"Next week he will file a discrimination thing with the City"

If you read nothing else

• Frank Carril, a former board member and Vietnam veteran, said he will file a discrimination complaint against the city next week over the absence of a restroom and ADA access at the Apodaca pickleball courts.
• Carril said the city wastes about one-third of its GO Bond money by putting projects out as RFPs rather than bidding them, naming a $1.2 million parks package and a $6 million East Mesa project.
• The board voted to accept the Hadley crosswalk art after learning preparations had started Wednesday and the press release had already gone out — the Vice-Chair called it "a weird item when it is already started."
• Over 60 trees along the Hadley corridor have been removed for a mite infestation; 65-70 by the later figure in the same meeting.
• Online registration is broken: RecTrac files will not reconcile with Munis, so Parks cannot tell cash from card, putting the department in violation of its own protocols. The Chair waited two hours to sign up her children.
• Frenger Pool closes when the Regional Aquatic Center opens in January 2023; the master plans show it becoming a splash pad of some sort.
• The Veterans Advisory Board has asked that "Park" be dropped from Veterans Memorial Park, and there is talk of removing the playground at the site. The parking lot needs $2 million; Parks has about $500,000.

Who was in the room

Public comment

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

Crosswalk art on Hadley — approved after it started

Marina Montoya presented. She said that over the last 18 months there has been discussion about the Hadley Complex needing a "wow" factor, alongside projects like the cups now on the fences at Harty, Paz and the Hadley Complex fields, and that this led to bringing attention to the crosswalks on Hadley from Solano to Walnut — the wow factor and improved roadway safety at once. The solution is asphalt art.

Four crosswalks: Location A on Hadley at the entrance to the Aquatic Center; Location B at the Castaneda Building; Location C, the largest of the four, at the crossing of Hadley and Hermosa Street; Location D, a new crosswalk connecting Paz and Harty Fields.

The designs: A is floating crosswalks above water with small Ziggys floating in the water; B plays off the wall tile mural at the Castaneda entrance, with the crosswalk looking like a ladder going up the tree; C shows Ziggy and the different activities at the Hadley Complex, with a soccer pattern in the top left corner; D is Ziggy's version of the Abbey Road picture, with Ziggy in basketball shorts, lifeguard shorts, and one holding a baseball and bat.

Vice-Chair Engle asked about the longevity of the paint. Montoya said the artist thinks about a year, as it is the same paint as street striping. Chair McClure asked about cost: about $8,000.

Montoya said the action being requested is the board's support for things like this along the Hadley Complex, and that staff is also looking at art in the Meerscheidt parking lot and the Aquatic Center parking lot, possibly redoing the Meerscheidt Center mural, possibly grants — the last two applied for were not approved — and asphalt art at the skate park.

Chair McClure asked about maintenance or upkeep costs; that has not been discussed with the artist. Montoya said this is a pilot project to see how it works; the artist said it should last a year but the Las Cruces sun might make it less.

McClure asked why Parks and Recreation is paying for this instead of Public Works. Because Parks and Recreation has the Hadley Complex and it is what they wanted as a wow factor.

Board Member Schuller said it is a short amount of time for the longevity of the project, that it is a great idea she fully supports, but she does not think everything is in place to support it at this moment.

McClure asked whether this is already set up to do. Preparations started on Wednesday and the press release was already announced. Vice-Chair Engle said it seems a weird item when it is already started.

Catanach said it could be tabled and brought back with the next project; the Meerscheidt mural will have to go to the Art Board, then this board, and get separate funding. He said this project had funding from last fiscal year during COVID when staff was looking for projects; it did not get done but the funds rolled over, and they are not expecting the artist to come back and touch it up as with other city art projects — this is a one-time deal.

Schuller said the only way to put it in as an action item is approval of a pilot program to bring the wow factor to Parks and Recreation. Montoya said it was not only the wow factor but also improving roadway safety for pedestrians using the complex.

