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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-03 PRC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT •cm) MINUTES : Artalit ...: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ria REGULAR MEETING vt.tfVf 9 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 —8:30 a.m. Administrative Conference Room — Palm Desert Civic Center 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Rodriguez convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent Vice Chair Raymond Rodriguez Chairman Kim Housken Commissioner Christopher Thomas Commissioner Jerry Dawson Commissioner Dean Dowty Commissioner Randy Guyer Commissioner Deborah Hall Commissioner Lynn B. Jutovsky Commissioner Mary Helen Kelly Ex-Officio Members: Absent Kevin Kalman, Desert Recreation District Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert Staff Present: Donna Evans, Recording Secretary Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works H. Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst John M. Wohimuth, City Manager Guests: Roger Coldiron, YMCA of the Desert Laura McGalliard, Desert Recreation District Robert A. Spiegel, Councilman Brenda Nutcher, Desert Recreation District III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE 1 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013 Upon a motion by Commissioner Kelly, second by Commissioner Hall, and 7-0 vote of the Commission Board, the Consent Calendar was approved as amended. V. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR BASKETBALL HOOP AT CAHUILLA HILLS PARK Cliff Reedman, Pastor at Desert Cities Baptist Church in Palm Desert submitted a request for a basketball rim to be installed within the tennis court area at Cahuilla Hills Park. Mr. Reedman stated in his letter that he had a basketball hoop in his back patio at the church, which was used by many children, but has taken it down due to liability issues. He commented that since he's removed the rim, many people have asked about it. Ryan Stendell stated that currently the courts are being used for tennis and pickleball and wondered if adding another sport to this area might be too much. He suggested possibly expanding the surface to add a basketball court, but also thought that it might be too expensive. A discussion was held regarding the basketball courts in various parks within the city. The closest basketball court to Cahuilla Hills Park is Palma Village Park. It was suggested by the commission to possibly survey the area around Cahuilla Hills to see if there's any interest in adding a basketball hoop to the park. Mr. Stendell commented that he could have a survey done and possibly a community meeting. There was also discussion about possibly adding a basketball hoop at Ironwood Park. Mr. Stendell commented that he had surveyed the neighbors in the past and there was no interest at that point. Upon a motion from Commissioner Hall, second by Commissioner Thomas and a 7-0 vote of the Commission, the item was referred back to staff to investigate the possibility of adding a basketball hoop at Ironwood Park or Cahuilla Hills Park and to survey the residents in the surrounding areas. B. PARKING AT UNIVERSITY DOG PARK Mr. Stendell stated that the University Dog Park was developed in 2008- 2009 by the developers of the University Park housing subdivision. It was intended to be a neighborhood park to serve the needs of nearby residents, with safe walking and bicycle paths. This type of park is typically 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 planned to be geographically centered within the neighborhood so that residents can walk or ride their bikes to the parks; therefore, limited parking spaces are provided. University Dog Park has thirteen parking spaces, which are usually full. Recently, a complaint was received by staff from a cyclist who was riding in the area and almost was hit by a car door. After further investigation, staff discovered that dog park users had been parking illegally in the bike lane that runs along the east side of University Park Drive. For safety reasons and to further enforce that it is illegal to park in a bike lane, City staff had "No Parking" signs installed in this area. Mr. Stendell explained that staff is extremely concerned that this park is being used as a quasi-community/regional park, which it was not intended to be and he did not recommend expanding the parking area. He encouraged dog park users to utilize the dog park facilities at Freedom Park and Civic Center Park, which were designed to be regional facilities and have ample parking. Mr. Stendell also commented that Palm Desert has more dog parks than any other city in the Coachella Valley. The national average is one dog park per 48,000 residents. Palm Desert has just under 50,000 residents and has four dog parks, plus off-leash areas at Homme-Adams Park and on designated hiking trails. It was suggested that a solution to the parking issues might lie in the future regional park that will be located near Interstate 10. Some of the homes in the University Park area are currently going through the permitting process. When these homes are built and sold, the excessive amount of vehicles parked in the dog park area could be seen as a nuisance for the new homeowners. Dog park users are encouraged to use Freedom and Civic Center parks, which have plenty of parking. Sandy Ton, Palm Desert resident, was present and spoke on behalf of the University dog park users. She stated that the park is a social gathering place and has attracted a community of people who care. She's counted up to 47 dogs in the park in the morning hours and that the users would be willing to move to the new regional park. Ms. Ton suggested making College Drive a one-way street and allowing parking on one side. She didn't feel that there was a need to have as many bike lanes because she commented that between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., there were only two cyclists. She suggested having a bike lane on one side of the street. Commissioner Jutovsky commented that the University Park area is used heavily by cyclists. Dan Rosen, Palm Desert resident, was present and commented that when the homes are actually built at University Park, the older people in the neighborhood won't be able to walk to the park. He commented that the dog park will require additional parking spaces in the future. 