Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Commission

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMISSION Meeting Minutes JUNE 20, 2024 Executive Conference Room City Hall Roll call was taken with attendance as follows: Members Present: Deborah Cutler – Chair, Carla Stimac, Evan Noel, Ryan Davis, Leslie Thompson, Ken LaCasse and Patricia Baca Members Absent: George Golombowski, Co-Chair, Melissa Mortensen and Larry Hillard PRCA Staff Present: Natalie Spruell, PRCA Director; Christa Chapman, Assistant Director of Cultural Affairs; Andy Decker, Assistant Director of Recreation, Tom Williams, Assistant Director of Parks Ops; and Joanna Oliver, Administrative Assistant Guest Present: Philana Thompson, FCFA; Sirena Archuleta, FABC; Joaquin Gonzalez, Associate Planner-Community Works; Colby Gibson, Planning Manager-Community Works APPROVAL OF MINUTES Deborah Cutler called the PRCA meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and asked for a motion to approve the May 16, 2024 minutes. A motion was made by Carla Stimac to approve said minutes as presented. Leslie Thompson seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion passed. OPEN MEETING RESOLUTION Deborah Cutler asked the Commissioners to review the Open Meeting Resolution and make a motion to approve. A motion was made by Patricia Baca to approve the Open Meeting Resolution as presented. Evan Noel seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion passed. FOUR CORNERS FASTPITCH ASSOCIATION Philana Thompson gave an update on the FCFA. They currently have between 900 and 1000 girls participating. They added 3&4 year old T-ball. They are holding 2 tournaments a year with the largest, Kathy Rouse Tournament having 65 teams. They are at max capacity right now. This year, they will be hosting the State Tournament with 48 teams. FARMINGTON AMATUER BASEBALL CONGRESS Sirena Archuleta gave an update on the FABC. Right now they are close to having 1,200 ballplayers and 450 volunteers. They have 2 top tournaments – Badges & Baseball and Danny Carpenter Memorial. Both tournaments are maxed out and have teams on a waiting list. Teams sign up on a first come first service basis. All the monies donated to us are given back to the Community. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT Joaquin Gonzalez from the City’s Planning Department gave on overview of the CDBG and what it entails. He reviewed the current Consolidated Plan for 2024-2028 and it will be presented to Council for adoption on July 23, 2024. PARKS OPERATIONS Tom Williams, Assistant Director of Parks Operations gave an overview on the division. They have upgrade irrigation controls and have mapped the entire irrigation system which can now be controlled by an app on the phone. They currently have 25 staff and 58 seasonals. In May they planted over 13,000 annuals in the medians around town. They are looking into transitioning into perennials, non-water plants and turn variety that would use less water. The irrigation is challenging on the medians. Parks Ops construction crew completed their portion of Worley Field. They will be laying the sod on Monday. They assisted with the art installation in the Downtown area. The Arborist is still in the process of identifying the aging trees with deadwood, which are in the 100’s around the City. They are looking into diversity in the tree canopy with 12 different species. Vector Control is carrying out mosquito fogging during the night. The ballfield crews are very busy with games, practices and tournaments. NEW BUSINESS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ms. Natalie Spruell stated that they are putting the Master Plan Draft on hold at this time and will pick it back up in the fall. DEPARTMENT REPORT Ms. Natalie Spruell gave an overview on the CTED fund presentation and what funds were given to various PRCA projects Worley Field, Boundless Journey Park, Gateway Park Pavilion, Juniper Basin and Lions Therapy Pool. They also received $30,000 for the plumbing at Justis Field. Lake Farmington is open for business with great response for the new Aqua Park. They are still looking for lifeguards. Still having a challenge with trash out at the Lake but we will be getting trash cans with lids. She also stated that we have a new Aquatics Manager, Mariah Steadman. Lions Pool is currently closed because of issue with the boiler. Ms. Christa Chapman, Assistant Director of Cultural Affairs gave an update on the Sherlock Exhibition that will be opening up to the public on June 28th. There is also a quilt exhibit at the Farmington Museum. Civic Center is gearing up for the summer show, The Damn Yankees, at the Lions Amphitheater. It will be opening up to the public on June 27th. The Civic Center has hired a new Facilities Manager – Guillermo Rodriquez. Mr. Andy Decker, Assistant Director of Recreation addressed the Commission. He stated that the Senior Center is getting more staff. The new food truck that was purchased has the capability to deliver 200 meals. Recreation Center and Sycamore summer camps are fully staffed. Still looking for lifeguards. COMMISSIONER BUSINESS – Commissioner Leslie Thompson asked Natalie Spruell for an update on the Anesi Park. Ms. Spruell stated at this time, we have no public access to the property without going through private property. So the City is working on getting easements. Ms. Spruell also informed the Commission that Vickie Campbell officially resigned from the Commission. BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR – None ADJOURNMENT With no further discussion, a motion was made by Leslie Thompson for adjournment, Carla Stimac seconded. All in favor and meeting was adjourned at 7:36 pm. The next meeting will be held July 18, 2024. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Deborah Cutler, Chair Joanna Oliver PRCA Administrative Assistant