Parks & Recreation Commission
Regular MeetingRoswell, NM · August 16, 2021
Minutes
MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Parks Administration Office
1101 W. 4th St.
August 16, 2021
5:30 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair JaneAnn Oldrup called the August 16, 2021 meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
The following Members were present: JaneAnn Oldrup, James Edwards, Meagan
Sanders, Becky Joyce, and Kim Elliott. Member Barry Mathison was absent.
Staff present: Jim Burress, Special Services Director; Stephanie Mervine, Recreation
Director; Juanita Jennings, Public Affairs Director; Louis Najar, City Engineer; John
Wright, Zoo Director; and Sharene Brooks, Parks Administrative Assistant, Sr.
Guests present: Councilor Juan Oropesa, Rita Kane-Doerhoefer, Patsy Felber, Emma
Arzola, Vicki Burress, Juno Ogle, Ivan Hall, Bob Edwards, Iris Watson, Jim Watson, and
Larry Connolly.
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Member Edwards motioned to approve the agenda, Member Sanders seconded; a voice
vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with Member Mathison being absent.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Member Elliott motioned to approve the minutes of the June 21, 2021 meeting,
Member Joyce seconded; a voice vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with
Member Mathison being absent.
E. REGULAR ITEMS (ACTION ITEMS)
2. Consider Approval of a Recommendation to Connect the Spring River and Cielo
Grande Paths. Louis Najar, City Engineer, presented a PowerPoint outlining information
for the trail connection options. FY2023 funding for $200,000 had been applied for. A
new concept to Roswell, speed humps, may be utilized when the new trail is created.
Director Burress gave a brief history of previous options that had been discussed and
recommended, and voiced his concerns regarding traffic and safety issues. Comments
and concerns were made by Spring River Corridor guests Ivan Hall and Bob Edwards.
Further comments, questions and clarification were discussed at length. Member Elliott
made a motion to recommend Option #5A to the General Services Committee for the
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connection of the Spring River and Cielo Grande trails. Member Sanders seconded; a
voice vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with Member Mathison being absent.
3. Consider Approval of an Application Recommendation to the Mayor to Fill
Position 3 on Commission. Chair Oldrup provided background information regarding
applicant Becky Robertson. Member Elliott made a motion to recommend Becky
Robertson to the Mayor to fill position 3 on the Commission. Member Joyce seconded;
a voice vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with Member Mathison being absent.
F. NON-ACTION ITEMS
4. Introduction of Iris Watson to the Commission. Director Burress introduced
carousel restoration volunteer, Iris Watson. Guest Watson gave the history of the
carousel, its current condition, and restoration status. Funding and donations are needed
for this project.
5. Discussion on Upcoming Community Outreach Design Input Event for New
Park. Director Burress provided event information regarding the new park to be installed
at the old Chisum School property. Flyers had been distributed to the neighborhood so
that on August 24th, the people that live in that area will have the opportunity to say what
they would like to see in their new park.
6. Discussion on Possible Future Agenda Items. Member Elliott addressed the
Commission regarding it being too reactive and unapproachable by the public. He
provided an article about what Parks and Recreation is supposed to be to the community
and reviewed Municipal Code Chapter 17, Section 17-9. The Commission is to act in an
advisory capacity to the City Council, Mayor and City Administration. Per Code, there
may be more to what they should be doing, than what they are doing. The Commission
could be more proactive and a tremendous help to City officials and City Administration.
Member Elliott also suggested adding/moving items on future agendas. Director Burress
appreciated Member Elliott’s comments.
7. Report on Aquatic Center/Recreation Center. Stephanie Mervine, Recreation
Director, gave the aquatic and recreation report. July was a good month. The pool was
super busy. There was a huge turnout for the Alien Chase. Member Edwards inquired
about tracking out-of-town people. Chair Oldrup asked about the UFO Festival, if the City
made money, and using an outside business for the festival. Director Jennings thanked
Stephanie for her service to the City. Guest Arzola asked about roof repairs at the Adult
Center.
8. Report on Zoo. John Wright, Zoo Director, gave the zoo report. July was a good
month as well for the Zoo. Sixty-eight percent of the July visitors were from out-of-town.
A new baby elk had been born and was now in Clovis. USDA Inspection results and
issues were reviewed. Details were given regarding the bear from Alamogordo escape.
A Night of the Living Zoo event is planned for October. Chair Oldrup inquired about
current operating hours and days open.