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 Ron Ferguson, Palm Desert resident, was present and stated that the Freedom Park dog park is very small and that the Civic Center dog park isn't very big and is filthy, smelly and has flies. He commented that there should be an additional dog park to accommodate a lot of dogs. A comment was made that three people had been ticketed for parking in the bike lane at the University Dog Park and that the fines were $175. Mark Greenwood, Director of Public Works, stated that he's spoken to the Sheriffs Department and also the City of Palm Desert's Code Compliance Department and confirmed that no one has received a parking ticket in this area. Parking is currently not being enforced near the University Dog Park. A suggestion was made by a member of the public to remove the median to add more parking spaces. A discussion was held regarding local country clubs and whether they have dog parks within their property. Vice Chair Rodriguez stated that he's seen many dog parks within country clubs and that some are informal areas and others have dedicated parks. Commissioner Kelly commented that the people who visit the Palm Desert dog parks aren't members of country clubs and that they gather in our parks to socialize and help one another. The parks are more than just a place to bring their dogs. Ross Stantnick, Palm Desert resident, was present and commented that once the homes are built in the area, there might be a problem with traffic. Commissioner Jutovsky asked when the park would be developed on the north part of Portola. Mr. Stendell commented that it might be approximately five years before this area is developed as a park. Upon a motion from Commissioner Rodriguez, second by Commissioner Kelly and a 7-0 vote of the Commission, the item was referred to staff to reconsider a parking study at the University Dog Park. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. NONE VII. OLD BUSINESS A. NONE 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 VIII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. PARK USE REPORT Homme-Adams and Cahuilla Hills Parks - Commissioners Dawson and Thomas submitted park reports to the commission. Commissioner Jutovsky inquired about the new "paved" area at Cahuilla Hills Park. Mr. Greenwood stated that the City provided grindings from the Highway 111 repaving project, which were then compacted to create a parking area and we also added trash cans. B. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER Roger Coldiron was present and stated that they had a fantastic summer and numbers were up in June, July and August. The aquatic center is a great place for a gathering spot for residents. There are lots of big groups using the pool. Four colleges from out of town will be using the pool during the Christmas break. College of the Desert and Cal State San Bernardino students are also using the Aquatic Center. Water aerobics classes have become very popular, with over 30 people in attendance. Councilman Spiegel inquired about swim suit donations. Mr. Coldiron commented that some kids arrive at the pool without appropriate swimming gear and want to swim in regular clothing, which affects the pool filters. He's approached several retailers to ask for donations and are now able to provide free swim suits to kids who need them. Councilman Spiegel suggested asking Macy's for donations at the end of the season and was hoping that the City could purchase cheaper suits at that time. Commissioner Guyer asked to see a marketing plan for the aquatic center at the next meeting. Mr. Stendell stated that Donna Gomez is teaming up with the YMCA of the Desert to do the marketing. He'll invite Ms. Gomez to the next meeting to explain the new marketing plan. C. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT A report for the YMCA of the Desert will be presented at the October 1, 2013 meeting as Rob Ballew wasn't present. D. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Kevin Kalman stated that the final draft of the Master Plan will be discussed with City staff. The dog parks are one of the most requested outdoor amenities in their survey. He was hoping to have a final adoption sometime next month. Commissioner Thomas asked if the park 5 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 ambassadors could check the water fountains located near the pickleball courts. Brenda Nutcher commented that they perform a routine check of the water fountains. Commissioner Dowty inquired as to whether vending machines could be added to the Civic Center dog park, including a soda machine. Ms. Nutcher stated that they sell concessions at their office at Civic Center Park and there are also vending machines located at the skateboard park. John Wohlmuth asked about the number of dog parks in Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells and La Quinta. Mr. Kalman stated that Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells don't have any dog parks and that La Quinta currently has three well-used parks. IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Photos of the storm damage at Homme-Adams Park were included in the packets for the commission to review. City staff is currently assessing the hiking trails for damage from the heavy rain. The Bureau of Land Management and Friends of the Desert Coalition are recruiting volunteers to help with repairs. Commissioner Hall thanked staff for being so willing to work with the commission and was very appreciative. Councilman Spiegel thanked Mr. Greenwood for the great job in completing the Highway 111 repaving project. Vice Chair Rodriguez thanked everyone for their continued service. X. ADJOURNMENT With no further business or discussion, and with the Commissioners' unanimous concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 9:53 a.m. ??L1 ,U) Donna vans, Recording Secretary 6