07-28-2009 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
July 28, 2009
1 The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting was held on July 28, 2009, at the
2 WIA Building at 340 N Reymond Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico
3
4 PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
5 Mr Gerald Saige, Mr Isaac Chavez, Mr Eli Guzman,
6 Ms Alice Ward
7 MEMBERS ABSENT Mr Frank Carril
8 OTHERS PRESENT Mr Mark Johnson, Parks and Recreation Administrator, Ms
9 Cathy Mathews, Landscape Architect, Ms Ellen Saige, and
10 Barbara Gomez, Parks and Recreation Administrative
11 Assistant/P&R Advisory Board Recording Secretary
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13 Meeting was called to order at 7 00 pm
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15 Mr Saige acknowledged the resignations of Mr Kirk Clifton and Ms Aphrus Travers
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17 1 Introductions
18 A. Board Members introduced themselves and stated the district they represent.
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20 II Approval of Minutes —There were no corrections to the July 28, 2009, meeting
21 notes Mr Chavez motioned to approve the minutes Ms Ward seconded the motion
22 Motion passed 4-0
23
24 Mr Gerald Sage voted YES Ms Alice Ward voted YES
25 Mr Isaac Chavez voted YES Mr Eli Guzman voted YES
26
27 III New Business
28 A. Hadley/Manzanita Gateway Design — Informational
29
30 Ms Mathews gave a power-point presentation on the project. She stated that the
31 design/project is similar to the Jardin de Mesquite Gateway She is working closely with
32 the Las Esperanzas Committee on the project. She stated that the area is less than
33 one-eighth of an acre on a right-of-way owned by the City Ms Mathews pointed out
34 that the gateway would have bancos, concrete culverts, nichos, tile, artwork and
35 shading
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37 Board Members were going to ask questions when Mr Johnston said that the questions
38 would be answered in the next item he is presenting
39
40 B. Naming of the Hadley/Manzanita Gateway —Action
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42 Mr Johnston stated that staff received a request from Las Esperanzas to name the new
43 gateway "Entrada Del Sol" (entrance of the sun) The Committee asked that staff bring
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I the recommendation of the name to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for
2 review and recommendation to City Council
3
4 Mr Guzman stated that his business was previously located in the area where the
5 gateway is being constructed and that he is concerned that the tagging and vandalism
6 he experienced in the neighborhood would occur with this project.
7
8 Board Members asked if other projects in the Mesquite area experience high vandalism
9 Mr Johnson answered that the problem is minimal in the area
10
11 Ms Ward motioned to approve the recommendation to City Council Mr Chavez
12 seconded the motion
13
14 Motion passed 4-0
15
16 Mr Gerald Sage voted YES Ms Alice Ward voted YES
17 Mr Isaac Chavez voted YES Mr Eli Guzman voted YES
18
19 C 6T" Bomber Group Memorial -Action
20
21 Mr Johnston informed the Board that Mr Stan Dimsha had approached the City and
22 asked to place a memorial at Veteran's Park. He said this project will not require any
23 City funding The group is purchasing the plaque and landscaping material He said
24 there is already space allocated for such plaques and it will be easy for crews to install
25
26 Mr Chavez asked if this was private funding Mr Johnston answered that it is He
27 mentioned that the group has installed plaques such as this through out the country
28
29 Ms Ward asked if the 6th Bomber Group had ties to Las Cruces Mr Johnston
30 answered that a member of the group had visited Las Cruces and liked the area and
31 that is why Las Cruces was chosen as a site for the plaque
32
33 Mr Chavez asked how much would this project cost? Mr Johnston answered that the
34 plaques cost about $1200 and $150 to $250 for landscape rock.
35
36 Mr Chavez motioned to approve the request to place a memorial plaque at Veteran's
37 Park and approve a recommendation to City Council Mr Guzman seconded the
38 motion
39
40 Motion passed 4-0
41
42 Mr Gerald Sage voted YES Ms Alice Ward voted YES
43 Mr Isaac Chavez voted YES Mr Eli Guzman voted YES
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I IV Reports
2 A. Parks Management and Recreation Section Reports for May and June 2009
3
4 Mr Chavez asked that a Board Member Comment Section be added to the Agenda for
5 comments (Barbara was asked to check with the City Clerk if this can be done)
6
7 Mr Chavez stated that he thought Las Cruces being named a Playful City was positive
8 and good for the City
9
10 Board Members asked Mr Johnston how the transition was going Mr Johnston
11 answered that staff has been very busy He stated that he will come to the Board with
12 his plan to have a more manageable supervisory staff He stated that he currently has
13 18 people reporting to him and his plan is to make that 8 or 9 He told the Board that he
14 will come to them for guidance before making any big moves
15
16 Mr Johnston informed the Board that the Leagues/Organizations stipends will go to
17 Council on August 20, 2009 (A correction was sent by email with the corrected date of
18 August 10, 2009)
19
20 Mr Chavez informed the Board that the petition for the Quality of Life is not moving
21 forward until fall, it has been to hot to go door to door He said a report he saw from the
22 County Commission was favorable
23
24 Ms Ward asked about the "lost child" incident. Mr Johnston reported that
25 administratively speaking it has been addressed and staff is putting things in place as to
26 minimize or prevent this from happening again But judicially, it is still uncertain
27
28 Mr Guzman asked if staff had heard about the fights at the baseball park. Mark
29 answered that the League has by-laws and they go through the League Board first; if
30 issues cannot be resolved it then comes to the City's Parks and Recreation
31 Administration Office
32
33 ADJOURNMENT
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35 With no further business, Mr Saige adjourned the July 29, 2009 meeting at 7 29 pm
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40 Barbara Gomez, Recordingretary bera4d-S�akje,-Chair P&R Board
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