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9. Report on Parks Department. Jim Burress, Special Services Director, gave the
report on the Parks Department. He gave an update on the Zoo pond status. Trees,
$11,000 worth, are about to be bought and planted. A presentation at General Services
will be given for the amenities to be installed at Carpenter Park. Chair Oldrup inquired
about the status of the All-Inclusive Park. The Cemetery columbarium project will start to
move forward.
G. OTHER BUSINESS
11. Public Comments. Guest Connally asked about the dead trees at Del Norte Park.
H. ADJOURN
Member Edwards motioned to adjourn the meeting, Member Elliott seconded; a voice
vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with Member Mathison being absent.
The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Next Commission meeting: September 20, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
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Agenda
ROSWELL PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday, August 16, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
Parks Administration Office – 1101 W. 4th St.
Commission Chair: JaneAnn Oldrup
Commission Members: James Edwards, Maegan Sanders,
Barry Mathison, Becky Joyce, and Kim Elliott.
Staff Coordinator: Jim Burress, Special Services Director
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Approval of the Agenda
D. Approval of the Minutes
1. Consider approval of June 21, 2021 meeting minutes
E. Regular Items (Action Items)
2. Consider approval of a recommendation to connect the Spring River and Cielo Grande paths
(Louis Najar)
3. Consider approval of an application recommendation to the Mayor to fill Position 3 on
Commission (JaneAnn Oldrup)
F. Non-Action Items
4. Introduction of Iris Watson to Commission (Jim Burress)
5. Discussion on upcoming Community Outreach Design Input event for new park (Jim Burress)
6. Discussion on possible future agenda items (Kim Elliott)
7. Report on Recreation and Aquatics Center (Juanita Jennings)
8. Report on Zoo (John Wright)
9. Report on Parks Department (Jim Burress)
G. Other Business
10. Public comments
Next Meeting: September 20, 2021
Notice of this meeting has been given to the public in compliance with Sections 10-15-1 through 10-15-4 NMSA 1978 and Resolution 21-7.
NOTICE OF POTENTIAL QUORUM – A quorum of the City Council may or may not attend, but there will not be debate by the City Council, and no
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MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Parks Administration Office
1101 W. 4th St.
June 21, 2021
5:30 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair JaneAnn Oldrup called the June 21, 2021 meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
The following Members were present: JaneAnn Oldrup, Meagan Sanders, Kim Elliott,
and Becky Joyce-via GoToMeeting. The following members were absent: Barry
Mathison and James Edwards.
Staff present: Jim Burress, Special Services Director; Stephanie Mervine, Recreation
Director; Juanita Jennings, Public Affairs Director; Louis Najar, City Engineer; John
Wright, Zoo Director; and Sharene Brooks, Parks Administrative Assistant, Sr.
Guests present: Rita Kane-Doerhoefer, Patsy Felber, Perry Toles, Carolyn Mitchell, Ann
Dunn, Vicki Burress, Juno Ogle, Ivan Hall, and Bob Edwards.
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Member Elliott motioned to approve the agenda, Member Sanders seconded; a voice
vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with Members Mathison and Edwards being
absent and Member Joyce participating via GoToMeeting.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Member Elliott motioned to approve the minutes of the May 17, 2021 meeting, Member
Sanders seconded; a voice vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with Members
Mathison and Edwards being absent and Member Joyce participating via GoToMeeting.
E. REGULAR ITEMS (ACTION ITEMS)
2. Consider Approval of a Recommendation to Connect the Spring River and Cielo
Grande Paths. Guest Bob Edwards of the Spring River Corridor Foundation went over
the four options to connect the trails. He indicated Option #1, which would utilize the old
runway area, would be the foundation’s choice. Option #3, using the alley between 8th
St. and Riverside Dr., would be a dead issue per City Engineer Louis Najar. Member
Joyce fully supported using the help from the Foundation and was in favor of Option #1.
Member Elliott was also in favor of Option #1 and commented that there may be possible
future options with extending a trail further to the North. Member Elliott made a motion to
recommend Option #1 to the General Services Committee for the connection of the
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Spring River and Cielo Grande trails. Member Sanders seconded; a voice vote was
unanimous, and the motion passed.
F. NON-ACTION ITEMS
3. Discussion on Parks and Recreation Commission Member Vacancy. Chair
Oldrup informed the members of a vacancy on the commission due to Member Patterson
resigning. She would like to get the word out to possible applicants.
