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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCIP Item 20C - Freedom Prk Skate Prk Cnvrsn - Pickleball Lighting STAFF REPORT CITY OF PALM DESERT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT MEETING DATE: September 6, 2018 PREPARED BY: Johnny Terfehr, Management Analyst REQUEST: Consideration to amend the scope of design for Capital Improvements Project Item 20c (Freedom Park Skate Park Conversion and Pickleball Lighting Improvement Project) to a total project cost of$250,000. Recommendation By Minute Motion: 1. Approve the amendment of Freedom Park Skate Park Conversion and Pickleball Lighting Improvements expansion design as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission. 2. Appropriate $150,000 from Unobligated CIP Park Funds (Fund 233) to Account No. 2334618-4400100. 3. Amend project 20c of the FY2018/2019 Capital Improvements Program to increase the year one budget from $100,000 to $250,000 Committee Recommendation On June 5, 2018, the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed and recommended approval to the City Council of the proposed design that is based on input from users of the pickleball courts. The Commission also recommended that staff continue to monitor the growth of the sport and add courts at the North Sphere Regional Park if warranted. Strategic Plan Objective By enhancing the Freedom Park pickleball courts, the City furthers its goals of continuing the high quality of life that our residents and visitors expect, and providing recreational and exercise opportunities pervasive in all public spaces. Background Analysis The sport of pickleball is rapidly growing and has become extremely popular in the Coachella Valley. The City has expended a fair amount of resources responding to this growth, initially in dual striping various tennis courts, to the eventual creation of a permanent eight-court facility at Freedom Park. With the increased demand on our facilities, users have September 6, 2018 - Staff Report Freedom Park Skate Park Conversion and Pickleball Expansion Page 2 of 2 expressed areas where additional expansion could benefit overall use and include the following: 1. Additional Courts: Pickleball is a growing sport and having facilities that meet current demand can be challenging. 2. Lighting: Users have indicated a willingness to utilize facilities in the nighttime hours however lighting is currently not sufficient to support this activity. 3. Minor Facility Modifications: Many users come to play for many hours and bring folding chairs and/or large bags of equipment. Having an expanded court space can enhance capacity by providing a player staging and seating area. Based on the feedback received from users, staff generated a design for improvements that would help mitigate most of the group's concerns. This will include expanding the west side of the pickleball courts to allow additional space for users to observe play and store equipment, removing the California angled corners (a tennis court feature), and installing lighting improvements to remove dark areas and significantly increase nighttime playability. Although this design does not increase the total number of courts in the city, it does significantly improve playability at Freedom Park. The design also includes the installation of a new, 30-foot lighted hexagon picnic pavilion that will replace an area where metal skate ramps were removed in 2017. Shaded picnic spaces are extremely valuable to the public at large, providing additional gathering spaces. Fiscal Analysis In FY17/18, staff budgeted $100,000 funding the replacement of the underutilized skate park with a new picnic shelter, and minor lighting enhancements to the existing facility. These funds have been carried over and are available in the FY18/19 CIP budget. Based on the recommended change in scope, staff is recommending an additional $150,000 from unobligated Park Funds (Fund 233) be appropriated to Account No. 2334628-4400100 for this project. LEGAL REVIEW DEPT. REVIEW FINANCIAL REVIEW CITY MANAGER N/A 02/15t- R Ryan Stendell % L { Robert W. Hargreaves Director of Community Janet Moore Lauri Aylaian City Attorney Development Director of Finance City Manager ATTACHMENTS: 1. Pickleball Expansion Design Approved by P&R Commission 2. 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PARKS AND RECREATION JUNE 05, 2018 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None CONSENT CALENDAR Upon a motion by Commissioner Kelly, second by Commissioner Dawson, carried by a 7-0-1 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Guyer, Dawson, Housken, Hardin, Bixen, Murphy; NOES: None; ABSENT: Tanner) the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. JOE MANN PARK PROJECT UPDATE Randy Chavez presented a power point to follow up on previous tentative projects, and gave an update on where they are now. Mr. Chavez talked about the repairing of the volleyball courts at Civic Center and the positive feedback he received. The department is leaning towards that same concept for Joe Mann Park, in order to do that, they did the complete removal of the poles and brought in new sand. In the future, if poles do bend, they do not have to remove the whole thing. The removal of the bent portion of the pole would be removed and the replacement would be put in. Playground equipment: the initial thought was the possibility of donating it outside the country, instead of moving towards a local donation. JPIA recommended caution when donating inside the country due to liability issues. Wherever the equipment lands, it will benefit children. Mr. Chavez mentioned that a grant was received and they want to incorporate equipment