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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks and Recreation Commission 11/01/2016CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Angie Marron, Clerical Assistant DATE: January 12, 2017 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, November 01, 2016. 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, NOVEMBER 01, 2016 — 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 Jerry Dawson convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent Chair Jerry Dawson Commissioner Deborah Hall Vice Chair Mary Helen Kelly Commissioner Mike Hardin Commissioner Raymond Rodriguez Commissioner Randy Guyer Commissioner Kim Housken Commissioner Lynn B. Jutovsky Commissioner Lindsay Holt, Alternate Ex-Officio Members: Kevin Kalman, DRD Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert Also Present: Kim Warpinski, Management Analyst Randy Chavez, Landscape Supervisor Angie Marron, Recording Secretary Guests: David Keyes, YMCA of the Desert / Aquatic Center Brenda Nutcher, Desert Recreation District Tim Skogen, Desert Recreation District / First Tee Troy Strange, Desert Recreation District Tammy Martin, Friends of the Desert Mountain Sgt. Jorge Ramirez, Riverside Sheriff's Department Matt Acton, Holt Architecture Ashley Adams, BLM 1 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 01, 2016 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, JUNE 07, 2016 Rec: Approve as presented Upon a motion by Vice Chair Kelly, second by Commissioner Housken, carried by a 7-2 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Guyer, Dawson, Housken, Jutovsky, Rodriguez, Holt; ABSENT: Hall, Hardin; NOES: None) the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS A. BLM - Ashley Adams Introduction Kim Warpinski presented the new Monument Manager to the BLM, Ashley Adams, who has recently taken Jim Foote's place. Ms. Adams has an extensive background with the National Parks Services. Ms. Adams stated that she has worked with Yosemite National Park; (she was also a liaison between the park and City of San Francisco, and numerous other groups.) Ms. Adams also previously worked with the University of California of Merced, and helped them develop a National Parks Institute on campus; prior to working with the university, she also worked with the National Office doing wilderness stewardships. Ms. Adams stated that her goal is to get to know all the partners, commissioners, understand everyone's positions, and find out what the community wants to see with monument management. Ms. Adams wants to prioritize and strategize goals for the BLM for the upcoming year, and she invites the Commission to extend their expectations for the future. B. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT - Rec Center Remodel Kevin Kalman presented the Commissioners with a handout regarding the Rec Center remodel. Mr. Kalman stated that the facility is too small, being that it is the only recreation based community center in this part of the valley; in addition to, the multi -purpose room being well over used, because it is pretty much dedicated to the after school programs. Mr. Kalman stated that the community centers in Indio, North Shore and La Quinta have been previously remodeled; with that being said, the same intention for Palm Desert is a priority on the list for expansion. Mr. Kalman wants the Rec Center to be able to expand more opportunities with more 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTE$ NOVEMBER 01. 2016 equipment options, provide a more modern feel, and make it more accessible due to the limited space. A power point was presented to the Commission by Matt Acton, who is part of the group, Holt Architecture. The power point displayed the current design, and what the projected design is to improve the community center. There is a need to provide more circulation for activities and extra space for children, because what is there now is not licensable. The conceptual plan provides a more welcoming front entry, which would mean changing the exterior of the building, and welcoming more space for a more sizeable exercise facility. Commissioner Guyer was concerned with the loss of green space; it was made clear that less than six thousand square feet of green space will be lost with some of the remodel. Finance funding has not been secured as of now, it is currently being explored. Holt Architecture is working on a great design, and has been for the past six months. Completion of the remodel should be completed within an 18 month span, and construction would only take out part of the facilities use. Commissioner Housken brought up a good point regarding the issues with heavy traffic flow, parent pick up/drop off, and parking in general. The Holt Architecture team will notably attempt to configure a solution for that with the new remodel. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. PICKLEBALL DISCUSSION Kim Warpinski stated that she has been contacted on a regular basis, regarding a pickleball issue; it appears that lately it has been in high demand. She read a letter to the Commissioners, from a concerned pickleball player. Part of the letter stated that Freedom Park is highly advertised throughout the area, and the interest in pickleball continues to rise. The congestion at the park is a continuous growth, and the biggest problem is that, people from other communities other than Palm Desert, are attracted to the courts. Some Commissioners feel that other communities should be able to provide their own pickleball courts to their residents. It seems like residents want more, as the visitors to the valley will continue to grow. Brenda Nutcher mentioned that there are people not allowing other groups of people to come in and join players. It seems that players are trying to take over the courts, which is completely unfair. Randy Chavez suggested a possible kiosk to be placed by the courts so players can clock in and out with chalk and board; time should be limited per game if there is a long list of people waiting. It seems like it has become more of a social outlet and a time management issue. 