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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04B Minutes - Parks & Recreation Commission 01/05/2021CITY OF PALM DESERT MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION VIRTUAL MEETING TUESDAY , JANUARY 05 , 2021 -8 :30 a .m. I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Murphy convened the meeting at 8 :30 a.m . II. ROLL CALL 111. Present: Chair Paul B. Murphy Vice Chair Randy Guyer Commissioner Gerald Dawson Commissioner Kim Housken Commissioner Mary Helen Kelly Commissioner Van Tanner Ex -Officio Members : Paula Simonds , YMCA of the Desert Also Present: Randy Synder , Interim City Manager Absent Commissioner M ike Hardin Kevin Kalman , Desert Recreation District Ryan Stendell , Director of Community Development Tom Garcia , Director of Public Works Jennifer Nelson , Management Analyst Amy Lawrence , Management Analyst Randy Chavez , Landscape Supervisor Sabby Jonathan , Council Liaison Angie Marron , Recording Secretary Guests : David Keyes, YMCA of the Desert/ Aquatic Center Brenda Nutcher , Desert Recreation District Tammy Martin , Friends of the Desert Mountains ORAL COMMUNICATIONS CITY COUNCIL ACTION APPROVED-----~--DENJED _____ _ REcE1vEn 4 Fi led oTHER ____ _ MEETH~G DATE_&~· 1 ...... 1~· i~o~t=-1-rl ~-.----:i~~ A YES:t\lltn i5: ,Joo a:ifian;. NeJicmde, ~u)ntlni lltl:q,tefkt NoEs: N ore 1 ABSENT: ___:N..=,blll:,lh[,.,Lell'-,. _________ _ ABSTAIN: _~N:.J,¥,OYlr..;le~--~-------- VERIFIED nv:6( R ZS rs Original on File with City Clerk's Office PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 05 2021 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2020 Rec: Approve as presented Upon a motion by Commissioner Dawson, second by Commissioner Tanner, carried by a 6-0-1 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Guyer, Dawson, Housken, Murphy, Kelly, Tanner; NOES: None; ABSENT: Hardin) the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS (CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR) Chair Murphy motioned to elect Vice Chair Guyer as Chair, second by Commissioner Tanner. Commissioner Dawson made a motion to elect Commissioner Housken as Vice Chair, second by Commissioner Tanner, and carried by a 6-0-1 vote of the Commission (AYES: Kelly, Guyer, Housken, Dawson, Tanner, Murphy; NOES: None; ABSENT: Hardin) the motion carries unanimously. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE VII. OLD BUSINESS NONE Vill. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. ART IN PUBLIC PLACES (Presentation by Management Analyst Amy Lawrence) Please see attached update provided by, Amy Lawrence. B. PARK AMBASSADOR UPDATE REPORT FOR: University, Homme Adams and Fox Hiking Parks (Updates by Vice Chair Guyer and Commissioner Tanner) Chair Randy Guyer provided the following updates: 0j PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 05. 2021 Fox Hiking Park • Trails in good shape —more numerous than I remembered. • Signage may be a bit weak regarding directions, dog usage. • Cahuilla Hills bathroom in good shape. May need to check the signs inside for repair. • Bike rack is in need of repair, unless it is not used. University Park • Landscaping is in great shape • Both children's play areas in good shape and repair. • Community garden is lonely..... maybe we have some on a waiting list that would like to start with this space? • Restrooms clean and in good repair • Looks like parking is still an issue at the University dog park. The park itself looks great and was very active Commissioner Tanner provided an update: Homme/Adams • Trail to the Cross and park itself is great. • Suggests grading the access road — it has taken its toll during the winter. • Randy Chavez will go out with staff and take a look to mitigate the issue. belnwl911TALl:7u/_1,11Q IIBie341K611THam l[�7►1�1��L\1 Jennifer Nelson has been working with Randy Chavez and his team to make the bridge completion transpire. Ms. Nelson is working on possibly putting together a small dedication video. Chair Guyer is in agreement and will update the group once more ideas come in place. Randy Chavez will work on something and have it ready before the ceremony, and it will look a lot nicer. Sabby Jonathan urges staff to be careful about the placement of the lighting since nearby residents are sensitive to light. Chair Guyer reminded the group that it does not need to be a big light. A small spotlight would be great that shines on the plaque itself. D. PARK USE REPORT — Jennifer Nelson and Randy Chavez Jennifer Nelson stated that the parks have been used more now than ever. Patrons are being respectful and following guidelines. Things remain the same with access and restrooms are open. For the most part, all courts and parks are being utilized, they seem to be a great outlet for the community. Randy Chavez agrees with Ms. Nelson, parks are being used tremendously. Staff has already replaced 4 basketball hoop rims; more 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 05. 