that attracts a variety of age groups, utilize shade structures, and install the same shade structures over the swings. Commissioner Guyer inquired about the restoration of the volleyball courts. Mr. Chavez mentioned that the City purchased the material, and contracted out for installation and labor. PICKLEBALL FACILITY IMPROVEMENT Johnny Terfehr conferred on the memo that was presented in the packet, and introduced some members of the community as guests that wish to speak on behalf of pickleball players. Mr. Terfehr went over the staff report and the previous concerns regarding availability of the pickleball courts. Staff is seeking guidance from the Commission to see what direction we want to go from this point on. In reference to the North Sphere Park, staff definitely wants to get a more in-depth idea from the Commission about the possibility of pickleball courts being integrated there. Comments from guests: Ron Schmidt introduced himself as an ambassador for pickleball in Lake Tahoe, and here in the desert. Mr. Schmidt stated that there is definitely a need for more pickleball courts. In addition to the pickleball tournament coming up in Indian Wells this fall; he added that the event sold out in 15 minutes; that is how big the sport is. Freedom Park is losing players, who are going to Demuth Park in Palm Springs because there is not enough space at Freedom. Unless something is done,the loss of courts and players will continue. There is a constant waiting line for the courts; bottom line is there is not enough room for players. Barbara Wintroub introduced herself as an ambassador for pickleball for Freedom Park and Sun City Palm Desert. Ms. Wintroub stated that Sun City del Web built an additional four courts to the existing four in their community for a total of eight. It went from 125 to 500 players' growth. They have outgrown that area. She offered some suggestions and ideas, but the City did not collaborate with them. Pickleball is growing substantially and she firmly believes the City needs to increase the availability of courts to eliminate chaos on the courts. Frank Taylor stated that there seems to be a great vision about what is to come to Palm Desert in the future. There have been a lot of good ideas set forth, but right now there is a safety issue out at Freedom Park, there is not enough space. Mr. Taylor is hopeful that the current tentative plan will alleviate the chaos for maybe about a year. Lights need to be fixed and corners do need to be squared off. He also suggested for the west fence to be kept tall to block some of the wind. Mr. Taylor thanks the Commission for all their time and input. Commissioner Housken confirmed that both Mr. Schmidt and Ms. Wintroub live in Sun City. Ms. Housken also asked if Sun City is willing to expand and dedicate courts specifically for pickleball. Ms. Wintroub mentioned that tennis players in the community are not very happy with them, and they may expand to twelve courts maximum. Commissioner Bixen also inquired if the public is welcomed to utilize the courts. It was confirmed that the public is not allowed to access the courts because it is limited space. Johnny Terfehr brought up the email that was handed out to the Commissioners. An individual, MJ Hernandez, who suggested the possibility of converting some tennis courts at Civic Center into pickleball courts, sent it. However, some tennis players have opposed to that suggestion. Commissioner Housken commented on it. Tennis and pickleball are two very different sports. Pickleball is loud and social vs tennis being a less noisy sport, which ultimately can become very disruptive for tennis players. Rob Ballew does not believe that it is the City's responsibility to solve the problem of the shortage of courts. The basic cost for additional courts estimates at $100,000 plus costs of other incentives; they are not cost efficient. Sabby Jonathan stated that part of the challenge is that there is a substantial amount of players; would pickleball players agree to a fee? Possibly, not have Palm Desert residents pay the fee, and non-residents pay a small fee. Frank Taylor stated that he has brought that up, and would probably not be an issue. Kevin Kalman commented on the topic, most of the time when senior housing developments like Sun City come in, they fight the park mitigation fees. They claim to provide everything for their community. In this situation, that is not the case and this pickleball issue is a perfect example. Private community residents tend to gravitate towards public parks for activities. The Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation: 1. Expansion: What is more important when it comes to the expansion - More court availability, or an expanded facility? Randy Chavez refreshed the Commission on what the City is proposing. Another pavilion, expand to the west, install bleachers and shade structures over the bleachers, more improved lighting; and address different fence heights as well. The whole intent is to make it nighttime friendly. Commissioner Bixen stated that every time we try to accommodate the public, we can't seem to get it right. Are we (City/Commission) accommodating to socialize or for the sake of the game. Commissioner Kelly asked if the players need a place to sit while they are waiting in line; instead of bringing the chairs that is where the bleachers come to play. Commissioner Kelly believes that City staff has done a great job trying to accommodate pickleball players. The Commission also discussed different options regarding scheduling, possibly an electronic option. Chair Hardin stated that City parks are designated and built for the community, not to take away from them to make room for