Engle said the work is already being done, so even if tabled it sounds more like a discussion, and it would be an action item next year if the board decided to continue.

The artist is Louis Jarmon, who puts together the artists in the mall with kiosks and on Picacho on the first Friday of every month. The purchase order included his drawn ideas for each crosswalk plus paint and supplies; the artist has been paid for his sketches and the remainder is for the purchase order.

Chair McClure said there should also be consideration of what kind of artists are in town, and that getting public participation should be more than "Hey this is going to happen." The press release went out last week.

Velo Cruces

George Pearson introduced himself, Donald Wilson and Andrea Holguin. Velo Cruces, Inc., formed in 2015, is a 501(c)(3) with the mission "Transforming Las Cruces into a great bicycle and pedestrian community," described in three areas.

Advocacy: communicating with local, county and state officials the need for safe bike and pedestrian facilities, including the MPO, the city's Active Transportation Plan and NMDOT public meetings; work toward bike parking and updates to the Realize Las Cruces zoning code; and advocacy for traffic gardens where children and adults can learn to ride in traffic without being in traffic.

Education: making bicyclists safe and drivers aware. The short message is "Be visible and be predictable" — bright clothing, a bicycle light at night as required by law, following traffic signals, stopping at stop signs, riding a consistent path without weaving.

Promotion: participating in and helping organize the Mayor's bike ride; a monthly visibility ride from the Train Museum through town to the University near the Starbucks to show bicycles are part of traffic; and a Father's Day ride from Pioneer Women's Park to the airport, where the Experimental Aircraft Association has a breakfast.

Donald Wilson described the Hub Community Bike Shop, around four or five years, currently at the Cruces Creatives building between Lohman and Amador and Campo and Church: a place where people who have bicycles and want to maintain them can do so at a very affordable rate, with tools, knowledgeable volunteer mechanics, supplies and education. During the pandemic much of that stopped because of social distancing and people left bikes to be repaired.

The shop's other project is used bicycle distribution: any resident who performs six hours of community service at any organization that takes it — churches, food banks, daycares — fills out a form, has the agency verify the hours, and receives a serviceable bike including a light for night travel, a bright yellow vest and a lock, with good inner tubes with slime to help against flats. Hundreds of bicycles have been distributed, most recently working with Afghan refugees and refugees from other parts of the world relocated to Las Cruces.

Andrea Holguin, program coordinator for Everybody Rides with Grace, umbrellaed under Velo Cruces, said the program gives adaptive cycles to kids with special needs, identified through schools and local agencies, and that such resources are extremely limited in Las Cruces, El Paso and Albuquerque. Grace's bike was stolen and the Mesilla Marshals started a fund; the bike was recovered and the money was used to start the program.

An adaptive cycle parade is set for June 4th, beginning at the park across from the Community Center in Mesilla, with the Mesilla mayor allowing use of the Community Center restrooms and the Mesilla Marshals leading a one-mile loop. Safe Routes to School will also be there. The program also educates riders and families on the rules of the road and avoiding common crashes.

Holguin said it would be nice to have bike parks just for children so they do not have to ride in traffic; that the program received almost $15,000 from the Governor's Quality of Life Grant, promising five bikes and giving away ten; and that she deals with non-local companies and parts are very difficult to acquire now.

Vice-Chair Engle asked whether Grace was able to enjoy the new trails on the EBID laterals. She has not, but suggested it might be a fun place to go; with these cycles they need a place to store and lock them and a way to transport them.

Chair McClure asked for Velo Cruces to present because she believes more collaboration can happen between Parks and Recreation and the bicycle community, raising how cyclists get to parks and whether that is within master plans. Stipends via Parks and Recreation for hosting things were noted; Pearson said he has acquired a stipend in the past and put on a few events, and that as a league cycling instructor with the League of American Bicyclists curriculum — three or four others in town are also qualified — he could collaborate. The Youth Board and Weed and Seed were mentioned.