4. Discussion on New Online Donation Buttons. Director Burress had reached out to
the Marketing Department to add donation buttons on the City website for Parks, Animal
Control, and the Veterans’ Cemetery. The ability to donate online would make it easier
for donors so they would not have to write and mail or deliver checks.
5. Discussion on RISD Schools Using Tennis Courts, Tearing Up Soccer Fields,
and Cutting Benches. Director Burress questioned if there were written agreements
between the schools and the City of Roswell regarding joint usage of tennis courts and
basketball courts. He and Member Elliott discussed agreements that had previously been
in effect. In the past, schools would allow usage of courts when they were not using them.
It was also previously set up for the City to pay the electric bill on the lights, with the school
district maintaining the courts. Member Elliott thought that the prior agreements had been
fashioned so that they would not have to be renewed each year.
6. Discussion on Status of New All-Inclusive Playground. Per Director Burress,
meetings would be starting soon. The site assessment at Cielo Grande had been done,
there would be a stakeholders meeting, and then public meetings would take place asking
people what they want for the park.
7. and 8. Report on Aquatic Center/Recreation Center. Stephanie Mervine,
Recreation Director, gave the aquatic and recreation report. Revenue for the recreation,
aquatic, and adult center was at $25,004, which was up over $8,000 from the previous
month. Membership visits were over 2,000 in May. The USA Pentathlon was a big
success, with two of the participants going to the Olympics. The center is now fully
opened from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Summer Camps were at full capacity. Instructor
classes had been added at the Adult Center. Software transition issues had been
resolved. Due to flood issues, Facility Maintenance and Director Mervine had been
working together to ensure the quality of the facility was maintained.
9. Report on Zoo. Juanita Jennings, Public Affairs Director, gave the zoo report. The
new Zoo Director, John Wright, was introduced to the commission. The number of guests
that visited the zoo in May totaled 13,042. Eight new memberships were sold and the
retail store was now open two additional days per week. Donations received in May were
a little over $225. Flood damage to the gate had been taken care of. Other highlights for
the month of May were given including public events, animal upkeep, training, and safety.
Data showed that more out-of-towners than locals had been visiting the zoo. The new
director addressed the commission and felt that the zoo had a lot of potential.
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10. Report on Parks Department. Jim Burress, Director of Special Services, gave the
report on the Parks Department. He has been in the process of hiring for all of his
departments. The new Carpenter Park splash pad is getting close to opening. City
Council has designated the Chisum property as a park. He plans on installing cement
picnic tables at City parks; making that the new style.
G. OTHER BUSINESS
11. Public Comments. Guest Rita Kane-Doerhoefer addressed the commission
concerning the lack of porta potties at City parks and the issue of the Adult Center being
too high priced. Guest Carolyn Mitchell addressed the commission concerning the Pecos
Valley Quilters being forced to move out of the Adult Center, as they cannot afford to stay
in the building. They are looking for another place to move to and will not set foot back
into the Roswell Adult Center building, as they do not want to be billed. Guest Patsy
Felber addressed the commission concerning what the Adult Center has offered to
seniors on fixed incomes in the past and what the current intent of the center is.
H. ADJOURN
Member Elliott motioned to adjourn the meeting, Member Sanders seconded; a voice vote
was unanimous, and the motion passed with Members Mathison and Edwards being
absent and Member Joyce participating via GoToMeeting.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Next Commission meeting: July 19, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
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ROSWELL NEW MEXICO
AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Regular Committee Meeting Item No. 2
Meeting Date: August 16, 2021
COMMITTEE: Parks & Recreation Commission
CONTACT: Jim Burress CHAIR: Jane Oldrup
ACTION REQUESTED: Continue review and approval discussion of trail connection options, to connect
Spring River Trail and Cielo Grande Trail.
BACKGROUND:
Initiated by: Barry Foster
General Service Committee requested more information to review of possibly using Mississippi Ave. as trail
connection options.
Engineering performed study and came up with two options. Due to drainage at Cielo Grande Complex it
is recommended to use Mississippi to 8th St. then east on north side of 8th St. to existing trail head at the
NW corner of 8th/Montana.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION: Recommend discussion of cost sharing with Spring River Corridor
group.
LEGAL REVIEW: None at this time.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE ACTION: Continue review and approval discussion of trail connection
options, to connect Spring River Trail and Cielo Grande Trail.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Continue per direction of P&R Commission.
ATTACHMENTS
Aerial of proposed layouts
Cost Estimates for Mississippi Ave. trail connections
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