A new chair, a new splash pad, and a budget the board put off

If you read nothing else

• The board elected Cassie McClure chair and Stan Engle vice-chair, both unanimously — completing the elections it tabled on June 18. Leadership changed mid-meeting; Harrison chaired items 1 through 6.1 and McClure chaired the rest.
• Item 8.2, the Parks and Recreation FY21 budget, was tabled to the August 20, 2020 meeting by the first motion of the night, under approval of the agenda, before any of it was presented.
• The board approved the GO Bond Unidad Park playground rehabilitation and splash pad to forward to City Council. Trevino said the splash pad will not recirculate water — it will discharge to the sanitary sewer as at Metro Verde Park — with plumbing infrastructure room to convert it to a recirculating system as soon as possible.
• Asked how much it costs to run a splash pad, Mathews said she does not have those costs offhand and can get them on a monthly or annual basis for the next board meeting.
• Keep Las Cruces Beautiful received $42,053.00 from New Mexico Clean and Beautiful — the largest award since Woods became coordinator — itemized across ten budget lines. Woods said COVID since mid-March stopped most of his cleanup programming and graffiti and trash built up.

Who was in the room

Public comment

Kept at length on purpose. Every point raised is listed, in the order the minutes record it.

6.1 Board Elections

Montgomery moved to nominate McClure as Board Chair, seconded by Engle. McClure accepted the nomination and was elected unanimously.

McClure then moved to nominate Engle as Vice-Chair, seconded by Montgomery. Engle accepted the nomination and was elected unanimously.

From this point in the document the minutes refer to "Chair McClure" and to "Mr. Harrison".

7.1 GO Bond Project / Unidad Park — Tony Trevino, Interim Deputy Director, Public Works

Trevino provided a presentation via YouTube that had been previously presented to the public at a second public meeting for comments on the Unidad Park Playground Rehabilitation and Splash Pad Addition, and said he hoped at the end of it to gain the board's support to move on with the next phase of the project and get the frontal design and construction going.

The presentation was by Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, narrated by Mimi Burns, Principal/Landscape Architect, and covered an introduction with background on the playground and project, information on the previous public meeting, a design presentation of the current state of the rehabilitation plan, and next steps.

To be preserved: turf, park signage, church steeples, twin towers, sun dial and tile walls, donor signs (to be relocated), pergola, swings, trees, shade structures and wood fencing.

To be removed, for conditions, safety concerns and ADA compliance concerns: asphalt, deck, beehive and structure turf, trees, wood fencing, wood platforms, play structures, wood seating and curbs.

Proposed improvements: renovation of the sun dial with new painted marking; renovation of the twin towers (sand and stain); rehabilitation of the church steeples; new play equipment for ages 2-5 and for ages 5-12; renovation of existing shade structures; renovation and preservation of the decorative wood fence; improvements in the driveway and parking area; improved crosswalk and ramp connection to the existing restroom; new sidewalk; new splash pad; addition of trees; new pump cabinet; new maintenance gate; rehabilitation of the trellis (sand, stain, replace beams); reuse of the existing picket fence around the splash pad perimeter; and overflow parking and entrance.

Next steps: collect public comments on the design, develop construction documents to present the rehabilitation design to the public and City Council, hold a final public meeting, then bidding and construction.

Chair McClure asked if the wooden boat was being removed. The recorded response was yes.

Montgomery asked whether there were any concerns about the introduction of a splash pad and the ongoing maintenance specific to splash pads. Mathews responded that maintenance is a concern in all these projects, that the splash pad was identified in the GO Bond question, that the GO Bond funds are specifically designated to include a splash pad, and that the original concept of Unidad included a water play feature when it was first constructed, first designed, first conceived of. She said yes, there will be maintenance required, and yes, the design team is working very closely with the aquatics maintenance staff in Parks and Recreation to address those concerns as much as possible to make the design maintainable.

Chair McClure asked whether the action sought is to take this to the next public comment version. Trevino said that with the support of the board, the action sought would be to move forward with the design of the project and then go to City Council for approval on this concept.

Harrison said he heard from the presentation that there was no recirculating of water and asked how the water would be recycled. Trevino said it would be similar to Metro Verde Park, where it goes straight into the sanitary sewer system, gets dumped into the sewer, and then discharges into the treatment plant. He added that with funding the way it was, it is planned for the future — with all the plumbing infrastructure room — to convert this as soon as possible into a recirculating system.

