Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-01 PRC Regular Meeting Minutes CITY OF PALM DESERT MINUTES r PARKS AND RECREATION ON COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING . '4arF� TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 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 Chair Housken convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent Chairman Kim Housken Commissioner Dean Dowty Commissioner Randy Guyer Vice Chair Ray Rodriguez Commissioner Jerry Dawson Commissioner Deborah Hall Commissioner Lynn B. Jutovsky Commissioner Mary Helen Kelly Commissioner Christopher Thomas Ex-Officio Members: Rob Ballew, YMCA of the Desert Kevin Kalman, Desert Recreation District Staff Present: Donna Evans, Recording Secretary H. Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager Guests: Roger Coldiron, YMCA of the Desert Laura McGalliard, Desert Recreation District Brenda Nutcher, Desert Recreation District Robert A. Spiegel, Councilman Roger Dash, Planning Commission Liaison III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS A. NONE I PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES OCTOBER 1, 2013 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES BUT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE NOVEMBER 5, 2013 MEETING FOR APPROVAL. V. NEW BUSINESS A. ENVISION PALM DESERT; STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP Ryan Stendell, Senior Management Analyst, explained that the Envision Palm Desert Strategic Planning Workshop encompasses a very broad plan for the future of our city. He gave an example of a past idea for the City was to create a shopping district on El Paseo. The suggestions would be to create a big picture for Palm Desert. Vice Chair Rodriguez serves as Co-Chair for the committee and Chair Housken has been assigned to the Parks and Recreation element for the City. The "mini-vision" for the Parks and Recreation element has been addressed and financial requirements for future and existing parks have been identified as a priority issue. It was also determined that Palm Desert's parks, open spaces and recreational opportunities are regarded as innovative, state-of-the-art and essential to the high quality of life of our residents. One large regional park is proposed for development in the future at Portola and 1-10. With the loss of the Redevelopment Agency, resources to build, maintain and staff the parks are a challenging topic of discussion. Suggestions include sponsorship opportunities and naming rights in our parks. The Health and Wellness element of the Strategic Plan includes adding more sidewalks, walking paths and bike lanes. Mr. Stendell commented that he would like to have more ideas for the future planning of Palm Desert. Steering committees will formulate everything in the final plan. Chair Housken stated that Envision Palm Desert started with approximately 120 people, who have been broken into groups. Her group is focusing on the Parks and Recreation element. She suggested turning the north-side frontage road into a walking area and also stressed the importance of tourism. A discussion was held regarding the possibility of the City attracting a Fortune 500 company to create jobs and tax revenue. Commissioner Guyer inquired about the offices that are located in Civic Center Park. John Wohlmuth, City Manager, stated that the rent that's collected from the office buildings is applied to the maintenance fund for the parks. Commissioner Hall commented that it would be beneficial to create a revenue stream and create a profit from the parks. She 2 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES OCTOBER 1, 2013 suggested doing something on a larger scale and agreed that the office building rent is a good way to create revenue for the parks. Mr. Wohlmuth stated that Palm Desert has made a conscious effort over the past forty years to be well rounded to include business, retail, good roads, parks, art, culture and educational opportunities with facilities like COD, Cal State and UCR. The combination of all of these elements creates a better community and a better quality of life. Chair Housken stated that she would love to have the commissioners submit lists of ideas. She wondered if the City might need more community centers in the future. Commissioner Hall suggested adding small pocket parks behind El Paseo that would include public restrooms. Commissioner Dawson commented that the parks might need something to do with technology. Commissioner Guyer asked if there are demographic projections in connection with the Strategic Plan. Mr. Stendell commented that they haven't received any demographic projections, however, the trend for the City is that its' population is getting younger. Chair Housken stated that Envision Palm Desert meets again on October 2 and then again in two weeks and she would like to have any input from the commission. VI. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. NONE VII. OLD BUSINESS A. NONE VIII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER Roger Coldiron, YMCA of the Desert, was present and stated that the Aquatic Center has had a great summer with a variety of groups utilizing the pool for different sports and events. Desert ARC used the pool for four hours and had a great time. Water polo teams are also using the facility. Desert Adventist brings kids to the pool for PE classes. Mr. Coldiron commented that the Coachella Valley attracts locals to certain things and one of them is the Aquatic Center, which also attracts visitors. Four colleges have booked the pool from out of town. The Aquatic Center keeps locals involved but also attracts tourists. Commissioner Jutovsky asked if Cal State students are using the pool. Mr. Coldiron commented that they have sixteen Cal State students enrolled in a PE class being held at the pool and that College of the Desert has several different swimming 3 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES OCTOBER 1, 2013 classes available for their students. Commissioner Guyer suggested that the Aquatic Center be expanded in the next twenty years. B. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Kevin Kalman, representative for the Desert Recreation District, was present and stated that all of the attendance numbers have been included in the packets for the commissioners to review. Ultimate Frisbee is picking up, as well as the youth basketball training series. The First Tee will be releasing a Request for Proposals to replace the clubhouse with a mid-to- late November completion date. The Dick Kelly Golf Tournament went very well and generated $6,000. in donations for the First Tee. Another golf tournament will be held on February 14, 2014 at Bermuda Dunes Country Club, which will generate approximately $50k or $60k for the Desert Recreation District. Brenda Nutcher, Desert Recreation District, stated that they're planning a concert series. The after-school programs are taking off, as well as girls' volleyball. Mr. Kalman informed the commission that the Senior Games are scheduled to be held February 6- 9, 2014. C. PARK USE REPORT Freedom Park — Commissioner Guyer stated that the gate is locked at Freedom Park. Mr. Stendell commented that the church has the key to the gate. Commissioner Guyer asked if the City could create an agreement to utilize the gated area since the football field and soccer fields are shared with the school. He also commented that there aren't any boundary lines in the volleyball courts. Commissioner Hall commented that she visited Freedom Park in the early evening and it was well used. She talked to some of the park users and they were happy with the park with no complaints. Mr. Stendell stated that the dog park located within Freedom Park is way too small, especially for a regional park. He informed the commission about his plan to expand the current dog park to the east so that it wouldn't impact any of the picnic areas. The end result will be a dog park equivalent to the size of the Civic Center dog park. In the near future, a temporary dog park may be created on the 26-acre site located at Portola and 1-10. Street grindings will be used to create a parking area. This temporary facility won't be ready for this season, but should be open sometime next year. Mr. Stendell also explained that all four of the Palm Desert dog parks will be closed for overseeding beginning October 14 and will re-open on approximately November 25. 4 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APPROVED MINUTES OCTOBER 1, 2013 D. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Rob Ballew, Family YMCA of the Desert, was present and stated that the Aquatic Center is going great. A discussion was held regarding the punch cards that are sold for entry into the pool. It was agreed that the shorter time frame cards were much more effective than the longer term cards. The one-year cards didn't work out very well. Mr. Ballew stated that Costco donated 100 swim suits to the Aquatic Center for kids who show up in street clothes and nothing else to wear. IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Chair Housken mentioned a new bill that was recently signed by our Governor that goes into effect in September 2014 that requires a 3' buffer whenever vehicles pass cyclists on the street. She wondered how it might affect the current issues at University Park. X. ADJOURNMENT With no further business or discussion, and with the Commissioners' unanimous concurrence, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 a.m. /yl4) Donna Evans, ecording Secretary 5