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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks & Recreation Commission 03/03/2020-x b CITY OF PALM DESERT MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 03, 2020 — 8:30 a.m. Administrative Conference Room — Palm Desert Civic Center 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260 CALL TO ORDER Chair Murphy convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Paul Murphy Vice Chair Randy Guyer Commissioner Gerald Dawson Commissioner Kim Housken Commissioner Mary Helen Kelly Commissioner Mike Hardin Commissioner Van Tanner Ex-Officio Members: Paula Simonds, YMCA of the Desert Absent Kevin Kalman, DRD Also Present: Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Eric Ceja, Principal Planner Jennifer Nelson, Management Analyst Randy Chavez, Landscape Supervisor Sabby Jonathan, Council Liaison Angie Marron, Recording Secretary Guests: Brenda Nutcher, Desert Recreation District ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE IV. CONSENT CALENDAR PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 03, 2020 A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 Rec: Approve as presented Upon a motion by Commissioner Kelly, second by Commissioner Dawson, carried by a 7-0 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Guyer, Dawson, Housken, Murphy, Kelly, Hardin, Tanner; NOES: None; ABSENT: None) the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS A. RECOMMEND ONE YEAR EXTENSION APPROVAL OF THE YMCA OPERATION AGREEMENT FOR THE PDAC Vice Chair Guyer asked how long the contract runs with the one year extension. Ryan Stendell stated that it runs through 2023, in one year bites so long as both party's consent. The only fixed cost in the contract is the management fee, everything else is then approved by the City Council on an annual basis. All operating costs are reviewed annually by City Council and then a program budget adopted. Mr. Guyer inquired if the management fee is in fact a fixed cost; Mr. Stendell confirmed it is. Mr. Guyer asked if the YMCA has an issue with this annual agreement and Paula Simonds stated that it's necessary and important. Mr. Guyer asked Ms. Simonds if a longer term would make things better. Ms. Simonds stated that a longer term would be great, but she is not opposed to having an interview and conversation regarding the item. Ryan Stendell also stated the City Attorney always advises to take smaller bites with municipal operational contracts, it gives a chance to go back out with RFP's, and City Council supports that methodology. In reference to a five- year term, staff appreciates (the one-year term) because the process of going back out is very cumbersome. Commissioner Dawson asked if there is no need for an RFP with the one year contract. Mr. Stendell stated no, it is presented to City Council with a general half page acknowledgement, if it is status quo, signatures are given for approval it's very efficient. Chair Murphy asked how much the management fee is a year, Ms. Nelson stated that it's $13,700 a month, $165,000 a year. Upon a motion by Commissioner Kelly, second by Commissioner Dawson, carried by a 7-0 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Guyer, Dawson, Housken, Murphy, Kelly, Hardin, Tanner; NOES: None; ABSENT: None) the Commission moves to recommend a one year extension of the approval of the YMCA Operation Agreement. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 03, 2020 VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. COMMISSIONER ASSIGNMENTS FOR PARK AMBASSADOR PROGRAM Jennifer Nelson stated that staff previously looked at a schedule for the Commissioners to go out to parks, come back and report on them. Ms. Nelson went over the schedule that she put together, and reminded everyone to wear the new shirts she provided. Commissioner's Tanner, Hardin, and Chair Murphy will report on assigned parks for March and report back in April. Commissioner Dawson asked if the City maintains the basketball nets at Washington Charter School because they are hanging by a thread. Randy Chavez stated that they would go out and take a look at them, he also mentioned that they replace nets periodically. Mr. Chavez is currently in discussion for next fiscal year to go out and bid for basketball and tennis court maintenance, he is all about being more proactive rather than reactive. Commissioner Dawson asked if we put big signs out on City Ordinances like other parks have. Ryan Stendell stated that we technically have the ability to, and staff should go out and walk the property; general park rule signs can be done. Mr. Dawson loves the new signs at Ironwood Park, it states that the City is serious about the rules. Randy Chavez confirmed that more signs are on order. Ryan Stendell is working with marketing on new signs and conveying a message. Chair Murphy said that the vast majority of people that use the parks are not Palm Desert residents. If you ask about the parks to people that live here, they say they're not very aware of all of the parks here in the City. He