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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks and Recreation Commission 12/05/2017CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Angie Marron, Clerical Assistant DATE: February 6, 2018 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, December 05, 2017. 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, DECEMBER 05, 2017 — 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 Mary Helen Kelly convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Mary Helen Kelly Vice Chair Mike Hardin Commissioner Randy Guyer Commissioner Kim Housken Commissioner Lynn Bixen Commissioner Gerald Dawson Commissioner Van G. Tanner Absent Ex-Officio Members: Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert Kevin Kalman, Desert Recreation District Also Present: Lauri Aylaian, City Manager 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 Laura McGalliard, Desert Recreation District 1 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 05, 2017 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2017 Rec: Approve as presented Upon a motion by Commissioner Dawson, second by Commissioner Housken, carried by a 7-0 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Guyer, Dawson, Housken, Bixen, Hardin, Tanner; NOES: None; ABSENT: None) the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2018 Commissioner Dawson made a motion to elect Commissioner Mike Hardin as Chair, second by Commissioner Housken. Commissioner Mike Hardin made a motion to elect Commissioner Van Tanner as Vice Chair, second by Chair Kelly, and carried by a 7-0 vote of the Commission (AYES: Kelly, Hardin, Guyer, Bixen, Housken, Dawson, Tanner; NOES: None; ABSENT: None) B. 2018 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR COMMISSION Chair Kelly stated that as a committee, we have to think about the future of the Parks and Recreation Commission, not only be able to assist the City, but also be beneficial. Sabby Jonathan stated that this effort is not unique to the Parks and Recreation Commission; it is a citywide effort for the rest of the Committees and Commissions. Mr. Jonathan feels it is time to recalibrate the goals and objectives of the Commission. Part of this purpose is to make these meetings not only relevant to the City but also to the volunteers. City Manager, Lauri Aylaian, stated there is other areas the Commission can identify with, and can give greater assistance to. Whether they are issues or suggestions, they would like to present them to City Council. This Commission helps the community; not just in the parks department and the City would love to hear their expertise and suggestions. Commissioner Guyer thinks the Commission still has a lot of work to do in regards to parks. There is the big project in the north end that has 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 05. 2017 changed drastically through the last few years, and still needs work. The future expansions of the Aquatic Center that they still have to involved with; the Commission gives consistency to the city. Commissioner Housken agrees with Commissioner Guyer. Ms. Housken feels it would be fearful that the Commission would lose their cohesiveness. Ms. Housken believes they are the liaisons for the City and a voice for the residents. Commissioner Dawson stated the Commission is not as active as it could be in discovering what the needs are for senior citizens. Pickleball and hiking activity continue to increase. However, as a Commission we have not studied what the interests of our seniors and visitors. Commissioner Bixen has been a member for five years. When she came on board there were many issues with the parks. Ms. Bixen feels the Commission is the eyes and ears for what is taking place in the parks. Ms. Bixen also spends time in the mountains and hills, and sees what other people might not. Ms. Bixen feels the Commission is beneficial to the City. Commissioner Tanner stated there is a concern that we are meeting every other month, at best. Preparing for the future like the North Sphere Park, adds to the need for the Commission. Mr. Tanner feels it is a great committee; he feels if meeting every other month, it would give one an opportunity to join other committees. Mr. Tanner complimented Mr. Chavez on the beauty of the parks. Kevin Kalman feels we can get feedback and great information with the committee. It reduces redundancy from the DRD aspect. As things progress and the North Sphere is built, the Commission will play a big role. Brenda Nutcher feels the Commission is great when meeting, especially when it is in regards to the seniors and their needs. The DRD is always doing surveys to ask about what the public wants; there are discussions regarding issues and concerns to help give direction. Randy Chavez spoke about parks, funding, and moving forward. The Commission's input is important. Funding for parks are items brought to the Commission for direction and decisions. Johnny Terfehr stated that the Commission gives a variety of viewpoints. He does not feel staff should be making all decisions; the Commission should continue to give advice. 