Parks & Recreation Commission
Regular MeetingRoswell, NM · May 16, 2022
Minutes
MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Parks Administration Office
1101 W. 4th St.
May 16, 2022
5:30 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Jane Ann Oldrup called the May 16, 2022 meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
The following Members were present: Jane Ann Oldrup, Becky Joyce, Becky Robertson,
and James Edwards with Members Barry Mathison and Maegan Sanders being absent.
Staff present: Jim Burress, Special Services Director; Colette Hall, Recreation Director;
Alex Diaz, Recreation Manager; John Wright, Zoo Director; and Sharene Brooks, Parks
Administrative Assistant, Sr.
Guests present: Vicki Burress, Juno Ogle, Carolyn Mitchell, Laurie Dudek, Shawn Kelly,
Fred Luna, Jorge Armendariz, and Jeneva Dearing Martinez.
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Member Edwards motioned to approve the agenda with
the exception of moving Item 8, Public Comments, to the beginning of the agenda, Member
Robertson seconded; a voice vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with Members
Mathison and Sanders being absent.
D.1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES -- Member Edwards motioned to approve the minutes
of the April 18, 2022 meeting, Member Robertson seconded; a voice vote was unanimous,
and the motion passed with Members Mathison and Sanders being absent.
G. OTHER BUSINESS
8. Public Comments. Guests Luna and Armendariz addressed the Commission
regarding the murders of their two sons on April 16th at Cahoon Park. They would like to
have memorial benches with plaques installed at the park. They do not want their kids to
die in vain and would like to help the community by changing the lives of other kids. Guest
Kelly, Exec. Pastor at Church on the Move, thanked members for letting them address
the Commission. Member Edwards suggested that they attend the upcoming General
Services meeting. Guest Mitchell with Roswell Rotary, gave updates on Delta West Park
regarding trees that have been purchased, the sidewalk, and grant money.
E. REGULAR ITEMS (ACTION ITEMS)
2. Consider Approval to Recommend the Submission of All New Applications to the
Mayor to Fill Commission Vacancies for Positions 2, 4, and 6, and the Re-application
of Member Sanders for a Second Term for Position 1. Chair Oldrup handed out voting
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ballots for members to mark their choices for the vacancies. Member Edwards clarified
how the applications had been marked as far as which opening each were applying for.
Member Oldrup commented on Applicant Sanchez. Member Joyce commented on
Applicant Belding.
Member Robertson motioned to rearrange Items F.3. and F.4. on the agenda; Member
Edwards seconded; a voice vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with Members
Mathison and Sanders being absent.
F. NON-ACTION ITEMS
4. Report on Recreation and Aquatics Center. Director Hall gave the Recreation
report. They were still looking for lifeguards and trying to get the word out anyway
possible. Member Edwards suggested utilizing the schools to reach kids about the
lifeguarding. Recreation’s revenue and attendance numbers were good for the month.
The Game Changer app is a neat tool they are now using at the Center. Member
Robertson agreed and explained how she had used the app. The Trivia Night at the Adult
Center was fun and the Recipe Exchange event was successful. Member Robertson
commented that the fitness classes were fantastic.
E. REGULAR ITEMS (ACTION ITEMS) – cont’d
3. Consider Approval to Recommend the Contracting Out of a Company to
Reanalyze Trees in All the City Parks. Director Burress provided information on how
prior assessments of Park trees had been done. He had started exploring getting a
company to come in to do a current analysis of trees. He also mentioned the possibility
of getting a City Arborist in the future. The Parks Department normally plants 3-5 trees
for every tree taken down. Trees at the Zoo nursery and the Parks tree farm would be
utilized for planting. Member Edwards motioned to recommend the contracting out of a
company to reanalyze trees in all the City parks; Member Joyce seconded; a voice vote
was unanimous, and the motion passed with Members Mathison and Sanders being
absent.
F. NON-ACTION ITEMS – cont’d
5. Report on Zoo. Director Wright gave the Zoo report. Attendance was up 35% from
this time last year. They had received a donation of $25,000. Two bear experts came to
the Zoo to provide input on a new exhibit design and how to improve the welfare of the
bears in their current structure. The elk had been relocated into a new enclosure. There
had been lot of cleaning going on. Two new Keepers had started and were being trained.
US Fish & Wildlife and OSHA had been at the Zoo. Other events for the month were gone
over, as well as the status of the butterfly garden.
6. Report on Parks Department. Director Burress gave the Parks report. The Parks
Department would be planting several trees on Friday. Roswell had been named Tree City
USA for 32 years now. Upcoming updates at the bird sanctuary were gone over. 70-80
bats had been removed from a home by Animal Control and relocated to the Waste Water
Treatment Plant area. An update for the golf course was given. Member Robertson
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inquired about the follow-up meeting that was supposed to have happened after the Golf
meeting at the Rec Center. Member Joyce asked about the carousel bench renovations
and funding/fund raising for the carousel. Director Wright provided plans and prices
regarding the carousel renovation and possibly using the lead horse at businesses to get
donations. The Friends of the Zoo are wanting to assist with funding and fund raising.
