HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-12 PRC Regular Meeting MinutesCity of Palm Desert Page 1
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES
Click HERE to review meeting audio.
Click HERE to access the meeting agenda packet.
1.CALL TO ORDER
A Special Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee was called to order by Chair
Akkerman on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., in the Administrative Conference
Room, City Hall, located at 73-510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California.
2.ROLL CALL
Present: Committee Members Gerald Dawson, Lori Flint, Randy Guyer, John Maldonado,
Paul Murphy, David O’Donnell*, Ralph Perry; and Chair Gregg Akkerman,
*Committee Member O’Donnell participated remotely in accordance with Assembly Bill 2449.
Absent: None.
Liaison(s)
Present: Evan Trubee, City Council Liaison
Staff
Present: Chris Escobedo, Assistant City Manager; Shawn Muir, Community Services
Manager; Kevin Swartz, Management Analyst II; and Monique Lomeli, Recording
Secretary
3.ELECTION OF PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE VICE CHAIRPERSON
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER DAWSON, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER
MURPHY, CARRIED 6-2, to elect John Maldonado as Vice Chairperson of the Parks and
Recreation Committee.
4.NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
5.PRESENTATIONS
Tuesday
September 12, 2023 8:30 a.m.
Special Meeting
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A.CIVIC ACADEMY – OCTOBER 2023
Digital Strategies Coordinator Penta provided information regarding the upcoming Civic
Academy pilot program and responded to Committee inquiries. This item was
informational, and no action was taken.
B.CITY’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT CIVIC CENTER PARK –
NOVEMBER 18, 2023.
Special Events Coordinator Goodwin provided information regarding the City’s 50th
Anniversary Celebration. This item was informational, and no action was taken.
6.CONSENT CALENDAR:
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER DAWSON, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER
GUYER, CARRIED 6-0, to approve the consent calendar.
A.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER DAWSON, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER
GUYER, CARRIED 6-0, to approve the Parks and Recreation Committee Regular
Meeting minutes of August 1, 2023.
CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER: None.
7.ACTION CALENDAR
None.
8.INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & COMMENTS
A.UPDATES FROM PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
1.Palm Desert Aquatic Center
David Keyes provided a verbal summary of recent activities at the Palm Desert
Aquatic Center, highlighting the summer addition of an inflatable course and provided
information regarding Fall programs.
2.First Tee – Coachella Valley
No report was provided.
3.Friends of the Desert Mountains
Executive Director Tammy Martin provided an update regarding Friends of the Desert
Mountains’ collaboration with the Big Horn Institute to address the need for additional
parking and reported there was no damage as the result of Hurricane Hilary.
4.Palm Desert Library
Branch Manager Jennifer Hernandez provided a written report and verbal update
regarding the Palm Desert Library and upcoming events.
5. Friends of the Library
President Karen Gonzalez provided a written report that was included in the agenda
materials.
B.UPDATES FROM EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
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1.Family YMCA of the Desert
Ex-Officio Member Simonds provided a written report and verbal update on the Family
YMCA of the Desert and provided information regarding childcare and creative
program options.
2.Desert Recreation District
Community Services Coordinator Nutcher provided a written report and verbal update
regarding the post-storm restoration of Freedom Park.
C.PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS
1.University Park East
Committee Member Perry provided a written report on University Park East that was
included with agenda materials.
2.University Dog Park
Committee Member Flint provided a written report on University Dog Park that was
included with agenda materials.
3.Homme Adams
Committee Member O’Donnell provided a written report on Homme Adams Park that
was included with agenda materials.
D.CITY COUNCIL LIAISON
City Council Liaison Trubee commended City staff for storm relief efforts, provided
information on the design and intent of Freedom Park to be utilized as a flood control
measure, and offered an update on the progress of City Library plans and operations.
E.CITY STAFF
1.Update on Request for Proposals for the Management and Operations of the Aquatic
Center
Community Services Manager Muir provided an update regarding the Request for
Proposals for the management and operation of the Aquatic Center and responded to
Committee Member inquiries.
Following discussion, the Committee appointed Committee Members Guyer and
Perry to a subcommittee assigned to assist City staff with the review of proposals.
2.Presentation on Marketing for the Aquatic Center
This item was removed from the agenda at the request of staff and will be brought
forward at the next Regular Meeting.
3.Presentation on University Park Sites
Management Analyst Swartz narrated a PowerPoint presentation illustrating the
conceptual site plan of University Park pocket parks and responded to Committee
inquiries.
Following discussion, the Committee appointed Committee Members Flint and
Murphy as a subcommittee to assist City staff with naming the pocket parks.
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4.Update on Additional Parking at Randall Henderson Trailhead
Management Analyst Swartz provided an update regarding parking at the Randall
Henderson Trailhead, noting that parking needs will be addressed by a collaboration
between the Friends of Desert Mountains and Big Horn Institute.
F.ATTENDANCE REPORT
The attendance report was provided with the agenda materials. The Committee took no
action on this matter.
9.ADJOURNMENT
The Parks and Recreation Committee adjourned at 9:53 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Monique Lomeli, Senior Deputy Clerk
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Kevin Swartz, Project Manager
Secretary
APPROVED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE: 10/17/2023
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