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 05, 2017 Ryan Stendell stated that the Commission has always been perfect for an advisory group. It is an important group to apply their input to future projects. Striking the balance of less or more meetings are preferably more meaningful meetings. Rob Ballew feels our City is the healthiest place in the valley. There are so many activities going on at the parks throughout Palm Desert, along with hiking. Mr. Ballew suggested assigning on a rotating basis, a site, or a park and talk to the people that utilize those assigned areas; get input and bring it back to the Commission meeting. It is important to keep a close relationship with consumers. David Keyes stated that he has a full year attending these meetings. They are very knowledgeable and a wealth of information. Mr. Keyes loves being here because he grew up in Palm Desert; meetings are very useful and beneficial. Commissioner Hardin agrees with Rob Ballew. The Commission is a great asset to the City and believes we can be more. As a commission, we should assign people with different areas, and come back to the table with everyone's ideas and input. The Commissioners are here to find resolutions to issues with parks and the recreation aspect. Chair Kelly feels that the Commission has a place in the City; we need to find out how we can continue to be beneficial. Sabby Jonathan stated that continuity is valuable; consistency is important and bringing in new people. The value of this Commission is not being questioned. We need this group to be the best that can be. We have yet to address the growing aspect of seniors, and hiking is an emerging need. There is still the future, construction, and other input on expanding on our success. The huge component would be focused on a healthy lifestyle. A greater focus would be expanding the role for this Commission. C. 2018 COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE Johnny Terfehr, and Ryan Stendell put together a tentative meeting schedule for 2018. If an emergency comes up, there is a 24-hour notice for emergency meetings. Commissioner Housken is requesting in the interim, that the Commission get notified about events being held at city parks. Commission voted to adopt the meeting schedule. Upon a motion by Commissioner Tanner, second by Commissioner Guyer, carried by a 7-0 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Guyer, Dawson, Housken, Bixen, Hardin, Tanner; NOES: None; ABSENT: None) the proposed 2018 Commission meeting schedule was approved. 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 05.2017 VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE VII. OLD BUSINESS NONE VIII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. PARK USE REPORT - Ironwood Park Randy Chavez thanked City Council and the City Manager for budget approvals regarding parks. There is a lot of vandalism and coyotes in the native area. Twice a year the park is cleaned for safety reasons, and to clean up after transients. Some work was recently done, however the natural element of the park was taken into consideration with a general clean up. In addition, the shade was recently installed and looks like vandals have been out there slightly vandalizing. Sabby Jonathan brought up safety regarding the park since 90 percent of the users do not come in cars. Another issue is the safety of dogs not being on leashes, especially on weekends in the mornings. The main concern is possible harm for residents and children. Commissioner Dawson mentioned that observation is suggested; he picked up pieces of broken glass and had trouble finding a trash receptacle. Mr. Chavez noted that they are currently looking into stationary heavy trashcans. B. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER David Keyes stated that the facility has been busy, and they just had a diving competition. There were people from Arizona, So Cal, and Nevada. Diving inquiries is another aspect they had not touched on. Multiple programs are keeping the facility fulfilled; annual maintenance is taking place soon. TYR Sport will be renting the facility for their photo shoot again. Another event they just had was an Aquatic Training Session; AEA. There is an up tic with Silver Sneakers Program, up about 150 per month. Mr. Keyes will start hiring the end of January for spring. C. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Rob Ballew reported that flag fall football just finished with 152 kids; fall soccer with 98 kids, and dance program with 25 kids. Winter football, basketball, and Y-rookies start on January 19 through March 9. Youth and Government for the high school students have 47 kids participating, 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 05.2017 which just returned from Fresno and will be traveling to Sacramento to take over the capital in February for the President's Holiday. Over Thanksgiving break, there were 45 kids in day camp. Finally, shout out to the Youth Council who was a great help with the Golf Cart Parade. D. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Brenda Nutcher stated that the DRD just finished fall camp, with 29 kids, and 17 drop -ins. They are getting ready for the Bike Safety Rodeo on the 16th, with 20 bikes being raffled. Stacy with the Sheriff's Department will be bringing in helmets. Maintenance week will soon start for the DRD. Co-ed softball will be starting in January. Cooking series is going great. Registration for Senior Games is going well; pickleball is almost full, still trying to find a venue for volleyball, which is also filling up fast. Kevin Kalman passed out an annual report of the DRD. Mr. Kalman mentioned the Take Me Home Huey event; they were able to take kids for the after school program. They will also bring kids over from the east end of the valley on Saturday. First Tee is doing great. E. FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS NONE IX. COMMISSIONER, COUNCIL -LIAISON, AND STAFF COMMENTS Commissioner Guyer is requesting a summary of funds available for CIP on parks. Mr. Guyer would like some idea on what would be forth coming in the next year or two. Commissioner Bixen made a few comments regarding leash laws. There is a big problem up on the trails. People do not see the signs where dogs are not allowed, and dogs tend to jump on people. The BLM needs to enforce the rules. Commissioner Tanner volunteers at The Living Desert. A group of men there complimented Desert Willow, and the parks throughout the city; Freedom Park frequently utilized. Commissioner Housken thanked Mary Helen Kelly for being such a wonderful Chair. Sabby Jonathan thanked Randy Chavez and staff for the wonderful job and keeping up with the parks. 6 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 05, 2017 X. ADJOURNMENT With unanimous consent of the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m. i1 Angie M ecording Secretary