Interim Athletic Services Director Nick Montoya introduced a new Parks and Trails Map produced by the City that provides updated information to bike riders, walkers, and hikers from one end of town to the other at the City Manager Forum on Thursday, Sep. 24.city manager forum

The map is one of the many features available from the City’s Information Technology Department’s Geographic Information System (GIS). In addition to the print version available at the Mesquite Recreation Center, it’s also available on the City’s Web site at http://www.mesquitenv.gov/city-government/parks-facilities. He said the City was working on an app people could download to their mobile phones and devices that will show all existing trails and parks. It will also work off of the person’s GPS system to show them where they are on any given trail at any given moment.

Montoya also updated the small group of citizens at the forum that the City is looking at ways to reduce water consumption by using more recycled water on its parks and trails. Most of the re-use water produced by the City is already piped to local golf courses. “When the wastewater treatment plant has extra available, we’ll use it in our parks and reduce the amount of water we have to pay for from the Water District,” Montoya explained.

He explained that the City is continuing to add improvements to the Hafen Trailhead Park on Hafen Lane like sunshade shelters at the new Splash Pad. Both splash pads – Hafen Park and Mesquite Sports and Event Center – will close for the season on Sep. 30.

His department is also looking to add more soccer fields around town to accommodate larger tournaments that come to Mesquite.

Mesquite Fire Chief Kash Christopher told the audience that the City had recently completed an Emergency Operations Center in City Hall. “We used the open office space behind the Council Chambers on the second floor to build the center,” Christopher explained. “When we have emergency situations that warrant it, we’ll have a central place from which we can coordinate all our resources.”

Chief Christopher also mentioned that the Fire Department is holding a Pancake Breakfast and Open House for the public beginning at 8 a.m. Oct. 10 at Fire Station #3 on John Deere Lane.

City Manager Andy Barton explained to the group that a new City Clerk will be appointed at the Oct. 13 City Council meeting. “We have four finalists for the position. The Council will make their choice at the meeting.” The Clerk’s position has been vacant since Cherry Lawson left in the Spring.