2021 maintenance required with more park use. Staff is making sure everything is working smoothly. Ms. Nelson stated that it has been challenging and gave kudos to Brenda Nutcher, Randy Chavez and their teams who have been doing an amazing job. Sabby Jonathan stated that there has been a few complaints about an AA group from Hope Lutheran who have been gathering and taking up most of the space at Ironwood. Mr. Jonathan feels it might be appropriate for the group to gather at Civic Center rather than Ironwood. They did assure Ms. Nelson they would re -locate. She will reach out to group contact and try to resolve the issue. Ryan Stendell stated that they had re -located, but it's possible they may have relocated back to Ironwood. Staff will engage with the group and address the situation. E. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER David Keyes update: It was a great December with 97% attendance and overall 3,065 participants. More people are complying. Full force with youth swim lessons — about 80 per night. A few bumps with server issues, but they are back on track and doing well. Since reopening for lap swims, over 12,000 in numbers. F. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Paula Simonds update: YMCA continues to offer child care at Jean Benson with 38 enrollees, San Pablo 47 enrollees, and Carter 16 enrollees. Working with Riverside County Public Health, and taking into considerations the programs due to the surge of Covid, we are having to monitor reported cases, in the meantime programs are on pause. Staff is working actively with Amy Lawrence for the upcoming Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Art Drive -by event. G. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT - Program Updates - Facilities Use - First Tee Brenda Nutcher update: With the current Covid surge issues, the DRD had to stop programs during Christmas. They are back to outdoor programming: basketball, free fitness Fridays, and ballet on Saturday at amphitheater. Hopefully we can get people moving and active again. DRD is fully staffed once again. Maintenance on bathrooms mornings and evenings in order to maintain them clean. PPE distribution in gym for local businesses from 730am — 2pm. There are 13 kids enrolled at Portola, and doing food distributions on Thursdays again. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 05, 2021 Chair Guyer inquired about the skate park plan. Brenda stated it was open, however, with the Covid surge it was shut down. Waiting on direction from Kevin Kalman to re -open soon. Chair Guyer asked of any complaints. There have been a few inquiries, but nothing with urgency. First Tee: no current updates to provide, but it is not shut down. Jennifer Nelson will work with Brenda on updates for Skate Park and First Tee. H. FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS Tammy Martin update: Their location is still closed. Ms. Martin has noticed a concern with traffic at Santa Rosa location and is working on getting the parking lot open for parking purposes. Pedestrians are crossing the highway to access trails. Issue on Bump n' Grind with dogs. Possibly start issuing tickets with dogs off leash is an idea. Working on Wildflower Festival scheduled for the first week of March. Commissioner Tanner commented that there is a substantial amount of traffic and foot traffic. It's a dangerous situation having to park on the opposite side of the street. Mr. Tanner is hopeful that someone from the City will reach out to the BLM and request for the parking lot to be opened for parking purposes only. Sabby Jonathan suggested that Ryan Stendell reach out to them and see if there is anything that can be done; even with parking only signage. Ryan Stendell will coordinate with Tammy Martin and possibly set up a conference call with BLM and Chair Guyer. IX. COMMISSIONER, COUNCIL -LIAISON, AND STAFF COMMENTS Ryan Stendell stated it's great to see former Chair Murphy doing well and in good spirits. Commissioner Tanner inquired about the regional north Sphere Park. Ryan Stendell stated that they are keeping an eye on rooftops, and, are seeing significant levels of development in that area. Sabby Jonathan did concur and stated that multiple developments are taking place. Portola interchange project has been put on hold; it will be a major delay. X. ADJOURNMENT With unanimous consent of the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:19 a.m. 1479 Angie Marron, Recording