Robert Nunez said the teen programs purchased 12 mountain bikes over the last two years and have partnered with Friends of the Organ Mountains, and agreed this is a fabulous idea for getting youth and staff educated. Pearson said the Safe Routes to School program in Las Cruces is the strongest in the state and a model for the country, and Velo Cruces works closely with it.

Dog park update

Granillo said staff is looking at the trees raised in public comment; severe issues along the Hadley corridor led to roughly 65-70 trees being taken out, replaced with ornamentals and plants that will grow 10-15 feet and provide color. The pine trees have an issue believed to be the same mite; samples have been sent, and he offered results at the next meeting or by email, whichever the board prefers.

On the quarterly meetings Armstrong asked for last month: one was put on the calendar, and Armstrong emailed after the fact to say he did not see the invite. They will continue to be scheduled.

Discussion items included the proposed dog park rules. Armstrong had said the current rules need to be more substantial, with more teeth and more support from Codes. Granillo said staff reviewed the old rules with staff, management and legal, and that Jamey Rickman, the former community liaison with Council and residents, helped a lot.

Granillo said that once the city ordinances under review — specifically the Animal Control portion — are reviewed and passed, the dog park rules will pass then as well, and that staff can also move forward with the current proposed rules before they become an ordinance to get something on the books for upcoming facilities.

For public input there would be three meetings, one in each area: Burn Lake, the Animal Shelter area, and the current Las Cruces Dog Park.

On Armstrong's report that there were no doggy waste bag removers, Granillo said it was checked the next day and the boxes were full, with 80 bags tied up along the fences where people could use them.

On the light raised in public comment, Facilities will be consulted.

Online registration — RecTrac will not talk to Munis

Granillo said he knows there seems to be a long wait and questions about the registration held last month at Meerscheidt; his portion is getting the online program up and running. Staff has worked hard on the new program, RecTrac, which provides a sporting module, class counts, online registration and park permitting — many functions the previous program eTRAC provided, but different and at a higher level.

His current issue is that when someone registers they have to pay, and the credit card function is not working properly with treasury, which gets the final say on what it wants to see. RecTrac files have been sent for treasury to test, but there are a lot of formatting issues.

One issue is determining between a cash payment, credit card payment or check; treasury needs to see the payment and how it was done. Another is that RecTrac files do not match Munis files. An in-house staff person has been running reports to compare and find where the errors are and why the system cannot differentiate payment methods. Staff is waiting to see what file or setup treasury's programming software can use to read RecTrac.

Board Member Schuller asked about receiving checks and cash when that is not online. Granillo said at end-of-day reconciliation the report does not show what payment method was received.

Schuller asked whether there are kiosks or plans for them, to free up manpower for those without cell phones. Granillo said staff is already working on a kiosk process, which will have to be in conjunction with Facilities for electrical and ADA compliance — possibly a kiosk at the Aquatic Center.

Further discussion followed on RecTrac and Munis not functioning together, including that there may be functions of Munis that have not been paid for. Munis is citywide software for assets, inventory and financials, and right now it cannot function for a recreation department taking permits and running different programs daily.

Delgado said Munis had a piece that could be done with Parks and Recreation and asked Las Cruces to be the guinea pig, but the city is way too big to be a guinea pig and start from ground zero. eTRAC had an issue talking with Munis so it was done by hand, and the department has outgrown that. RecTrac was supposed to be able to talk with Munis and all departments were on board, but now there is this issue; it is being worked by all.

Granillo said cash payments received have to be reconciled the same day, and with the current errors they would only be able to reconcile once the errors are solved — putting Parks and Recreation in violation of its own protocols.

Chair McClure said she had waited two hours to sign up her children and that is just too much.

Butterfield Shooting Range update

Granillo said that Mr. Pruett raised the entry road at the last meeting; Delgado gave him her business card and he reached out to her. Granillo has spoken with him four or five times since, and Pruett has been very responsive and appreciates the updates.