Director Burress gave the status of Carpenter Park and details on the Virginia/Chisum Park
project.
7. Explore Future Goals. The Park Department’s goals were: trees/tree canopies,
solidifying playgrounds and continued work on the trails, the bird sanctuary, and the area
where the pool used to be. Member Joyce commented about the trail connection still not
being done. Member Robertson asked about the resurfacing of the tennis courts.
H. ADJOURN
Member Edwards motioned to adjourn the meeting, Member Robertson seconded; a voice
vote was unanimous, and the motion passed with Members Mathison and Sanders being
absent.
The meeting ended at 6:32 p.m.
Next Commission meeting: June 20, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
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Agenda
ROSWELL PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday, May 16, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
Parks Administration Office
1101 W. 4th St., Roswell, NM
Commission Chair: Jane Ann Oldrup
Vice Chair: Barry Mathison
Members: James Edwards, Maegan Sanders,
Becky Joyce, 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 April 18, 2022 meeting minutes
E. Regular Items (Action Items)
2. Consider approval to recommend the submission of all new applications to the Mayor to fill
Commission vacancies for Positions 2, 4, and 6, and the re-application of Member Sanders
for a Second Term for Position 1 (Jane Ann Oldrup)
3. Consider approval to recommend the contracting out of a company to reanalyze trees in all
the City parks (Jim Burress)
F. Non-Action Items
4. Report on Recreation and Aquatics Center (Colette Hall)
5. Report on Zoo (John Wright)
6. Report on Parks Department (Jim Burress)
7. Explore future goals (Jim Burress)
G. Other Business
8. Public comments
Next Meeting: June 20, 2022
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 22-14.
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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MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Parks Administration Office
1101 W. 4th St.
April 18, 2022
5:30 PM
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Jane Ann Oldrup called the April 18, 2022 meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
The following Members were present: Jane Ann Oldrup, Becky Joyce, and Maegan
Sanders with Members James Edwards, Barry Mathison, and Becky Robertson being
absent. A quorum was not present.
Staff present: Jim Burress, Special Services Director; Colette Hall, Recreation Director;
Alex Diaz, Recreation Manager; John Wright, Zoo Director; and Sharene Brooks, Parks
Administrative Assistant, Sr.
Guests present: City Councilor Juan Oropesa, Corrine Oropesa, Vicki Burress, and Juno
Ogle.
Guests via GoToMeeting: Rita Kane Doerhoefer.
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. Discussion on Fee Schedules. (This item was not discussed.)
3. Discussion on Potential Capital Projects. Director Jim Burress encouraged the
Commission members to think about talking points and capital project ideals for the parks.
Examples were discussed (putting book pages and statues along the walking trails,
creating areas for selfies/picture-taking, bringing parks to 100%). Costs for playgrounds,
mulch, and picnic tables were also discussed. The Spring River Corridor Foundation
would be contributing funds for the Hayne’s Dream Project. Plans for the project had
been created and were gone over.
4. Report on Recreation and Aquatics Center. Director Hall let Commission members
know she also needed indoor project ideals for her department. She provided revenue
and membership numbers for the month of March. She was now certified to teach
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lifeguarding. Close to 100 people came to their St. Patrick’s Day event and 26 people
came to the first Game Night at the Adult Center. The hospitality room at the Adult Center
would be getting painted and the kitchen area would be getting changed up. The Easter
Egg Hunt event was a hit with over 100 participants. Manager Diaz explained how the
hunt took place in the swimming pool.
5. Report on Zoo. Director Wright informed the Commission that they had hired their 5th
Zoo Keeper. They had decided on a designer for the new entrance gift shop/farm
experience/bear exhibit. The Kids Stampede had gone well with 15 kids participating. The
possibility of a 1-mile run happening in the future was discussed. Bear experts would be
coming in to help with the design of the new bear exhibit. March had been the busiest
month for attendance since the Zoo had opened with fees. The reptile building and
concession stand would be getting updates. The butterfly garden would be opening in
May with a ribbon-cutting scheduled and the Brew At The Zoo event would be at the end
of April with over 200 pre-tickets sold.
6. Report on Parks Department. Director Burress gave details on the upcoming massive
beautification and clean-up of the bird sanctuary. Over the Easter weekend, City parks
were packed and greatly utilized. Parks crews had been busy picking up plastic Easter egg
remains and trash left behind in the parks. The Boys & Girls Club gardening area, the old
swimming pool, would be getting prepped for kids to continue to learn planting skills. The
kinds of plants and trees planted during the renovation of Carpenter Park were discussed.
With the frequent use of the Sunken Garden for photos and weddings, additional flowers,
etc. may be added to the pond landscaping.
7. Explore Future Goals. (This item was discussed during the Parks Department report.)
G. OTHER BUSINESS
8. Public Comments. Guest Burress mentioned the upcoming Open House at the Boys
& Girls Club on Saturday from 11-2.
H. ADJOURN -- No quorum was present; no vote was taken.
The meeting ended at 6:14 p.m.
Next Commission meeting: May 16, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
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