◉ Perfect World
Las Cruces ▾
Town Square›Parks & Rec Watch›May 20, 2021
Parks & Rec Advisory Board · May 20, 2021

"The City of Las Cruces basically has blatantly lied" — a Cool Corridor complaint, and a $2.4 million parking lot

The board met by Zoom webinar with five of seven seats present and no action items on the agenda. A member of the public told the board the Nevada Cool Corridor's costs had grown past what the city stated and that 60% of its plant life had been replaced; the director said she would bring back a full report on the project. Consultants presented a 95%-complete design for the Veterans Memorial Park parking lot and pavilion.

Called to order 6:01 p.m. · adjourned 7:55 p.m. · 9 pages · source document ↗

If you read nothing else

  • No action items. The entire agenda was presentations, updates and public comment.
  • Gregory Shervanick told the board the city "basically has blatantly lied to everyone" about the cost of the Nevada Cool Corridor, which he said was presented as $2.2 million total.
  • He said 60% of the Cool Corridor's plant life has been replaced and the six-month watering contract became twelve months.
  • Veterans Memorial Park parking lot and pavilion design is 95% complete: $1,562,973 for pavilion and parking lot, plus $864,000 offsite drainage.
  • Shervanick warned that 15 parks are to be built in the next 24 months with no staff to maintain them, and said he will publicly oppose a second GO Bond round.
  • Chair and Vice Chair elections are coming; staff will ask the At Large member, absent from meetings, whether he still wants the seat.

Who was in the room

5 of 7 seats represented.

Present

  • Cassie McClure — District 1 (Chair)
  • Jeff Thompson — District 2
  • Stan Engle — District 4
  • Eric Montgomery — District 5
  • Megan Schuller — District 6

Absent

  • Eli Guzman — At Large
  • Maryln Zahler — District 3

Staff

  • Sonya Delgado — Director of Parks & Recreation
  • Phil Catanach — Recreation Administrator, Parks & Recreation
  • Franco Granillo — Parks Administrator, Parks & Recreation
  • Catherine Mathews — Landscape Architect, Parks & Recreation
  • Hazel Nevarez — Senior Office Manager, Parks & Recreation (Recording Secretary)
  • Robert Nunez — Youth Services Administrator
  • Sreedevi Bhathala Mohanraj — Architect, Public Works
  • Jennifer Morrow — Interim Engineering Administrator, Public Works
  • David Viarreal — Project Manager, Public Works
  • Tony Trevino — Public Works

Others

  • Arturo Gonzalez — Architect/Project Manager, ECM International, El Paso, TX
  • David Shields — Bohannan Huston (listed in the attendance block as Dekker/Perich/Sabatini)
  • Carrie Denton — Dekker/Perich/Sabatini
  • Kurtis Morton — Dekker/Perich/Sabatini
  • Ken Romig — Dekker/Perich/Sabatini
  • Gregory Shervanick — public
  • Thomas Winter — public
  • Joseph Sandoval — public

Public comment

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

Tom and Maggie Winter (email, read by Hazel Nevarez)5. Public Participation
  • Noted the city asked for public input on two GO Bond projects: designing the rehab of the Apodaca pickleball courts and designing the East Mesa Rec Area.
  • Said that according to the GO Bond website, the design for Apodaca is 100% complete and construction is 45% complete.
  • Said the design for East Mesa is 98% complete.
  • Asked how the public can see the final design and specifications for each of these projects.
  • Asked whom they would contact if they had questions.
How can the public see the final design and specifications for each of these projects?
On the record in response

Sonya Delgado said she reported the email inquiry to Jennifer Morrow of Public Works, and that Ms. Morrow is going to get the information and send it to Tom and Maggie Winter. Delgado added that staff is looking to see if this information can be posted on the web, but will need to coordinate with a different organization that is not with the City at the moment. Morrow said she will follow up on the email and make sure the concerns are addressed.

