Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Parks and Recreation Commission 04/07/2015CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Angie Marron, Clerical Assistant DATE: May 6, 2015 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, April 07, 2015. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you. Attachment (as noted) CITY OF PALM DESERT APPROVED MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 07, 2015 — 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 Deborah Hall convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Deborah Hall Vice Chair Jerry Dawson Commissioner Raymond Rodriguez Commissioner Randy Guyer Commissioner Kim Housken Commissioner Mary Helen Kelly Commissioner Mike Hardin Commissioner Alternate Lindsay Holt Absent Commissioner Lynn B. Jutovsky Ex-Officio Members: Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert Kevin Kalman, Desert Recreation District Staff Present: John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst Angie Marron, Recording Secretary Guests: Karen Creasy, YMCA of the Desert Brenda Nutcher, Desert Recreation District Sabby Jonathan, Council Liaison Van Tanner, Council Alternate Liaison Legrand Velez, CVAG PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES APRIL 07, 2015 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, APRIL 07, 2015. Rec: Approve as presented Upon a motion by Commissioner Kelly, second by Commissioner Rodriguez, carried by a, 8-0-1 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Rodriguez, Guyer, Hall, Dawson, Housken, Hardin, Holt; NOES: None; ABSENT: Jutovsky) the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS A. PROPOSED CIP BUDGET FY 2015 / 2016 Ryan Stendell presented to the Commission the staff presented CIP Budget, which has been through its first level of review, with the City Manager, and will be presented to the City Council's study session April 21st and 24th. Year one has a little over $400,000 capital items, which is spread through four different account numbers, the two primary funds are the park fund and park view fund. There is also a recycling fund staff utilizes for expenses, like recycled tables and sometimes other issues that might come up, like doggie bags, last there is the Aquatic Center CIP, so there are four funds in total that are utilized. Starting with Civic Center resurfacing the basketball courts, the turf edge retro fit, which started last year with a pilot program that knocked off the turf edge that developed along the sand volleyball courts and some over in the oak grove area, overall it has been a very successful project over the years; also, replacing a drinking fountain at the basketball courts, and the old shower that has not been functioning for quite some time will be removed, it was generally serving transients more than anybody. Then there is the annual Capital Replacement Fund for the Aquatic Center which is $50,000 annually, and also looking at that now, with the depreciation of the equipment that was suggested when the facility was built. We are hoping to replace some of the pumps in year one. Hovley Soccer Park will be getting some playground resurfacing, a combination of minimizing the existing rubber surfacing that is out there and putting it only where it needs to be, inclusive with the tot lot rubber surfacing; the rubber surfacing will only be for the fall zone and will have the wood chips in the areas that have been minimized, due to high cost of 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES APRIL 07, 2015 rubber surfacing. Also on the list is table replacements, which are in bad shape, they look worn and torched from sun exposure; we are currently looking to replace them with recycled concrete, part of that project is that we have developed a relationship with a company out in Indio that builds them. Freedom Park will have playground and basketball court resurfacing, some of the expansion joints are worn and the material is cracking. Mr. Stendell also mentioned that since the pickleball courts have been built there haven't been any calls stating that tennis can't be played or any sorts of complaints. Next on the list, the Skate Park conversion to a pavilion; the skate park area is a bit sunk, and there is some concern for safety, however there is a possibility we might have it raised. Landscaping Supervisor, Randy Chavez believes we can actually have that cut in half. Mr. Stendell also mentioned the significant amount of copper thefts throughout the year, they did some research and came up with a vandal proof electrical box, which locks and should make it more difficult for vandals. Palma Village Park, we are also requesting to replace the shade ground covers, which are about ten years old, and Magnesia Falls playground surface maintenance will develop into wood chips; University Park will also develop into wood chips. There is a large retro fit project coming up, replacing boxes for the community garden