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

FEBRUARY 28, 2006 AT 7:00 A.M.

GILBERT MUNICIPAL CENTER, CONFERENCE ROOM 233
50 E. CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
GILBERT, ARIZONA

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Manager Pettit, Assistant Manager Skocypec, Park and Recreation Director Ahlman, Recreation Superintendent Giles, Parks Superintendent Martin, and Deputy Clerk Roberts

1. CALL TO ORDER

Vice Mayor Presmyk called the meeting to order at 7:01 a.m.

2. MINUTES – approval of the minutes of the Meeting of January 24, 2006 and January 26, 2006

A MOTION was made by Councilmember Urie, seconded by Vice Mayor Presmyk, to approved the minutes of the Meeting of January 24, 2006 and January 26, 2006. Motion carried 2-0.

3. PARKS & RECREATION – update on the Sports Coalition guidelines including criteria, standard agreements, and the next meeting with Coalition members.

The next meeting with Sports Coalition members was scheduled for March 9 at either the Southeast Regional Library or McQueen Activity Center to continue discussion on finalization of standard agreements.

The Subcommittee will report to Council on accommodating groups and the scarcity of facilities.

4. PARKS & RECREATION – status report on RFQ for an equestrian venue.

Manager Pettit advised that two policy level decisions were required to present a final Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Council on March 8. The RFQ could either be site specific with limited capacity, or be very board in scope. He added that the consultant would be reviewing facility availability. There are currently two potential sites; Rittenhouse with 17 high and dry acres and Chandler Heights Basins at 40 acres. Councilmember Skousen asked whether the basins at Rittenhouse could be used for future expansion. Manager Pettit responded that it is likely no structures could be built in the basins.
Manager Pettit asked if the Subcommittee wished the RFQ to be site specific and therefore constrained by the physical boundaries, or to be area specific to allow for development of an optimum facility given the market demands. The perpetual lease profits would be returned to Gilbert per the present agreement.

Councilmember Urie requested the RFQ be site specific.

After further discussion, the Subcommittee directed Manager Pettit to request the RFQ be site specific.

5. PARKS & RECREATION – status report on the Gilbert Community Center/Senior Center.

Recreation Superintendent Giles distributed copies of the latest revised floor plan of the Gilbert Community Center and explained a pocket-type retractable door south of the lobby will be installed to create privacy between the dining room and restroom facilities used by the seniors and the classrooms used by pre-school students. The Center will have two entrances; the west entrance will be used by the seniors to gain access to the patio area, dining room and multi-purpose room and the east entrance will be used by pre-school students for access to classrooms and their facilities.

Vice Mayor Presmyk asked whether the center will be one or two stories high. Recreation Superintendent Giles responded one story. Discussion continued on access and separation issues and Recreation Superintendent Giles added that at one point a barrier in the corridor was suggested, but due to safety issues was not a feasible solution. He continued that the pocket door when opened or closed will be aesthetically pleasing and a practical solution for sectioning off the center when the dining room or the multi-purpose room was being utilized by the seniors or other special uses.

Vice Mayor Presmyk suggested that if student use of the center was limited to after 3:00 p.m. this would allow the seniors exclusive use of the center from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Councilmember Urie thought that the parking allocations would alleviate co-mingling of the two groups of users.

Councilmember Skousen asked about restroom limitations. Manager Pettit advised that the restroom facilities exceed Building Code requirements.

Councilmember Urie congratulated the architect on his plan and stated that even though the Community Center will not be segregated entirely, the parking and entrance solutions will hopefully diminish potential problems. Vice Mayor Presmyk added that the seniors had requested a sign. Manager Pettit responded that appropriate signage would be displayed. Park and Recreation Director Ahlman noted the relocation of the public art piece as part of the project.

6. PARKS & RECREATION – discussion and direction regarding possible indoor soccer venue.

Vice Mayor Presmyk advised that a presentation was made after the last meeting and this agenda item was to obtain follow up. Manager Pettit asked whether the Subcommittee wished to craft a Request for Proposal (RFP) for this use.

After discussion, it was felt that since Hetchler Park was town-owned with parking already installed it would be the best location for an indoor soccer venue. Such a venue would require a structure of 40,000 square feet, allowing one to three acres for the structure and parking. Hetchler Park was also close to the freeway which would provide convenience and encourage use during the day and evening.

A MOTION was made by Councilmember Skousen, seconded by Councilmember Urie to craft an RFQ for an indoor turf facility from one acre up to three acres, with two fields under one roof, self contained to be located on a Town-owned site off Greenfield Road known as Hetchler Park. Motion carried 3-0.

7. PARKS & RECREATION – discussion and direction regarding naming rights and revenue generation for parks and recreation facilities.

Manager Pettit advised this was a two-fold, two prong issue, one issue was with the capital contributions, and whether or not to research what percentage was received from donors to allow naming rights. The second issue was that there was a growing trend for corporations who donate considerable amounts to parks and recreation facilities for operations and maintenance, being allowed naming rights to those facilities. Manager Pettit cautioned that any corporation could take this approach and name a facility however they wished which could cause potential problems if the Town had a conflict with the chosen name. Councilmember Skousen confirmed this would not apply to private facilities. Manager Pettit suggested that research be conducted of other communities regarding their naming rights ordinance. Councilmember Urie recommended reviewing the policies of the City of Phoenix. Vice Mayor Presmyk concluded this would be an opportune time to review and develop the Town’s policy on naming rights.

8. PARKS & RECREATION – discussion and direction regarding naming convention for Chandler’s Perry High shared library facility.

Manager Pettit advised that the Chandler School District has a naming convention for the joint Gilbert library facility. The facility is to be known as Gilbert Public Library, Perry Branch. This item would be presented to Council for approval. Consensus was reached.

5. FUTURE MEETINGS

The next meeting was scheduled for March 21. Manager Pettit advised that the agenda is to include future use and locations of activity centers, sports coalition follow up and facility planning. Councilmember Urie requested data be provided regarding the impact of Lifetime Fitness on the Freestone Recreation Facility and Vice Mayor Presmyk requested an update on Freestone Recreation Center revenues. Councilmember Skousen asked about progress on the park around the water tower. Manager Pettit advised that the public participation process for project was progressing and J2 had been selected as the design architect.

10. ADJOURNMENT

Vice Mayor Presmyk adjourned the meeting at 8:03 a.m.

ATTEST:

Les Presmyk, Vice Mayor (Chair)

Susan Roberts, CMC, Deputy Town Clerk

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the Council Subcommittee on Parks and Recreation Services held on the 28th day of February 2006. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and held and that a quorum was present.

Dated this 21st day of March 2006.

Susan Roberts, CMC Deputy Town Clerk

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