Gregory Shervanick5. Public Participation
  • Said he was at the Capital Improvements meeting that afternoon and heard some very disheartening figures concerning the Nevada Cool Corridor.
  • Said Ms. Delgado also came on the line and made a defense, and that David Sedillo spoke to it the last time.
  • Said David Sedillo told the board he would come back to give the actual figures for the Nevada Cool Corridor, since Shervanick had prefaced the board that there were $2.2 million as total cost — which is incorrect now because those costs have grown.
  • Said 60% of the plant life of the Nevada Cool Corridor has been replaced.
  • Said the contract for watering the plants for the six months after they were put in became twelve months.
  • Said this flood control demonstration project is not what was told originally in 2018, when the committee listened to ten people who heard what the project was going to be, and that it will never fulfill what the board was told it was.
  • Said the project shifted from Sustainability in the beginning to Parks and Recreation, because Parks was going to handle the green space and the green products in the chicanes — which included trees, of which there are none — and that it is now in the Public Works section of the City.
  • Said that after hearing Rhonda Diaz's draft water-conservation report at the Utilities work session the previous Thursday, he is going to specify that Parks and Recreation gets a motorized valve to control the water that fills Young Park pond, because that line is the Utility of Las Cruces line servicing water to the pond.
  • Said it is unacceptable that the pond has been filled in the manner it has been for the last ten months.
  • Said that if there is a problem with conserving water in Las Cruces and citizens are going to be penalized, the use of water for filling that pond also needs to be recognized.
  • Said the City should hire somebody who can validate his observation that above a certain fill level, past the concrete layers, the physics of water and the pressure of gravity force water into the ground and out of the pond.
  • Said the Amazing Race is going to start at Young Park, that it should be a nice place to be, and that a number of people go there every evening, including fishermen.
  • Said that with maintenance short-staffed and 15 parks to be built in the next 24 months, the city needs to think about how to hire more staff to take care of parks.
  • Told Delgado he would defend her to the hilt because she is a City employee, and said the administration above her — including Councilor Vasquez for District 3 — does not understand that she does not have the staff.
  • Said Councilor Sorg in District 5 does not understand that he cannot have five brand new parks in District 5 over the next 24 months without the ability to maintain or take care of them.
  • Said it is a ridiculous situation that Parks and Recreation is caught in because of the GO Bond as well.
  • Said GO Bond staff met in the last week and decided that within five weeks they will begin to put out information on whether there should be another GO Bond round.
  • Said he will be an opponent of that and will speak very loudly that the City should not ask its citizens to pay for more funding for GO Bond projects that cannot be completed, since projects from the first round could not be completed.
  • Thanked the board for their time and for listening, said he believes it is important that transparency is coming into play, and said he hopes other respondents during public participation will also tell the truth about what their needs are as citizens.
  • Thanked the board, Ms. Delgado and Ms. Morrow again.
Mr. Shervanick said the City of Las Cruces basically has blatantly lied to everyone concerning what the cost of this project was.
there is a problem with the pond and if the City doesn't realize that, they should hire somebody that can validate his observation
On the record in response

Delgado said she will bring back a presentation that talks about the Cool Corridor in its entirety, and will also ask Public Works and any other department that was involved to give a full report on the entire project. On the motorized valve at Young Park pond, Delgado said staff is already looking into this; that staff appreciated Mr. Shervanick bringing it forward and did some research and started discussions to see what can be done; and that staff understands there are issues with this pond and will address them as quickly as possible.

7.1 Veterans Memorial Park parking lot

95%
Design completion
$1,562,973
Pavilion and parking lot
$864,000
Offsite drainage

Catherine Mathews told the board the design process is nearing completion, that David Viarreal of Public Works is managing the project, and that he invited the consultant to present so the board could see where the project stands and ask questions.

Viarreal said design for the Veterans Memorial Park parking lot is 95% complete and introduced David Shields of Bohannan Huston.

Shields said Bohannan Huston is doing the civil-side improvements and is teamed with Dekker/Perich/Sabatini on the pavilion and new restrooms proposed for the park. He said the design is based on the original master plan initiated by Parks and Recreation.

The presentation covered the demolition plan, overall parking lot layout, utility plan, off-site drainage plan, and parking lot lighting.

