3500 W. River
Road
Thursday, May 3,
2007
8:00 a.m.
The following is a summary of the May 3, 2007
meeting. Audiotapes of the meeting are
available upon request.
|
Committee Members Present |
Committee Members Absent |
|
Gary Davidson, Chair Byron Howard Carolyn Campbell Terri Hutts Thomas Six Tom Warne |
John Neis |
|
County Staff: Technical Experts Present |
County Administration |
|
Carlo DiPilato,
P&D Division Manager Lauren Harvey,
Program Manager, NRPR |
Nicole Fyffe,
Executive Assistant to the County Administrator |
1. Meeting began at 8:07 a.m. with a
quorum.
2. Mr.
Six made a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting held on March 29,
2007, which was seconded by Mr. Howard. The motion was unanimously accepted.
3. Mr. DiPilato reviewed all the projects in
District 3, including their scope. The following points were raised with regard
to the urban fringe parkland acquisition project. Mr. DiPilato was asked
whether the individual parcels could be further prioritized and whether a map
could be provided showing the location of each parcel. Mr. DiPilato was also
asked to explain the concept of the urban fringe park land, and questioned on
the accuracy of the estimated cost of the land in 2009 dollar terms. Mr.
DiPilato was also asked about the Santa Cruz River Park project and whether
bank protection and stabilization was in place. Ms. Campbell explained that
this was cross referenced with a Flood Control Project. Ms. Fyffe said she
would research this as the Public Works sub-committee had completed their
selections. Mr. DiPilato was also asked why there were so many sports field
improvements and lighting projects. He
explained that there was a great demand from the leagues and public for these
projects. Ms. Fyffe also informed the
committee about the number of signatures in support of these projects that have
been received. The committee also
wanted to know why the Altar Valley Watershed Restoration Project was included
with park projects and not in flood control. Mr. Baldwin explained that this
was more of a restoration project rather than simply flood control and it will
be managed by Natural Resources. Mr.
Payan also reminded the committee that Natural Resources also does a lot of
preservation, conservation, restoration including mountain site, riparian areas
and cultural sites, and is not just a monolithic sports entity. Mr. Payan and Mr. DiPilato were also asked
about the Roger Road Sports Complex.
Mr. Payan explained that about 80% of the project consisting of the
baseball, softball and soccer fields could be completed but the remaining was
contingent on relocation of the Roger Road Treatment plant. For that reason he suggested that the
project be in two phases, with the fields being put in first. Regarding the Ted
Walker Park Sporting Dog Training Site questions were raised about community
support. Mr. Payan told the committee
that that information was being gathered and that it was growing sector of
recreation. Regarding Robles Community
Park, Mr. DiPilato was asked about the last time that this area of the county
was served. Mr. DiPilato told them that
the Three Points Veteran’s Memorial was built with the 1986 Bond funds and this
would be an addition to the school district property. It provides for allowing future development of associated
community hub developments such as a library, community center and sports
complex.
4. Jurisdictional
comments about PC BOS District 3 projects:
Mr. Tom Ellis, Parks
& Recreation Director of the Town of Marana spoke about the three projects on
the sub-committee’s list. Ellis said that the Heritage Park was extremely
important to Marana, which is committed to the future while always remembering
their past. It is also of regional benefit, serving as a gateway to the Santa
Cruz National Heritage area. The BOR Sports Complex is listed at #2 of their
top 10 projects. It is located on Avra Valley Road near the Marana airport and
is 500 acres. The plan is to develop a
regional sports complex with 18 soccer fields, 12 each softball and baseball
fields, skate and BMX park with parking, concession facility, restrooms and
related amenities. An equestrian center
with both indoor and outdoor arenas, horse stalls and a trail head with access
to the CAP trail system are also planned on this site. Mr. Ellis emphasized that when this is
combined with sports complexes planned at Roger Road, Rillito, and Naranja, it
would make Southern Arizona a mecca for sports tournaments. BOR has the ability
to do a 50% match for developments.
Also there are also plans for an amphitheatre for the 4th of
July celebrations. Mr. Ellis said that the land does not have to be purchased
and it is an easy site to develop, and though there are no utilities, this is
an incredible opportunity that is not to be passed up. Mr. Ellis was asked whether reclaimed water
could be used. However there is the
option of using the CAP water allotment.
However it has been decided not to irrigate with potable water but no
final decision has been taken and the town is still looking into this matter.
The site is very accessible both from the Tucson and Phoenix areas as well. Mr.
Ellis was asked whether there were hotels in the area. He explained that there was land available,
and that there is development in the area. The sub-committee also wanted more
information on water usage. Mr. Ellis
will provide that shortly.
Mr. Benny Young, City
of Tucson Parks & Recreation: Mr. Young reminded the subcommittee that the
city has approximately 400 million in unmet needs at present. Three of the four projects in District 3 are
expansions of existing parks. The Amphi
School district is one of the most underserved areas of the city, so the city
is very supportive of projects in that area. The city is also working with the
Amphi School district in moving a bus barn and converting it into a community
park. Mr. Young explained that there is at least 50 million worth of unmet
needs in this district alone. Mr. Young was also asked about developers
including pocket parks in neighborhoods.
He explained about the impact fees being presently collected and also
that the city is developing a code regarding these matters. Mr. Young was also
asked about the demand for dog parks which is presently very high and whether
the school districts would allow dogs on their fields.
5. Public comments about PC BOS District 3
projects
The following
spoke in favor of retaining the Rillito Racetrack since there are no other
horse racing facilities in the county, that the money would be better spent in
repairing and maintaining the facility, and also the need to preserve historic
structures in the area. Also this venue has also been used for a large variety of
other activities :
Steve May
Pat White
Tim Kelly
Dr. Ramirez spoke
in favor of a new racing facility which could be located at Pima County
Fairgrounds.
The following
spoke on behalf of Flowing Wells district projects
Dr. Nick Clements,
Superintendent of the School district
Ellie Towne
Ebi Aldaghi spoke
on behalf of the 18 field Rillito Sports Complex
The following
spoke on behalf of the Altar Valley watershed restoration project emphasizing
other funding that could be received from BLM, Army Corps, Flood Control, etc
and that this would restore the riparian habitat, soil, stability and watershed
function of almost 700,000 acres
Andrew McGibbon,
area rancher, Chairman, Pima Natural Resources Conservation District
Pat King, Altar
Valley Conservation Alliance. Also spoke on behalf of the Robles Community Park.
Tom Sheridan,
Community Representative Altar Valley Conservation Alliance
The following on
behalf of the bicycle community in favor of the BOR sports park and increasing
the bike paths and trails to reduce the number of fatalities
Roy Schoonover
Kaitlyn Meadows
on behalf of the Picture Rocks Community
6. Other
Business, Future Agenda Items and Meeting Dates
The subcommittee would like a summation of all the
school district projects and further information on the projects in Picture
Rocks Districts. There was also a
concern about the Rillito Race Track and Mr. Huckelberry’s memo. However the subcommittee would need to make
their decision based on their findings.
7. Meeting
Adjourned at 10:30 a.m.