02-20-2014 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
FEBRUARY 20, 2014
1 The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting was held on February 20, 2014, at
2 the Sage Cafe Recreation Center, 6121 Reynolds Drive, Las Cruces, NM.
3
4 PARKS & RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
5 Mr. Ron Camunez, Board Chair
6 Ms. Dawn Rue, Vice Chair
7 Mr. Mark O'Neill
8 Ms. Laura Haas
9 Ms. Elizabeth Brown
10 Mr. Eli Guzman
11
12 OTHERS PRESENT:
13 Mr. Mark Johnston, Director Parks & Recreation
14 Ms. Veronica Quezada, PRAB Recording Secretary
15 Mr. Rudy Trevino, Acting Parks Administrator
16 Ms. Sonya Delgado, Recreation Administrator
17 Ms. Hazel Nevarez, Office Manager Parks & Recreation
18 Roseann Thompson
19
20 The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairman Camunez and he
21 recognized the meeting as having a legal quorum.
22
23 I. Introductions
24
25 Board Members introduced themselves and stated the district they represent.
26
27 It. Conflict of Interest
28
29 No conflict of interest.
30
31 III. Approval of Minutes
32
33 Minutes stand approved for the January 16, 2014 meeting as presented.
34
35 IV. Old Business
36
37 None
38
39 V. New Business
40
41 A. Introduction of Ms. Hazel Nevarez, Office Manager— Informational
42
I Hazel Nevarez was introduced as the new Office Manager for City of Las Cruces Parks
2 and Recreation and will be the new PRAB Recording Secretary for future meetings.
3
4 B. Facility Users Meeting Update— Informational
5
6 Mr. Johnston stated that there was very good representation at the Facility Users
7 Kickoff Meeting, a full house with no complaints. There are a few issues that may
8 come to the Board but Mr. Mr. Johnston stated they will try to address this at staff level
9 and keep the Board posted. Stipend requests are being taken very seriously so that
10 any youth that wants to participate will be able to participate despite their economic
I1 status. Mr. Johnston stated the Parks and Recreation Department will begin a new
12 process in working with leagues where they will bring unused items such as uniforms,
13 cleats, mitts, bats to have a rummage style sale at inexpensive prices.
14
15 C. City Art Board Update/Progress— Informational
16
17 Mr. Johnston informed the Board that the City Art Board has begun to function as a
18 Board, bylaws have been set and this will be a recommending Board to City Council
19 that will touch on some of the business discussed with the Parks and Recreation
20 Advisory Board. The art pieces will be placed on public property that falls under control
21 of Parks and Recreation Department. The Art Board will have the affairs of art even
22 though it will be in public spaces. When the Art Board makes a recommendation, the
23 information will be brought to this Board and then there will be some discussion and
24 possibly joint recommendations to the City Council.
25
26 D. Update on Sage Cafe— Informational
27
28 Ms. Delgado informed the Board that Parks and Recreation is responsible for the Sage
29 Caf6 building on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fitness classes are
30 being held with about 10 participants on a somewhat regular basis. The Department
31 will try it out for a month and draw in more interest.
32
33 On Monday's and Wednesday's, Recreation staff is across the street at the East Mesa
34 Recreation Center. Numbers were strong at the East Mesa Recreation Center but
35 have since dropped with the opening at Sage Cafe. Recreation staff is now trying to
36 get those individuals to come to Sage Cafe balancing both facilities out.
37
38 E. Report on Preview of Summer Activities— Informational
39
40 Ms. Delgado advised the Department is wrapping up the winter activities and preparing
41 for summer quarter to begin. Postings are already out for summer employment to
42 include life guards, after school staff, some recreational programming. Staff has been
43 looking at different avenues for camps that will be occurring this summer. The
44 Department is a little short staffed on the full time side. However, staff is getting
45 together to figure out how to make this all work and continue to provide all the activities
46 the kids expect to have this summer.