Carrie Denton of Dekker/Perich/Sabatini covered the architectural layout and landscape plan. Ken Romig covered the irrigation plan. Kurtis Morton covered the architectural floor and ceiling plans for the pavilion and restrooms, the building elevations and finishes, and the building sections.

Shields closed by thanking those who have served the country and thanking the City for its continued support in honoring the veterans of the community.

Chair McClure said it was a great presentation. There were no questions from the board.

7.2 GO Bond projects update

Jennifer Morrow, Interim Engineering Administrator, gave an overhead presentation on the GO Bond Program.

The update covered Question 1 — Hadley Recreation Complex; Question 1 — Parks & Sports Courts; Question 1 — Unidad Park; Question 1 — E Mesa Public Rec Complex; Question 1 — Dog Parks; Question 4 — Walking, Jogging, Biking Trails; and the overall program budget.

There were no questions from the board. The minutes do not record any of the figures in the presentation.

7.3 Programming updates

Phil Catanach updated the board on how the Recreation Section is moving forward with programming, what programs are running, and what is coming up.

On Movies in the Park, Shervanick offered as an FYI that it is now illegal to park on the south side of Nevada from Walnut to Lees Drive; that signs are posted so you can no longer park on half of the street; that following Nevada to Solano there are 12 more no-parking signs, making 0.95 miles of no parking on Nevada; and that people attending Movies in the Park will be ticketed for parking on the south side of Nevada between the park and the school.

Chair McClure asked whether there is a way to get a reprieve for that day. Catanach said he will look into this.

Robert Nunez updated the board on Youth Services: the Juvenile Citation Program, Keep Las Cruces Beautiful, Out of School Time, Teen Connection, and upcoming Summer Recreation.

Franco Granillo said the re-opening program for the ball fields and athletic fields is going well, and thanked Public Works staff and Arturo's staff for getting the GO Bond work at Hadley done smoothly and seamlessly.

League re-opening, COVID rules and field permits

12
League meetings held
documented and recorded, per Granillo

Board Member Thompson asked what the biggest challenge has been so far from both a participant and spectator point of view. Granillo said the biggest challenge was the number of people who showed up, and some not wanting to wear masks.

Board Member Engle said he was contacted by Councilor Bencomo, who had been contacted by Las Cruces Youth Soccer with concerns about renting facilities and over-policing of the leagues on COVID-19 restrictions — specifically a one-warning rule before the entire league is reprimanded.

Granillo responded that this was discussed in every meeting with the leagues; that they were told there was a one-warning setup, but for clear disregard of rules they had agreed to; and that at the time masks were strictly in use. He said that where leagues were seen trying to comply, communicate and help, discussions would be held to follow up, debrief, and see what went wrong and what could be improved.

On permits, Granillo said permits are not being taken for any open space, and that leagues know their email with their schedules acts as their permit; there were no issues with them getting on the field.

Engle clarified that no outside facility rentals are being done yet; Granillo concurred. Engle clarified it was not just youth soccer but all leagues treated equally; Granillo concurred, saying there were twelve meetings, documented and recorded, and all leagues were given the same guidelines and agreed to them.

Thompson said he understood from Ron Nestle of Las Cruces Youth Soccer that all scheduling of fields runs through Las Cruces Youth Soccer, and asked if that was correct. Granillo said fields are shared with Adult, Youth and FC Grande (Alexis Ruiz), and that the permit process does not allow double booking — Adult will put in a permit and coordinate with Youth on the fields, or vice versa.

Thompson said he understood from Nestle that Las Cruces Youth Soccer holds the permit for all the fields. Granillo responded that it does not; it works with the Mesilla Valley Soccer Association, with Dominic's group, with FC Grande, and itself, and it depends on who submits the permit at the time. Thompson asked whether the permit process goes through Parks and Recreation; Granillo concurred.

7.4 Fourth of July

Catanach said that from what he understands the Governor has said, July 2nd looks like a date that could open up the community.

Staff has been meeting with NMSU on a plan for a 4th of July celebration and a July 3rd Electric Light Parade. The parade announcement was sent out with the theme "Stars and Stripes Forever."

The plan is for a concert and fireworks display on July 4. Governor's orders will be followed, and more announcements will go out as things move forward.