plots, a standardized tub will be the actual plot, they will be lined inside, and made of concrete. We will start with one of the sections of the three gardens and continue retro fitting every year. Commissioner Guyer asked if at some point, it can create some inflexibility issue where it can't be replaced later; Mark Greenwood stated it can be replaced. Vice Chair Dawson also asked if they can be in any colors; Mr. Stendell responded and said yes, the glass can be in any color and then the person selects the color of the concrete. Commissioner Hardin asked about the drinking fountain at Joe Mann, and if there is possibly any type of design where the fountains can be cooler; since it has stainless steel. Mr. Stendell stated that the fountain there is a wall mount fountain, but we can take a look at it and find some kind of resolution, and there might also be a local group that is willing to sponsor things of this sort. Commissioner Housken inquired about the shade structures, because there seems to be some ongoing issues with them, are they more of a permanent or a canvas structure, or should they be replaced every 5 to 10 years. i1 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES APRIL 07, 2015 City Manager John Wohlmuth stated that they have another metal structure in line. Mr. Stendell also stated, in reference to Ms. Housken's question, that it would be economical to replace them every five to ten years. Sabby Jonathan agreed with Commissioner Hardin, stating that he had a point in reference to the fountain issues at Joe Mann and would like the city to take a look at those issues. Ryan Stendell mentioned that there are two other projects in the works, one related to Joe Mann Park and Civic Center, they are road projects but still affect part of Parks and Recreation. Public Works Director, Mark Greenwood gave a quick introduction to those projects, one being at Joe Mann Park in the Carlos Ortega Villas project, which is part of the City's affordable housing project, way back when the project was conceived it was decided to replace the unusual intersection at California and Avenue of the States, and Michigan, the triangle intersection will be replaced with a round -about, and add a parking lot putting a traffic circle in that intersection. The parking lot will next to the Association building and it will join the Joe Mann parking lot directly south of the pool. Sabby Jonathan asked if that will be a traditional two lane roundabout; Mr. Greenwood stated it would be one lane round -about; a two lane is not common in the U.S. Commissioner Guyer asked if this would be funded with the transportation budget, and not park funds; John Wohlmuth clarified that it is funded with Housing money. Commissioner Guyer then asked if there is any anticipation of seniors, from the Carlos Ortega Villas, using the park during that construction. Mr. Wohlmuth stated that it would be much safer with the round -about; Mr. Greenwood stated that they will have the cross walks well marked on all aspects. Next project will be on San Pablo, the City is working on a specific plan, on how to connect Civic Center to COD, and make a walking and biking corridor, eliminate the tamarisk trees and do an angled parking on the east side of San Pablo, extend it along City Hall, and add about 100 parking spaces. Depending on desires, it might be possible to do angled parking on both sides. Sabby Jonathan stated that given how critical San Pablo is from Hwy 111 to Magnesia Falls to the city core design, and what will timing be like; what if there is a different vision, because San Pablo has been identified as very central. Mr. Greenwood stated that the goal is to make Civic Center and San Pablo better as a pedestrian and bike corridor, with single lane in each direction for pedestrians, and single lane for bikes. 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES APRIL 07, 2015 B. STRATEGIC PLAN REVIEW: STAFF PRESENTATION Ryan Stendell stated with its new council, the City undertook a strategic plan, included is the Parks and Recreation division. Staff is creating an update to the Council and in May, would like to have a discussion on what we have so far; go down the list, and go over what we are working on and what we haven't worked on. Mr. Stendell hopes everyone can take a look and define some priorities. Chair Hall inquired if they are in any sort of priority order, and if the five steps came from the community member, because these are items that were brought up by those members. The Strategic Plan Committee wanted a broader group on this plan. Commissioner Rodriguez stated that this was run by a professional group that began with a search committee. Chair Hall confirmed that at the next meeting the Commissioners should bring up concerns regarding the strategic plan. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII. OLD BUSINESS None Vill. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. CV LINK PRESENTATION - Legrand Velez, CVAG Legrand Velez gave a presentation with regards to the CV Link. He also presented an agenda with a project overview. It is considered one of the nation's most ambitious act of transportation. The core benefits include, grade separation, provide safe routes to schools, and help address congestion which is expected to come from tourism. Once the drafted final master plan is adopted we will distribute it and make it available to key stake holders. The timeframe for the environmental clearance is in late 2016, groundbreaking in 2017, with 3 years of construction, and hopefully be ready by 2020. 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES APRIL 07, 2015 B. PARK USE REPORT - Civic Center Park Rob Ballew stated that everything is maintained well and he loves the rose garden, Commissioner Kelly agreed that the rose gardens at Civic Center are beautiful, and also pointed out that many families use the Civic Center for big events, and considers it a blessing to our community. Mr. Stendell also pointed out that the rose garden that was mentioned by Mr. Ballew, is an actual art piece with a shade structure in the middle and tiles on the ground one can buy and sandblast loved ones names on them. Mr. Stendell also mentioned that the Little League season is in full swing until mid -June. C. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER Karen Creasy stated that the Aquatic Center had a really busy season with spring break; the Easter event was a lot bigger than the previous years; with a 34 percent jump. There are more rental groups, and the Swim to Win is coming, May 22"d and 23`d where Olympians come and teach kids to swim; and they also just invested in two cabanas. Ms. Creasy presented a short power point called, Why I like the YMCA; Jody Patterson's story. Mrs. Patterson is an active resident who sustained spinal injuries because of an accident, she started in a wheelchair, but thanks to the water aerobics and services offered at the Aquatic Center, she is now able to walk with a walker. Mr. & Mrs. Patterson want to thank the YMCA and the PDAC for all their progress. D. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Rob Ballew stated that they just finished with spring break camps. Sunday's Easter egg hunt had about 800 attendees and Easter baskets were given out. May 7th kicks off the park's May concert series, flag football starts the weekend of April 11th; October 4th the Reverse Triathlon kicks off with the same support group as last year. They just finished their annual campaign; and finally the Annual Golf Tournament will be held April 30th at the Marriott. E. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Brenda Nutcher stated that they average about 28 children a day in their kids camps. The Dare to Prepare program that was previously held, had a large response, with a positive turn out, so they will be holding it again in October of this year. The Pitch Hit and Run is coming up, and they will be partnering with Thomas Armstrong and girls softball team. Kevin Kalman stated that the First Tee has switched to smart fountains. They are currently updating the strategic direction, a board staff workshop, and just finished some of the visioning, and will present some of the 9 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES APRIL 07, 2015 objectives. Mr. Kalman also spoke about irrigation issues, due to Governor Brown's water drought ordinance; they will have a committee put together to try and come up with strategies on how to conserve water usage. Mr. Kalman highly encourages for the Commission to stop by and see the improvements that have been done to the facility. They have been receiving great and positive feedback. Their spring session is under way; they partnered with Incight, and had a disability golf program at Mission Hills Country Club. They raised about $15,000 on February 28th's tournament, they were shy of 70 golfers, less than 2/3rds of expected, but still successful nonetheless. Commissioner Guyer asked if the Senior Games were being moved to a different date, Ms. Nutcher stated that they did decide to move it to the weekend of February 18th and 19tn IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS City Manager John Wohlmuth mentioned that since Governor Brown has requested a 25 percent less usage of water in California, we will cut 10 percent at Civic Center, 25 percent in all other parks, 25 percent in the medians, and take out the water feature at Joe Mann Park, and there will be no misters. Desert willow uses 90 percent water, we are currently looking at other options like turf reduction. Mr. Wohlmuth also issued a press release regarding conserving water usage in Palm Desert Commissioner Housken asked if that would be a feature in the Brightside; Ryan Stendell confirmed it will be X. ADJOURNMENT With unanimous consent of the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at, 10:36 a.m. Marron, Recording Secretary