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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks and Rec Cmsn - 09-01-2015� E� CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Rachelle D. Klassen, City Clerk FROM: Angie Marron, Clerical Assistant DATE: November 3, 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, September 01, 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, SEPTEMBER 01, 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 Commissioner Guyer convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Randy Guyer Commissioner Raymond Rodriguez Commissioner Kim Housken Commissioner Lynn B. Jutovsky Commissioner Mary Helen Kelly Commissioner Mike Hardin Commissioner Lindsay Holt, Alternate Absent Chair Deborah Hall Vice Chair Jerry Dawson John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of PW Ex -Off icio Members: Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert Kevin Kalman, Desert Recreation District Also Present: Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst Sabby Jonathan, Council Liaison Randy Chavez, Landscape Supervisor Angie Marron, Recording Secretary Guests: Karen Creasy, YMCA of the Desert Brenda Nutcher, Desert Recreation District Laura McGalliard, Desert Recreation District Tim Skogen, Desert Recreation District — First Tee Deborah Glickman, Public Art Department PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 01, 2015 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, MAY 05, 2015 Rec: Approve as presented Upon a motion by Commissioner Kelly, second by Commissioner Housken, carried by a, 7-0-2 vote of the Commission, (AYES: Kelly, Housken, Guyer, Jutovsky, Hardin, Rodriguez, Holt; NOES: None; ABSENT: Hall, Dawson) the Consent Calendar was approved as presented. V. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR NAMING CARLOS ORTEGA ART SCULPTURE Ryan Stendell stated that the family of Carlos Ortega approached Deborah Glickman to request that an art sculpture be permanently named in his honor. This is the first time the Naming Policy will go into play since it was approved. The proposal would be that the family would pay for the naming of the piece and the sculpture would be placed at Civic Center Park; the art piece is mosaic, and made up of small pieces of stained glass. Mr. Stendell also clarified that before any action is taken, Deborah Glickman would take the proposal upon the Public Art Commission for approval, and then ultimately, City Council would have to approve it. Commissioner Kelly asked how the art piece will be placed in the park, since it looks like it is getting installed on the side of a building; and if an additional piece will be at the actual Carlos Ortega Villas, once the art piece is transferred to the park. Ryan Stendell stated that the art piece will be placed on a pad that will be built specifically for it and it will essentially be placed on a four to five foot structure, and yes, there will be an additional art piece located at the COV site. Commissioner Jutovsky asked why a local artist wasn't used; Deborah Glickman clarified that it is not uncommon for using alternate artists instead of local one's, this piece would be donated and the city would not have to pay, because this would be in honor of Mr. Ortega. Sabby Jonathan mentioned this can be a new element for the park. Commissioner Rodriguez also expressed his opinion and stated that it may not be a new direction because we already have the Holocaust Memorial. Commissioner Rodriguez also asked if we accept this kind of 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 01, 2015 marketing for an individual, will we be open for people to buy spots in our parks for remembrance. Commissioner Rodriguez also mentioned that he was really impressed with the whole process and selection of the art piece. He also brought up the subject of vandalism being an issue, and asked what the cost of repairs would be for this piece if it sustained any damage. Mrs. Glickman noted that City owned art, is maintained by a contractor twice a year and on an, as needed bases. The location of the art piece was selected carefully, so that it is more visible for the Public Art department. Sabby Jonathan mentioned that names or tributes need to be extremely subtle; we need to look at the art work to see what type of art will be put in the park, he feels small plaques are more suitable, and not sculptures. Commissioner Guyer asked if the family requested for it to be in Civic Center Park. Ryan Stendell confirmed it was per their request. Commissioner Kelly stated that Palm Desert citizens do appreciate our art in the park and doesn't feel there would be much vandalism. Commissioner Housken expressed her opinion, and she feels it looks more like a giant tombstone, and not an art piece. She suggested to possibly consider having it placed on an indoor wall, and not as a standalone art piece at the park. Commissioner Guyer feels like it's more of a marketing tie to the Villas. Commissioner Rodriguez made a reference as to how will we be running our city in fifty, sixty years from now; will we be seeing ten tributes somewhere along the line. This is not personal, it's a matter of how are we going to run our City; he is not convinced that this is what our parks are for. Commissioner Holt proposed to possibly consider the piece installed