Held via Zoom webinar. Staff presented the maintenance impact of adding a new facility, reporting parks staffing has gone from 50 to 57 since 2008 while eight positions lost in the recession were never recovered. A second presentation covered splash pad water systems, including that a splash pad costs about $550,000 and that the city's one flow-through pad uses over 2.5 million gallons a year. Capital projects presented total just over $24 million.
Kept at length on purpose. Every point raised is listed, in the order the minutes record it.
The minutes record no staff or board response. Under item 9, Chair McClure said she received a comment from Mr. Shervanick passing along his hello to Ms. Zahler.
Mr. Franco Granillo gave a PowerPoint presentation on the maintenance impact of a new facility, providing information to consider when a park is added. He covered programs that assist with the maintenance of facilities, the Mano y Mano program, and the utilization of inmate crews. Granillo discussed utilization of Adopt a Spot, developing public/private partnerships, extension of schedules, and categorizing parks as ways to offset maintenance issues resulting from added facilities.
Mr. Engle said Mano y Mano sounds like a great program and asked why there is such high turnover among participants. Granillo said he is pretty sure Mano y Mano is set up on a lottery system, which means new people enter the program as it progresses. Engle asked if there were any statistics showing actual benefits to participants. Granillo said he does not have the information but will check with Natalie Green, from Economic Development, and will send forward what he finds out.
Ms. Schuller asked whether Granillo has put together a background history of the number of employees relative to the number of parks in the past compared to more recent numbers, should this information ever need to be provided to City Council. Granillo said this was a good question, said he has been with the Parks Department since 2008, and that staff has increased since then from 50 to 57. He also said that around that time eight employees were lost during the recession which have never been recovered. Schuller said this is good data to have, for more ground to stand on to request more funds for staffing.
Mr. Thompson asked, when putting together the expense for hiring a two-man crew and truck for the 40-hour work week per employee, what the return is on a per park basis — how many parks can this crew do during the course of a week. Granillo said when a two-man crew is hired, another 10 or 12 acres can be handled a week. Thompson asked how many acres have been added in the last five to six years without added crew. Granillo said in the Metro Verde area, from 18 to 24 acres.
Ms. Zahler asked Ms. Delgado and Mr. Granillo whether the City Manager has been invited to a meeting on this issue. Granillo said there have been several meetings with the previous City Managers, and Ms. Delgado has met with the current City Manager and Assistant City Manager, and they are aware. He said they are also aware staff works very hard to stay on top of things, and added that when developing budget, Parks and Recreation is mixed in with other departments such as Fire, Police and Public Works. Ms. Delgado added these issues have been discussed with Mr. Pili and Mr. Taumoepeau, City Manager and Assistant City Manager, that the need for staff has been discussed because several acres continue to be added every year, and that a lot of temps on the parks side of the house are utilized to ensure staff stays on schedule and all the property parks is responsible for is taken care of.
Ms. Zahler suggested a meeting needs to be held with not only the City Manager but, she recommends, with the Mayor present. She said she would like to know what the City Manager and the Mayor have to say about this issue. She said staff should also check whether other Parks and Recreation departments in the country are in this situation and find out how they handle it. Zahler also suggested looking into another program other than inmate crews, since guards have to be present, referring to a program she watches called Pit Bulls and Parolees where parolees are used and no guards are needed.
Ms. Delgado informed the board a work session will be scheduled to discuss this topic and will let the board know when it will be. She said she will look into the parolee possibility as well as get information from Parks and Recreation departments across the country.
Ms. Zahler asked if there was any objection to her meeting with the Mayor. Ms. Delgado deferred this to Chair McClure. Zahler said she would like herself and Chair McClure to meet with the Mayor. Ms. McClure said she would be happy to do so.
Mr. Phil Catanach said he is partnering with Mr. Silas Garcia, Certified Pool Operator, to give a two-part presentation.
Catanach presented on splash pad water systems, discussing their popularity and affordability relative to traditional pool facilities, and informed the board of the two splash pad locations the city currently operates: Metro Verde Splash Pad, a flow-through system, and the Plaza de Las Cruces Interactive Fountain, a recirculating system. He discussed the two types of systems and their pros and cons.
