Freeman and Bruce Tarman, Gilbert American Little League; Rod
Heibolt and Roberta Ulibarri, Gilbert National Little
League; Tom Miller and Carla Miller Top Flight Youth
Sports, representative Diamondbacks Little League.

STAFF PRESENT: Manager Pettit, Park and Recreation Director Ahlman, Recreation Superintendent Giles, Parks Superintendent Martin, and Administrative Assistant Vradenburg

1. CALL TO ORDER

Vice Mayor Presmyk called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m.

2. INTRODUCTION OF ATTENDEES

Vice Mayor Presmyk had all those present introduce themselves and their group affiliation. Persons were asked to sign the attendance sheet to allow for their attendance to be recorded.

3. GROUND RULES OF PARTICIPATION

Vice Mayor Presmyk advised the group this meeting was a continuation of the discussion regarding the draft proposal on the reconstituted Sports Coalition.

A revised draft of the Gilbert Sports Coalition was circulated, along with Parks and Recreation staff responses on scheduling and monitoring membership. Vice Mayor Presmyk advised Item J and I were modified and L was added. There was an effort to improve the scheduling and tiers information.

He discussed the basic ground rules to assure an effective meeting which included the following ground rules:

1 Spokesperson per group
Everyone participates, no one dominates
One speaker at a time
Criticize ideas and concepts not people

4. DISCUSSION ON NEW COALITION CRITERIA

Derek Neighbors asked for additional discussion regarding Section I of the membership, and if it was auditable and credible for Gilbert staff to manage without additional overhead. He further questioned the tiering and scheduling criteria. There was considerable discussion on scheduling and the tiers, and other agreements creating priority over those stated in the Coalition document. A question was raised regarding Parks and Recreation Programs and their priority and not releasing fields as compared to other users. Staff indicated they were aware of and sensitive to the issues, and would be willing to schedule their programs in accordance with the same rules as the coalition.

There was additional question and discussion about the field capacity and availability of facilities. The school districts appear to be taking control of their facilities and charging higher fees than Gilbert. There was also discussion about the resistance of neighbors to lighted fields, which reduces available hours at school facilities as well as Gilbert fields. The Southeast Diamondback Little League discussed their experience with Higley schools and Queen Creek, as well as their continuing problem with finding space for the thousands of children in the southeast area wanting to play ball. Shane McCord explained the Gilbert District?s challenge of funding maintenance of facilities given legislative definitions, and the need to manage facilities to a self sustaining level, while also respecting the school competitive sports programs. Vice Mayor Presmyk indicated the Sub Committee will review and come to a decision soon on joint use field lighting, and use of voter approved bond funds for field lighting.

The discussion continued on available facilities and the relative priority given to field construction by the Council. Vice Mayor Presmyk discussed the priority setting process the Council has had to follow in budgeting funds for the community, and that the costs which come from developing facilities has been a major concern. The private partnerships of field management such as Big League Dreams, the Hawaiian Falls water park and ice rink facilities all involve operating partnerships to reduce costs to Gilbert.

A member of the audience introduced herself as being with the new little league group in south Gilbert and asked about scheduling facilities and developing their program. They have been advised they need to have their own facilities by 2007 and can no longer use Higley or Queen Creek facilities. .

5. FUTURE MEETINGS

There was no date scheduled for the next meeting with the agency members, but the next meeting of the Sub Committee is scheduled for February 28, 2006.

Future Agenda topics with the Coalition are to include:

Discussion and timing of planned capital projects
Prioritizing use of facilities

He thanked all those present for their time and attendance, as well as their commitment to Gilbert youth sports.

6. ADJOURNMENT

Vice Mayor Presmyk adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.

ATTEST:

Les Presmyk, Vice Mayor (Chair)

Catherine Templeton, CMC, Town Clerk

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the special meeting of the Council Subcommittee on Parks and Recreation Services held on the 26th day of January 2006. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.

Dated this 28th day of February 2006.

Catherine Templeton, CMC
Town Clerk

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