7.5 Board duties and elections

Delgado told the board it is time for Chair and Vice Chair elections, and that Board Duties and Responsibilities had been sent out for review prior to the next meeting.

Board Member Schuller said this would be a good time to inquire what Board Member Guzman's position is for the foreseeable future, since he has been absent from meetings and Mayor at Large is a voting position.

Delgado said she will reach out to Guzman to see if he is still interested and provide an update at the next meeting.

Nevarez added that City Ordinance board member rules, which also address meeting attendance, had been sent to the board for review prior to this meeting.

8. Staff member comments

Granillo said he will bring Dog Park Rules forward at the next meeting, but is not sure yet whether it will be informational or an action item.

Mathews said the AARP FitLot at Benavidez Community Center is completed, and the punch list is being addressed by the contractor in the next week or two.

Mathews said the Ninja Park at Metro Verde — American Ninja style equipment along a trail — has a punch list that needs to be addressed.

Mathews said Red Hawk Villas Park, a passive recreation space, is coming along, and the contractor is having difficulty finding plant material.

Mathews said City Bond Medians Phase 1 is being managed by Public Works, with anticipated completion and close-out this summer.

Nevarez said she will send the board the red-line Fees and Charges to review before the next meeting. Delgado added that the red-line Fees and Charges will be up for discussion at the June meeting and for action in July.

Delgado said she has not had an opportunity to look into parolees and their dogs, but will look into it and hopefully have information for the next meeting.

Delgado thanked the entire Parks and Recreation team for pulling together programming to get youth and adults out playing while still maintaining COVID-19 safe practices.

9. Board member comments

There were no board member comments.

Recorded votes

3. Approval of AgendaMotion carried unanimously
Accept the agenda as presented.
Moved by Eric Montgomery · seconded by Stan Engle
There was no discussion.
4. Approval of MinutesMotion carried unanimously
Approve the minutes of April 15, 2021.
Moved by Eric Montgomery · seconded by Stan Engle
10. AdjournmentMotion carried unanimously
Adjourn the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting.
Moved by Eric Montgomery · seconded by Stan Engle

Left open at the gavel

Sonya Delgado
Nevada Cool Corridor full report
Delgado said she will bring back a presentation on the Cool Corridor in its entirety and will ask Public Works and any other department involved to give a full report on the entire project. Prompted by Shervanick's statement that the stated $2.2 million total cost has grown and that David Sedillo previously promised actual figures.
Sonya Delgado
Motorized valve for Young Park pond
Delgado said staff is already looking into this, has done research and started discussions, and understands there are issues with the pond that will be addressed as quickly as possible. No date given.
Jennifer Morrow
GO Bond design documents for Apodaca and East Mesa
Jennifer Morrow to get the final design and specifications to Tom and Maggie Winter and follow up on their email. Staff is separately looking at whether the information can be posted to the web, which requires coordinating with an organization not currently with the City.
Phil Catanach
Movies in the Park parking reprieve
Chair McClure asked whether a reprieve could be obtained for the new no-parking restrictions on Nevada on movie nights. Catanach said he will look into it.
Sonya DelgadoNext meeting
Board Member Guzman's continued service
Delgado to reach out to the At Large member, absent from meetings, to see if he is still interested, and provide an update at the next meeting. Raised ahead of Chair and Vice Chair elections.
Franco GranilloNext meeting
Dog park rules
Granillo said he will bring Dog Park Rules to the next meeting, but had not determined whether it would be informational or an action item.
Hazel Nevarez / Sonya DelgadoDiscussion June 2021, action July 2021
Red-line Fees and Charges
Nevarez to send the red-line Fees and Charges to the board before the next meeting. Delgado said it will be discussed in June and taken for action in July.
Sonya DelgadoNext meeting
Parolees and their dogs
Delgado said she has not had an opportunity to look into this but will, and hopefully will have information at the next meeting. The minutes do not record what the underlying question was.
Unassigned
Staffing for 15 new parks
Shervanick said 15 parks are to be built in the next 24 months and the department does not have the staff to maintain them. No staff response to this point is recorded.