Catanach said all future City of Las Cruces splash pads will operate with recirculating systems, as the New Mexico Environment Department and the Model Aquatic Health Code discourage non-recirculatory systems. Two more splash pads are in the planning process — Unidad Park Splash Pad on E. Hadley Ave. and Apodaca Park Splash Pad at Apodaca Park — and Councilors have discussed having additional splash pads at various locations.
Mr. Silas Garcia informed the board staff currently maintains six facilities with three in planning. There are currently three certified pool operators and, in the summertime, three temps to maintain all six swimming pools and splash pads. Garcia discussed the scheduling from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the required maintenance to be in compliance with NMED, as all the pools and splash pads require four-hour checks.
Asked how chemical checks at the splash pads work, Garcia explained the chemicals have to be checked every four hours, which is basic and does not take very long unless they have to backwash depending on the bather load. He said sometimes they have to backwash two or three times a day because the interactive fountain is only a 1,200-gallon tank. Since the splash pads do not have lifeguards on duty, the Certified Pool Operators have to be at the splash pads every four hours to do the checks.
Catanach said that besides the two fountains, staff also operates the Regional Aquatic Center, Frenger Pool, Laabs Pool, East Mesa Pool, and soon the new 15-meter pool, with three Certified Pool Operators and sometimes three temps. He said it takes a lot of expertise to be a Certified Pool Operator to make sure the chemicals in the pools are safe and operating at the right levels, and that Mr. Garcia and his crew are probably the best in the southwest.
Mr. Thompson asked whether the Mesa Verde splash pad is the only flow-through system as far as splash pads go. Catanach said yes. Thompson asked whether Catanach had said it was due to be retrofitted with a filtration system. Catanach said no — there was a possibility, but it is very expensive, so he does not see this happening.
Thompson expressed surprise that the city uses over 2 1/2 million gallons of water annually and asked whether the annual water consumption of the average household is known. Catanach said he did not know. Thompson said he likes the idea there might be a catch tank where the water could be repurposed and asked whether this is possibly in the works. Catanach said this is something that has been looked into, costs as much as the splash pad, but might be done in the future, especially if the pressure is there.
Thompson asked whether there was no initial outlay of cash for this splash pad because it was a gift from the builder. Catanach concurred, and said this is why NMED is highly suggesting that flow-through systems not be used for future splash pads.
Thompson asked what the annual water usage is on the recirculating systems. Mr. Garcia said it is a 1,200-gallon tank; during the non-peak season the tank is drained once every two weeks, and during peak season every other day.
Mr. Engle asked to be reminded of the size of the crew. Garcia said three CPOs with three temps during the summer. Engle commented that with the popularity of splash pads and Councilors wanting them in as many parks as possible, more crew would be needed — the same issue as when parks are added — so unless there is more funding, staff would have to find efficient ways to use current staff. Garcia concurred, saying the hard part is that to be in compliance with NMED the splash pads have to be checked every four hours, and it will all depend on when the splash pads are open seven days a week.
Engle also asked, on behalf of Mr. Montgomery, whether staff can check for the presence of any bacterial or viral agents in the recirculating system, whether any has been found, and whether there are procedures to sanitize the system. Garcia said there are procedures that are followed — NMED requires free chlorine levels be kept between 2 and 10 parts per million. He added the Regional Aquatic System also has, along with the chlorine, a UV system as supplemental disinfection, and NMED is now requiring this on all circulatory systems going forward. Garcia said the Plaza de Las Cruces interactive fountain does not have a UV system but has a sand filtration system, and chemical levels are kept between specs. As far as testing for bacteria, no — the chlorine disinfects everything. Garcia said what has happened twice is loose stool, and the pool is shut down to super chlorinate and left shut down for 12 or 13 hours; the decks at the splash park are disinfected every other day.
Ms. Schuller expressed concern about the amount of water being used and said she appreciates that as new splash pads come on, they are recirculatory.
