3500 W. River Road
Thursday, March 1, 2007
8:00 a.m.
The
following is a summary of the March 1, 2007 meeting. Audiotapes of the meeting are available upon request.
|
Committee Members Present |
Committee Members Absent |
|
Gary
Davidson, Chair Byron
Howard Carolyn
Campbell John
Neis Terri
Hutts Thomas
Six Tom
Warne |
Ted
Prezelski |
|
County Staff: Technical Experts Present |
County Administration |
|
Carlo DiPilato, P&D
Division Manager Lauren Harvey, Program
Manager, NRPR |
John
Bernal, Deputy County Administrator Public
Works Nicole Fyffe, Executive
Administrator to the County Administrator |
1. Welcome
Meeting began at 8:05
a.m. with a quorum.
2. Overview of Sub-Committee Role
Mr.
Davidson summarized the role of the sub committee and that it is going to be
very difficult to prioritize the projects as there were so many worthy ones and
that the committee would try to come up with something that would benefit the
whole community while realizing that there would be many disappointments as
well due to the money involved as well as realizing how far back the community
is in regard to Parks & Recreation. Mr. Davidson explained that Mr.
DiPilato would present all the projects listed for District 2 and then there
would be input from the various jurisdictions.
Also, some time would be given to interested parties in support of the
projects. Mr. Six moved that the
minutes of the last meeting be accepted.
Mr. Howard seconded the motion. Mr. Davidson also answered questions
regarding the criteria included. The amended criteria were adopted. There were
several questions regarding the stress factor and crime rates. Mr. DiPilato explained that there were
statistics on the Sherriff’s Department website, but at this point they cannot
easily be quantified. He asked that the population statistics be used as in
indicator instead at this time. Mr. Davidson asked that if any members of the
committee could help come up with ideas on identifying areas-at-risk, their
suggestions would be welcomed. Mr. Six also moved that the draft
recommendations be accepted. They were
accepted unanimously.
3. Project Reviews
Mr. DiPilato reviewed
all the projects in District 2, He included their scope, the cost and the
criteria met (see attached spreadsheet). He also explained the selection
criteria were determined not only using data sheets, but through discussions
with the various jurisdictions and public meetings. Mr. DiPilato was assisted with input from Mr. Gray regarding the
City’s projects and Mr. Anderson of NRPR regarding linear park corridor
acquisitions. Mr. Davidson suggested
adding two new columns to the spreadsheet, one indicating the Submitted
Jurisdictional Priority and a second indicated the availability of reclaimed
water supply.
4. City of South Tucson
Mr. Walker Smith,
Principal Planner for the City of South Tucson commented on some of the
projects – Yaqui Park, Southgate Park, and El Paso & Southern Greenway –
that would provide connectivity. Other projects submitted were JVYC/Ochoa Gym
which is in the City of Tucson on the outskirts of South Tucson also have
regional importance. He also explained
that many of the projects would serve not only South Tucson, but surrounding
areas in the City of Tucson as well. At
present the City of South Tucson which does not have a parks department is
building mini parks with Bond Neighborhood reinvestment and CDBG funds. Another
property is El Casino. Mr. Walker is of the opinion that improving the
infrastructure and amenities would help lift not only South Tucson, but the
whole area.
5. City of Tucson Projects
Mr. Fred Gray gave an
overview on how the City decided on which projects were to be put forward for
consideration during the 2008 Bond Proposal. The Mayor’s office and each council member’s office had the
opportunity of submitting projects totaling 70 million dollars. The balance of 30 million was used to make
up the balance of city wide improvements. Each of the Mayor and Council office
prioritized their own projects and weighed in on the city-wide considerations.
Park improvements and land acquisitions were consolidated. A lot of the
projects are based on second or third phases.
One project voted on by the mayor and council was the Reid Park Zoo
Africa expansion and soccer field replacement.
There was good joint funding effort on that with the City and the Tucson
Zoological Society committed to raising 6.75 million each. The balance of the
funding is the $3.75 million in bond funds.
Mr. Gray emphasized the fact that while Reid Park has significant
regional importance the other projects like the Freedom Center Expansion,
Lincoln Park does have very high participation rates and high impact even in
addressing crime. COT is trying to achieve a rate of 10 acres per 1000 persons.
6. Future meeting dates
7. Call to the Audience
Mike Carter, Executive Director,
Tucson Zoological Society, providing matching funds and 21000 signatures in
support of the Reid Park Zoo project
James Stevenson in support of the
Benson Highway project
Pat Martin supporting the Freedom
Park Improvements
Cynthia Mills, Julia Keen
Neighborhood and Vice-Chair of the 29th Street Coalition supporting
the moving of the Eastside Learning center.
8. The committee members decided to defer
making decisions on the projects until the next meeting
9. Meeting Adjourned
Meeting
Adjourned at 11:50 am.