Secretary 03 PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM PALM DESERT'S PUBLIC ART PROGRAMS El Paseo Sculpture Exhibition Documentary Film Series Palm Desert Community Gallery Student Art & Essay Contest Docent Led Public Art Tours City Entry Marker by Michael Watling EL PASEO SCULPTURE EXHIBITION 18 different sculptures in the median on El Paseo that change out every two years. Artists from all over the world submit their sculptures for consideration upon the City's biennial call for entries. Sculptures are juried by the City's Art in Public Places Commission and selected artists receive a $5,000 honorarium to have their sculpture included the Exhibition. - T ram' Fossils of the FWure by Tyler Burton PUBLIC ART DOCUMENTARY FILM The City's Public Art Documentary Film Series is a partnership with UCR Palm Desert Center. Films usually screen January through April at the UCR Palm Desert campus. This year films will screen virtually on the second Thursday of each month and a moderated discussion will take place after each film. Yarn The Radiant Child — Jean Michel Basquiat The Lost Surrealist — Leonora Carrington CURRENT PROJECTS Traffic Signal Cabinet Beautification oUnite Palm Desert Murals oSan Pablo Roundabout Sculpture oSan Pablo Public Art Plan oLaw Enforcement Appreciation Day Art Drive -by and Drop-off event L I-LL L=IwLCC Ltd l'LLL Ij Streetscape Improvements TRAFFIC SIGNAL CABINET BEAUTIFICATION The City recently sent out a request for proposals for beautification of traffic signal cabinets in the following areas: Fred Waring x Highway 1 1 1 Monterey x Highway 1 11 El Paseo x San Luis Rey This particular project focuses on social justice by ensuring artists incorporate one of three words into their artwork: "Equality", "Kindness", and "Respect" Nine proposals were recently reviewed by the AIPP Commission and their recommendation will go to the City Council for final approval in January. UNITE PALM DESERT MURALS These murals are an extension of the City's Unite Palm Desert campaign created in response to the COVID-19 crisis. They are fully funded by the City's Marketing fund. Artist John Cuevas designed the Unite Palm Desert logo and was then asked to begin work on murals in certain locations around town. Our first community partner that accepted to collaborate was the Gardens on El Paseo. The mural was recently completed and has been a very popular attraction for social media. Golden Hours by John Cuevas UNITE PALM DESERT MURALS The next Unite Palm Desert Mural is currently going up on the KUD Properties building located at 74124 Highway 1 11 east of Ace Hardware. Once the KUD Properties mural is complete, we may begin work with Westfield Palm Desert on a Unite Palm Desert mural at their shopping center. We are also exploring partnering with UCR Palm Desert Center for a mural on their campus. Untitled by John Cuevas SAN PABLO ROUNDABOUT SCULPTURE The Call for Entries for the San Pablo Roundabout sculpture was posted in December. Looking for artists or artists teams from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to submit proposals for the project. Deadline for submittal is March 15, 2021, and after that Public Works, the AIPP Commission, and the City Council will review proposals and decide next steps. Hopeful for install to be complete sometime in the fall of 2021. SAN PABLO PUBLIC ART PLAN Soon the AIPP Commission will re -commence working on a public art plan for San Pablo. We have discussed various ideas for the area such as types of art, locations for art, location priorities, and a general theme for the area so that it will be cohesive and thought out. Some thoughts are murals, sculptures in strategic locations to include a small section of property owned by CVWD, artistic fencing near the community gardens, educational signage, and artwork incorporated into the retaining walls and sidewalks. Radiance by Patricia Vader LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY ART DRIVE -BY AND DROP-OFF EVENT As part of the Unite Palm Desert campaign, the City is encouraging kids of all ages to create artwork honoring law enforcement. Artwork may be dropped off to the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, January 9, 2021, from 9 a.m. to noon. Deputies, community services officers, and dispatchers will be on hand to accept the artwork in the parking lot. All artwork will be displayed in the lobby of the Sheriff's Station. National LAW ENFORCEMEN Kidsl Help honor our local law enforcement officers by creating and dropping off arts for display in the lobby of the Palm Desert SherrfFs Station. Saturday, January 9 * 9am -12 Palm Desert Sheriffs Station 73705 Gerald Ford Drive PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM Questions?