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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes 10.5.21 CITY OF PALM DESERT PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021 (VIRTUAL MEETING) 8:30 A.M. CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Guyer called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Current Meeting Year to Date Commissioners Present Absent Present Absent Randy Guyer, Chair X 3 0 Van Tanner X 0 3 Gregg Akkerman X 3 0 Gerald Dawson X 3 0 Lori Flint X 2 1 Mike Hardin X 2 1 James Henderson X 2 1 Paul Murphy X 3 0 Ralph Perry X 3 0 Ex-Officio Members: Paula Simonds, YMCA of the Desert Susan Duran, Palm Desert Library Also Present: Andy Ramirez, Deputy Director of Public Works Jennifer Nelson, Management Analyst Randy Chavez, Landscape Supervisor Rosie Lua, Principal Planner Nick Melloni, Associate Planner Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Secretary David Keyes, Palm Desert Aquatic Center Brenda Nutcher, Desert Recreation District MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) OCTOBER 5, 2021 Tammy Martin, Friends of the Desert Mountains Teal Guion, First Tee of the Desert III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Management Analyst, Jennifer Nelson, advised the Commission there were no comments or inquiries received prior to the meeting. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Virtual Adjourned Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of September 8, 2021. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Dawson, seconded by Commissioner Murphy, and a 7-0 vote of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the minutes for September 8, 2021, were approved as presented. (AYES: Guyer, Akkerman, Dawson, Flint, Hardin, Murphy, and Perry; NOES: None; ABSENT: Henderson, Tanner). V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION of a recommendation to approve an Amendment to Chapter 11.01.080 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code Relating to the Improper Feeding of Wild or Domestic Birds in City Parks. Management Analyst, Jennifer Nelson, acknowledged the staff report before the Commission. Ms. Nelson reported there is an issue with an over population of ducks and other fowl at the Civic Center Park. She requested the Commission select one of the recommended options presented in the staff report, which they believe will be the best method for staff to proceed with to work toward resolution on this matter. Ms. Nelson invited comments and questions regarding this item. Discussion ensued on this item with Commissioners providing comments and concerns. Upon a motion by Chair Guyer, seconded by Commissioner Hardin, and a 7-0 vote of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the request to approve a recommendation to amend Chapter 11.01.080 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code Relating to the Improper Feeding of Wild or Domestic Birds in City Parks (Recommendation Option 1) was approved as presented. (AYES: Guyer, Akkerman, Dawson, Flint, Hardin, Murphy, and Perry; NOES: None; ABSENT: Henderson, Tanner). 2 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) OCTOBER 5, 2021 VII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. PARK AMBASSADOR UPDATE REPORT Commissioner Dawson provided an update on Civic Center Park. He acknowledged his written report provided in the agenda packet. Commissioner Dawson expressed it would be beneficial to add signage and a QR Code which provides the story of the art sculptures, the Monarch Butterfly Garden, and other items within the Civic Center Park. Commissioner Perry commented it may also be of benefit to add verbiage to the signage which states no climbing on the sculptures. Commissioner Akkerman provided an update on Cahuilla Park. He acknowledged his written report provided in the agenda packet. Commissioner Akkerman shared during his visit to the park he noticed a concern with the bike rack and reported it on the City's In Touch app and within approximately two hours he received an update that the issue was resolved. He was very complimentary to staff's response time. Commissioner Akkerman inquired about the graded parking lot adjacent to the park and suggested a sign be added letting patrons know this is a permitted overflow parking area for the park. Commissioner Murphy provided an update on Ironwood Park. He acknowledged his written report provided in the agenda packet. Commissioner Murphy reported he spoke with numerous patrons in the park and discovered most of them were unaware of the various trails available in the park. He suggested installing a sign which alerts patrons there are trails available for them to take advantage of. B. PARK USE REPORT Management Analyst, Jennifer Nelson, reported the dog parks have been closed for the month of October for annual reseeding. Ms. Nelson also shared the City's Concerts in the Park series will be at the Civic Center Park, Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. for the month of October. Ms. Nelson stated she has had several dog owners inquire about the possibility of a temporary dog park being created to help alleviate the inconvenience of the dog park closures in October for reseeding. Ms. Nelson informed there are still a few community garden plots available for anyone who may be interested. Landscape Supervisor, Randy Chavez, reported the new LED lights for the volleyball courts at the Civic Center Park have been successfully installed. Chair Guyer opened discussion on the possibility of a temporary dog park during the reseeding season. Discussion ensued on this item with Commissioners providing options, comments, and concerns. Management Analyst, Jennifer Nelson, advised the Commission the item would be placed on a future agenda for further discussion. 3 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) OCTOBER 5, 2021 C. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER Palm Desert Aquatic Center Manger, David Keyes, provided an update on PDAC services, staffing, and programs. Mr. Keyes stated items they have been waiting for which have been on backorder are starting to arrive and has allow them to repair equipment. PDAC will be closed the first week of November to allow for access to a large filter and to replace the socks which will help with the clarity of the water. Holiday hours will be posted, as well as notice of the upcoming closure. A radio ad will be going out to promote hiring at PDAC. Mr. Keyes stated PDAC has been very busy. D. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT CEO of Family YMCA of the Desert, Paula Simonds, reported restrictions which limited the number of students in the aftercare programs have been relaxed and all their aftercare programs in the City are at or close to max capacity and have waiting lists. They have restarted several of their programs and registration is underway for their Basketball program. The Gardens on El Paseo with be hosting a fundraising opportunity, Gather at the Gardens, for the YMCA on October 30, 2021, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. E. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Community Services Coordinator, Brenda Nutcher, provided an update on DRD services, programs, and recreation. Ms. Nutcher reported the DRD has been busy and all their classes are full. They are getting ready for the Senior Games and will be hosting a holiday Jackets and Blankets Gift Drive. F. FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS Executive Director, Tammy Martin, stated there have been a lot of hikers. Ms. Martin reminded the Commission Carrizo Canyon and Dead Indian Canyon have reopened from October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Ms. Martin informed the second gate is tentatively scheduled to be installed mid-October. The Visitor Center remains closed at this time, however, they hope to open back up early November. Ms. Martin noted there have been staffing issues for the Visitor Center, so when they reopen it will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Barriers have been installed on Hwy 74, off Pine View Road to help protect the land and allow it to return to its natural state. Ms. Martin noted this is in response to an incident with the biking community in which they removed plants and disrupted private, protected land to build bike ramps. She stated she is available to speak with anyone in the community who may have questions or comments about the new barriers. G. PALM DESERT LIBRARY Riverside County Libraries Zone Manager, Susan Duran, provided an update on the Palm Desert Library. Ms. Duran shared there were 6,322 patrons and ten volunteers who volunteered a total of 381 hours for the month of September. They conducted interviews for Young Adult Services and selected an internal 4 MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) OCTOBER 5, 2021 candidate who will start on October 18, 2021. They have pulled their postings for Branch Manager and Librarian 2 positions as they have not gotten the right candidates and anticipate reposting these positions tentatively in December or January. Their programs have been going well and have had good participation. The library had 106 patrons take advantage of the cooling center. They are working on additional programming including Sunday Sounds, Knitting, Crafting, and potentially a Speaker Series. They are also looking at returning the Chef Table Series. Vill. COMMISSIONER, COUNCIL-LIAISON, AND STAFF COMMENTS Chair Guyer stated he would like to discuss the funding streams for the development of parks and the maintenance of the parks. Chair Guyer stated this information would be beneficial for the new Commissioners and would also let the Commission know how much funding is available. He requested staff put together an informational report for the Commission regarding how parks are developed and how they are maintained financially. Chair Guyer also noted he would like to discuss the North Sphere as there is land set aside for parks and in his experience it has been easier to develop the park prior to development of the land. Principal Planner, Rosie Lua, advised the Commission staff has begun discussion on the park designated for the North Sphere. This month should reveal more information regarding this park and potential amenities. Planning staff will provide an update on this item at a future meeting. Ms. Lua shared recently approved residential entitlements as well as a quick update on DSRT Surf. Ms. Lua reported the developers for DSRT Surf recently submitted a request for an amendment including a reduction to the originally approved 350 hotel rooms to approximately 92 rooms and an increase with their residential uses including single-family homes and attached products. The site plan has changed some, however, the architecture has not changed. It is anticipated DSRT Surf will go before the Planning Commission late October, early November and to City Council in December. Commissioner Murphy inquired about the possibility of having in-person meetings. Management Analyst, Jennifer Nelson, advised the Commission staff is working on this and waiting for further direction from City Council and the City Manager. Commissioner Flint advised she is on the Art in Public Places Commission (AIPP) and has advised AIPP of the request for installation of a new sculpture in Freedom Park. AIPP will be meeting next week and will discuss this item. Management Analyst, Jennifer Nelson, reminded the Commission about the San Pablo and CV Link Grand Opening event scheduled for October 23, 2021 and the upcoming Paint El Paseo Pink event scheduled for Saturday, October 9, 2021. IX. ADJOURNMENT With the Parks and Recreation Commission concurrence, Chair Guyer adjourned the meeting at 9:38 a.m. 1 Melinda Gonzalez, Recording Se tary 5