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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Recreation Cmsn - 05-05-2015:E7- E)2-- CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Angie Marron, Clerical Assistant DATE: September 1, 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, May 05, 2015. 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, MAY 05, 2015 — 8:30 a.m. Administrative Conference Room — Palm Desert Civic Center 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260 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 Randy Guyer Commissioner Kim Housken Commissioner Lynn B. Jutovsky Commissioner Mary Helen Kelly Commissioner Mike Hardin Ex -Off icio Members: Staff Present: Absent Commissioner Raymond Rodriguez Commissioner Alternate Lindsay Holt Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert Kevin Kalman, DRD 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 Laura McGalliard, Desert Recreation District Van Tanner, Council Alternate Liaison Jim Foote, Bureau of Land Management Tim Skogen, Desert Recreation District, First Tee Tammy Martin, Friends of the Desert Mountains Nick Jones, Palm Desert Resident PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PRELIMINARY MINUTES MAY 05P 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 Guyer, carried by a, 7-2 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Dawson, Guyer, Hall, Housken, Hardin, Jutovsky; NOES: None; ABSENT: Rodriguez, Holt) the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS A. STRATEGIC PLAN: PROGRESS REPORT 2015 Ryan Stendell stated that the city kicked off last year's Envision Palm Desert, a 20 year Strategic Plan, which had 5 different big priorities. What staff did in each priority is give a progress update for each one. Chair Hall stated that the best way to get a clear view and understanding of these priorities is to go through each one of them and highlight them. 1. Preparing for the financial requirements of maintaining existing parks to the highest level of service. The planning efforts should also address future costs of replacement and growth of the parks capital improvement fund. Finding and encouraging streams, charitable foundations and sponsorships, anything to help generate revenue, and figure out ways to raise more funds. We rank 4th for the city's largest expenditure; use fees is definitely a concept of the strategic plan, for recovering costs. Sabby Jonathan stated that the naming policy opportunity would also be a great first project for the foundation and a great way to kick off the Capital campaign. 2. Assure a continuing flow of innovative ideas, being collaborative and creating an open culture with our 3 major partners; the City, DRD, and YMCA, we are all connected and share our ideas, currently working with our partner agencies. Vice Chair Dawson suggested that perhaps presenting a medal to these 3 partnerships for their achievements would be a great idea. Mr. Stendell also mentioned another great idea was when City Manager, John Wohlmuth came on board in 2009 requested that our partners start attending the meetings, because it helps a lot with the collaborative relationship. There are several playground safety inspectors working on keeping up with trends and industry standards. 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PRELIMINARY MINUTES MAY 052015 3. Make recreation pervasive in all public spaces, something as simple as recognizing that El Paseo is a great location for people to walk in the mornings. Recreation staff is also working with the Planning Department on other great things for the community; including creating a more walkable environment in our city center and also incorporating small public spaces for gatherings. Chair Hall expressed that putting the benches on El Paseo is a great idea; it's simple yet very effective. 4. North Sphere Regional Park; we are making sure that communities are involved, that we include revenue generators tied back to priority number one, planning for the future; some can include pads for private cafes. Currently the only progress is working with the planning department to set triggers of development. The North Sphere has approximately 6,000 units planned; which 1,000 have been constructed as of today. By the time we hit the 4,000 unit mark, the park should begin development. Sabby Jonathan asked what the timing was on the park that is integrated with the Millennium project. Ryan Stendell stated that it will most likely be far down the road, keep in mind Millennium is in phases and the only thing one will see up front is housing that will sit on the corner of Portola and Gerald Ford. Van Tanner asked when the City's housing start construction would start; John Wohlmuth stated that first priority is the Carlos Ortega Villas project. 5. Examine the need for expansion of the Aquatic Center, there is still a big question mark whether we do or do not need it, the measure of success on that is that we are collecting data. The data clearly reads that the expansion is necessary and it can show an increase to cost recovery, up to 60 percent. Randy Guyer asked Mr. Stendell what he means when he says expansion; is it geographically or facility wise. Ryan Stendell mentioned that it can be looked at both ways. Mr. Guyer also stated that it's not too early for an expansion; he senses it's a fairly high priority project that shouldn't be pushed off too far down the road. Staff agrees to examine needs for expansion in the annual report for FY 14-15. B. PROPOSED WATER IMPACTS TO PARK FACILITIES Ryan Stendell presented a memo, which stated that the City has taken action and started looking at what we can do with our facilities; at this point what we are doing to comply with the Governor's mandate is 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PRELIMINARY MINUTES MAY 05, 2015 identifying what reductions will be done to our parks. Civic Center will be done a bit different; we're monitoring everything to make sure all of our parks are looking healthy, we will not be over seeding, only a certain area in Civic Center Park. Lagoons are designed as part of the parks irrigation system; we need to keep some over seeded turf to circulate the water in the lagoons. Staff does believe it is important to keep some over -seeded turf as it is important for passive recreation (i.e. picnics, lounging on grass, etc.) If we can provide that turf for at least one park, it would look great. Thanks, to Mark Greenwood and his staff, as the bulk of this strategy was developed under their guidance. Ryan Stendell stated that the City Manager is requesting we fund phase one for turf reduction, which is proposed as desert landscape. Vice Chair Dawson expressed his concern for dust; Mark Greenwood clarified there is no dust just typical desert landscape. Commissioner Housken suggested making the land conversion issue into a community event. It wouldn't have to be in multiple days, have different stations where one could learn different areas of land conversion. Sabby Jonathan wants to encourage the Commission to think independently, with the well intention we all embrace water efficiency; we need to think about the wellness of our parks. Van Tanner asked how many parks were reseeded and how much additional water was used. Mark Greenwood stated that the City reseeded all the parks, and it was significant water use. Mr. Greenwood clarified that we are not shutting the water off. We are just not over seeding. Mr. Greenwood also mentioned that he will have a meeting with CVWD on Monday to brain storm on ideas Chair Hall agrees with the idea of announcing to the public and the community, and identifying that the water is not being shut off; a community event would be useful idea. Commissioner Kelly commended Mr. Stendell for the wonderful job he is doing. C. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT: OPERATIONS MOU 2015 Ryan Stendell stated that since 2004 the City has had a contractual relationship with the BLM; the City was looking for a partner to monitor our natural trails. The hiking trail network started in the late 1990's; the City started the planning process of the hiking trail network in 2002. Palm Desert's trail plan isn't all in Palm Desert property, the BLM owns a significant amount of property, so the BLM has a cause to be out there 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PRELIMINARY MINUTES MAY 05. 2015 monitoring hiking trails, it's, just a natural fit. Our MOU has changed over the years; Jim Foote, the Monument Manager for the BLM, has done a great job with MOU's and going through the backgrounds and explaining them thoroughly. We want to go into an operating contract of $40,000 a year, $30,000 of which goes to staffing and $10,000 of it will go to trail maintenance or improvements. Mr. Stendell also provided the Commission with an annual report, provided by Mr. Foote, the amount proposed is actually stable. Van Tanner asked what other cities participate in this. Jim Foote stated none; and our function is supported by tax dollars; they are federal and not allowed to raise money. Commissioner Guyer asked about the money for the maintenance of trails, does that carry over, Mr. Stendell stated that it can. Commissioner Housken inquired about what have people been arrested for Jim Foote stated that it was falsified information being given or touching the rangers which is not allowed. Commissioner Guyer asked if money raised will be to pay the BLM, or would it have to be an agreement. Mr. Stendell stated a not for profit could raise funds and donate to the City, but the City would not be able to donate money to the BLM. Therefore upon a motion from Commissioner Kelly, second by Vice Chair Dawson, carried by a, 7-0 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Dawson, Hall, Guyer, Housken, Jutovsky, Hardin; NOES: None; ABSENT: Rodriguez, Holt) the Commission approved the recommendation for the Bureau of Land Management Operations MOU 2015. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None VII. OLD BUSINESS None VIII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. PARK USE REPORT - Freedom Park PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PRELIMINARY MINUTES MAY 05P 2015 Ryan Stendell stated that back on April 1st, Van Tanner, and all the Council members attended the opening of the pickleball courts and all 8 were going at one time, everyone attending enjoyed it. Baseball is in full swing and tee ballers are utilizing the soccer fields. Chair Hall commented on the dog parks, she noticed it's been about a year since the switchover has taken place and the small dog park looks great. Chair Hall also mentioned that it appears that pickleball players had signage out in the courts, and if it had been removed, Ryan Stendell confirmed that they have been cleared. Van Tanner asked about the shade structure, Mr. Stendell confirmed that both went in and people seem to be extremely content with the new installation. B. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER Karen Creasy stated that the Aquatic Center is doing exceptional; April's Easter event was successful, attendance was up 34 percent over last year. They also started combo and barbecue meals to increase revenue, without increasing the impact on the pools, and that seems to be doing great. Coming up in May is their biggest event, Swim to Win on Saturday the 23`d; also in conjunction with this event is the Madison Rising concert being held at the Agua Caliente Casino, as a fundraiser to benefit kids that can't afford swim lessons, which will be held the day before on Friday the 22�d. Mrs. Creasy also mentioned that the casino donated its venue for this event. Mrs. Creasy also stated that the Rotary Club donated 48 swimsuits for the children; and they have just finished Td grade swim lessons, which has a class of 19 kids; they have field trips to the facility every year, bringing in 48 this year. Mrs. Creasy also stated that they recently had a lap pool closure for its annual maintenance with no issues. Van Tanner asked about lane usage; Mrs. Creasy explained that's what she spends most of her time on, working on lane usage because there is not enough space; Summer hours will be extended starting Memorial Weekend. Sabby Jonathan congratulated Karen Creasy on the PDAC, the staff, and the amazing job they are doing. Mr. Jonathan also mentioned if they can offer some training for the Y Be Fit event coming up in October. Commissioner Jutovsky asked about the out of water classes and how they are doing; Mrs. Creasy stated that Yoga, Chair Yoga, and Silver Sneakers are all going well. The Silver Sneakers program is doing phenomenal; it's based on insurance so the aquatic center gets a reimbursement from the insurance groups; Yoga has its popular items and non -popular items. C. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION PRELIMINARY MINUTES MAY 05, 2015 C. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT None D. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Brenda Nutcher stated that they are getting ready for summer camps, Indoor Soccer Camp and Basketball Camp; they are also getting ready to start a new elite basketball program with one of their team members, Mr. Richardson who has an extensive background in sports, other than that all programs are doing well. Tim Skogen, with the First Tee, stated that the facility had a good winter season; they currently have 22 sessions that started back in March, he also announced their summer sessions that will run from June through August. He also attended a First Tee meeting in Dallas, which turned out to be really compelling. Mr. Skogen also stated that they had some fundraisers completed in March and April and a Roy's fundraiser coming up in June. He had some good news over water improvements and water projects that are being completed online, regarding water management and the use of reclaimed water; finally Mr. Skogen announced Dustin Smith as the new program director who has been with the First Tee for 11 years. IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Chair Deborah Hall suggested to the commission if there are any future events we should attend, please contact us or email us, so that the commissioners can be present. X. ADJOURNMENT With unanimous consent of the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:54 a.m. Angie Marron, Recording Secretary