Granillo met with Public Works to determine a timeline. Today was the first day they were out there; they cleaned the work site very well and backfilled potholes. Because there were so many, they have asked for another day of maintenance.

Parks and Recreation is working with BLM to acquire the road and the right-of-way, as it is not the city's now. There is a work plan for short- and long-term care and repair. The long-term fix has still not been decided, pending more information after more study at the range.

GO Bond project update

Jennifer Morrow of Public Works Engineering presented. The Hadley Rec Complex started October 2020 and finished last August. Parks and Sports Courts started October 2020 and is essentially complete; the last item was Young Park erosion control, worked with the engineer and contractor, with a small retaining wall and erosion control measures put in.

A list of parks worked on was displayed: Klein Park, Hillrise, Fourhills, Papen, Benavidez, Lions, Apodaca, Young Park, Metro Verde and the desert trails system, with the extra Young Park erosion control work at the bottom of the slide.

Unidad Park: preconstruction was January this year with construction soon after; 100% of demolition is done and staff is installing the play equipment, splash pad and restroom. Supply chain issues have pushed the due date from June/July to closer to September. Drone aerials were included.

East Mesa Rec Center: phase 1 started in February, including pickleball courts, soccer fields, baseball fields and a general park area with a playground. The GO Bond portion — basically earthwork and everything except landscaping — will be done at the end of this year; landscaping was put into ARPA funding, with project completion in Spring 2023.

Dog parks: at Rinconada the survey is about 80% complete, site concrete is complete, and chain link fence is being installed; restrooms are being added with ARPA funding. At Burn Lake, work continues on the irrigation system and chain link fence, to be completed around September this year.

Trails: walking, jogging and biking trails are pretty much complete, with a few items to clean up with EBID and some homeowners on permitting for fencing so the public is comfortable at the back of their houses, plus supply chain issues mostly on furnishings for the Las Cruces Trail — benches and trash receptacles. All should be done by early to mid-September. Mesilla Drain is 100% complete, Las Cruces Drain has punch list items, and the Armijo Drain is having fencing put on.

Vice-Chair Engle asked what happens in a bad monsoon if the Young Park erosion control fails, and who would pay. The answer given: an act of God or nature is the owner's responsibility; if it were a standard monsoon, the erosion control is designed for a 100-year storm, and the actual definition of the storm would determine who is responsible.

New 50-meter community pool

Jennifer Morrow said groundbreaking was last July with notice to proceed, and that she saw the site today and it looks great. The construction budget is $17 million, with almost another half million added with ARPA funds. They are almost halfway at this time: all underground utilities are done, all pool excavation and plumbing rough-in complete, structural steel being welded today, exterior shell about 80%, some painting done. Drone photos were shared.

Catanach told the board that as the Regional Aquatic Center opens in January 2023, Frenger Pool will close.

Board Member Schuller brought up repurposing Frenger Pool if possible. Delgado said that with the master plans that came forward for Frenger, the next step is Council; once the master plan is finalized, each talks about doing something different with the pool, and it looks like a splash pad of some sort.

Gomez Park and the cricket pitch

Delgado recalled the group that came last meeting to discuss cricket, who asked for the area to be smoothed out to make their game easier. She said they do play regularly and it is a great space for them, but the first and foremost issue is that it is a pond, so it has to keep its integrity and part of that dome-type shape.

Jennifer Morrow said that with areas designed to hold stormwater, staff has to ensure the volume and storage are not changed, that no impervious material is used in the pond so water percolates out, that the outlet structure is protected at all times, and that a lot of the vegetation is not removed — if vegetation dies off with a good root system it will leave potholes. FEMA criteria also have to be met, and elevation changes could affect Parks and Recreation's irrigation.

Delgado said she will have to work with Public Works, who would have to issue a letter to FEMA, and see whether that is even an option.