2
I F. Klein Park— Informational
2
3 Mr. Johnston reports that with past improvements of new playground equipment and
4 new paint to stage area at Klein Park, graffiti and vandalism has gone down about 90%
5 in last 5 to 6 years. Parks and Recreation has received legislative funding for
6 improvements and/or rehab of Klein Park. Staff is proposing this funding go towards
7 the wall deterioration that surrounds Klein Park, to include ADA compliance issues of
8 unsafe stairs and ramping. At same time, put infrastructure in for a later improvement
9 of a nice walk underneath each of the entrances. Currently, Klein Park has good
10 lighting system with cameras and a strong neighborhood family watch which is getting
11 stronger. Mr. Johnston does understand that the neighborhood would like to get
12 restrooms and a new stage and hopefully we will get more legislative funds in the
13 future.
14
15 Mr. Camunez advised that the neighborhood would like a new commemorative plaque
16 stand and would like for us to consider this in the remodel since it is the focal point of
17 the park.
18
19 Mr. Johnston stated when the remodel begins, he will coordinate with staff to look into
20 the most cost effective way to have the sign visible at Klein Park.
21
22 G. Restrooms at Burn Lake & Young Park- Informational
23
24 Mr. Johnston advised we do not have a funding source to replace the restrooms at
25 Young Park. During the budget process this year, staff is making a proposal on
26 changing the way the Department staffs our current employees that will save dollars
27 and cents as long as we can put it into capital expenditures. Because insurance is at
28 depreciated value, only new damage would be covered by insurance. During the
29 budget process, there was a strategic retreat with City Council and Young Park was
30 included on the list of items that needed funding and Young Park did not receive any
31 funding.
32
33 VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
34
35 No public comments.
36
37 VII. MEMBER COMMENTS
38
39 Ms. Rue wanted to say thank you for after school programs. The pay structure of being able to
40 pay on site instead of having to go to Meerscheidt is a huge help for working parents.
41
42 Mr. O'Neill stated he lives next to Four Hills Park and neighborhood is very pleased with new
43 basketball court and it gets a lot of action.
44
45 Mr. O'Neill also asked where we stood at opening a spot for a teenager on the Parks and
46 Recreation Advisory Board and how we are going to select that person.
3
1 Mr. Johnston advised that next month we should have Board elections and the following month,
2 would like to get recommendation from the Board that we can take to City Council. Mr.
3 Johnston doesn't want to tie it up in middle of budget process,but proceed possibly mid-
4 summer and kick it off with school year. It needs council approval because we are a fixed
5 Board.
6
7 Ms. Haas asked about access of agenda by the public and that it is not easily available.
8
9 Mr. Camunez advised agendas are posted in most public buildings.
10
11 Ms. Haas would like to send out a link to the agenda for each access.
12
13 Ms. Delgado advised she will talk to the I.T. Department about creating a button on front page
14 of the City's website that will take customers directly to the agendas. Ms. Haas also asked
15 about finding Parks and Rec information since it is somewhat buried.
16
17 Mr. Johnston advised that the City's website is being revamped and to submit suggestions to
18 staff to coordinate with the I.T. Department.
19
20 Mr. Camunez advised at a City Council meeting they received complaints about Lions Park
21 Tennis Courts needing to be resurfaced.
22
23 Mr. Johnston stated the tennis courts have been an issue for several years and the funding is not
24 adequate to cover resurfacing the tennis courts. However, staff has been coordinating to do the
25 best they can with the materials and budget given. Tennis courts are going to be discussed at a
26 work session on April 14, 2014.
27
28 Mr. Camunez stated he received several calls about the new Graffiti program being offered.
29
30 Mr. Johnston advised the public release should have stated Street Art, not Graffiti Art.
31
32 Mr. O'Neill asked for items related to Parks and Recreation that are brought up at City Council
33 meetings to be put on the agenda as additional informational items rather than bringing them up
34 under member comments.
35
36 Mr. Camunez asked to put Mr. Ed Camathan on our agenda to do a presentation at our next
37 meeting on the Convention and Visitors Bureau so that the business community can hear what
38 is going on.
39
40 Our next meeting will be at City Hall.
41
42 Mr. Johnston advised Parks and Recreation Board elections will be at held at our next meeting.
43 Two members will have to be elected, Mr. Camunez and Mr. O'Neill.
44
45 The next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting will be held at City Hall, Room 2007-
46 B.
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1 VIII. ADJOURNMENT
2
3 It's now 6:47 pm. We stand adjourned.
5
6 Ha el N arez, Recording r
etary Ron Ca�air P&R Boar
5