Chair McClure asked whether recirculatory is a recommendation or is in the city's master plan for development too. Ms. Delgado said it is a requirement of NMED to have a recirculatory system. She said staff is aware they would like to put a recirculatory system in at Metro Verde, but will have to find a funding source, and it is on their list of many items.
Mr. Thompson asked the cost to put in a splash pad. Ms. Delgado said it depends on size and amenities, but about $550,000.00, which does not include the restrooms or showers that are also needed.
Chair McClure said she looked up how much water a residential customer uses, which is about 5,000 gallons. Mr. Thompson said he also looked this up — 3,000 gallons per month per person in a household is the average — and so the 2.5 million gallons would provide water for 173 households.
Mr. Engle asked whether, on the non-recirculatory splash pad, the water goes into the drainage or into the actual sewage system. Catanach said it goes down the drain into the City's sewage system. Engle asked if this is the one on the East Mesa; Catanach said yes. Engle asked if this is the area where the sewage water gets reclaimed for landscape use. Catanach said he did not know and deferred to Ms. Catherine Mathews, who said the wastewater in the Metro Verde area of town is not reclaimed but is slated for that in the future in the Utility's plans. Engle said he agrees this is a massive waste of water.
Ms. Catherine Mathews presented on Parks and Recreation capital improvement projects for the current fiscal year and some of the park impact fee projects slated for next year.
Apodaca Park Aquatic Playground & Multi-Use Path, Council District 1 — in the planning process and will be receiving an Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program grant to the tune of $750,000, to be matched by park impact fees. The National Park Service issues the grant through the State Parks. For the final approval stage, the State Historic Preservation Office is evaluating the city's cultural resources study to make sure it complied with all the requirements of the federal grant.
East Mesa Public Safety Complex Park, District 6 — supported by $100,000 of park impact fees. In the planning stages, trying to figure out how this project, which likely would be a trail head, would coordinate with the East Mesa Recreation Complex GO Bond project.
Highland Park, District 5 — supported by park impact fees as well as Hold Harmless Gross Receipts Taxes. There is about $874,000 available which will go toward construction, adjacent to Highland Elementary School at Emerald Ave., north of Highway 70.
Metro Verde Neighborhood Park, District 5 — as the developer builds parks in the Metro Verde subdivisions and seeks agreements with City Council to reimburse for construction, there is funding for this.
National Fitness Campaign Outdoor Gym II — the second gym was supported by park impact fees. It has been completed and is located at the East Mesa Recreation Center on Porter Drive, adjacent to the fire station, across the street from Sage Café and down the street from the East Mesa swimming pool.
Pueblos at Alameda (Calle Abuelo Neighborhood Park), District 6 — the last $15,000 of park impact fees will be used to install play equipment. The project is near completion and includes a piece of artwork called the Tree of Life Sculpture, selected by the City Art Board for this location.
Mathews said the amount of park impact fees designated for projects this fiscal year was just over $2 million, and provided aerial views of these projects.
For the next fiscal year, Mathews said new expenditures of park impact fee budget are not being proposed, but rather continuing with carryover of the Apodaca Park Aquatic Playground & Multi-Use Path, Highland Park, East Mesa Public Safety Area Park, and Metro Verde Neighborhood Park. She said the budget has been expanded because the partnership is resulting in a lot of parks that meet the goals outlined in the Parks & Recreation Master Plan — the goal being neighborhood parks within a 10-minute walk or quarter mile distance from all residential development — and is worthy of park impact fees.
Ballfield/Soccer Field Renovations — Provencio Van Dame lighting upgrades to allow the space to be useful for nighttime play. Near completion; all but $1,500 has been spent, which will go to drinking fountains, also with support of some of the Parks & Athletics operating budget.
BMX Track Parking Lot & ADA Improvements — budget is available, but Facilities Management, a section of Public Works, will manage the project.
Chandler Tank — has established budget from a City bond. Will be used to design and construct a park at Chandler Tank based on a master plan developed in concert with neighbors.