Vice-Chair Engle said the short-term answer is that they are going to have to play the way it is. Delgado said yes, for the next couple of months, as she does not know the process or whether it will be granted.

Delgado said that when it rains both Gomez and Frenger fill up like lakes, with people asking to put boats out there, which is not allowed; many older facilities are dual purpose as pond and park, with the park portion really only on the high sides around the edge. She said at this time Parks and Recreation is not accepting a pond and a park together, as a lot of space is lost.

Chair McClure asked whether there are notices saying that area is a pond. Board Member Schuller said it should be noted as drainage and not a pond, as people will expect water; that Public Works should look into the process of regrading; that FEMA could possibly be approached about reissuing, as it is a flood zone; and that there should be signs indicating this is a drainage facility.

Fourth of July

Catanach said Parks is teaming with NMSU again to hold the Fourth of July celebration at Pat & Lou Sisbarro Park on the Monday. Sunday brings the Electric Light Parade at 9:00 and an electric 5K and fun run at 7:30.

Entries for the parade are coming in; the theme is Patriot Spirit and American Dream. As this is an election year they expect many floats — the average is 40-60 — and each float can have up to 15 cars, or 20 if it is a car club. The parade will last a bit more than an hour.

Five-time Grammy winner Raul Malo of the Mavericks leads the show and the Plain White T's headline; the concert starts at 6:00 with the Plain White T's on at 8:00.

A fireworks presentation is scheduled. Catanach said that even with all the fires, staff believes the Governor will allow municipalities to have firework shows, as professional shows are very safe with a strict blast zone and fire department and safety personnel everywhere; there are contingencies if things are cancelled.

Advertising begins next week on buses, radio, the Bulletin and the Las Cruces Sun News. He called it the biggest event the city puts on, and said the Mother's Day event was quite successful this year.

Team Up to Clean Up

Robert Nunez said last month brought the first district Team Up to Clean Up event, for District 6, with approximately 50 new volunteers plus an additional 30 already in the system through adopted spots or programs, collecting approximately two tons of trash throughout the district.

There were three trash containers: one at the East Mesa Swimming Pool off Reynolds, the old T-Time off Del Rey/Telshor/Northrise, and one on the south side near the neighborhood Walmart. Commercial bins out there are open to any resident to dump trash at no cost.

He said during the pandemic there was a major cleanup that was a lot overwhelming; staff is stationed at the containers and solid waste picks them up at the end of the program.

Staff will send everyone the remaining schedule for the year. District 5 is next, in June, working closely with the Community Outreach department to get the word out — Councilor Corran's district.

Project updates and Gallagher Park

Delgado said Catherine Mathews was still in a meeting for Gallagher Park and had her update sheet with her. Delgado reported staff is working with NMDOT and EBID to get permission to finish the RTP Trail with the Las Cruces Lateral, and that Mathews has a meeting with EBID on June 10th.

She said this has been a struggle and a challenge with EBID, particularly with the GO Bond trails, because there are a lot of farmers and landowners who do not want that trail behind them, and that expanding some of the laterals will be a challenge going forward — though they are already being utilized.

On Gallagher Park, on West Gallagher Avenue: $150,000 was received from Council for improvements. The first public meeting was in April and the second was that same night, at which residents were to make choices.

Residents wanted gathering spaces for families, shaded picnic tables and other shaded areas, game places, and structures for children to play on. It is not a very large space, and $150,000 is not a lot for park improvements, so there were decisions to be made.

Also discussed: rubberized safety surfacing for the swing. At present there is a swing and a slide, and new ones would require new safety surfacing, which is also expensive. Residents also wanted another covered shaded area over open space where people can bring their own chairs, pet pickup boxes with bags, game tables with chairs, and sustainable features — stormwater harvesting and solar power for lighting.

