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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks & Recreation Commission Minutes 12.07.21 CITY OF PALM DESERT PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2021 (VIRTUAL MEETING) 8:30 A.M. CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Guyer called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Deputy Director of Public Works, Andy Ramirez updated the commission that Shawn Muir will be the new Parks and Recreation Analyst. Her first day at the City will be on December 20, 2021. Proper introductions will be made shortly after her arrival. Current Meeting Year to Date Commissioners Present Absent Present Absent Randy Guyer, Chair X 4 0 Van Tanner X 0 4 Gregg Akkerman X 4 0 Gerald Dawson X 4 0 Lori Flint X 4 1 Mike Hardin X 2 2 James Henderson X 2 2 Paul Murphy X 4 0 Ralph Perry X 4 0 Ex-Officio Members: Paula Simonds, YMCA of the Desert Susan Duran, Palm Desert Library Also Present: Sabby Jonathan, Council Member Andy Firestine, Assistant City Manager Andy Ramirez, Deputy Director of Public Works PRELIMINARY MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) DECEMBER 7, 2021 Randy Chavez, Landscape Supervisor Nick Melloni, Associate Planner Mariana Rios, Recording Secretary David Keyes, Palm Desert Aquatic Center Brenda Nutcher, Desert Recreation District Tammy Martin, Friends of the Desert Mountains III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Deputy Director of Public Works, Andy Ramirez, invited comments from attendees on items not on the agenda, to which there were none. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES of the Virtual Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of October 5, 2021. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon a motion by Commissioner Murphy, seconded by Commissioner Perry, and a 6-0-3 vote of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the minutes for October 5, 2021, were approved as presented. (AYES: Guyer, Akkerman, Dawson, Flint, Murphy, and Perry; NOES: None; ABSENT: Henderson, Tanner, and Hardin). V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None VI. NEW BUSINESS None VII. PRESENTATIONS AND UPDATES A. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Community Services Coordinator, Brenda Nutcher, provided an update on DRD services, programs, recreation, and First Tee on behalf of Desert Recreation District, General Manager, Kevin Kalman and Executive Director, Teal Guion. B. PARK AMBASSADOR UPDATE REPORT Landscape Supervisor, Randy Chavez advised the commission that staff received commissioner reports, and welcomed any questions, no questions were received. C. PARK USE REPORT 2 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) DECEMBER 7, 2021 Landscape Supervisor, Randy Chavez reported a high and frequent use of City Parks. D. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER Palm Desert Aquatic Center Manager, David Keyes, advised that maintenance that was completed on the first week of November at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center closure has been completed, returning the water clarity levels back to normal. The Palm Desert Aquatic Center advertised during the closure through Instagram and Facebook, advising that equipment was being shipped out from South Africa, which was causing delays in delivery of equipment. In the month of October and November the Palm Desert Aquatic Center had nearly 2,000 lap swimmers. Mr. Keyes advised that they have added an additional class that is slowly receiving traction, the Center is actively hiring instructors and lap swimmers. The Center will be introducing a new Point of Sale System which will go live on December 20, 2021. E. FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT Ex-Officio, Paula Simonds praised Palm Desert Aquatic Center Manager, David Keyes on customer service, and facility maintenance. Ms. Simonds advised that childcare with the pre-school and school age programs at each of their sites have waiting lists. The YMCA will begin enrollment for Basketball in January 2022, she advised many of the age groups are already at capacity. Breakfast with Santa was hosted on Saturday, December 4, 2021, and Winter Wonderland at the Shops at Palm Desert is scheduled for Saturday, December 11, 2021. After nearly thirty years, gym floors have been replaced, and new basketball hoops are being installed, which is expected to improve facility rentals. F. FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS Executive Director, Tammy Martin, is working with Landscape Supervisor, Randy Chavez, Riverside Sheriff Department, and Citizens on Patrol to have the area patrolled when they are not at the visitor center. Ms. Martin advised that normally with the Wildflower Festival there is a 5K run on the Randall Henderson trail, they would like to incorporate that back into the festival, the weekend prior to the Wildflower Festival, currently scheduled for March 5, 2022. However, there are thoughts of having the location of the 5K Run moved to Cahuilla Hills Park. Commissioner Akkerman, commented on the use of Cahuilla Hills Park for the 5K Run, as the ambassador for the park he thinks the park is an excellent location to host the event, if use of a recently developed adjacent parking lot can be used. Ms. Martin is going to coordinate with the event coordinator to determine run details and determine parking. Chair Guyer, asked if it was possible to have all the runners start at the Target parking lot, Ms. Martin advised they would consider all possibilities and report later. The visitor center is scheduled to reopen on January 3, 2022. G. PALM DESERT LIBRARY 3 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) DECEMBER 7, 2021 Riverside County Libraries Zone Manager, Susan Duran, had to leave the meeting early. Recording Secretary, Mariana Rios advised the commission she would email the library report to all commissioners. VIII. COMMISSIONER, COUNCIL-LIAISON, AND STAFF COMMENTS Chair Guyer stated he would like to discuss the 2022 meeting dates. Deputy Director of Public Works, Andy Ramirez advised that a request was received for the commission to consider future meeting dates. Chair Guyer stated that the commission should meet at is scheduled meeting in January, on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 and establish a calendar for future meetings. Chair Guyer asked if we will be electing new officers for 2022. Recording Secretary, Mariana Rios advised she was not sure but would provide an update at the first meeting in January. Councilmember, Sabby Jonathan stated that the City is in the process of evaluating and implementing safer means of transportation, as an alternative to driving, such as walking, bicycling, and gold cart passes. The City has hired a consultant, the program is called Walk and Roll, he advised that Staff could provide an update on the Walk and Roll project at the next scheduled meeting, the project is currently receiving public feedback. Commissioner Flint stated that they would like a statue installed at Freedom Park, the Cultural Arts Committee advised they are currently working on a different quadrant in Palm Desert, the next quadrant would cover North Palm Desert, which includes Freedom Park. Commissioner Perry stated that everything looked well at Joe Mann Park, he mentioned that the memorial wall is falling apart, and has weather damage. Landscape Supervisor, Randy Chavez advised that Staff is actively working on the enhancement of the memorial wall. Commissioner Akkerman advised the commission of changes occurring at Lupine Plaza and encouraged all members to keep attention on this area as new design changes will be implemented soon. Commissioner Murphy stated he was concerned on advancements of the new park installation at the North Sphere. Associate Planner, Nick Melloni stated there was interest in devolving adjacent parcel next to the Millennium Park Site. There are two housing developments that will total 570 units, but planning is still in preliminary stages. Mr. Melloni will ask Deputy Director of Development Services, Eric Ceja to provide an extensive update at the next scheduled meeting. Chair Guyer is concerned with acreage for park use, and funding, and requested the commission be provided with an update at the next scheduled meeting. IX. ADJOURNMENT 4 PRELIMINARY MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION (VIRTUAL) DECEMBER 7, 2021 With the Parks and Recreation Commission concurrence, Chair Guyer adjourned the meeting at 9:29 a.m. M"6a4 a/2 iak Mariana Rios, Recording Secretary 5