Meerscheidt Recreation Center wood flooring — the project has been finished, and a walkthrough to generate a punch list was completed just this week.
Paz Ballfield Parking Lot Improvements — similar to the BMX track parking lot improvements; Facilities Management will lead.
Skate Park Improvements — received a $245,000 legislative grant from the 2020 legislative session. In the process of evaluating responses to the request for proposals for design build; anticipate getting it under contract in the next two to four months.
Gomez Lot Parking Lot Improvements — similar to other parking lot improvements; will need the expertise of Facilities Management.
Tortugas Trail, in conjunction with the Doña Ana MOVE Trail — both received legislative grants which support a grant received from the Paso del Norte Foundation to construct trails. Staff will work with partners in the Town of Mesilla and Doña Ana County to partner with Elephant Butte Irrigation District to construct trails that connect City trail systems through other neighboring communities.
Current Multi-Use Field Lighting, PVD/Soldados — established budget for Soldados multiuse field lighting, $52,000. Not enough to do much other than design.
General Park Equipment and Renovations — remainder of a legislative grant. The budget amount has been spent on dog poop bag dispensers.
Interstate 10 / Interstate 25 Interchange Erosion Control — legislative grant of $418,000. The City is seeking a change to this grant, requesting the legislature reauthorize funding for use in landscaping medians within the City limits. It can support a $50,000 legislative grant for design and construction of median landscapes on Lohman and Sonoma Ranch Blvd.
Median Landscaping — the $418,000 legislative grant will also support this, which is funded by City bonds and Hold Harmless Gross Receipts Tax funding expended on City Bond Median Phase 1, in construction and nearing close out. Staff are working with the contractor to finish punch list items on Phase 1 and leave $850,000 to go into Phase 2 design.
Nevada Ave. Cool Corridor — working on punch list items; nearing completion of the close out processes.
Park Security and Lighting — legislative grant in support of security cameras and additional lights at Veterans Memorial Park. Security cameras have been installed and electrical service has been upgraded so the electrical system can support additional lighting. Staff have initiated the planning process of installing additional pathway lights as requested by veterans who use this park. Anticipate completion this coming calendar year.
Parks Smart Controllers and Booster Pumps — supported by a Water Smart Grant from the Bureau of Reclamation. Funds have been expended on installing smart controllers at athletic facilities on Hadley and booster pumps at Apodaca Park and Soldados multiuse fields. Staff are working on the planning process for analyzing the existing irrigation systems and determining the size required for those pumps. Anticipate completion this summer.
Pioneer Women's Park Improvements — received an additional $200,000 legislative grant for repair and restoration activities of the gazebo.
Las Cruces Lateral RTP Trail — received a $108,000 Recreational Trails Program grant from the New Mexico Department of Transportation for design of the trail along the Las Cruces Lateral from University Ave. to Main St. Proposals have been solicited, a contract consultant selected, and scope of work and price negotiated with assistance of Public Works. Anticipate contracting with the consultant this coming week.
Veterans Park Parking Lot — the City acquired property north of Veterans Memorial Park. Budget established from City bonds to design and construct a parking lot. Design is nearly complete, and staff anticipate bringing it forward to the board at next month's meeting.
Mathews said these projects total approximately $9 million.
Two GO Bond projects are managed by Public Works in consultation with Parks and Recreation: Recreational Walking, Jogging, and Biking Trails, a $2,700,000 budget in the design/construction phase; and Improvements to Parks, Including Sports Fields, and Other Related Facilities, an approximately $17,000,000 budget in the design/construction phase, including the East Mesa Public Recreation Complex, other sports courts improvements, and two dog parks.
Mathews said total capital improvement projects come to just over $24 million.
Other non-CIP projects listed: Women Veterans Monument Lighting Renovations; Metro Verde Voluntary Assessment District Sonoma Ranch Blvd. Mile 2 Landscape; AARP FitLot Outdoor Fitness Area; New Skate Park; Metro Verde VAD Red Hawk Blvd. Landscape; First Responder Memorial; Branigan Park Master Plan; Klein Park Basketball Court Renovation; Trail and Park Wayfinding and Leave No Trace Signage; Land Acquisition for Park in District 5.