for a year or so and then have it removed; we don't want to use our park space as a cemetery. Commissioner Rodriguez feels that Commissioner Holt brought up a great point. To allow a display for one year and then relocate it, it's not a set in stone solution, but a great suggestion for Public Art use, and should have the family pay for the installation and removal of it. Commissioner Jutovsky asked if it can be made into a sculpture form; while, Rob Ballew also recommended offering a few more options to the family for placement of the art piece. Sabby Jonathan also suggested compromising with the family on a new location, possibly a temporary display at City Hall; wall art is not good for the exterior of a city park. I PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 01 , 2015 Therefore upon a motion from Commissioner Rodriguez, second by Commissioner Housken, carried by a, 7-2 vote of the Commission (AYES: Rodriguez, Housken, Guyer, Kelly, Jutovsky, Hardin, Holt; NOES: None; ABSENT: Hall, Dawson.) The recommendation to allow the Carlos Ortega Art Sculpture to be displayed in the Park temporarily, with the applicant to pay for installation and removal costs; or explore an alternate location at City Hall, was approved. B. PRESENTATION BY STAFF: GENERAL PLAN UPDATE Ryan Stendell stated that over the last year, he has been working with the Planning Department to update the City General Plan. One of the tasks this year was to create something that was useable, informative, something you can understand and comprehend. The strategic plan was the desire to have a downtown area, improved access to destinations, expand wellness -oriented lifestyle, and attract new tourism markets, attracting younger clientele and creating walkable neighborhoods. Ultimately this all ties in to revitalizing Highway 111. The direction of the General Plan was to implement this new Strategic Plan, to maintain competitiveness and expand economic offerings. The nature of change is to preserve, enhance, and transform, we are not changing the entire city, just enhancing it. One of the big areas is the Civic Center plan, enhancements would be, how to move people around, to the big ideas of the CV Link and how it ties in to all this, to the land use on Highway 111. Mixed use city center, we are looking for the vibrancy center; we are looking to build off the successes of El Paseo making sure it's not competing with, but compatible with it. We are looking at totally different demographics. With downtown expansion, we talked about buildings that change the dynamic of Highway 111, providing housing opportunity, and mix use buildings; comfortable places to walk and gather, to improved connectivity. Commissioner Kelly asked if the individual business owners were notified of these ideas. Mr. Stendell stated that notices were sent out, and most of the property owners did attend the meetings and seemed eager and excited, because this would add property value. Commissioner Jutovsky asked what the time frame was for this proposed project; Mr. Stendell stated it's a 25 to 30 year plan. The environmental process final approval of the General Plan will be in April of 2016. Commissioner Rodriguez congratulated the City on its progress of its vision for Palm Desert, he feels it's a great opportunity for our city, not only is it inviting but exciting. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS None 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 01, 2015 VII. OLD BUSINESS None VII1. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. Y-BE-FIT PALM DESERT CHALLENGE 2015: OCTOBER 4T" Ryan Stendell stated that the Y-Be-Fit Challenge is well on the way to its second year, also added is an entry level to this event, and that will be a relay triathlon. At this point we have 209 people confirmed and that breaks all records from last year. It is a great community event that will take place on October 4th, and encourage everyone to participate and bring out the whole family for the color run. B. FALL CONCERT SERIES Ryan Stendell stated that the fall concert series will kick start on October 1st the music and attendance have been great, generally we are seeing that the spring concert series have been more popular than the fall. We've also experimented with a dance floor which turned out really well, attendees really seem to like it and enjoy it. C. PARK USE REPORT - Hovley Soccer Park Ryan Stendell gave a quick update on Hovley Soccer Park. The soccer park has been a challenge this year because of the drought mandate; it's had its ups and downs, also with the Council directing the City to comply with the 36 percent water reduction use. The soccer park looks as good as it possibly can with the drought. Sabby Jonathan feels we are doing the best we can balancing everything, and staff is doing a wonderful job. D. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER Karen Creasy stated that the Aquatic Center had a good summer, and numbers seem to be up, she will have the overall numbers available next our next meeting. Field trips were strong, and concessions have been successful. Safety records are great, and also partnered with the DRD to do movies at the Aquatic Center, with 120 people turn out. Rancho Mirage and Xavier High School now swim at our pool, and just extended some rental opportunities with some people. Third grade and swim lesson programs will continue this year, like they did last year, and swim lessons will continue year round, and as groups and lessons go, they have them scheduled out through Veterans Day. In April we hope to bring Aquatic Exercise Association to teach water exercise, that can bring people in PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 01, 2015 from the southern states, the bid has been put in for that and it's very promising that we will get it. Sabby Jonathan asked Ms. Creasy from her professional stand point, if she was satisfied with the cleanliness and water temperature. Ms. Creasy stated that there were some issues that came up this summer; part of it was because of the high percentage of usage by people at the Aquatic Center. We are trying to keep it positive, fixed and remedied. Pools run best with rest periods, the Aquatic Center just doesn't seem get those rest periods. Sabby Jonathan complimented Ms. Creasy on being responsive to those kinds of concerns, and he feels that Ms. Creasy and her staff are doing a wonderful job, even with the challenges they face with the multi - usage of the pools. E. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Rob Ballew presented the commissioners with the Y-Be-Fit flyer. This is the second year for this event, and this is also a creation by Sabby Jonathan. The City is also a big sponsor, we have Commissioner Rodriguez on the committee; all around it's a great group. He really hopes this brings awareness to the city and civic center park, in regards to what the YMCA does for fitness in the community. He also noted that there will be a new element this year, we are bringing the Marines from the base, we are providing transportation and lunch for them and their families. YMCA in the summer dealt with big numbers, day camp had a total of 746 kids, and out of the 15 camps the number one camp was dodgeball. Y Rookie football is well on its way, with 150 kids, between the ages of 3 — 5 years old, flag football with 250 kids, both starting in October through December. There is also Youth and Government which is a great high school program to learn about how the government actually works with 65 kids from all over the valley. F. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Brenda Nutcher stated summer was really good, the basketball league was almost at 300 kids, there's an average of 50 to 60 kids for summer camp. Ms. Nutcher also noted that she added another day for indoor pickleball and turned out successful with 30 to 40 people a day, since we are the only indoor pickleball in the valley. It's a $5 a day drop in, or it can be accessed with a card. Tim Skogen gave a quick recap, the First Tee had great summer, new classes were put in for the older teens, and camps were almost 90 percent full. Some projects got done over the summer; the west end practice range has been fully redone. The irrigation pump system was also redone and completed. The fall overseeding, will also be done and modified, using a different approach for the driving range, we might be using a dye 0 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 01, 2015 rather than watering it, as it seems more logical. Programming and registration will be kicking off in three weeks, and the program will start October 191h and looks forward to a great season. Kevin Kalman wanted to share some information; since the last meeting he attended the DRD has taken over three community centers and has full control of, one in Bermuda Dunes, Indio Hills and North Shore. He also noted they are expected to close escrow on the old Oasis Elementary School, which is 15 acres and it will become the first community park in the Oasis community, and we will also be breaking ground on a 5 acre park in North Shore in January 2016, which will become the first real community park in the North Shore area. Also working on a joint use agreement right now, which should be approved soon, to take over 5 acres at Mecca Elementary for soccer fields. We are also looking to update the Palm Desert community center, the HVAC, electrical system, and the floor in the community room, since the building is 26 plus years old. We are also looking to move the pre-school program to the back of the building, in what used to be the old public works parks maintenance offices, which should be a great transition with the kitchen and bathrooms in that back area. Also looking to see how we can open up the front of the center, inside the existing walls to facilitate a much larger exercise group and fitness area. IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Hardin wanted to thank Randy Chavez and his staff for the great job they do to keep up with the parks. Mr. Hardin is also a locksmith and he spends a lot of time in the parks and gets to see the damage some patrons do to the locks in the dog parks. He gives great gratitude to City staff for a job well done, even with the drought, our parks look great. Commissioner Rodriguez thanks Commissioner Housken for keeping the rules in line, and thanks Commissioner Holt for speaking up and sharing some great ideas, and last but not least, thanks Rob Ballew for reminding him that dodgeball still rules. X. ADJOURNMENT With unanimous consent of the Commission, th meeti a.m. Angie Pai adjourned at 10:18 , Recording Secretary