Change of location: Arizona State Parks Board meeting, April 3

The Arizona State Parks Board will hold a meeting, open to the public on Friday, April 3, 2009, at 10 a.m. in the Phoenix Carnegie Library, 1101 W. Washington St.  The public portion of the meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. (the board will be in executive session from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)  If you cannot attend the meeting, you’re welcome to voice your opinion to Board members:

• Reese Woodling: [email protected]
• William Scalzo: [email protected]
• Arlan Colton: [email protected]
• Tracey Westerhausen: [email protected]
• Larry Landry: [email protected]
• Mark Winkleman: [email protected]
• William Cordasco: [email protected]

The Board may elect to hold an Executive Session for any agendized item at any time during the meeting to discuss or consult with its legal counsel for legal advice on matters listed on this agenda pursuant to state law.  Items on the Agenda may be discussed out of order, unless those items are specifically noted and set for a time certain.  Public comment will be taken.  The Board will discuss and may take action on the following matters:

CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL – 10 A.M.

EXECUTIVE SESSION – Upon a public majority vote, the Board may hold an Executive Session, which is not open to the public for the following purposes: 

1. To discuss or consult with its legal counsel for legal advice on matters listed on this agenda pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03.A.3 ~ a. Legal ramifications of suspending grant contracts; b. Legal ramifications of closing parks, reducing hours/days of operation, deed restrictions, covenants c. Legal ramifications of Retirement Incentives.
2. To discuss or consider employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, demotion, dismissal, salary, discipline or resignation of a public officer, appointee or employee of any public body pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.03.A.1. ~  a. Hiring an Executive Director,  b. Discussion of candidates for Executive Director,  c. Development of questions for interviews for Executive Director, d. Schedules for interviews for Executive Director

INTRODUCTIONS OF BOARD MEMBERS AND AGENCY STAFF – Time Certain – 11:30 A.M. 1. Board Statement – “As Board members we are gathered to be the stewards and the voice of Arizona State Parks’ Mission Statement: Managing and Conserving Arizona’s Natural, Cultural, and Recreational Resources, Both In Our Parks and Through Our Partners for the Benefit of the People.”

CONSENT AGENDA – The following items of a non-controversial nature have been grouped together for a single vote without Board discussion. The Consent Agenda is a timesaving device and Board members received documentation regarding these items prior to the open meeting.  Any Board member may remove any item from the Consent Agenda for discussion and a separate vote at this meeting, as deemed necessary.  The public may view the documentation relating to the Consent Agenda at the Board’s office: 1300 W. Washington, Suite 104, Phoenix, Arizona.

1. Approve Minutes of February 20, 2009, Arizona State Parks Board meeting
2. Approve Executive Session Minutes of February 20, 2009, Arizona State Parks Board meeting
3. Approve State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Plan.
4. Approve awarding $403,937 and other unexpended Federal Transportation Efficiency Act (TEA-21) Recreational Trails Program (RTP) project funds upon availability to the BLM-Arizona State Office – Staff recommends awarding $403,937 and other unexpended TEA-21 RTP project funds upon availability to the BLM-Arizona State Office.  This recommendation is contingent upon all projects completing the Section 106 requirements and obtaining National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) concurrence from the Federal Highway Administration.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. Update on Tonto, McFarland, Oracle, and Jerome State Parks
2. Governor’s Task Force on the Sustainability of Arizona State Parks
3. Update on the Hiring of the Executive Director (Executive Director’s Hiring Subcommittee Report)
4. Legislative Update, including HB 2088
5. Budget update on Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010
6. Fiscal Year 2009 Arizona State Parks Budget Reduction Measures – Including but not limited to; Park closures, reduction of park hours/days of operation, personnel actions, furloughs, reduced work schedules, hiring freezes, salary reductions, reductions in force for covered employees, layoffs for uncovered employees, reducing administrative expenses (Phoenix Office), suspension of grants and the legal ramifications, alternative funding including capital funds, Heritage Funds, Law Enforcement Boating Safety Fund, Off Highway Vehicle “sticker revenue”
7. 2010 Trails Plan (Information Only) – Currently in Public Comment Phase
8. ADOT, State Park Roads Subprogram

BOARD ACTION ITEMS

1. Fiscal Year 2009 Arizona State Parks Budget Reduction Measures – Including but not limited to; Park closures, reduction of park hours/days of operation, personnel actions, furloughs, reduced work schedules, hiring freezes, salary reductions, reductions in force for covered employees, layoffs for uncovered employees, reducing administrative expenses (Phoenix Office), suspension of grants and the legal ramifications, alternative funding including capital funds, Heritage Funds, Law Enforcement Boating Safety Fund, Off Highway Vehicle “sticker revenue”
2. The Board may decide to take action regarding hiring an Executive Director, including: a. Interview Schedules, b. Selection of Candidates, c. Interview Questions
3. Appointment of a member to State Park Natural Areas Program Advisory Committee – Staff recommends the appointment of Thomas H. Skinner from Pima County to serve a two-year term beginning April 3, 2009 ending December 31, 2010

PRESENTATIONS

1. Morrison Institute – Grady Gammage, Jr.
2. Recognition for Service

TIME AND PLACE OF NEXT MEETING AND CALL FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

1. Staff recommends that the next regularly-scheduled Arizona State Parks Board Meeting be on May 15, 2009 at a place to be determined.
2. Board members may wish to discuss issues of interest to Arizona State Parks and request staff to place specific items on future Board meeting agendas.

CALL TO THE PUBLIC – Consideration and discussion of comments and complaints from the public.  Those wishing to address the Board must register at the door and be recognized by the Chair.  It is probable that each presentation will be limited to one person per organization. Action taken as a result of public comment will be limited to directing staff to study or reschedule the matter for further consideration at a later time.

ADJOURNMENT