Asked whether another $150,000 would be guaranteed next fiscal year, staff explained that is not a guarantee — it can be put into the budget but may not get funded. Other funding opportunities including State Legislative grants were discussed. Residents asked about fundraising; it was explained there are entities that do some minor fundraising, and it helps leverage when approaching State Legislators or City Council.

Residents liked the big jungle gym with the safety surface, maybe adding chairs or benches, but that idea was dropped in favor of again just a swing or slide.

The city has an agreement with Friends of Gallagher Park, who have been adopting the park for the last two years; residents pull the weeds by hand as Parks and Recreation does not spray that park.

LCPS agreement — High Noon Soccer Fields

Delgado said the agreement is with LCPS; she spoke with the lawyer today and he still has it. He might have a couple of questions, which would go back to City Legal, and he is probably going to have to go to the school board — timing unknown.

Staff comments

Robert Nunez reported Keep Las Cruces Beautiful is getting out stipends for cleanups — 22 this fiscal year, winding down, with various clubs, schools, private groups, Boy Scouts and NMSU clubs. Adopt-a-Spot added four new groups this last month. Graffiti abatement has seen an increase targeting electric boxes and light poles, with a crew of two working eight hours a day to remove it, which then creates a canvas for the taggers to return to. Staff is looking forward to FY23 grant notification, having submitted the application last month, hopefully hearing back by the end of June.

On out-of-school time, school finished yesterday. Staff is prepping for a very short summer, approximately 26 days for the summer program; summer recreation starts Tuesday, and Weed and Seed and Teens start Wednesday June 1st, 8:00 to 5:00 in all programs. All programs have filled up with a waiting list of approximately 75-80 families or kids. The issue is staffing: advertising, working with temp services, and student interns through Doña Ana County who will shadow a staff member. It is a $15 an hour job.

Youth development and diversion is winding down the FY22 grant; CYFD sent the agreement for next fiscal year and staff is working closely with the grants office. June 21st moves forward with YCC mural rehab and community forestry projects, an opportunity to hire 15 youth this summer until December 31st to complete the two projects.

Chair McClure said $15 was good but $16-17 would be better. Nunez said the city did the adjustments to minimum wage going from $10.50 to $15, and staff is looking for creative ideas to bring people on board, also working with NMSU on work study.

Franco Granillo said there is a lot of routine maintenance work and that community forestry staff made their goal, planting over 250 trees this year; planting slows with the heat and picks up in cooler weather.

Phillip Catanach reported Little Hoopsters basketball ended last weekend, the Youth Basketball Tournament ends next week, and cheerleading just ended. Youth Soccer starts May 28th and T-ball June 4th, with over 450 kids for the two sports. Adult basketball is running a mini league beginning May 31st with 28 teams. Youth Volleyball registration is about full, possibly room for one more team.

Catanach said the FitLot grant program at the FitLot outdoor fitness center at Benavidez Center has hit the goal of at least 6 students per class as the grant requires, with registration through Eventbrite. The Music in the Park series starts this weekend with the Mayor's Jazz Fest and Paula Atherton, Sunday at 6:00 at the Plaza de Las Cruces, then every Sunday until August 28th; the first Sunday at Young Park is the Pistoleros and Mariachi Aguilas at 7:00. On June 1st the Lift Up Las Cruces program starts bringing activities to Apodaca Park with family game nights Thursday nights, then Movies in the Park, the first movie June 11th, Encanto. Monday is free swim day; the outdoor pools open this weekend as do the splash pads, and the regional aquatic center hit capacity yesterday.

Sonya Delgado said there is training at Young Park Pond in mid-June with New Mexico Game and Fish; once that is done staff will solidify how the pond gets stocked, when, and with what species and tonnage, then it will be stocked the first week in July with catfish. The pond is currently doing great and Utilities put in aerators that are working great.

Delgado said staff was also able to move on disc golf and is looking at the area behind the Las Cruces Dam. There is a PO in place plus insurance documents; when that finishes a notice to proceed will be received. It will be nine holes, hopefully up and running in early fall, maybe end of summer.