Mr. Engle commented on median landscaping that he wants to make sure the design takes into account the runoff. Ms. Mathews concurred.
Ms. Delgado had to leave for another meeting, so Mr. Phil Catanach spoke on her behalf. With New Mexico back in the Yellow category, lap lane swimming, fitness areas and tutoring have opened.
Parks and Recreation staff have been working on a COVID-19 vaccination registration promotion by going daily to grocery stores and encouraging the community to register for the vaccine. Catanach said in the first two and a half weeks of the program, up to 600 people were reached and there have been up to 200 registrations.
Staff is working to get programs going: parks staff will be meeting with local leagues to open sports fields; Meerscheidt Recreation Center will be open for fitness beginning March 22, 2021; Frank O'Brien Papen will be open for table tennis and activities such as walking programs; and there will be expanded tutoring and after school programs, outdoor youth activities, and continued recording of Music in the Park.
Catanach said staff is excited to start adding activities and want to be ready when more programming can open.
Mr. Catanach reported lap lanes are open at the Regional Aquatic Center and Frenger Pool. The fitness center is open at the RAC and will be open at Meerscheidt Recreation Center. Frank O'Brien Papen Community Center is getting ready to offer limited table tennis, is starting a new walking program, is offering a virtual marathon — a six-week 26-mile walk/run/crawl — and is going to start hiking again. Staff is working the vaccine promotions and helping at vaccine distribution events. Catanach said he is very proud of his staff. He added Meerscheidt Recreation Center's league gym floor was replaced, a full court gym that goes north, south, east and west, and that the recreation section is getting ready to hire summer staff.
Mr. Robert Nunez said through Youth Services the Juvenile Citation Program continues to work virtually and classes have been filling up. The Children, Youth & Families Department has provided a new platform to request monthly reimbursement, so supervisors and staff are working diligently on those items. Nunez said JCP is hoping to introduce in-person community service with clients soon and will try to get more face to face with them as guidelines and changes permit.
Nunez said Keep Las Cruces Beautiful is preparing for the Great American Clean Up in April, is also looking to finish up the fiscal year with a few district cleanups throughout the City in May and June before the year's grant process is done, and is working this weekend with the Las Cruces Police Department and volunteers at Burn Lake for a cleanup.
Nunez said the Out of School Time program is providing tutoring throughout the day at various city locations. Staff met with the schools today to see how they can get into the schools in an abbreviated manner, following COVID-19 guidelines and Las Cruces Public Schools procedures, to offer some type of after school program for families and youth in need with schools opening.
Nunez said the Youth Services section is looking to offer some type of spring break program for current youth in the program, following COVID-19 guidelines.
Mr. Catanach reported the Parks Department is working with area leagues and associations for opening sports fields in the near future.
Ms. Nevarez said she has reviewed minutes from February and did see a correction that needed to be made, but would like to review the recording to make sure the rest of the information is correct, and will have the correction placed on next month's meeting agenda.
Ms. Zahler said she will be in touch with the Mayor next week. She commented that she watches Animal Planet on Saturdays on cable, Channel 50, and will find out more information on Pit Bulls and Parolees.
Ms. McClure said she received a comment from Mr. Shervanick passing along his hello to Ms. Zahler.
Ms. Schuller inquired about the Wi-Fi status mentioned in a previous meeting. She also commented on driving by the East Mesa Outdoor Gym and said there seemed to be a lot of people there with the nice weather, so the gym is a great addition for this area.
Mr. Catanach responded to Ms. Schuller's inquiry about internet. He said just this week Comcast Cable has put internet — the Lift Zone Project — in at Meerscheidt Recreation Center and at the Regional Aquatic Center. He added internet is wanted at all recreation centers, seven locations between Parks and Recreation and Quality of Life.
Mr. Engle thanked park staff for all their hard work and acknowledged their work on getting the word out on the vaccines. He added: wear your masks, get your shots.