Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Commission

PARKS, RECREATION, & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 6:15 p.m. Thursday February 17, 2022 800 Municipal Dr. Farmington, New Mexico The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Commission (PRCA) of the City of Farmington met in a regular session on Thursday February 17, 2022 at 6:15 p.m. Members Present Deborah Cutler, Chair; George Golombowski , Co-Chair; Carla Stimac, Ken LaCasse, Richard Griffiths , Leslie Thompson, and Evan Noel. Members Absent: Larry Hilliard, Patricia Baca, Melissa Mortensen; and Thomas Hawkins. Also present were: Shaña Reeves; PRCA Director, Natalie Spruell PRCA Assistant Director Gwen Johnson; PRCA Administrative Aide Guests: Doug Mortensen, Matt Cramer, and Andrea Jones; City Clerk OPENING OF MEETING Deb Cutler called the meeting to order at 6:15 pm ROLL CALL 7 Commissioners present, 4 absent APPROVAL OF MINUTES The January 2022 minutes needed approval, Rick made a motion to accept the minutes as written and Leslie made the second. Vote was taken, and the minutes were approved unanimously. NEW BUSINESS A. Farmington Soccer Club- Doug Mortensen, and Matt Cramer Shaña introduced Matt Cramer; Soccer Club President, and Doug Mortensen; Field Director Four Corners League Board, to give a presentation of Soccer in Farmington. Doug opened his presentation by complimenting the Department, the condition of the Complex, the Fields, and the PRCA Staff that keeps everything so beautifully maintained. A power point over view was presented on the status of Soccer and New Mexico, and a future vision for Soccer and Farmington. Points shared:  Soccer is the fasted growing sport in America.  Soccer is the 3rd most popular sport  There are over 11million youth soccer players in America  New Mexico has a professional soccer league, NM United, they are in the premier professional league in the United States. (USL)   Two soccer entities in Farmington , (FUSA and FC United) are coming together as one and will be known as the Farmington Soccer Club  Every fall we host a tournament here Out of town spectators generate sales to the community. During an annual tournament which averages 2000 spectators, the revenue generated is approximately $150,000.  Gross receipts are impacted by visitors. Soccer is one of the lowest cost sports but ultimately brings in outside dollars weekly. On average weekly games bring in 750 extra people to our community that are spending money.  Futsal is an indoor soccer. Farmington Soccer Club is the host for an annual tournament for Futsal also.  Not enough fields 45 games per week, on the 4 soccer fields. (3 complex fields, and 1 college field). Limited use schedule for fields.  Field wear and tear, not enough options to move the goals.  Parking on Fairgrounds street area is not adequate parking, safety issue.  Challenges with demand for field space and time.  Proposal of a new Soccer Complex, estimates of cost with the City donating land and both entities work as partners for the vision to turn into a future project. Recommendation to the Commission is that Shaña talk to Rob Mayes: City Manager, and share this concept and vision, and discuss a possible future location plan. B. Presentation regarding Open Meetings Act-Andrea Jones  Andrea went through the open meetings Acts guidelines and requirements for meetings. DEPARTMENT REPORT Shaña Reeves presented. Project and Division Updates  Aquatics: The Aquatic Center deck resurfacing project is well underway with the RFP put out. The goal is to be done before May. Lions Pool re- plastering and re-decking project is going great. The pool is filled, the plaster needs to cure. February 28, is the projected finish date.  Golf Course: The course renovation continues to make progress. There were a few challenges with the gas lines that runs through the property but those challenges have been worked through and the course project is moving forward very well. A bike trail has also been added to the plan. The trail will go around the golf course. This will not interfere with the golfers games. Since the cart path is tore up right now this was great timing for this. The bike trail will be double-fenced for safety reasons.  Park Operations: Natalie brought updated news concerning the recent COF Job Fair. It went very well, and Park Operations gained 18 people that will start orientation this week, and we have another 18 to go through that process next week. It is our perspective, the job fair went very well. The hiring process has been a challenge since the pandemic days have pushed us toward a new normal. We are learning how to be creative with promoting our positions. We are very pleased with the results and Parks Operations, and the Lake staff will benefit from this greatly.  Civic Center: The Dancing with the Stars, is anticipated to be a success and fun! 375 tickets have been sold at this point and we project more being sold. More entertainment is scheduled and our marketing team is working hard at advertising and promoting what our Civic Center has on the schedule. They are working with Electric Utility to provide an insert with billing statements to advertise the shows, and events. The summer Theater Venue: June 16-26, 2022 - The Music Man at the Farmington Civic Center July 7-31, 2022 - The Pirates of Penzance at Lions Wilderness Park Amphitheater August 11-21, 2022 - Annie at the Farmington Civic Center  Recreation Division: Recreation Center, and Sycamore Center, Daddy, Daughter Ball went excellent selling 400 tickets and creating a beautiful evening for the Daddy’s and Daughters that attended. Shaña brought the meeting to close with highlights of some key dates, the first being the Ribbon cutting of the Among the Waters Trail that is completed and honoring Dr. Lehmer by officially presenting a plaque and naming Lehmer’s Lookout officially. The date for that will be March 25th at Noon. The Lions Pool meeting for the public to attend is being re-scheduled. With no further items for discussion or comment from the Commissioners, Chair; Leslie Thompson, asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was made by Deb Cutler, and seconded George Golombowski. Vote was taken all in favor and meeting was adjourned at 7:15pm. Next Meeting March 17, 2022 ______________________________________ ______________________________________________ Deb Cutler - Chair Gwen Johnson, PRCA Administrative Aide