Parks & Recreation Commission
Regular MeetingRoswell, NM · October 18, 2021
Minutes
MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Parks Administration Office
1101 W. 4th St.
October 18, 2021
5:30 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair JaneAnn Oldrup called the October 18, 2021 meeting to order at 5:27 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
The following Members were present: JaneAnn Oldrup, Barry Mathison, and Kim Elliott.
Members James Edwards, Meagan Sanders, Becky Joyce, and Becky Robertson being
absent. A quorum was not present.
Staff present: Jim Burress, Special Services Director; John Wright, Zoo Director; and
Sharene Brooks, Parks Administrative Assistant, Sr.
Guests present: Rita Kane-Doerhoefer, Vicki Burress, Juno Ogle, and Larry Connolly.
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – No quorum was present. No action or vote was taken.
D. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES - No quorum was present. No action or vote was
taken.
E. REGULAR ITEMS (ACTION ITEMS)
(none)
F. NON-ACTION ITEMS
2. Introduction of New Commission Member Becky Robertson. Chair Oldrup
advised that Becky Robertson was out-of-town and unable to attend the meeting.
However, Becky had already helped Director Burress at the golf course and was going to
be an active Commission Member.
FOR THE RECORD - Members Edwards and Sanders joined the meeting at 5:30 p.m.;
creating a quorum. The Commission went back to items C and D as stated below.
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Member Sanders motioned to approve the agenda, Member Mathison seconded; a voice
vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with Members Joyce and Robertson being
absent.
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D. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Member Elliott motioned to approve the minutes of the August 16, 2021 meeting.
Member Edwards was the second. A voice vote was unanimous, and the motion passed
with Members Joyce and Robertson being absent.
3. Report on Aquatic Center/Recreation Center. Director Burress read an email from
Director Juanita Jennings, who was unable to attend the meeting, to inform the
Commission that a new Director, Collette Hall, had been hired for the Roswell Recreation
and Aquatic Center.
4. Report on Zoo. John Wright, Zoo Director, gave the Zoo report. Attendance numbers
had dropped specific to two days of the week -- Thursdays and Fridays. Donations had
gone up due to sponsorships for the upcoming Night of the Living Zoo event. The
challenge of finding someone qualified for the Educational Coordinator position
continued. A press release would be going out soon on new animals acquired from
Phoenix. Cody Shubert had been hired as the new Grounds Maintenance Operations
Supervisor. The repair, usage, and expenses of the Zoo train were discussed.
5. Report on Parks Department. Jim Burress, Special Services Director, gave the
report on the Parks Department. The City Council shot down the recommended option for
the trail connection. Plans will be to change the bike “trail” to a bike “route”. Citizen Jake
Trujillo had been presented a proclamation at City Council for playing Tapps at the
Cemetery to honor Veterans. A groundbreaking ceremony had been held for the All-
Inclusive playground. Funding avenues for the project were discussed. The tennis and
basketball courts repair project had been approved. There would be an announcement
when someone is hired to run the golf course. The new playground for Carpenter Park
had been ordered. Parks and Animal Control had removed the ducks from the bird
sanctuary. Member Edwards inquired about the purpose of the newly formed Recreation
Facilities Ad Hoc Committee; discussion followed.
6. Discussion on Possible Future Agenda Items. Member Elliott provided a handout
with discussion by all on various topics: the Commission being pro-active, what the
Commission is supposed to be doing, the Commission needing to be looked at as
important, why the Commission was created, creating a schedule of topics for the
Commission meetings, the Commission being completely ignored, the building of the
Recreation Center, officials being at the meetings, members attending General Services
meetings, and the agenda for next month.
G. OTHER BUSINESS
7. Public Comments. Guest Connolly commented on the Ad Hoc Committee at the
airport.
H. ADJOURN
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Member Edwards motioned to adjourn the meeting, Member Sanders seconded; a voice
vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with Members Joyce and Robertson being
absent.
The meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
Next Commission meeting: November 15, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
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Agenda
ROSWELL PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday, October 18, 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, Kim Elliott, and Becky Robertson.
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 August 16, 2021 meeting minutes
E. Regular Items (Action Items)
(none)
F. Non-Action Items
2. Introduction of new Commission Member Becky Robertson (JaneAnn Oldrup)
3. Report on Recreation and Aquatics Center (Juanita Jennings)
4. Report on Zoo (John Wright)
5. Report on Parks Department (Jim Burress)
6. Discussion on possible future Agenda items (Kim Elliott)
G. Other Business
7. Public comments
Next Meeting: November 15, 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
action will be taken.
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meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please
contact the City Clerk at 575-624-6700 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.
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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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