more pickleball courts; Upon a motion by Commissioner Dawson, second by Commissioner Housken, carried by a 7-0-1 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Guyer, Dawson, Housken, Hardin, Bixen, Murphy; NOES: None; ABSENT: Tanner) the Commission motions to move forward with the proposed design by staff for the expansion (without the bleachers); 2. Civic Center Park: Commissioner's Housken and Dawson disagree with the proposal of converting Civic Center Park courts into pickleball courts. Commissioner Murphy motions and Chair Hardin seconds to oppose converting courts at Civic Center Park into pickleball courts; Upon a motion by Commissioner Murphy, second by Chair Hardin, carried by a 7-0-1 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Guyer, Dawson, Housken, Hardin, Bixen, Murphy; NOES: None; ABSENT: Tanner) the Commission motions to oppose converting tennis courts at Civic Center Park into pickleball courts; and 3. North Sphere Park: Commissioner Kelly stated if pickleball is still in high demand at the time of development; then possibly take into consideration the pickleball courts at that time. PARK USE REPORT— PALMA VILLAGE PARK No improvements have been done, just maintained. Homeless activity; the issues have subsided. Chair Hardin suggested for concrete tables to be installed. Commissioner Guyer inquired about any plans for Palma Village after the San Pablo expansion project. Ryan Stendell noted that there are plans for that park after the San Pablo project, most likely pedestrian improvements. The impact of Palma Village is still uncertain. PDAC David Keyes stated that the last weeks of spring break were very busy. The first dive-in movie, Coco, sold out. It has been steady; the second movie had about 275 tickets, and is always a great evening event. TYR rented the facility for three full days again for a photo shoot, which included night shots with great lighting, and Olympic suits. They plan on getting on every year. Spring swim lessons are finishing up, over 400 in group lessons. Swim lesson are looking really good, field trips are still going on with 12 different schools and home school trips as well. There are also other end of school year facility rentals, and other rentals with other local groups. Coffee with the Mayor will be next week with 500 kids. Sabby Jonathan invites all the Commission to join him, it's a great event for the community. YMCA Rob Ballew stated the concerts in the park are always splendid; Amy Lawrence does a great job putting the event together, which always draws a great crowd. Summer basketball league will start in about two weeks. Summer day camp starts the day after school is out on June 14. There are hundreds of kids signed up for all the camps. A teen leadership day camp will start the second week in July. The YMCA did have the Jean Benson pre-school graduation as well. It is a very busy and active summer, looking forward to it. DRD Kevin Kalman thanked all City staff that helped complete the agency survey that was sent for the pre-master planning. He received great feedback, which should be ready for the next Commission meeting. Mr. Kalman stated that the City and the District Attorneys have been working diligently on the agreement to transfer the community center to the District so that they can move forward with the renovations. Mr. Kalman also introduced the new Executive Director for the First Tee, Steve Lorick. Brenda Nutcher stated that they are getting ready for summer camp, and just finished with the tiny tot program. The center has been busy, and music programs are busy; drum, keyboard, piano and guitar. Summer camp starts July 15 and will go on for 9 weeks. FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAIN Tammy Martin thanked Deborah Glickman for making a connection with the Marines who will be working on a project with Friends of the Desert Mountains. Phase 2 of the ADA trail will be starting soon. Ms. Martin also mentioned that they are still trying to obtain additional funding. The trail crew was out at the cross to take care of some breakouts. They are also working on some courtesy signs with Desert Riders. Kim Nickel trail opened up in Desert Hot Springs. Indio Hills trail will be opening on November 7, and are looking to open an additional trail in Desert Hot Springs. They are working on new signs to go into the Randall Henderson kiosk, and are working with the Visitor's Bureau on all the trails that will be going on to their website. COMMENTS Johnny Terfehr commented that he is participating with the CVAG Trails Committee as part of the sub-committee for ordinances regarding dogs on the trails and leash issues. Some items that were addressed, was the problem with dogs being off leash on hiking trails. They talked about the possibility about expanding some trails where dogs are allowed to be off leash in areas where there are no bighorn sheep. Also discussed, was the need for increased enforcement. One probable solution would be to have adjacent jurisdictions help each other with enforcement using an MOU. Finally, the committee wants to create a Liaison from every city to represent the model ordinance that would apply across the entire valley. Commissioner Murphy mentioned that during his touring of the parks and soccer fields he spoke with Esteban Flores. Mr. Flores seems to be very involved, and brought up the subject about artificial turf fields at the soccer fields; he feels it would be cost effective. Mr. Murphy is not sure how artificial turf would hold up in the summer heat. However, it turns out there is now a solution to artificial turf sustaining the heat and he is willing to explore more options. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.