Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks and Recreation Commission 02/05/2019CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Angie Marron, Clerical Assistant DATE: June 4, 2019 SUBJECT: Submission of Minutes for the Parks and Recreation Commission Attached for your records are the approved minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of Tuesday, February 05, 2019. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Attachment (as noted) CITY OF PALM DESERT MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2019 — 8:30 a.m. Administrative Conference Room — Palm Desert Civic Center 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Van G. Tanner convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent Chair Mike Hardin Vice Chair Van G. Tanner Commissioner Randy Guyer Commissioner Kim Housken Commissioner Lynn Bixen Commissioner Gerald Dawson Commissioner Mary Helen Kelly Commissioner Paul Murphy Ex-Officio Members: Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert Kevin Kalman, Desert Recreation District Also Present: Ryan Stendell, Director of Community Development Johnny Terfehr, 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 Chris Hermann Design Group PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 05. 2019 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, DECEMBER 04, 2018 Rec: Approve as presented Upon a motion by Commissioner Dawson, second by Commissioner Guyer, carried by an 8-0 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Guyer, Dawson, Housken, Bixen, Hardin, Tanner, Murphy; NOES: None; ABSENT: None) the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS A. UNIVERSITY PARK — PARK SITES A & B - Presentation by Eric Ceja Principal Planner, Eric Ceja, presented the proposed University Park plan that was approved by the Planning Commission in November of 2018. University Park is a 174-plus acre subdivision inclusive of 1,069 residential units, five distinct neighborhood parks, private recreation facilities, and an art trail walk. The applicant, Chris Hermann Design Group, is currently focused on phase one of the design. The project is bounded by two arterial streets, Gerald Ford and Cook Street, which also connect to College Drive and Pacific Avenue. The project is expected to develop in several phases. Parks A & B are anticipated to develop as part of the first phase. Final design and acceptance of amenities for the five neighborhood parks require review by the City's Parks and Recreation Commission. Phase one is an all planned residential project, which will have various connection points. Park A will be 1.3 acres in the northwest quadrant of University Park. Park B will be 1.2 acres and connects right at College Drive and Pacific Avenue located in the northeast quadrant of University Park. Both parks are designed to be a neighborhood park under the City's General Plan, and will also provide quality and ideal park amenities. Chris Hermann Design Group went over the presentation. The design group created decorative art walk concepts. The intention is to create connectivity with the trail systems, along with a health and wellness concept, and an overall desert theme. 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 05. 2019 Commissioner Housken asked about parking; parallel parking will be available on the street. The developer also confirmed there will be no restrooms. There are no specific dog parks for the new proposed parks since there is an existing University Dog Park. There will be a multitude of desert landscape. Tammy Martin suggested not using fountain grass, and possibly look into low water use grass. CVWD requires a 2 ft. buffer to reduce run off. Randy Chavez stated that smart controllers will be installed, which all parks are connected to, and Cal Sense, which is part of a network connected to City Hall. Commissioner Bixen asked about the art walk path, and inquired if there would be art along the entire walk. The developer confirmed that eventually there would be art all along the walking path, and the developer has to make a contribution to that fund. AIPP will also be a contributing factor. Commissioner Guyer asked where the regional park is in relation to this project; there are 27 acres for the Millennium Park site; also proposed is a linear park to connect to University Parks A and B, there will be striping and a crosswalk for pedestrians. Commissioner Guyer asked if these proposed parks will be built with quimby funds or park funds. Mr. Ceja confirmed it will be with quimby funds. Commissioner Guyer feels that there may be security issues since the proposed parks seem to be in a dense area. Mr. Ceja mentioned that there will be homes from all sides, the front doors face the parks. Commissioner Housken asked about the City being responsible for maintenance and is concerned that there will be no restrooms for the proposed parks. Mr. Ceja stated that they are not intended to be large or regional parks, restrooms were not contemplated. Chair Tanner inquired about the possibility of community gardens. It was noted that Park E will eventually have community gardens. Vice Chair Kelly reconfirmed that these proposed parks won't be built until the homes are developed. Upon a motion by Vice Chair Kelly, second by Commissioner Hardin, carried by a 7-1-0 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Guyer, Dawson, Bixen, Hardin, Tanner, Murphy; NOES: Housken; ABSENT: None) the Commission agrees to move forward with the new proposed University Park site; Commissioner Housken opposes due to the lack of restroom facilities B. BICYCLE REPAIR STAND — CIVIC CENTER PARK Johnny Terfehr referenced to the examples in the agenda packet. The bicycle repair stand has tools that are mounted so it can't be stolen; it is easy for bicyclist to make repairs. Mr. Terfehr spoke to staff and Randy Chavez indicated that there may be funds available to move forward with this proposed bike repair rack. Mr. Chavez is asking about standardizing a color for it. Commissioner Bixen asked if a company has been chosen because she is quite familiar with bicycle repair stands; Park Tools is a 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 05. 