thinks it's great that outside residents are using the parks but it would be great if residents also used the parks. Identification could be better for our parks. Commissioner Kelly stated that the reason is that there are a lot more elderly people in Palm Desert than the other cities. The younger families are more likely to use the parks. Mr. Murphy mentioned that he was told the average age in Palm Desert is 37, contrary to that, the average age is 60 and under. The Census data will be the freshest to confirm age demographics. Commissioner Tanner feels that we can't control who uses the parks, Chair Murphy understands that we can't control who, but as a City and Commission we should be doing more for the community. Ryan Stendell suggested that this is a topic we can brainstorm, come back with more data, and talk about how parks fits into that. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 03, 2020 Vice Chair Guyer suggested visiting Civic Center in the summer evenings, everything from tennis courts to volleyball courts are being utilized. Every park offers something different. VII. OLD BUSINESS NONE Vill. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES Eric Ceja presented the Commission with an update on the CV Link (Mr. Ceja also noted that 13 years ago, he married his beautiful wife on this day). The project was approved by City Council in 2018, just last year Council took action to expand the route in the City of Palm Desert. Mr. Ceja familiarized the committee with -CV Link, an alternative transportation corridor connecting Palm Springs to Coachella, with potential expansion out to the Salton Sea and Desert Hot Springs. Most of this trail system runs along the Whitewater Channel, the one thing that makes it unique in Palm Desert is that it's mostly on surface roads. This will enter Palm Desert at Painter's Path & Hwy 111, and extend at Hovley Lane East and Tava Lane, closer to Eldorado (next to CVWD's water facility). Mr. Ceja displayed the original route that followed from Hwy 111 coming in from Rancho Mirage, and also highlighted San Pablo, which is currently under construction and connects right into the CV Link. The route will enter on Hwy 111, follow along Park View, north on Monterey, down Magnesia Falls, connect into the wash where there is already a partial existing trail, which connects to Palm Desert High School. It will come back up to the signal on Cook at the high school, back out to the Whitewater Channel where it will eventually cross behind Desert Rose, and extend to Hovley Lane. On the west end, it's also extended to go down Painter's Path and connect to the Bump N Grind Trail. Rather than the trail die out in Indian Wells, it takes you across the channel up to Hovley Lane, through an abandoned roadway near Toscana. In the future, this allows us to provide additional linkage. It may connect to numerous areas somewhere down the line. Commissioner Tanner asked what part of the link the City is starting with. Mr. Ceja stated that the City should go out to advertise for construction in March, with a contractor in place. It is anticipated that we do everything in one shot. Sabby Jonathan explained the longer range path. The idea is to hopefully connect to El Paseo and San Pablo since it's under renovation to be more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 03. 2020 Vice Chair Guyer asked where the trail head starting point is. Mr. Ceja stated that the CV Link has a branding scheme that will identify starting points with colors and signage. There are also angular shade structures that are shown in Cathedral City and other graphics. He also showed some of the sections and improvements that are happening on Parkview and Highway 111 that will have additional signage, directional signage, and the color schemes to brand CV Link. Parkview will require some modifications at Monterey and College of the Desert entrance, and Monterey at Magnesia Falls. Ryan Stendell stated that Civic Center will also have a trailhead. Additionally, it will evolve and eventually the thought process is that you won't start from a trailhead, but rather start from your home and find ways to access CV Link. Mr. Stendell believes Hovley Lane West is a great connector, and it has a great amount of housing stock on it and can see a figure 8 loop developing there. Initially people will omit to cars and utilize the CV Link. Sabby Jonathan mentioned that if there is a need for cars to gather, Civic Center Park has plenty of parking, if one wants to start at the Bump n' Grind, Desert Crossing has more than ample parking. Eric Ceja continued to explain the rest of the improvements at Parkview, Painter's Path and Hwy 111. Mr. Ceja restated that the branding scheme will have the orange and blue paint laid into the concrete or asphalt along with additional signage to brand CV Link and also some directional signage, along with crosswalks that will be redone along Hwy 111 and Parkview. He pointed out some conflict points where driveways interact with the street and bicycles coming across, that branding scheme will