Harrison said something to keep in mind is that at the Ron Gall T-ball fields there are a lot of families and youth that could run across the easement, and asked, on the surfacing between the parking lot and the splash pad, to make sure there is not any dirt or other things that would clog the system, and what the thoughts are on the dirt and water mix on the surfacing and surrounding surfacing. Trevino said they have not gotten that far in design as far as mulching around the trees at this point, and that dirt and debris coming into the splash pad would be addressed in the next phase.

Chair McClure asked how much it costs to run a splash pad. Mathews said she does not have those costs offhand but can get them on a monthly or annual basis for the next board meeting.

After moving approval, Harrison added a comment that it would be nice to have something ADA or stroller friendly for use of the splash pad. Chair McClure concurred. The motion as voted does not include this.

8.1 Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) Update — James Woods

Woods said that with COVID-19 in effect since mid-March he was not able to complete a lot of his programming — major cleanups, Adopt a Spot cleanups, youth subcontract cleanups — which resulted in graffiti picking up and trash building up in certain areas.

He said grant funding in the amount of $42,053.00 has come from New Mexico Clean and Beautiful, the largest award received since he has been the Keep Las Cruces Clean and Beautiful Coordinator.

He itemized the award: $8,000 for cleanup supplies; $2,500 for educational materials; $4,500 for promotional materials; $4,500 for recycle bins; $3,000 for Adopt a Spot signage; $5,500 for graffiti abatement; $6,000 for youth group cleanups; $5,400 set aside for work studies; $650 for Keep America Beautiful membership dues; and $2,000 for the Keep America Beautiful Annual Conference.

Woods said he and Nunez are looking into purchasing a new or used bus or van to help with graffiti abatement because the current vehicle is on its last leg.

He said he is looking forward to FY21 and hopefully COVID-19 will slow down so KLCB can move forward in improving the community to look better than last year. Chair McClure congratulated him on his largest award.

Harrison asked where youth groups find out about applying to help KLCB. Woods said information is on the website about youth applying for a stipend, that KLCB requires those groups attend the major cleanups, stay consistent, stay in contact and volunteer in other cleanup events, and that KLCB is limited to 20 groups.

8.2 Parks and Recreation FY21 Budget — Sonya Delgado

The minutes record, in full: "Item 8.2 was tabled under Item 3 - Approval of Agenda." It was tabled to the August 20, 2020 meeting on McClure's motion before the meeting reached it, and nothing about the budget was presented.

9. Staff comments — Special Projects (Cathy Mathews)

Metro Verde Subdivision Linear Park, recently completed, runs along a stretch of Red Hawk Golf Road and includes a multiuse trail with exercise stations along its length. It also includes a drinking fountain which is operational but shut down currently to help folks comply with COVID-19 safe practices and not congregate. Mathews said the trail is well used already, with folks walking or bike riding on it or in the vicinity.

In Metro Park Village, part of the Metro Verde Subdivision, there is a new park the City has accepted, called for working purposes the Tower Park. It has an intriguing playground and an expanse of turf grass so neighbors can have active play space and passive play space too with the trail.

At Chandler Tank, Mathews's team has been working with a developer in the area to install irrigation and shade trees along the existing multiuse path. Within the right of way of Sonoma Ranch Blvd. adjacent to Chandler Tank, an irrigation system has been installed with climate-appropriate trees that will grow up and provide a shaded area for people using the multiuse path.

9. Staff comments — Youth Services (Robert Nunez)

Alongside Woods's KLCB update, Nunez said he is also including a YCC grant over the next six months for a community collaboration project covering more than one mural project throughout the city. His team is working internally with the Public Arts Coordinator to identify locations, then will hire six YCC crew members aged 16 to 24 and over the next months provide beautification murals throughout the city. One area being looked at is the Kohl's underpass, which has been hit on a regular basis with graffiti. Other locations will be identified that may help minimize the negative graffiti going around. Nunez said a beautiful mural will be something positive for people to appreciate and for individuals not to deface any longer, and that the YCC crew positions will be advertised soon, as they have until December 31 for project completion.

The Juvenile Citation Program has been in virtual classes since mid-April or the 1st of May and they have been going well. The program finished this last fiscal year's grant — they were not able to expend all funds — and are already looking to move forward to Council with FY21's grant from the Children's Youth & Family Department, to get that agreement set up and identify partners in the community able to assist with the program.

Out of School Time Programs started up July 15, 2020, with a total of five sites and about 70 youth, at a five to one ratio per safe practices and the Governor's orders. The Teens at Meerscheidt is the largest site with 20 youth, doing art projects, playing pickleball, social distancing, wearing masks and washing their hands regularly. The other locations — A. Fielder Memorial/Weed & Seed, East Mesa Recreation Center, and Benavidez Community Center — each have ten youth, and Frank O'Brien Papen Community Center has 15. Youth are recreating and exercising and are provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some locations.