2019 company that she is familiar with. Ms. Bixen sided with Park Tools because she has traveled and seen many of these bike racks. She feels it would be a wonderful addition to the parks. Kevin Kalman agree that Park Tools is all about bikes. Chair Tanner talked about possible vandalism. Randy Chavez mentioned that there is vandalism everywhere but vandalized items can be replaced. Commissioner Guyer inquired about the installation cost; Mr. Chavez stated about $1500. There are funds available in the maintenance fund. Upon a motion by Vice Chair Kelly, second by Commissioner Murphy, carried by an 8-0 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Guyer, Dawson, Housken, Bixen, Hardin, Tanner, Murphy; NOES: None; ABSENT: None) the Commission favors to move forward with the pilot for the bicycle repair stand at Civic Center. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. AMENITIES FOR AQUATIC CENTER Johnny Terfehr met with Commissioner's Kim Housken and Randy Guyer regarding the amenities. They will continue to research the items and follow up with the rest of the Commission soon. VII. OLD BUSINESS NONE Vill. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. PARK USE REPORT - Cahuilla Hills Park Commissioner Bixen noted that she spends a lot of time at Cahuilla Hills; the park and trails look great. An ongoing issue is dogs off leash. There is a very old poster that people have to actually pay attention to detail stating dogs are not allowed off leash. There is another part near Target that does state dogs are prohibited, and people have purposely covered it with giant rocks. Tammy Martin mentioned that they are having the same issue at the Art Smith Trail with pets off leashes. Brenda Nutcher mentioned that those incidents will continue to happen. Owners need to isolate their pets; possibly suggesting new signs be implemented that indicate dogs must be on leash. Ms. Martin mentioned that her group can install more signs, but can't confirm that it will help the issue. She has had complaints that there is not enough trails for dogs to be on, maybe something to consider. Commissioner Housken mentioned that the park was at full capacity over the weekend and both courts were being utilized. Sabby Jonathan asked if signs are available or does the city have to purchase them. Ms. Martin does not have them, however if the City does purchase the signs, they will be 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 05. 2019 more than happy to install them. Commissioner Dawson asked where signs would be installed; near the bathrooms at Cahuilla Hills and base of Homme Adams. B. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER David Keyes stated that admissions have been up and down due to the weather. TYR was there for their annual photo shoot. Swim lessons start March 4. Sponsorship package is ready for the dive -in movies, and will be going over it with marketing. The facility is currently hiring and there has also been a lot of lifeguard training. Pawley Pool and Wet n' Wild will be closed this season, so the facility may see an increase in admissions. C. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Rob Ballew provided an update on programs: • Youth Basketball — 270 kids • Y Rookies — 64 kids • Holiday Camp — 80 kids • Youth and Government — 50 kids will be heading to Sacramento. D. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Brenda Nutcher stated the Senior Games are officially kicking off this week; as of last week over 1100 athletes have enrolled. The largest event is pickleball, with over 536 enrolled. This is considered a tier 2 event in California; four of the top national players are participating in this event as well. Volleyball is another top contender for this event. Winter camp was small about 28 enrolled and a few drop -ins. E. FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS Tammy Martin stated that crews just finished working on the ridge that overlooks Stone Eagle, and are working on the Randall Henderson Trail. Flowers are out and the Wildflower Festival will take place March 2 at the Civic Center. The transition of the location was due to the government shutdown; banners will be posted at the Santa Rosa Visitor Center and St. Margaret's Church redirecting traffic. Ms. Martin invited everyone to come out to the festival. IX. COMMISSIONER, COUNCIL -LIAISON, AND STAFF COMMENTS Rob Ballew suggested that signage pertaining to the Visitors Center be installed. Johnny Terfehr stated that City staff is currently working on improving all signage at Civic Center. 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 05, 2019 Randy Chavez stated the Joe Mann Park playground equipment project has begun; it will be closed through March 15. Next on the list is the request for bids for the pickleball expansion at Freedom Park. Commissioner Dawson asked about the placement for the old equipment; where will it be donated. Mr. Chavez stated that it will be going to Father's Heart Ranch in Desert Hot Springs. Commissioner Murphy asked about updates on the wave park. Sabby Jonathan stated that it is moving along rapidly. It will enhance the recreational options for everyone. Commissioner Murphy also emphasized the concern with bicyclists not stopping at stop signs. It is happening too often, and it's a potential danger not only for drivers but for bicyclists themselves. X. ADJOURNMENT With unanimous consent of the Commission, the meetin as adjourned at 9:36 a.m. r� ng Secretary 2