be carried out at every street intersection so that when they all come together, everyone will eventually pay more attention to cars, bicyclists, or anyone using the system. Mr. Ceja continued to state that the biggest change will be when Parkview gets into Monterey Avenue at the College of the Desert entrance. Parkview will require some modifications to Monterey Avenue based on some engineering challenges. There are some conflicts already without a bike system in place. Mr. Ceja stated that instead of being able to go straight through, you will have to make a dedicated right on the third lane. There will be changes to accommodate this system including a sidewalk expansion and other improvements on Monterey up to Magnesia Falls and many other connecting points. B. FREEDOM PARK PICKLEBALL COURT GRAND OPENING EVENT Jennifer Nelson stated that we have all been anxiously waiting for the completion of the construction and went over what was previously talked about, a grand reopening. Friday, April 31d at 8:30 a.m., a 45-minute event with coffee and donuts, and invite the public to come out and join us. It 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 03, 2020 should be a great ceremony and we will send out the confirmation invitation to everyone. C. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER NONE D. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Paula Simonds stated that they are in partnership with the Westfield Mall and have events for the entire family at the dedicated spaces, which creates an opportunity to promote the YMCA and the Aquatic Center. Enrollment at Jean Benson and school age sights have been consistent, and they are currently working with the Desert Rose community to continue the approved lease for the next 15 years. They currently have the following: • Jean Benson: 37 participants • Reagan Elementary: 33 participants • Carter Elementary: 75 participants • Basketball: 310 participants • Y Rookies: 85 participants • Youth & Government: 3,000 (overall state participants) The YMCA was really able to connect with kids to attend the City Council meetings. Sabby Jonathan suggested expanding that program with the City Clerk, Rachelle Klassen. She is great at explaining the way City Council works. Ms. Simonds stated that it is such a worthwhile program, the State Alliance for YMCA is really looking into it because it is an expensive program due to the number of times they travel to Fresno and Sacramento. The Y-State Alliance is looking at how they can assist with the $1300 cost. Ms. Simonds stated that the alliance does hold numerous fund raising events for the active participants. Ms. Simonds also shared that their school age program received some grant funding for Steam Education for science technology, art and math education and have implemented that funding in childcare programs. They also received funding from CarMax for concussion goggles and it's only appropriate to have a concussion awareness education program. It's not just for athletics but the importance of wearing bicycle helmets and safety. There were break-ins in the YMCA vans last summer, now there are security cameras inside and outside the facility. October 4th is the Y Be Fit event. E. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 03, 2020 Brenda Nutcher announced another successful Senior Games event. Pickleball was the biggest sport, soccer also had a big turnout. Volleyball was huge again, 28 teams between COD and the sports center. The Teen Driving Program had over 100 participants. DRD is getting ready for prom dress giveaway, 15 - 20 girls will participate. Also getting ready for spring camp and summer programs, which have all been busy. Commissioner Housken asked if they still have the soapbox derby. Ryan Stendell stated the event fizzled. Ms. Nutcher added that the event was quite expensive to do. It required a lot of man power and a lot of money. Ms. Housken would like to know what happened to the cart that the City donated to the program. Ms. Nutcher stated that it was taken one year and never saw it again, she will do some research and find its location. F. FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS Message from Tammy Martin: Wildflower Festival is happening this weekend and looks forward to seeing everyone. Also, break-ins happening at the visitor center. Randy Chavez and Jennifer have ordered some signs to put up. IX. COMMISSIONER, COUNCIL -LIAISON, AND STAFF COMMENTS Chair Murphy mentioned an article in the LA Times about the La Quinta Wave Park, he asked how the surf park is going in Palm Desert. Sabby Jonathan stated that the developer is working diligently, and he believes it will happen and set forth. Chair Murphy asked Ms. Nelson if there are any events the Commission needs to attend between now and next meeting in April. Ms. Nelson stated that she would like the group to attend the Concerts in the Park in May, and the event on March 14. X. ADJOURNMENT With unanimous consent of the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:46 a.m. .4 N Angie Marron, Recording Secretary