She said safety tips are going out on social media about summer care — heat, knowing who is around, buddying up, being around water — and that staff is purchasing bilingual book walks, currently having three, and working with the library on a program, still finalizing the spaces.

Delgado said next month she will present on the budget, to include the CIP, items approved by City Council, and the strategic plan, which still needs approval. She will also discuss CAPRA accreditation through the National Recreation and Park Association, the process, and the board's role. The Capital Improvement Advisory Committee received a tour from Parks and Recreation and were most interested in how many people work on the projects, as there are quite a few — there is a three-person team.

Chair McClure asked that once the board has a full complement she would like to do a tour for the board also.

Delgado mentioned an ADA walk-through on Tuesday the 31st with Hope Reed of the New Mexico Governor's Commission on Disabilities, requested by Frank Carril by email to the state. He wants a tour of the Apodaca pickleball courts, Paz and Lions; regarding Paz and Lions she is not sure what he wants to look at. David Sedillo, Community Development Director Larry Nichols and Delgado will be there. She said the facilities do meet the requirements for ADA access, that there are different levels — minimum, medium and the "Cadillac" — and that Parks and Recreation is requesting additional funding to assist with the restroom issue raised in public comment.

Board Member Schuller asked about porta potties in the city, whether the vendor is responsible for maintenance, and how often. Granillo said the contract covers anywhere there are not permanent restrooms on sports facilities, or when restrooms are shut down, and is not made for an entire park system. The vendor cleans as often as the city requests, usually twice a day. Porta potties are rented for $85 each depending on ADA or not, but cleanings cost $15-25 each time, which ends up being a big bill. Increasing the PO or asking for separate funding for another vendor would have to go to Council and would be difficult as one vendor is on contract. He repeated that there are permanent restrooms near the pickleball courts in that park location but patrons have to cross the street, and that there is a specific ADA accessible path to the current restrooms at Apodaca Park.

Board member comments

Board Member Schuller gave kudos for Music in the Park and Movies in the Park, saying a friend just moved down and Albuquerque does not offer these.

Vice-Chair Engle mentioned the Mother's Day Concert, which his father-in-law liked, and said it seems some people were using 1,000-pound motorcycles on the brand new trail system. Delgado said she let Codes and PD know; motorized vehicles have to be on the street, not sidewalks or paths, and there is signage for no motorized on paths.

Chair McClure asked about the hiking program. Delgado said it was just discussed and staff is looking to partner with Friends of the Organ Mountains to assist with adult and senior hiking programs, as the individual who led that program is no longer with the team. McClure mentioned Ocotillo Hikers, a senior-focused group with a website, hike at your own risk.

McClure mentioned Veterans Memorial Park and a constituent asking about signage not to climb things. Delgado said staff is talking with the Veterans Advisory Board, who asked for an update on some signs, and who are asking that the name be changed — removing "Park" so it is only Veterans Memorial — which will change the context of that area. They have other things they would like to do with the space and have requested to come to this board probably next month, working with Larry Nichols of Community Development, the liaison for the Veterans Advisory Board.

McClure also asked about the master plan with growth of parking and possible extension into what is now desert land. Delgado said that is still moving forward, currently at about 90% on the parking lot, and they will need to find funding: the parking lot is $2 million, Parks has about $500,000, and they need the remainder. City Council and the City Manager have been approached and staff is working through that process; no final decisions have been made. She added there is talk to remove the playground at that site.

McClure said she was at the April 30, 2022 Lil Sluggers Baseball and Youth Outdoor Soccer registration with some 400 people and it was disappointing — there did not seem to be management of how people were organized, inside it was chaos, and the indoor space was not being used accurately; it should not have been that long a wait or such a mess. Catanach replied that they did not anticipate the nearly 400 people who came to sign up.

Recorded votes

Left open at the gavel