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 01.2016 VII. OLD BUSINESS NONE VIII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. CIP PROGRESS REPORT Kim Warpinski presented a slideshow to the Commissioners that displayed part of the CIP Progress Report. Ms. Warpinski also stated that the Public Works department will be adding a scan code to park signs which allows residents to report any issues with our community parks, using the City Sourced App. Randy Chavez also contributed to the progress report, please read the following: • Resurfacing just took place at most basketball courts, except for Hovley Soccer Park which will be taking place in the spring. • Homme Adams park shelter was completed during the summer, and is now fire proof. • Joe Mann Park will be getting a new shelter, but the existing water feature will be removed to create more useable space. A fence panel will be removed to create a window entry point so kids can go directly into the playground. • Cahuilla Hills Park is in the process of getting an irrigation upgrade. They will be transitioning into new smart controller systems to manage water more efficiently. • Hovley Soccer Park tables and benches will be getting upgraded. Soccer goal replacements were done this past summer. • Converting the skate park into a friendly picnic pavilion at Freedom Park. B. FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAIN - Tammy Martin Tammy Martin was present to thank the City and the DRD for coming forward, and approving the installation of a new kiosk at the Henderson Trail Head. Ms. Martin also mentioned that new art work that was previously located on El Paseo was purchased and installed. In addition to the art, an all paved ADA trail, was built behind the Visitor Center, which may be utilized by anyone with special needs. Ms. Martin mentioned that she was trying to get in touch with the Brail Institute and encourage them to come to the Visitor Center and take advantage of such a wonderful addition. C. PARK USE REPORT - Washington Charter 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 01, 2016 Washington Charter was upgraded with new smart controllers, and over 15,000 square feet of sod installed, which should eliminate some of the grumbles from school officials and parents. Playground resurfacing also took place, and poured in place rubber, because wood chips were not practical, due to finding needles in the chips. Shelf life expectancy should be 5 to 10 years, which now makes the playground compliant. Commissioner Housken stated that she interviewed her third grade neighbors and that attend Washington Charter. They voiced their concerns: • The line is too long for hand ball courts • There are too many monkey bars. Some parents are also voiced concerns, expressing that residents are taking their dogs into the park/school, which raises a health and safety concern with their pet waste. Someone mentioned maybe generating some sort of citation program which may possibly eliminate the issue. D. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER David Keyes stated the following: • 1,575 attendees on 4th of July • Swim lessons up 26%, 181 additional registered; with a great safety record this past summer • Rancho Mirage and Xavier High School had water polo games at the facility • Water aerobics are in full effect, and were at max capacity all summer, with a social aspect and continued growth for the sport • New outdoor Spin classes, with a $10 drop in fee • New splash page for Aquatic Center website, more user friendly, with one click options • Desert Arc will be having a full facility rental on November 4th • This past August, a Chinese Pageantry rented out the large slides for filming and photo shoots E. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT There were 1,551 attendees for the Y Be Fit Challenge, making that 537 more than the previous year, which also included the reverse triathlon. The numbers were up for the 5K and the Color Run as well. There were 22 sponsors with a result of over $20,000 in net income, it turned out to be a great event, well received with an impressive outcome. 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 01, 2016 F. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Brenda Nutcher stated that there were a group of boys and girls from Japan that spent the summer in community camp. They are getting ready for the holidays, and next weekend there will be the Annual Rose Show. In December there will be a Bike Safety Rodeo with local Law Enforcement to teach the community the importance about bike safety. There will be regular shut down in December, from the 12th through the 16th, to resurface floors and regular maintenance. Planning is underway for Fall Camp during Thanksgiving recess and also getting ready for the Holiday Food, Gift and Blanket Drive. Tim Skogen, with the First Tee, stated that the fall session is underway. They have kids starting from four years old, up to seventeen, and have up to 33 classes. They participated in the Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade as well, with 40 people on deck. Golf Center is up and running, and every second Saturday they have a parking lot sale to raise money, with items that are donated to the center, they range anywhere from golf clubs to golf carts. IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Jutovsky mentioned that she recently noticed numerous vehicles parking in the shoulder of the dirt parking lot area, going up Hwy 74, just passing Big Horn. Ms. Jutovsky mentioned that she spoke to someone there, and confirmed that some of them come from San Diego, park their cars and go work in Big Horn. It can become an issue for potential and regular hikers. She reported the issue through the City Source App, and she received a response, stating that there is no parking ordinance for that matter. Kim Warpinski mentioned that all baseball fields just got laser leveled, and invited everyone to get a glimpse of them when they have the opportunity; they look fantastic. Sargent Jorge Ramirez, with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, stated they will be holding a Million Mask March at Civic Center Park in Palm Desert, on Saturday November 5, to protest banks and government. X. ADJOURNMENT With unanimous consent of the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 10:41 a.m. Angi. Marron, Recording Secretary 6