With Las Cruces Public Schools doing remote learning to start the year, Nunez said it affects programming. He is reaching out to LCPS about the possibility of getting access to the schools and what can be done to help families and youth, and has met with his Out of School Time team to put options together. He said he is hoping to get something started for the fall, but that right now the number one thing is to make sure everyone is safe, healthy and knowledgeable.

Chair McClure asked how much of a dent personal protective equipment and sanitation have made in the budget. Delgado said things are paid on the front end, but there is a federal grant coming out for COVID that lets the City track expenses for reimbursement. No amount was given.

9. Staff comments — Recreation (Phil Catanach)

Recreation section programming continues. Lap lanes are open at the Regional Aquatic Center and Frenger Pool; the walking channel and the upstairs fitness center are open at the Regional Aquatic Center. Starting this week, participants will be required to wear a mask at the upstairs fitness center. Recreation staff continues virtual programming — educational and instructional videos, hiking and biking.

4th of July activities just finished — the fireworks display and virtual parade, which went very well.

Virtual Music in the Park has moved forward, with seven videos out so far and the next coming July 19, 2020. The videos are getting a lot of hits, so reception is very good. There are still 20 of 34 left to video. Catanach said staff is excited and he is very proud of them for all they have done during this period.

9. Staff comments — Parks (Franco Granillo)

Granillo said that since he last updated the board that his staff was beginning to catch up from being off due to COVID, staff has done a really good job catching up with routine maintenance and all their park areas. The parks and medians are looking good through the Clean Sweep Program and have caught up to the three-week cycle.

Ballfields are still closed. Staff is working on trails and doing a good job keeping them up for the public. Trails, Gomez Park, Frenger Park, La Llorona Park and Twin Parks are open. The construction crew is helping Mathews and her special projects team finish some internal projects.

The trees on Hadley Street are suffering. Granillo said a lot of people thought it was herbicide damage or something else, but it is due to a mite; it is citywide and is happening in El Paso and Albuquerque. Staff is working with their Community Foresters on a plan of attack, but for now will try to treat it with a spray recommended by Jeff Anderson. If that does not work, the trees will be removed later in the year and replaced immediately.

9. Staff comments — Director and others

Vasconcellos said she had no comments. Jennifer Morrow had no comments.

Nevarez reminded board members to notify her in advance of board meetings whether they will attend, so she knows if a quorum will be present — the same request she made on February 20.

Delgado said the LCPS agreement is in hand and staff will meet with them July 17, 2020; from there the agreement will have to go to the LCPS board and to the State, and will also go to City Council.

Delgado said the Full Court Fiesta agreement has been finalized and the project at Klein Park with the basketball court will be launched in about two to three weeks.

Delgado said the next agreement coming up for review is the PAL Boxing agreement. Their lease is up and they have already had two or three different one-year renewals as part of the whole lease when they first attained it, so it now has to be reopened to see if anyone else is interested. Staff will work with Purchasing to get a request for proposal out soon.

Delgado thanked the entire Parks and Recreation team, saying they have been doing an outstanding job figuring out how to continue offering services and programs and keep everyone safe — team members and community members who participate — and are still coming up with new ideas.

10. Board member comments

Montgomery thanked Harrison for his leadership this past year and the year before and for his patience with him as a new member, thanked Engle for the continuation as Vice-Chair, said he appreciates Chair McClure for stepping into the position of Chair, and thanked staff for all they have been doing.

Harrison congratulated Chair McClure on her post, saying her connections and the visions she sees around with different people are wonderful for the board, and Engle as well.

Harrison clarified with Delgado that the LCPS agreement she mentioned was about the soccer fields. Delgado concurred.

Harrison asked, with the ballfields not being utilized, whether staff has been furloughed, let go, or transferred to a different area. Delgado responded that the entire Parks and Recreation team is intact, that no one is on furlough, and that the City of Las Cruces does not have anyone on furlough; staff who normally take care of the ballfields are helping with the trails, which have a lot of use.

Harrison gave kudos to Nunez for the great job he has done with the Out of School Time program.

Engle congratulated Chair McClure for being voted Chair, and said that with the trails getting more use it would be good to touch at the next meeting on the enforcement of mask rules and social distancing.

Chair McClure said it warms her heart to see people on the Triviz Trail and making use of it, and that she had never seen it so packed before.

Chair McClure congratulated staff for things like finally showing her where Slot Canyon is, having seen Shaunna Foster's video, and said she will try other videos with her children — such as how to do soccer drills — calling it a fantastic use to do things online if they cannot be done in person.

Recorded votes

Left open at the gavel